FREE ESSAY ON WITCHCRAFT IN HOLLYWOOD

WITCHCRAFT IN HOLLYWOOD

Hollywood provides falsified information
It is said by many that Hollywood is persuasive. People see something on television or in
a motion picture and believe that what is shown is, in reality, true. Misconceptions will
occur, and unless people are shown evidence against the delusions, it will be taken as
fact. In the past, many groups have been poorly represented onscreen. Organizations such
as the Mafia, the government, the military, spies, gods, monsters, and others are just a
small example of those prejudiced. Since the misconceptions have occurred, much of the
truth has come through for those mentioned. However, one topic that is repeatedly
misrepresented in Hollywood is the practice of the Craft, more commonly known as
witchcraft or Wicca according to Jeffrey Mann (personal communication, April 14, 1999).
Witchcraft has been shown onscreen as evil, black magick, rather than a faith, and most
people see spells cast by wiggling the nose or pointing a finger to be valid of the
'witchcraft fable' (1997, Bewitched online). Is witchcraft a true, spiritual religion,
and if so, are people willing to tolerate it? Many are uninformed of the religious aspect
of the Craft, and those that are, believe it to be false or wrong according to Jeffrey
Mann (personal communication, April 14, 1999). In today's society, religious tolerance of
different groups of people or cultures is extremely important. By understanding and
accepting the differences of real versus imaginary using witchcraft as the prime example,
people will be able to see these groups as part of actual society and not just a
fictitious, magickal portrayal in entertainment such as Bewitched, Charmed, Sabrina the
Teenage Witch, and The Craft. 
Hollywood's portrayal of witchcraft in movies and shows is invalid.
Now on reruns, the television show, Bewitched, was once very popular. Samantha and
Tabitha are shown casting spells nearly every other minute of the half-hour (1997,
Bewitched online). The show brought forth a revival of the knowledge of witchcraft. In
history, before Christianity, Paganism was a primary religion in Europe. Witchcraft is a
form of Paganism, just as Wicca, Shamanism, and others are. When the Christian religion
was being formed, many Pagan beliefs were still used (1998, A witches overview of Wicca
online). The Pagan tradition of Yule, the winter solstice holiday, was to bring a live
tree into the house and decorate it with food, balls, and a star on top to protect the
household from the evil spirits (Adler, 1997). In the past century, a man named Gerald
Gardener came forth with his ancestor's religious practice that has been passed down
generation after generation called Paganism. He began bringing forth the Wiccan movement
to modern witches according to Jeffrey Mann (personal communication, April 14, 1999).
Bewitched was made in the midst of the sort of 'coming out' of all that was practiced.
Romanticizing witchcraft started with Bewitched, and from then on, a new fetish of shows
and movies had begun.
The Warner Brothers Network recently aired a new hour-long show featuring three sisters
who have just discovered their witchy powers (see attached graphic one of Charmed
sisters). They are referred to as the 'Charmed Ones', which are the most powerful of a
long line of good witches. Their mission is to protect the innocent against all evil
(1999, Charmed online). The show features many distinct realities of witchcraft. The show
refers to the Book of Shadows, which is a book of memoirs, spells, thoughts, and goals,
which must be handwritten and personal to that witch (1998, A witches overview of Wicca).
The three sisters use this book for casting spells against evil, which is the basis for
entertainment on the show. Freezing time, traveling to the past or future, and
evaporating monsters are just some of the sisters' outlandish powers (1999, Charmed
online). Religion has no part in the hour that the sisters are fighting the darkness.
Witchcraft, in reality, has no 'natural' witches as implied in Charmed. Having 'power' is
a belief that comes from within your soul, not from genetics (Valiente, 1998). The power
of spells to witches is like the power of prayers to Christians. If Charmed was based on
three Christian sisters, the show would be primarily about how they pray and have
immediate and obvious results according to Jenn Vinson (personal communication, April 13,
1999). Clearly, both concepts are not accurate. Praying in all religions has results
personal to that worshipper, just as casting a spell is to a witch (1998, A witches
overview of Wicca online). It is implied that spells are the most important part of
witchcraft, which is false. Casting a spell is not necessary to be a witch; many witches
are solitary and chose to practice without the use of spells (1999, Pagan Organization of
MIT). Although Charmed uses many of witches' tools for spells, and practice, its accuracy
is severely skewed in the portrayal of the religion of Wicca, or witchcraft. 
Sabrina the Teenage Witch is a children's show aired by ABC on Friday night's hotspot. A
high school student, named Sabrina, uses her magick to cause more blunders than not.
Although sophomoric, the show does not focus on evil, darkness, or the devil. Sabrina
must keep her practice a secret; neither her boyfriend nor her best friend knows the
truth (1998, A review...of the show Sabrina). Keeping her Craft a secret is the
entertainment along with turning the school bully, Libby, into frogs and other animals.
In reality, many that practice Wicca are secretive (Valiente, 1998). It is not because of
shame, but rather that other's do not understand. Nothing is meant to be harmful,
however, many unforgiving people in this world condemn for a religion they know little
about (Valiente, 1998). For example, it is said that witches worship the devil. This is
not only ridiculous, but also wrong (Adler, 1997). Witches believe that God is everything
and everywhere, just not merely a distinct entity. All Gods and Goddesses are one God,
and by calling him a different name than other religious followers do will neither make
him angry or damning. Witchcraft is moral and ethical, which nearly all religions are
based upon (1998, A witches overview of Wicca). Sabrina is a good student, niece, and
friend who chooses a different spiritual path to follow (1998, A review...of the show
Sabrina). Although Sabrina the Teenage Witch is cute and humorous, religion has little if
no part in the show, unlike some more adult portrayals.
The focus of evil in the motion picture, The Craft of Columbia Pictures, is the leading
misconception of the film (Fleming, 1996). By far the most accurate in the portrayal of
the Wiccan religion, the movie follows the beliefs of four high school girls that have
discovered the Craft according to Jenn Vinson (personal interview, April 13, 1999). Using
all religious tools such as the pentacle (see attached graphic two of the witches
protection symbolizing earth, air, fire, water, and spirit) in their practice, the girls
focus on practicing the nature religion. Experimenting with spells, reading materials,
and keeping personal Book of Shadows, The Craft keeps reality in check. The four girls
attend a Christian school, while not so secretly believing something else, which occurs
with many young witches. Until Nancy, one of the witches turns evil, and Sarah, another
witch, discovers her 'natural' power, the movie is almost a perfect example of witchcraft
(Fleming, 1996). By focusing on one of the girls in the circle being evil, the truth of
witchcraft is altered. Darkness is the focus of the second half of the movie, scaring
viewers to believe that this evil occurs in all witches. Murder and evil spells are
focused upon leading the watcher to be frightful of the Craft and condemning of the
religion. All religions have followers that give it a bad name. Some Christians can be
found starting cults, clans, and general mayhem. Of course, these 'bad apples' are not
the true followers of the religion. The Craft's evil character, Nancy, can be thought of
as one psycho in a good religion which is, like The Clan, a very small proportion of the
believers. 
Questioning the true meaning of Wicca
Clearly, the religion of Wicca is extraordinarily twisted as portrayed in Hollywood.
After seeing a movie, is a typical reaction what is witchcraft (see attached graphic
three)? Or do people accept what they are shown? What can be done about this problem?
There is one solution: education. Teaching people that witchcraft is not fictitious or
evil will bring forth an influx of understanding according to Jeff Mann (personal
communication, April 14, 1999). Some churches teach that Wicca is a devil religion that
should only be regarded a cult. Realizing that religious tolerance and religious belief
are two separate entities will alleviate the problem of a taboo denomination. Many
believe that by viewing witchcraft as a religion, they are condoning the practice.
Therefore, people look upon it as little more than magick and will never consider
witchcraft to be of any God in fear of their own practice's sins (Adler, 1997). If
Hollywood released a film about a true follower of Wicca and not a romanticized version,
would it sell? That is one way to have an audience understand the true meaning of
witchcraft without the witchy power jargon to 'spice it up.' Being educated about
religions not only makes us more tolerant, understanding, and open, it also awakens us to
other culture's, countries', and ethnicity's' philosophies. Unless the masses are
educated that witchcraft is indeed a spiritual religion, the misconceptions will continue
(Adler, 1997). 
Loving and/or Accepting Witches 
There are many different religions in this world. America itself is a melting pot of
ethnicity and diversity. What other country could so readily accept assorted beliefs than
the 'home of the free'? Religious persecution, emotional or physical, will be a past
phenomenon. First, all people must be considered a part of society's whole. When all
members of each religion can see the other as equal, all men shall then, and only then,
be created equally. When viewing a movie or show, it is necessary to understand that the
magick portrayed is imaginary. Think about it: black pointy hats, black cats, and brooms
are symbols of the myth of witchcraft, just as clouds and fire are representations of
Christianity in movies. Understanding that distinction will lead to understanding
witchcraft as a true religion and not a fanciful fable. 
Tolerating Without Condemning Witchcraft
People in this world are fast to judge. Because the entertainment industry portrays
witchcraft in a spell casting, dark, evil way that is what people are likely to believe
witchcraft is. It is not some made-up magick, but rather a faith that has been stretched
to fascinate people (1999, Pagan Organization of MIT). It is not make-believe, but a real
and true religion. "Paganism is an affirmation of the beauty and sacredness of life on
this earth, and of our unity with it" (1999, Pagan Organization of MIT). By understanding
and accepting that one religion will look to Mecca, while another prays to God, and
another worships Buddha, society will be tolerant and more open minded. Hollywood
glamorizes, and people are fast to trust it. Through witchcraft, it can easily be seen
that people are quick to believe Hollywood is