The tradition of Halloween has morphed into a festival associated with darkness, horror and scares. But in a Religion Media Centre online briefing, journalists were told that the image of Halloween witches with broomsticks and evil intent stands at odds with contemporary Pagan witchcraft, where the earth is venerated and ancestors celebrated. In this Religion Media Centre briefing, key experts explore the ideas around witchcraft ancient and modern, and analyse the phenomenon of Witchtok – teenage witches on TikTok.
Hosted by Ruth Peacock with guests:
- Jennifer Uzzell, from the Pagan Federation
- Dr Helen Berger, Brandeis University, USA
- Dr Angela Puca, Leeds Trinity University
- Dr Melissa Harrington, University of Cumbria
- Lucia Harrington, student involved in WitchTok
- Dr Ethan Doyle-White, author and journalist
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Report: Halloween is here – but what does it have to do with modern witchcraft?
Journalists were told that the picture of Halloween witches with broomsticks and evil intent stands at odds with contemporary Pagan witchcraft, where the earth is venerated and ancestors celebrated.
FULL BRIEFING YOUTUBE VIDEO
The Religion Media Centre live-tweets all of our briefings. You can find the entire thread on our Twitter feed @relmedcentre
