Why Some Black Women Are Turning to Witchcraft

Once a haven for the entire community, the Black church is losing some of its younger members to witchcraft.

Over the last 5-10 years, more Black millennials and Gen Z’ers are breaking away from Christianity as a religion and seeking Black ancestral spiritual practices. While the practice of magic and the term “witch” is often associated with whiteness, Black women have been reclaiming the space and traditions that originated in West Africa, Cuba, and Jamaica and migrated through the transatlantic slave trade. A 2021 Pew Study found that while most Black people still identify as Christian or Protestant, 15% of Black Americans surveyed say they pray at a home altar or shrine more than once a week, while 8% burn candles, incense or sage for spiritual or religious reasons as often, and 8% also say they consult a diviner or reader several times a week.

This new “trend” has been catapulted by social media where Black women are creating safe spaces to practice divination through astrology, tarot card readings, creating altars, and other rituals without fear of isolation or persecution.


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[taniwa]

I think the title should be called “Why Black woman have turned back to ancestral spirituality and other types of spirituality”. Only focusing on the witchcraft part gives off an negative and ignorant messaging.

[exmiqfz]

Jesus aint toxic, religion and church is toxic.

[omayrubiocordova]

I basically cried when this lady said that having a relationship with Jesus was toxic. I have been Christian on and off. These women want more than healing, they want control, they want their own guide. I feel sad that the father who is a pastor condemns and shuns her because of what she believes. Jesus isn't toxic, people are!

[marshamondestin]

To the producers of this episode, thank you for this I have been ostracized by my family and community because I left the church, I am of Haitian descent but my family has completely turned their backs on our ancestral roots, I have taken it upon myself to reconnect but this has been a long and difficult journey but also very rewarding, it is lonely and in Haitian Voodoo I have come across people who want money and have tried to manipulate but my ancestors have always exposed but that still leaves me to continue this journey in solidarity so I give honor and respect to you and your lineage and ancestors for the work you are doing, this is giving me hope in knowing I am not alone. Thank you

[DwarSel]

The religious shift in America over the course of my generation is fascinating to me.

[OlereO]

I have a problem with the concept of serving God just so you can get answers to your problems. If God is just a genie who answers prayers, I think that's a fundamentally wrong idea.

[isabelwynn]

There is definitely something very powerful in reclaiming a spiritual practice that is part of your ancestry.

[marianacastaneda]

I don’t understand why people think Jesus is a genie in a bottle. You can’t just only talk to Him because you want something done. In order to become closer to Him and gain blessings you have to believe and love Him for how good of a God He is.

[lalina]

But you know here in Africa... Let me say South Africa to be more specific, we don't like calling it witch because that's evil we say traditional healer or inyanga which is more like a hearbilist... Because the European came and decided it was witch craft and decided to call traditional healers witch doctors. We have witches in South Africa and they are not good, in the past people would burn them. I think because of shows like vampire diaries and Sabrina the word has changed meaning.

[courtney]

So many people think of God as this magical person that’s supposed fix all their problems. They choose to only be involved when things start going bad, not knowing you’re supposed to seek a relationship with Christ at all times. Your relationship with God is only as strong as your efforts. If we lived in a world with no suffering, we would not be able to truly appreciate the good when it does happen.

[thatwakandaboy]

As a Yorùbá person from Nigeria, I find the title misleading. Yorùbá traditional religion is not witchcraft for example.

[makalahthompson]

I will never forget my great grandma was basically going on to the next realm and we all knew it so we brought her back home. She was in bed and sleep most of the time but y’all know how sometimes your loved one may start acting like they’re getting better? She did that for a day and then was back to the sleeping again but while she was sleeping I couldn’t stop thinking about a baby. I’m not sure why. But the day she passed I found out I was pregnant! More crazy stuff happened but man she is telling the truth.

[Olaaaaa]

“The Christian community felt toxic”. I know there’s toxicity in certain churches but what people need to understand is that they should stop trying to become a church person so bad and just have a personal relationship with Jesus. That’s what Christianity literally is supposed to be. PERSONAL

[silentassassin]

I’m always fascinated how Christians will call something witchcraft, but will be speaking in tongues and convulsing with the Holy Ghost. I was always told God works in mysterious ways, and I believe that the creator speaks to people differently different cultures understand things in different ways.

[sprixpurl]

The problem is the true essence and teachings of Christianity have been ripped to shreds by greedy pastors who only wanted to line their pockets instead of genuinely teaching the true Gospel. Even I have changed the way I worship the higher power and left the traditional black church. Those congregations can be so toxic.

[anniesue]

Also be careful .... their are predators in every "religion"

[latishareaves]

First of all, the African Traditional Religions... Lucumi, Ifa, and Yoruba is NOT witchcraft!!!! Let's start there!!!!

[Dmoney-hzqk]

I left the church but I kept my faith, the construct of the church is corrupt. I just live like Jesus or at least try to, love and help others. I dont do the whole judgement thing as Jesus didn't judge others.

[jcgafford]

Should be called ancestral worship and African spirituality. A lot of these terms are EXTREMELY colonial. Language matters.

[neiellesaint-cyr]

It’s very telling that she said she enjoys her new religion because her prayers get answered. Following Christ is not about you, it’s about him and if your prayer is in his will for you.

She said she was serving and leading worship, but with the way she speaks you can tell she wasn’t doing these things from the heart. She was doing it to either please others or her flesh.