The Rise of WitchTok: Occult Beliefs Find a New Home on Social Media

In a fascinating parallel to the 16th century, the ancient practices of magic and the occult have found a new lease on life through the rise of "WitchTok" - a thriving subculture on the video-sharing platform TikTok. This modern resurgence of esoteric beliefs echoes the era when the printing press inadvertently fueled the spread of occult knowledge across Europe.

Spells and Sorcery in Snappy Videos

TikTok's format of short, visually captivating videos has proven to be the perfect medium for showcasing spells, rituals, and divination practices. Creators share snappy tutorials on candle magic, crystal work, and herbal concoctions, inviting viewers to participate in interactive tarot readings or pendulum divinations. The brevity and accessibility of these videos have made complex esoteric systems more palatable for a new generation seeking spiritual fulfillment.

With over 18.7 billion views under the #WitchTok hashtag, this occult renaissance has captured the attention of mainstream media and academics alike. Anthropologists and theologians have scrambled to interpret this unexpected turnout, noting the staggering popularity of WitchTok compared to political hashtags like #Biden.

Echoes of the Occult Reformation

The rise of WitchTok bears an eerie resemblance to the "occult reformation" of the 16th century, when the advent of the printing press facilitated the widespread dissemination of grimoires – ancient books of magic and demonology. Skeptics like Reginald Scot, in an attempt to debunk such beliefs, inadvertently exposed the details of occult rituals to a wider audience through published works like "The Discovery of Witchcraft."

Just as Scot's treatise sparked controversy and fueled public fascination with the occult, WitchTok has ignited debates within the online occult community itself. "Learned magicians" have emerged, aiming to correct misinformation and uphold the integrity of their esoteric traditions, much like the scholars of the Renaissance era.

The Allure of Power and Escapism

At the heart of WitchTok's appeal lies the age-old human yearning for power and control over life's uncertainties. Spells promising love, wealth, healing, or revenge offer a tantalizing fantasy of supernatural agency in an often unfair world. This desire for empowerment transcends time and echoes the motivations of those who sought occult knowledge in centuries past.

Moreover, WitchTok provides a form of escapism, much like the "Cottagecore" aesthetic it often intersects with. Just as Cottagecore videos offer a bucolic idyll, WitchTok promises a realm where the boundaries of possibility are expanded through magic, offering respite from the constraints of everyday reality.

Conclusion

The rise of WitchTok on social media platforms is a testament to the enduring allure of the occult and the human fascination with the supernatural. As technology continues to evolve, ancient beliefs and practices find new avenues for expression and dissemination, mirroring the cultural upheavals of the past. Whether this modern occult renaissance will face the same scrutiny and backlash as its 16th-century counterpart remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the desire for mystical knowledge and power shows no signs of waning.

TikTok: WitchTok has billions of views. Witches explain why. (usatoday.com)