Witch and feminism
If you are a woman and dare to look within yourself, you are a Witch. You make your own rules. You are free and beautiful. You can be invisible or evident in how you choose to make your witch-self known. You can form your own Coven of sister Witches (thirteen is a cozy number for a group) and do your own actions... You are a Witch by saying aloud, "I am a Witch" three times, and thinking about that. You are a Witch by being female, untamed, angry, joyous, and immortal. (Adler, 2006)
Nevertheless, despite of those horrible punishments, being a witch may not be a bad thing. In fact, they are popular in pop culture now. Witch is a powerful woman who has magic. Its popularity represents the craving of women for power, the desire to break the rules. Wicked and dangerous are better than weak. The witch hunts were also based on the fear of their power, subconsciously, the fear of women's power. The witch is such a rebellious symbol. Thus, it is a wonderful icon for feminists.
W.I.T.C.H., originally the acronym for Women's International Terrorist Conspiracy from Hell, was the name of several related but independent feminist groups active in the United States as part of the women's liberation movement during the late 1960s. (Wikipedia). The W.I.T.C.H. moniker was sometimes alternatively expanded as "Women Inspired to Tell their Collective History", or "Women Interested in Toppling Consumer Holidays", among other variations.
Hermione Granger is an outstanding witch in the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling. She is smart, diligent, kindhearted and brave protagonist, very beloved by the book fans. In his dark materials by Philip Pullman, he created those gorgeous and powerful witches who helped the protagonist greatly. What's more, they are matriarchal. Those witches lived together in their tribe, only their daughter will inherit their power. Likewise, in the TV series Motherland: Fort Salem, it depicted a matriarchal world, where women are in charge. Although in this series the witches are divided into two sides, it is more realistic. Their glories and ambitions, pains and struggles seem so vivid. Most importantly, their sisterhood. It is an excellent example of feminism which figures. I am interested in these stories and settings.
