Being a very traditional Mother, I’ve decided to take a slightly different approach in discussions, suggesting that “Witches are nothing to be scared of my darlings because I’m a witch and Aunty Vick’s a witch. In fact, we know lots of witches.”

Even though my personal idea of witchcraft is essentially being attuned with all that IS in the world – especially oneself – I must say, that statement got a significant response last night.

Jax: “Mum you are not a witch, you are just a Mummy.”

Lex: “Can you turn me into a train? No, turn me into a frog?”

Of course, I then had to explain that there are different kinds of witches and my personal power is not of the zapping variety. I said it’s all about making things happen with my mind, and that if you have positive feelings and ideas, good things happen and life is happier.” I lost them at that point.

So I showed them my wand (a gift from my Dad many years ago and something I adore) as well as my crystal ball (both pictured).

“See guys, I’m a witch! I’ve got all the tools.”

But Jax was having none of his Mum being a witch – with a very firm “Mum, you are NOT a witch.”

However, this goes a little bit deeper for me. I actually feel quite pissed off with how witchescontinue to be reflected in the media and storytelling today, and of course, historically. I also feel even more disappointed that my loves are picking up these stereotypes and carrying on the message.

I did a lot of research into this years ago and could share lots of thoughts and ideas, but briefly, my conclusions are along the lines of the history of witches is about the subjugation of women, wrapped around the growth of modern day monotheisticreligions –  pure and simple. It’s about killing what was and replacing it with something new – but examples had to be made of the old, with these examples almost exclusively and barbarically focused on women. Witch comes from Wit which actually meant traditional medicine woman (think Shaman), and of course, for many reasons, that was wiped out and women in this field were burnt at the stake, terrorized and a lot more. It’s obviously linked to the growth of modern day religion and the killing off of the ‘Goddess,’ and we are still seeing women defiled for this and many other reasons today.

I don’t want my boys growing up with historical or modern-day misconceptions around women. I don’t want them wrapped up in how the media portrays women and seeing that as “normal” or “right.” My husband gets a kicking when he uses phrases like “you throw like a girl” (I’m a great thrower after all) or similar – even if he does says those things to wind me up. Using that as a criticism or motivation to be better at something is not OK, because let’s face it, the boys obviously aren’t that good, come on!

Maybe I’m fighting a lost cause, but damn it, my boys are going to grow into very self-enlightened men when it comes to women. My husband has had nearly 11 years training in Andrea’s course on “how to detect bollocks in the media and society when it comes to gals” and he’s coming along well (although I must say he started off ahead of the curve). He does, however, occasionally deliver the odd slip – he is human after all – but fortunately, I get to offer this course to the boys from the beginning, so perhaps I’ll succeed?

All I hope is that one day, some future women (if, of course, they choose women as their partners) is going to be very appreciative of my efforts.

So yes, I’m a witch, and I’m proud of it. Anyone else a witch?

Yours, without the bollocks

Andrea