On a recent visit to my local library, I ended up in the ‘Mind, Body and Spirit’ section. At least 30 feet of shelf space is devoted to witchcraft, astrology, tarot and all sorts of similar practices.
Which is why I was unsurprised when I read an article in The Independent (May 20 2007) reporting the results of a study conducted by Bath Spa University into the popularity of witchcraft among teenage girls. The report claims that record numbers of teenage girls are becoming involved in witchcraft, and that there are over 700,000 internet sites aimed at teenage witches. But why have witchcraft, and the associated belief system known as Wicca, become so popular?
There are some usual suspects which tend to get the blame. TV programmes such as Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Charmed, as well as the Harry Potter franchise and a host of other books and films, are all implicated in introducing young people to witchcraft. But Wicca and the practice of witchcraft have other features which are attractive to seekers. And these provide important challenges to Christians as we try to reach these same young people.