“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”. - Arthur C. Clarke, Science Fiction Author

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Guest Speaker

Julia Saunders - teacher, actor, witch

• witch: magical practitioners who curse
• reclaiming of the word witch in modern times
• Malleus Maleficarum - a book from the 15th century that specifically targeted women being “evil”
  • there’s a whole section about women having sex with the devil and having babies lol
• Saw witchcraft as someone spiritual, connected to higher powers
• Modern American Witches
• Wicca, as a religion, became popular in the 1930’s. Came out of secret witch covens practicing Pagan religious.
• First out witch, Gerald Gardner, seems to have gotten his practices from many different Pagan histories.
• Previously, witchcraft has been very cishet, but more recently attracts queer folks
• In the coven that Julia works with, they chose Pantheons of dead religions, because the coven believes they should learn these traditions from the folks who are practicing.
• “Any magic you do will come back three times to you.” Julia doesn’t hex!
• Brand New Cherry Flavor - a show about hexing
• Catland Books - interested in cursing from a Christian
• The Witch (film)
• The Spiral Dance - Starhawk
• Julia once cast a love spell, which actually was very potent and highly effective. Then decided to cast one for a friend, but because they were new to magic, ended up inadvertently created a messy love triangle situation.
• thinking about exploitation/appropriation: being intentional! for example, with incense, making these ingredients themselves, sourcing their ingredients. engaging with history!