The Fear of Witchcraft or Wiccaphobia

What Is Wiccaphobia?

Wiccaphobia is the fear of witches or witchcraft, and is part of a group of similar supernatural phobias, such as the fear of ghosts (phasmophobia), fear of magic (rhabdophobia), and fear of demons (daemonophobia).

Fear of witchcraft dates back thousands of years and has led to the infamous witch hunts and witch trials around the globe. This was once a societal norm throughout much of Christian Europe and the United States, and the period from the 14th century through the 17th century was known as the "Burning Times," in which witchcraft was a capital offense punishable by death. This is still the case in some countries today.

Today, witches have religious freedom in most countries, including the United States, but fears remain. Modern Wiccaphobia may have a connection to xenophobia, or fear of those who are different, and to certain religious or spiritual beliefs.

This article discusses the history of Wiccaphobia and the factors that play a role in causing this phobia. It also discusses the signs of this phobia and treatment options.

History of Wiccaphobia

What is at the heart of Wiccaphobia? This fear dates back to the beginning of recorded history, crossing nearly all cultures around the world in some form. Explanations for illness, drought, and other misfortune were commonly thought to be the result of supernatural and mystical forces coming from sorcery, evil spirits, and angry gods.

What is a Witch?

The term “witch” can be synonymous with terms like charmer, conjurer, enchanter, necromancer, blesser, occultist, sorcerer, and warlock, and each conjures up all sorts of imagery (yes, pun intended). Witches are commonly associated with both nature (medicinal plants, animals, elements) and the supernatural (deities, spirits), and are known for being practitioners of magic(k); performing rituals, using incantations, and casting spells.

Witchcraft is a broad category that includes Wicca, paganism, neopaganism, folk magic, and other new-age spiritual practices like astrology and tarot cards.

Wicca itself is a nature-based spiritual movement that was officially recognized as a religion in the United States in 1986. Wiccan practices typically involve the worship of deities (usually a female goddess), connecting with the divine through nature, and celebration of sabbats that mark the changes of the seasons and special holidays (Samhain/Halloween). The full moon is also a special time, according to various pagan traditions.

You cannot lump all witches together, as traditions are drawn from a variety of ancient practices from the druids, Egyptians, mystics, and so on. Witches can be solitary, or they can be part of a coven (for example: a group of 13 witches) that distinguishes themselves from other covens, similar to the way Christians have different denominations.

There are also a variety of symbols and objects associated with witchcraft, such as pentacles, candles, black cats, crescent moons, full moons, brooms, potions, black cauldrons, and so on. These can all become triggers for the fear associated with witches and witchcraft.

Witchcraft - Good or Evil?

In some cultures, witchcraft is divided into either good or bad; white or black; protective or destructive. The “bad witches” are thought to be maligned with evil spirits and cast spells to take advantage of people or cause misfortune to strike their enemies. The “good witches” use their craft to fight against evil forces and provide their services to help people with their health, finances, and relationships.

Wicca, and other pagan groups, have their own code of ethics, that suggests magic should be used to help people, and only if no harm is caused to others. It is important to them to try to live in harmony with others and the environment. However not all witches are the same, and some practice dark arts with selfish or malevolent intent.

From a Christian perspective, there are no "good witches" and any attempt to access supernatural power from any source other than "the LORD" is by default from Satan. There is no in-between and no exception. Interestingly, most witches do not believe there is a Satan or hell, and view these terms as symbolic. There are even some who identify as Christian witches and hold a different view of some of the biblical texts that talk about witchcraft.

The Burning Times

Ancient religious texts have linked witchcraft with evil spirits and the devil, with one of the oldest stories being in the Bible about the “witch of Endor” who communicated with the spirits of the dead. In Christianity and other Abrahamic religions, divination is a sin, and sorcery is strictly forbidden.

Rooted in these religious beliefs, the plagues, droughts, and other unfortunate events in the Middle Ages were thought to be the work of the devil. And the devil works through people. If your cattle were hit with a plague, or your crops were not growing due to drought, it was common to blame it on the works of the devil, which allegedly manifested as the result of a curse or spell cast by a witch or sorcerer.

The Burning Times began with the 1487 release of the Malleus Maleficarum or "Witches' Hammer." The book detailed how to convict and kill a witch and was popular in Europe through the late 17th century.

Fear of witches also carried over to the English colonies in North America, where witchcraft was considered a capital offense. The most famous witch hunts occurred in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, but a trial in Virginia finally brought the mass hysteria to light.

In 1706, Grace Sherwood faced charges of witchcraft in Williamsburg, Virginia. Her trial, held at the dawn of the Age of Reason, brought to light the conflict between science and superstition. Witnesses testified that Grace caused ghosts to attack people, but the court was unconvinced by what it termed "spectral evidence;" reports coming from dreams, visions, and other apparitions. Shortly after the trial, spectral evidence was officially banned from trials.

Fear of Witches Across Cultures

Fear of witches is not isolated to Judean, Christian, and Muslim religious beliefs, nor is it a faint remnant of the past. There are Native American groups such as the Navajo that describe “skinwalkers” and “shapeshifters;” who are bad witches that cause harm to people, animals, and property. The "Navajo Witch Purge" took place in 1878 where 40 suspected Navajo witches were killed.

In various African and Asian communities, witches seem to take on the role of scapegoat, blamed for natural disasters, disease, election outcomes, and personal misfortune and illness. Some believe witches are literally or spiritually cannibals and they "eat the souls" of their victims.

In Africa, an accusation of witchcraft remains a serious matter, as witches are associated with evil and all forms of disease, misfortune, and death. It is normal in many cultures to wear amulets, drink potions, and recite specific incantations to combat the effect of witchcraft. Often, people will seek witch doctors to help them fight against a witchcraft attack. The witch doctor seeks guidance from spirits to devise a remedy that often involves various rituals and ceremonies.

Several organizations such as UNICEF and Human Rights Watch have reported tragic cases of child abuse in parts of Africa, where babies and children are accused of being witches. These children are subject to various abuses, from being locked up, beaten, starved, and shunned by their parents and the community. In the worst cases, witch hunts are planned, the accused child is abducted, and their organs or body parts are harvested as part of the remedy. This exemplifies the extraordinary degree to which the fear of witchcraft has gripped some communities and cultures.

Symptoms of Wiccaphobia

A person with Wiccaphobia experiences feelings of anxiety about witches, witchcraft, or related occult symbols. They also avoid places or situations that might involve exposure to witches or witchcraft. There may even be a fear that one is becoming a witch themselves. When they are exposed to the source of their fear, people may experience symptoms of anxiety such as:

• Breathlessness
• Chest pain
• Chills
• Choking sensations
• Disorientation
• Heart palpitations
• Nausea
• Stomach upset or pain
• Sweating 
• Trembling

Sometimes people with this phobia will experience a panic attack if they encounter witches or witchcraft. Panic attacks are sudden and intense episodes of extreme fear that can include a sense of unreality, feelings of impending doom, or the sense that death is imminent.

Diagnosis

Wiccaphobia itself is not recognized as a distinct condition in the "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," often referred to as the DSM-5-TR, which healthcare providers use to diagnose mental health conditions. Instead, Wiccaphobia, like other phobias, would fall under the more general diagnosis known as specific phobia. 

Causes of Wiccaphobia

There are a few different factors that contribute to the development of this phobia. Witch hunts may have been the result of the overarching need for a scapegoat to blame illness and misfortune on. Today, genetics, social learning, media, pop culture, and traumatic experiences can all play a unique role in the fear of witches. Xenophobia, or fear of people who are different, also feeds into this particular phobia.

The Scapegoat and Mass Hysteria

Humans have a deep need to find the reason behind tragedy in order to make sense of it, find solutions, and regain some control over their lives. However, the solution to rid "the evil" from among us is often misguided toward an innocent scapegoat, leading to something far worse than the problem itself.

Witchcraft fever could be seen as a sort of mass hysteria. When plagues, droughts, and other economic hardships hit a community, and you have people who seek out a scapegoat to blame it on, it is a recipe for delusional thinking and mass hysteria leading to unfounded witch hunts.

As scientists began to make sense of the world around them and education among the average population improved, the degree of mass hysteria decreased.

Genetics

It may sound strange to inherit a fear of witches, but it isn't that straightforward. Anxiety disorders can be genetic, and create a predisposition to develop phobias. Someone who already struggles with anxiety, and then develops a fear related to paranormal phenomena, may be more prone to developing Wiccaphobia.

Learned Phobia

Additionally, this specific phobia may develop in childhood when the parents, community, or culture teach children that witchcraft is associated with evil and darkness. There are traditions passed through the generations that include folklore, legends, and religious beliefs that perpetuate the fear of witches, ghosts, and monsters. For example, in the United States, some children are not allowed to participate in trick-or-treating for Halloween because it is viewed as the most evil day of the year.

Someone who grows up in these belief systems may naturally wonder if a curse has been placed on them by a witch or if they are under demonic attack when they are experiencing sickness, job loss, relationship problems, etc.

Media and Pop Culture

Depictions of witchcraft in popular media might also factor into this type of phobia. From Snow White to The Wizard of Oz, witches are often depicted in a scary or negative way, like a green-skinned hag, with a maniacal high-pitched cackle, brewing up something nasty in their black cauldron. These depictions can cause people to develop irrational fears based on those stereotypical portrayals.

However, in more modern times, the U.S. media is balancing the dark stereotype with shows that popularize witches as more heroic than villainous, like Harry Potter and Charmed. Several news reports claim an increased interest in witchcraft, especially among young people, and you can easily buy your own witchcraft starter kit on Amazon.

Trauma

In more severe cases, a fear of witches can be triggered by negative or traumatic experiences associated with witchcraft and other occult practices. Some people have found themselves in frightening situations as children or adults that involved various occult practices, after which they may avoid anything related to witchcraft or the occult in general.

Xenophobia

Some modern witchcraft fears have roots in xenophobia or the fear of those who are different. If you lived in a small town, you might never have encountered someone who practices Wicca or another pagan religion. You may be leery of them by the way they dress, the color of their hair, or their body piercings. You may be afraid of their customs and practices or, more likely, the customs and practices you assume they follow.

Just as is the case with all people who are ‘different’ from your in-group, it is human nature to be more guarded with people who have a different appearance, sexual orientation, political view, or spirituality than you do. But when you get to know them individually, you are likely to find you have far more in common than you think. You may even find them to be kinder, funnier, more generous, and more loving than some of your own beloved family and friends. That's always a head-scratcher.

Getting to know people outside of our in-group helps us overcome biases and stereotypes that fuel anxiety, fear, and even hatred.

Treatment

While this fear can be upsetting and disruptive, effective treatments can help. While medications are sometimes prescribed to help manage immediate anxiety symptoms, talk therapy is the most common treatment for specific phobias. Two approaches that can be particularly effective are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy.

• Cognitive behavioral therapy involves identifying the underlying negative thoughts that contribute to fear and anxiety. Once identified, people then work on replacing these thoughts with more realistic and helpful ones.
• Exposure therapy is a type of CBT that is commonly used for people with phobias, in which a person is gradually exposed to the source of their fear. This is done under the supervision of a therapist in a safe environment. Along with exposure, people practice techniques such as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation to induce the relaxation response. Over time, the fear begins to lessen and fade.

Therapy can be highly effective in relieving symptoms of phobias. Research has found that even just a single psychotherapy session can have positive effects and decrease feelings of fear.

During treatment, your therapist may also want to explore the root of your fear and ask you questions, such as:

• Does your church teach that witchcraft is a sin?
• Are you afraid that you might be a witch, and if so, why?
• Do you believe that witches have the power to cause harm?
• Have you ever had a negative experience with the occult?
  

Coping With Wiccaphobia

Although pagan-based religions are generally benign, they have been negatively depicted for thousands of years. Wiccaphobia is generally complex and may not be easy to treat.

• Look for an open-minded therapist who is willing to delve into your past and seek assistance from religious leaders.
• Research ancient and modern-day pagan-based religions, and remain open-minded. If possible, expose yourself to other religions and spiritual beliefs by attending events. Learning more about other people and their spiritual practices can help you feel less afraid. 
• Get to know people who practice pagan or new-age spirituality on a more personal level. You may never agree with their spiritual practices, but your fear may subside as you develop an amazing friendship.

A Word From Verywell

While getting help for Wiccaphobia can be anxiety-provoking or uncomfortable at times, it is the best way to find relief. Talk to your healthcare provider about your treatment options.