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The stereotypical image of an occultist often involves an elderly, 16th-century individual meticulously studying enigmatic symbols and ancient texts. However, modern-day practitioners of the dark arts are more commonly seen engrossed in their laptops, sharing herbal concoctions on Twitter or hosting live streams for their digital covens.
In today's digital era, the occult has gained significant traction on social media, particularly during periods of isolation. For many, online witchcraft has become a profitable venture. The psychic services industry in the US has surged to a $2 billion market over the last five years.
The days of floating broomsticks and cursed animal companions are long gone. Today's tech-savvy mystics promote their services on Instagram, connect via Zoom, and even perform rituals using emojis. Here are ten ways the occult is making its mark on social media.
10. Witches Cast Spells Against Trump During the US Election
The 2020 presidential election stands out as one of the most contentious and polarizing in American history. Joe Biden’s win has sparked both celebration and outrage, accompanied by allegations of electoral fraud from Donald Trump and his supporters. However, could there have been an unseen force at play? Could magic have influenced the outcome?
While it may seem far-fetched, occult practitioners in the US are convinced their mystical rituals played a role in securing Biden’s victory. On Halloween, just days before the election, magical activist Michael M. Hughes rallied thousands of witches online for a ceremony aimed at removing President Trump from power. Attendees were guided to recite purification spells, light candles adorned with political symbols, and paint maps blue under the light of a rare blue moon.
Hughes asserts that, together with his followers, they summoned the energy of their ancestors to create a powerful “blue wave” that carried Biden to the presidency. They believe this wave will cleanse the nation of the corruption, injustice, and malice associated with Donald Trump and the Republican Party, ensuring a smooth transfer of power.
While political magic may appear to be a recent phenomenon, its roots stretch back hundreds of years. In World War II, some British citizens turned to magic for protection against Nazi threats. Similarly, in the US, the feminist group W.I.T.C.H. emerged in the 1960s, staging protests on Wall Street and continuing their fight against capitalism to this day.
9. Performing Rituals Using Emoji Magic
Runes and symbols have long been essential instruments in the realm of dark magic. For centuries, practitioners have relied on visual enchantments to manifest their desires. This practice, known as sigil magick, has medieval origins and remains a cornerstone of mystical traditions. However, in today’s digital era, traditional Gothic runes seem outdated. Enterprising modern sorcerers have revitalized sigil magick by incorporating a ubiquitous 21st-century icon: the emoji.
Emoji spells enable a new wave of witches and wizards to craft incantations effortlessly from their smartphones. According to sigil experts, clarity is crucial when casting these spells. Clearly envision your goal, then express it through a sequence of emojis and release it into the digital realm. For instance, if you’ve misplaced your keys, you might use a magnifying glass emoji followed by a key emoji. For more significant desires, like finding a romantic partner, a combination of heart emojis and symbols representing desired traits can be used.
While emoji magic may appear absurd, practitioners argue that its eccentricity is part of its strength. As one California-based witch told Vice magazine, “Embracing the bizarre and unconventional is inherent to witchcraft.”
8. Instagram’s Black Magic Healers
The resurgence of black magic is gaining momentum worldwide. Recently, West African traditions like juju have experienced a significant revival. Influential figures, such as British artist J Hus, have popularized these dark arts, and some spiritual healers have amassed massive online followings.
West African spiritual guides, locally referred to as babalawos, are now stepping into the role of relationship counselors. Through sleek Instagram profiles, clients can purchase a variety of black magic tools. For instance, a single woman might invest in herbal remedies to attract a prosperous partner, while a betrayed wife could seek a blue eye bracelet to reclaim her straying husband.
As juju gains traction, its ethical implications are under scrutiny. Critics question the morality of using mystical practices to influence relationships. In 2019, a woman faced online backlash after confessing to adding her menstrual blood to her partner’s food. Despite these controversies, the juju movement continues to thrive.
7. Romania’s Occult Transformation
In parts of Eastern Europe, witches and healers hold a place of high esteem. From a young age, girls are taught to connect with the supernatural, inheriting age-old rituals and spiritual practices from their mothers. However, in Romania, a new wave of witches, known as vrajitoare, is challenging tradition. By leveraging the internet, they’ve expanded their clientele and unlocked greater financial opportunities.
The online success of the vrajitoare has drawn government attention. Over the past decade, Romania has imposed stricter regulations on digital magical services. In 2011, former president Basescu made headlines by introducing a tax on witchcraft income. This move divided the witch community: some welcomed it as a step toward legitimizing their profession, while others protested by tossing toxic mandrake roots into the Danube River.
6. Academy of Dark Arts
Occult practitioners are deeply rooted in tradition, with knowledge of magic and the dark arts handed down through generations. In the past, aspiring occultists had to seek out seasoned experts to learn techniques like Chinese divination or astral projection. Today, however, much of this esoteric knowledge is accessible online, thanks to the efforts of an unconventional magician named Jason Louv.
Louv’s journey is nothing short of fascinating. He has contributed to artificial intelligence projects at Google, collaborated on Buzz Aldrin’s Mars colonization initiative, and co-authored books with the late Genesis P-Orridge of Throbbing Gristle. Now, he focuses on operating magick.me, the sole online academy dedicated to the dark arts. Here, students can explore a range of mystical topics, from neuro-linguistic programming to psychic defense, and even learn meditation techniques inspired by Aleister Crowley, the infamous English occultist dubbed 'the wickedest man in the world.'
5. TikTok Witches Cast Lunar Curses
While TikTok is often associated with viral dance trends and lip-syncing videos, it also harbors a peculiar occult community. The platform is a hub for magical practitioners, astrologers, and niche spiritualists who coexist peacefully—until summer 2020, when a group of amateur witches attempted to curse the moon, sparking widespread uproar.
Unsurprisingly, their attempts had no impact on the moon. The celestial bodies remained entirely unaffected. However, for those who believe in magic, the moon is a sacred entity. Attempting to curse it is considered deeply disrespectful, and when the news broke, it sparked widespread outrage.
4. Haunted Objects Available on eBay
Centuries ago, dark magicians trading cursed items might have met secretly at midnight, far from the reach of witch hunters or angry mobs. Today, the exchange of eerie artifacts is far more open. Interested in a haunted figurine or a possessed puppet? Simply browse eBay.
While eBay may seem harmless, it hosts a thriving market for haunted items, particularly dolls. For the right price, you could acquire Polly, a doll reputed to alter room temperatures, or Charles, a clown figure known for slamming doors and emitting eerie noises. These supernatural collectibles range from a few dollars to nearly $7,000. Sellers claim their goal isn’t profit but to help the spirits within these objects find tranquility.
3. Church of Kek
As previously mentioned, witchcraft and sorcery have gained immense popularity among liberal Biden supporters in the United States. However, the fascination with the supernatural isn’t limited to Democrats. The resurgence of the dark arts has captivated individuals across the political spectrum, from far-left anti-capitalists to the internet-savvy alt-right.
In fact, many within the alt-right have embraced a quasi-religious movement inspired by Pepe the Frog, known as the Cult of Kek. While this cult is undeniably a product of the internet, its origins trace back to ancient Egypt. During the era of pyramids and sphinxes, Egyptians worshipped a mischievous frog-headed deity named Kek, believed to bring chaos and disorder.
For the alt-right, obsessed with Pepe, a deity embodying both mischief and frogs was irresistible. Thus, the Cult of Kek emerged as a semi-ironic online movement, with its power rooted in the concept of meme magic. Followers, who describe the cult as “both humorous and deeply serious,” use trolling as a form of ritualistic incantation. During the 2016 US elections, Kek devotees flooded social media with Donald Trump-themed Pepe memes in an effort to influence the outcome.
Gary Lachman, an expert in modern mysticism, explained, “By saturating the internet with Pepe imagery, they aimed to shape reality through the digital realm. This isn’t the first time far-right groups have turned to the supernatural. The Nazis employed similar tactics, crafting narratives and belief systems as tools for propaganda.”
2. WitchBlr
The surge in online dark arts has drawn individuals from diverse backgrounds, including celebrated musicians. In 2017, Lana Del Rey confessed to being “a bit of a mystic at heart” and declared her plan to cast a curse on Donald Trump. Her announcement was met with overwhelming excitement, particularly on Tumblr, where occult practices have been thriving in recent years.
Tumblr’s witchcraft community, known as WitchBlr, has grown into a vibrant subculture. Aspiring mystics can explore a wide array of occult traditions on the platform, from crystal healing and candle magic to spellcasting and palmistry. WitchBlr blends cultural teachings, discussions, and wholesome practices into a visually rich experience. With the support of Lana Del Rey, a self-proclaimed “pagan pop star,” these young occult enthusiasts aim to expand their community’s reach in the coming years.
1. Virtual Coven Gatherings on Zoom
Double, double toil and trouble; fire burn and cauldron bubble. The classic image of a witches’ coven comes from William Shakespeare’s 17th-century play Macbeth, where the eerie sisters plot sinister spells to torment the Scottish king and his allies. If Shakespeare were writing today, his witches might not gather amidst thunder and lightning but instead convene virtually on Zoom, casting their spells from behind laptop screens during quarantine.
