Forget what you know. Throw out that green skinned, wart-ridden, bad-tempered, broom-riding reputation of yore. The witch, is in fact, eloquently representative of an ancient and powerful cult of femininity – although often maligned and much misunderstood.
Born in the long–ago days when the female was held in reverance and the gods were sometimes goddesses, the concept of "witches" and witchcraft evolved, with the coming of Christianity, into what were assumed to be mean-spirited evil-doers, those in league with the Devil himself. In other words, witches were pretty much anyone who didn't particularly want to follow the tenets of an established church, the witches were outsiders - who refused to want "in".
Among the early cults of so-called witchcraft, most of these fringe-dwellers were women, many rebelling against societal pressures of marriage and motherhood. Embracing instead, the traditions of nature worship and paganism, witches were more for getting in touch with themselves and the world around them, then bowing down to a singular (male) god. Needless to say, this was not the wisest of decisions and resulted in many mad hunts and massacres, witches throughout history persecuted without mercy or chance for redemption - many of them hung, drowned or burned - for their beliefs.
Thankfully the modern world is a kinder place for witches. There are now thousands who openly practice the underground arts that might have once been designated "witchy". Among these are the study of herbal remedies, knowledge of the Tarot, casting spells for love and money, even practicing yoga... or listening to the likes of Black Sabbath.
In other words, the modern witch is someone who is touch with herself, with the earth, and with the forces of nature which, like it or not, govern us continually. She can come in all colors, genders, races and religions. She can have great witchy style, donning gothic gowns, black lace, wide-brimmed Holy Mountain hats or go instead for Stevie Nicks-ish ragged gypsy cool.
She is strong and adventurous and unstoppable.
So forget what you know. Today, a witch is merely a true individual, the rebel... with a cause. So let us don our capes... and ride high on All Hallows!