Behind the Spells: A Closer Look at the Online Witchcraft Community  

✨Creator Spotlight ✨ (I'm hoping to add more to this and figure out how to tag people, feel free to add more creators in the comments). Ivy the Occultist - www.youtube.com/@IvyTheOccultist Annie the Green Witch - www.youtube.com/@TheGreenWitch The Witch of Wonderlust - www.youtube.com/@TheWitchOfWonderlust Beverley Butterfly - www.youtube.com/@BeverleyButterfly Magickal Crafting - www.youtube.com/@MagicalCrafting Thorne Mooney - www.youtube.com/@drawingKenaz MintFairy - www.youtube.com/@Mintfaery Ariana Carrasca - The Oak Witch - www.youtube.com/@TheOakWitch Chaotic Witch Aunt - www.youtube.com/@ChaoticWitchAunt The Norse Witch - www.youtube.com/@TheNorseWitch Witch of Southern Light - www.youtube.com/@witchofsouthernlight Kestrel the Nature Witch - www.youtube.com/@kestrelthenaturewitch Aster Perpetua - www.youtube.com/@asterperpetua Laura Tempest Zakroff - www.youtube.com/@LTZWitch Emily's Witchcraft and Tarot - www.youtube.com/@EmilysTarotandMagick Azura DragonFeather - www.youtube.com/@AzuraDragonFaether LadyGraveDancer - www.youtube.com/@TheLadygravedancer

I don't comment often, but you look so *radiant* that I simply had to let it be known 😊

"So sometimes I like to be seen as...a *person*." - Favourite quote of this video.

Oh my how I have learnt that rule "be silent in your craft"!!! Yes I agree I would never do a working, talk about a working illustrate a working etc that I wish to manifest. It always saddens me how people can be so negative about others, even other witches So onwards I strive in silence and build slowly in those whom I trust. Great content. ❤

I'm amazed you got 4 hours of filming edited into one video. I appreciate how much details you give and how much nuance you always give

I have a friend who is a high priestess. I asked her how long it took her to achieve that. She was a member of a strong coven. She said it took her 19 years to get initiated to that level. She said it was extremely hard and demanding. There is no substitute for that. Seems that people are going for shortcuts now and that is not good. Many people are doing it now, not out of genuine interest but out of egotism. I don’t know the effects of doing this with witchcraft. In ceremonial magic that can be very dangerous especially with Enochian. If you are going to learn a craft, any craft you should try and go the distance and not use shortcuts. Everyone needs to learn, but learn the right ways and techniques. Thank you for the video! Great job!

I love how you said that witchcraft is often sugarcoated online. I sometimes practise my craft, but was afraid to because i thought it has to appeal to this sugarcoated version of witchcraft. Now you broke that for me, thank youuu

If I had to make a list of favorite WitchTube creators you would be on the top of the list because your knowledge is vast and yet you are humble enough to admit when you don't know something but can still direct people to good books that lead to the answer. In that way I feel you have become a quasi-coven leader to many who would otherwise be lost in the vast ocean of fake information or stuck in an environment that they don't fit in with.🌹🌺🌻💐🐝

First impression, that thumbnail pic is SO CUTE!

Hearth, after listening to you waffle for over an hour, I could never think of you as anything other than a real person. You may have a computer like brain, but you bring the human element to everything you do. You did a great job on editing this one down, I thought it was going to be the length of a live stream. 😉

You're the first witch RU-vidr I followed, when I started to dive deeper into the magical practice after I spent time with divination as a beginner. I learned so much from you that I just can't thank you enough for the witchcraft content you created. You are GOLD for this community!❤

I've followed you since 2019. You have been my go to teacher of the craft! Your so real honest and very interesting! Many Blessings Hearth. I loved this video 👍👍💕💕

I’m so excited that you did this. 😂 The reference to the moon “cursing” made me chuckle. 📚📚📚📚📚

THIS is the video I have been waiting for! I am so excited hearing your take on this tag. I am thrilled you took it on. I am a 40-somthing practitioner who has been following your content since 2019 when i first began my journey in learning about all things witchy and magical. Your videos have been so educational and were instrumental in the steps I took as I was learning early on. I value hearing your thoughts on these topics too. Ok, back to the video!

your channel is soo educational and i learned so much from you . thank you so much for being detailed and transparent about witchcraft.

Excellent as always, Hearth! I'd love to have a "pretty" and esthetically pleasing practice, but that is not always possible, lol. My main altar (and my diety altars, to a lesser degree) is a chaotic hot mess at the moment. I'm always chasing stray herbs and dripping wax around my work space 🤦‍♀️ Plus, I have to be a little slap dash with things. My partner humors me, but he's not someone I would do a working in front of, or even talk about it with. And we live in an apartment with my adult son (he's also aware that I'm a practitioner, but not the details), so long spans of complete privacy aren't easy to come by. Fast and ugly is the only way sometimes! 😄 As I've grown in my practice, I feel far less bothered by it. 📚

Much love from Alaska! Thank you for all your hard work in all of your content. I just wanted to say I see you as a whole ass person and not just some face on a screen. ❤📚📚📚📚

I have been practicing now for 3 years. I have been learning from books and if I really want a wonderful explanation about things, I ALWAYS go to your channel Hearth. ❤

You look so gorgeous here! I’m about 3 years into the craft and about 6 years into my spiritual path and I’ve always thought people are too naive when it comes to spiritual stuff. I’ve always had the notion that I’m just at the beginning and know close to nothing when you think about all there’s to learn.

Thank you so much for elevating some incredibly valuable voices within our community like Beverley, Emily and Aster ❤️🙏🏼

I’m so happy you’ve joined this challenge!!! ❤

Even talking about social media and witchcraft really takes the magic out of it for me.

These long videos are literally what I live for within the community and RU-vid content overall, very informative and full of useful context. You’re doing amazing, brilliant opinions and insight and all! Thank you! 🖤

📚📚📚 Always enjoy hearing your thoughts on things, Hearth. I actually prefer the longer and more in depth content format of you tube videos, blog posts ( oh how I miss the time when blogs were at their height, before social media took over), books, and if we are so lucky, person to person conversations. Out of curiosity, do you recall that first book you found at a library? I was in my early thirties, it was 2009 and the first one I checked out was Green Witchcraft by Ann Moura. Hope Spring is unfolding beautifully for you!

Your the only one I watch on video. I myself just follow my path. Some spells that I like I will post if it's how I practice other than that...nope. I will help out someone if they are searching but I will also tell them keep looking to you find what makes you comfortable. My way is NOT the only way. & even though I've been doing this for 49 years I'm still learning. You never stop learning! Anyone who sais they know everything n done most...RUN!

You are a dynamic and level headed lady. I am so happy to have found you. You give such great and comp,etc descriptions that are done with care and concern for safety and so much more. I am thankful for you! ❤

You're one of my favorite witches! Your authenticity shines through all your videos, but this one especially in your eyes!

Thank you for touching on the feeling of isolation people in our community feel when first coming to our practices (into ourselves, really) and finding community where you can . Love your videos !

I like to think of witchcraft studies like trying to complete your bachelors, masters, or PhD in college. You need at least 4-6 years of study/labs/internships to get those degrees. It just makes sense to me to approach studying the craft in that way.

You look especially beautiful today, there’s something about your hair and makeup that just suits you so well to my opinion 👌🏼 obviously the channel is about the content but I do appreciate the aesthetics of the background and I can see your dedication and your work through these details as well. In general, thanks a lot, I’m very much alone in my path and you’ve helped me a lot throughout the years especially with your massive q&a’s those I absolutely adore. I’d love to hear someday that you have a course or something like that, since I believe it’s important not only have systematic and structured studies but also have someone you trust supervising you, especially when you want to go to the root of all things. Appreciate all your work, you’re a superhuman to me trying to get everything done ❤️

Wow Hearth, you look absolutely stunning! Your beautiful in every video but today your just glowing! ❤❤❤

I like the mini-media literacy class! I love what you said about short-form content and how people should make the effort to do their own research and confirm for themselves if it's accurate or relevant. I'm a media professional in my daily life so it's nice to see people online say this. It's sad that it has to be said, but reminders are always GOOD. :)

Thank you for sharing your insights as always! You are a lovely person and I appreciate your candid conversation

Thank you Hearth, for always including everyone!! Although I don't have mobility issues myself... I find that it gets overlooked, often in witchcraft, particularly. Also, "armchair witch" I heard a RU-vidr mention that once, and I was mortified because I felt like that's what I was doing. I really put myself down about it, so thank you for making me feel better about that. I've not watched the whole video yet, but I felt I had to mention how much we appreciate you for always including all groups of people and for not pretending that you have it together allll of the time! It's so refreshing. ❤

As an absolute beginner, still in the reading stage, I found this video really helpful. Thank you. 😊

Hearth! I don't comment often but I wanted to say, thank you so much for this video and taking the time to talk about these important topics! You explained everything beautifully. I enjoy all of your content and I have to say you are the one creator that I have learned the most from. Definitely one of my favorite content creators in this community. I think you are truly special. Keep up the wonderful work you are doing. BTW you look stunning!! 📖📖📕

I am a new content creator and I get a lot of ideas and help from you and others on RU-vid. I really appreciate your work here. Please continue to teach and post your craft.

I've been following you since 2019, Hearth, and you are a constant source of reliable information, positivity, realistic expectations, and happiness for me. You have grown so much and your realness is beautiful! 💚

I am new on my path. I had no idea where to start except to read books. I am so glad I found you. I have watched several of your beginners videos and will watch them again and again. You have given me a much better understanding of what it is and is not. Also given me invaluable advice on where to start and what the basics are and how to go about practicing them to get a good basics to start with before going into it too fast and too soon and too far before knowing and doing the groundwork first. I really had no idea where to even start before watching you. You are very knowledgeable and I like how you speak and your vibe. Thank you so much for giving me a place to start my learning and my journey.

I myself was tought from my great grandmother. I was 4 years old. 49 years now . I also work Dragon Magik. My faves are dream Magik Astral Travel Magik & mirror Magik. As well as Dragon Magik 😁

Thank you for sharing your thoughts about so many topics 📚❤️

I have been following your channel since the beginning of my journey. So for roughly 3 years I have been absorbing the knowledge you have to share. I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything you do for the community. I really appreciate your hard work and research on the topics you speak about. Hope you have a lovely day.

I started of with Wicca but I don’t really reside with that , I’m not sure I have a style as my practice has dwindled a fair bit , I don’t have any deities or anything like that , I do recognise sabbats but I don’t necessarily celebrate, i love nature and the feel of it so I spend a lot of time just embracing that area and I try to go the natural way with herbs and spices, flowers etc I definitely live by the correspondences and believe in a lot of the occult lore like the fae and signs etc , but I’m not sure I’m a witch anymore as I rarely cast if I do it’s for a friend or my kids if they need some help with something and my tarot skills have definitely dwindled with my lack of practice. I keep tabs online face book insta and RU-vid , and I resonate with so much but I wish I could meet people that are nearby and share my “practice “ with , also my adhd makes it so hard when I have no one to remind me lol 😂, I feel better knowing just because I’m not constantly casting or worshiping a deity doesn’t make me less of a witch , I just don’t feel the need to daily cast , I also have health issues and I’m a single mum with minimal support so after I get home from work I’m drained so it’s very difficult to build the energy to do a spell , especially when you need to out so much into the prep let alone the actual energy you use while physically casting the spell itself. You have honestly made me feel less of a failure or a fraud and more a normal witch xxx

I have been watching you since 2020 when it started my magical journey. Because of you, I have learned to do my research and follow my personal path. I have watched other creators from tik tok and RU-vid where they give their knowledge but it comes from a place of "my way or the highway" attitude. You are right witchcraft is very nuanced. It took me 2 years into my craft for me to really find my strong point. I love your channel. Thank you for everything you do

My Goddess! I loved your blue hair the past few years but I love your natural hair now. Although, I'm Wiccan. I love watching your videos. You are enchanting, my dear! Blessed be. ✨🌒🌕🌘✨

You have done a amazing job and so hit the nail on the head with your video very well done 👏

Well said. You always shed so much light on subjects that so many of us are fair new too. Your honesty is a breath of fresh air.

Thanks for always being so frank and straightforward about everything. You are so genuine and knowledgeable. I could listen to you for days. Thanks for being you.

i am ar 13:00, there are many people out there like you talked about and then there are people like me that could listen for hours, you are an incredible teacher in my humble opinion...keep up the good work, regards

I was just thinking about social media and witchcraft and then I see you posted this video! Thank you and I love your videos💛

That’s why you are one of my all time favourite RU-vidrs. When I see you’ve posted a new video I will make myself an appointment to watch it and I’m always looking forward to it 😍

Yay, I was really hoping you were going to do an #occultea segment! It was amazing by the way and it really gave me a lot to think about! You are truly inspiring! 🥰✨

As always, Hearth, you talk sense. Thank you for your voice of reason in the craft!

Your videos are my favorite BECAUSE they are long, I absolutely love the nuance you add to topics. I’ve been waiting for your video on this tag🥰

hearth!!! just wanted to say thank you so much for being so kind yesterday & not making me feel alone with my anxiety haha! you were so lovely and radiated an absolutely beautiful energy 🩷

📚 this was such a great take for this tag! I wasn’t sure if you would participate because you’ve mentioned in other videos that you don’t really watch witchy RU-vid so this was a wonderful surprise to see in my feed! 💕

I wanted to say thank you for taking the time to make your videos.

Loved hearing your thoughts on this subject! Thank you for sharing! ☺️

This video is so helpful thank you so much. I appreciate everything in here. And I'm really glad you mentioned the instant content. I am a creator in a different space and it's the same over here. I'm glad as a creator you are taking your time because that's the right way to do it. Thanks for being here. Here's to learning patience and enjoying the journey.

I love your honesty and your realistic approach.❤

I watch many of the ones you have listed, Alwyn Oak is also a creator I enjoy, I would also like to find more UK based creators

Great video Hearth. It's been a long time since I've watched your videos, a couple of years, and I almost didn't recognize you. I love your new look.

Hearth, you are looking radiant! Love your videos and absolutely love learning from all that you share with us.

So good that I listened to this twice, back to back. Thank you.

I am so happy you did this tag!

I have followed your channel for the longest time and I have learned so much about witchcraft from you. Thank you for your zest and passion and you being you!

I’m always down for a long HearthWitch video !!! I listen to you whilst doing chores or driving. I have learned much from you and I’ve been practising for over 13yrs. I’m always ready to learn more.

Keep being awesome. Thanks for helping me transform not just my ritual practice, but my spiritual self. Stuff like this video is what keeps our community self-aware and cognizant of the charlatans and the snake oil salesmen. Bravo!

Sorry to hear some people talk to you like a thing. You're not a thing, you're a lovely, wonderful person, a teacher, and a beautiful soul 💚 Your contribution is much appreciated 🙏 Xxx

I love these long vids. Your channel is always a joy to watch. And you really are glowing in this vid although you always look great.

Love the info you share. Thank you so much.❤❤❤❤❤

This was a great video. I’m new to this - at least becoming part of the community, and I appreciate knowing how to look for the red flags, and understanding this better. Thank you so much for taking the time to teach. You’re one of the first people I watched. I tend to Like, but not Comment, but I’m trying to change that. Thanks again. Amazing Channel!

📖📚 I loved the part you mentioned towards the end, that it's very important to talk about certain aspects - even if it might throw some people off - because it would create more safety. (Like working with demons, etc.) I personally have found the online witchcraft community about 5 years ago but I still very much consider myself a beginner. I also don't live in a country where there are a lot of witches or covens or anything. While I have read a few books, I do get a lot of my information from RU-vid creators. And I would be very interested to learn about blood and sex magic, but if nobody talks about it it's very hard to know where and how to start.

I so agree with you on learning and shortform content. ❤

This is why I love your channel so much. You are you, no fluff, no getting involved in social media drama in your posts, just good, useful information given by your sweet personality. I've never felt like your content is a grift, or put out there just for the algorithm/money. You have always encouraged us to find our own way, yet shared how you do it, or your experience/knowledge on a subject. ❤🪄🕯🔮🧿💐🙋‍♀️❤️📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚📚

📚📚📚 Thank you so much! I really appreciate how you explain things virally and precisely. I've been watching you for years now, and I learn something from and am inspired by you with every video you put out! Thanks for making this one of my go-to channels for witchcraft content!

I love this video! I love your content & your opinions. I have been watching your videos for a long time & I appreciate all of them. I have learned tons from you! Thank you so much for sharing 📕📗📘📙📖📚

Although I think short form content has a bigger reach, I think it’s ineffective in keeping witches long term. I think it’s a reason why sooo many give up on witchcraft or forget about it. Because they see short aesthetic spell clips and crystals and but as soon as they get used to the instant gratification of that aesthetic, they move on before getting to research it and learn about the subject🤕

📚 I love your long videos, I watch them while I work and it's lovely too pass the time. Thank you!

Wow You are glowing

📚📚📚 Thank you again Hearth and Hearth team (mods) for all that you do, you all are wonderful average Joes. ❤ Also thank you again for the content. I had been wanting to but also fearing to start my own channel. Your points are solid without ruthlessness. Love it.

this was such a lovely video to listen to as a podcast, thank you! I just wanted to add The Activist Witch to the list of witchy content creators here on youtube :)

Love this video. Thank you for sharing a glimpse of your path😊 its a great reminder that my own practice may not be something special but is absolutely normal !!

hearth,,,EVEN THOUGH I DONT FOLLOW WITCHERY .. I HAVE THE MOST RESPECT A PERSON COULD POSSIBLE GIVE TO SOMEONE LIKE U!!!! i have learned sooooo much from your videos. i am learning about divination aka pendulums. its videos like centering/ grounding/ your trip to glasenbury etc ....places that i most enjoy. i live in Maine ,U.S.A. and you have the most gorgous country!!! im a country girl at heart anyways... i LOVE HOW YOU GO IN DEPTH in ur videos and explain things out with your own point of view... I THINK we have "lost touch" with each other due to computers/ electronics. its impossible to "show feelings" through typing . i think thats where theirs a loop hole in computer socializion. ppl just throw their reactions out there..... not taking into account the recieving end...feeling go out the window aka baby with the bathwater .....they dont think twice..and its soo damm sad!!! THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!! for everything you do..!!!! i SOO APPRECIATE YOU AND THE EFFORTS YOU PUT INTO YOUR CONTENT!!! cant wait to see the next one !!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

📚📜📖📓 I rather enjoy your honesty and approach on this subject. I feel like social media, and certain books, give us unrealistic expectations of living as a witch. It resonated when you said you only work with deities when you need to and not every single day. That perspective is important, because a lot of us have full time jobs and busy lives. Not to mention time for other interests besides occult related topics. I need my comics, books, music, and television shows as well!

📚📚 📚📚 adding extra books, because your content is unceasingly valuable as ever. long-form is my preferred format of receiving information, so don't ever think you're saying "too much"; far from it, honestly. there's a major reason why you're amongst the very small, a literal handful, amount of practitioners i do subscribe to. thank you so much.~

What you said about ppl consuming the online content instead of practicing is so true I am one of those ppl that are very cautious I know that I know what I'm doing and know how to do spells etc but I also suffer low self esteem and have very little faith in myself so it makes me very cautious to practice I've done spell jars which I enjoy but to do bigger rituals I lack the belief in myself I need

I like your channel so much. I agree with a lot you have to say. So many people flock to witchcraft bc it's a fad and has been a fad for a while now. We can see this with the over emphasis on aesthetics and flowery practice/language vs. creators who are more rugged, not as neat or eloquent, less rigid or a little more rigid. And I want to be clear, aesthetics doesn't mean that a person isn't serious about their craft, but we must admit that we have a problem with boosting content that is mainly aesthetics, but turn around to complain about the "lack of substance". There will be times where learning about witchcraft will feel like attending a college lecture. Other times, it's like leading a group of Boy Scouts out into the woods and teach them about the great outdoors. And a few times, there will be times where you'll have to figure it out and fly by the seat of your pants. Witchcraft is a craft. You must pour time and energy into it, otherwise your skills may stagnate. I have other super unpopular opinions about practicing witchcraft that I know will get me booed so I keep them to myself. lol I thought about making my own YT videos but I cycle between people not being interested in what I have to say, and people being judgmental because I want to do content on less talked about subjects (necromancy, cursing, infernal spirits). If I see another spell jar, I'm gonna scream! My gripe with a lot of people on the internet (and sometimes IRL) is the fear mongering around certains spirits or concepts, ex. trickster spirits and demons. Why are the Goetic/infernal spirits considered the most dangerous kind of spirit to work with? People will say that bs, but turn around and be like, "how can I attract the fae into my garden?" MA'AM! lol

Commenting again! Look, I've stuck around for the whole 89 hrs of you "waffling" 😂❤ I set up my altars without any influence. My last one was mostly things I found on my own property. Then I looked online. I had moments of, " that's so pretty!! How do I do that??" Turns out, I'd have to spend lots of money and end up with something that meant nothing to me and had no energy from my land and family. I still have it set up with my dirt, rocks, cactus ribs and horns I found from a bull that passed away on my land before I ever moved here. It might not be someone's idea of "witchy", but it's mine. ❤ Do you always.

Thank you for this excellent video. I recognized the work and time you dedicated to properly inform our community. Many blessings to you.

Omg, you are my favorite witch on youtube and I was wondering if and when you would do this tag, and now here it is! Thank you!

I really appreciate your input on these subjects

📖 Hearth this was a amazing video and I hope you’re doing great 💖

Hello. I'm from California USA 🇺🇸 and wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your RU-vid channel. I'm a Eclectic Salutare and have deconstructed out of christianaty for over 3 years now. I'm learning so much from. Thank you again. P.S. Your smile and cool attitude brings joy 🧙🏽‍♀️💫

Enjoyed your thoughtful discussion on these topics. I appreciate you sharing your wealth of knowledge on this channel.

I will do this tag on my (micro) channel soon! I think it's important to talk about this in the community and we all have different inputs. Also, you look stunning in this video, Hearth! You always look great of course, but this style was really YOU! Thanks for sharing your perspective, I really enjoyed it. / A magickal practitioner from Sweden.

I’ve enjoyed watching videos on this tag and it was great to get your take as well. Thank you 😊

I never comment on videos but i just have to say thank you. I have been feeling like i have not been doing enough in my craft because i dont do spells everyday. I needed to hear this beacuse i never use to feel like that intill i started to look for craft things online. So thank you

I think your a good teacher. Some of us need thing to be thorough. I learn from you

❤loved this. Appreciate all your time and energy.