10 Life Lessons Every Teen Witch Learns From The Craft
When The Craft appeared in theaters twenty years ago, it gave a generation of mystics and spellcasters a modern story of the power of magic, women and friendship — and showed us all the ways those things could get dark. The Craft is still inspiring teen witches to get strange and break free with Nancy’s eminently quotable line: “We are the weirdos, mister.” As the film teaches us, when dabbling in the occult it’s best to be respectful, trust your instincts and treat it as a learning process. There’s a wealth of knowledge waiting in your local spellcraft store and online, so new witches don’t have end up like the Four, battling each other and taking their gifts for granted. If you heed the lessons of the film, you can find your inner good witch.
1/11“Whatever you send out there, you get back times three”
The magic shop owner in the Craft, Lirio, is always the voice of reason. She gives the Four the golden rule of witchcraft: what you put out into the universe comes back to you. Our intentions are powerful. What seems like a good “punishment” in the Craft comes back to haunt even Rochelle. Her spell against the racist, popular cheerleader felt entirely deserved, but even she eventually regretted causing so much trauma. Be specific in what you set in motion, and be prepared to address the consequences.
2/11Be careful what you cast for
Bonnie’s love spell, unlike the revenge spells of the other three in her circle, had a bit less of a bite at first glance. She just wants Chris to like her, and cast a spell to that end, only to find herself humiliating him against her better judgement, and eventually fending off a full-blown stalker. We always think we want what we don’t have, but cast carefully, or those pesky consequences can sneak up on you.
3/11Intention is a powerful force for good (or ill)
The intentions of your spells and potions, meditations and visualizations don’t just rattle around your skull, even if you keep them a secret. Nancy may have been gifted all the power of Manu when she asked, but what she intended to do with that power made all the difference. Her destructive goals rebounded sharply; the more power she exerted, the more destruction she wrought, the more she was caught up in her fears and inadequacies. Bring love and compassion to your craft, and it will do much less harm, intentional or otherwise.
4/11Take interest traditional knowledge, not just its effects
Between the shoplifting and the eye rolling, the Four didn’t have much respect for Lirio and her words of warning. The witches were arrogant, powerful, but ultimately novices, which makes for a potent mix. If you’re interested in magic you see in The Craft, read up on the many ways in which magic can be practiced. Find the methods and traditions that work best for you, and keep learning! The more you know, the more precisely you can gauge the effectiveness of the work you do.
5/11Trust your instincts when playing with magic
Every movie has a moment that makes its audience want to reach through the screen and shake the protagonist. “Don’t go in there!” we squeal, looking at the inevitable fallout through our fingers. Sarah has quite a few moments like this in the movie, and she ignores every single one. In your own practice, if your insides give a similar lurch, trust your instincts. Spend some time thinking about whatever is giving you pause, and treat it like a sign from the universe. Maybe it is just calling for a slowing down of your magic practice. But don’t ignore those big red flags when you recognize them.
6/11Don't use magic on the unwilling (or unknowing)
How often do we wish we could charm the world around us into giving us exactly what we think we want? Whether it’s revenge for being treated badly, instant beauty, or more power over our circumstances, sometimes magic can seem like the easy way out. There’s a fairly good rule of thumb laid out by The Craft however: every time the girls work a spell on an unwilling or unwitting victim, it comes out the worse for them. When they use magic to solve these new problems, all four find themselves mired more deeply in the messes they made. Keep the magic between you and your coven, and you’re likely to stay on a positive path.
7/11Keep your casting simple when you begin
The Invocation of the Spirit the Four put into action is far more powerful than any of them expect; it splinters what is a relatively peaceful circle of friendship with fear, lust, and betrayal. Despite being warned by Lirio, a more experienced witch, the four girls do exactly as they please, only to end up with Nancy stroking dead sea creatures and walking on water. Magic is all fun and games until suddenly it’s not, whether that disquiet is someone becoming uncomfortable or something more sinister. Magic is a practice, not a competition, and there are no prizes for the most complicated spells. Light your candle, learn well, and if you take it seriously, it will help you grow.
8/11Find a trustworthy coven
The coven of the Four in The Craft is not the most solid. Four misfits, three of whom seem to be old friends, one powerful newcomer. They turn on each other quickly when things get hairy, with murderous consequences. Armed with your instinct and your knowledge, look for other people who practice magic in a way your respect. With social media, there are hundreds of witches coming out of the woodwork for you to find. Many teach classes and workshops, and others support brick and mortar places that are safe and welcoming. If you’re ready to step up your magic, it’s other people that will make the difference - just like how the girls of The Craft waited patiently for Sarah. And look out for people who take you and our concern seriously, unlike Sarah’s coven.
9/11Take what you see and feel with a grain of salt
It’s ok to be a little skeptical; there are so many forms of magic, and The Craft is only one version of a particular tradition. In many traditions, taking salt isn’t just a metaphor for being a skeptic. Salt is said to be protective, which shows up in a lot of pop culture occult. Pouring a salt ring around your spellcraft can ward off negative energies. Bathing crystals in salt can purify them. When engaging with magic, take what works for you and be protective of yourself and your psyche. What feels empowering to some people may call for a bit more salt for you.
10/11Most importantly, practice in the way that feels most authentic
The young witches of The Craft practice a specific form of magic that may be unrecognizable to a crystal healer, a herbalist, a tarot reader. The world of the occult is filled with tools and traditions that speak to each person a different way. Many witches stick to only their proscribed tools, others dabble in many different forms of magic. Witchcraft has many names around the world as well, so investigate your local forms of witchcraft or your family’s origins. You may find someone in your family was a natural witch, just like Sarah did, or maybe you’ll find some kinship with your more spooky forebearers.
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