HOW WITCHES ARE EXPELLING THE BAD VIBES OF 2020

Happy New Year! And what a fucking year that last one was! With that in mind, I was commissioned to write an article for an Australian-based news publication about the concept of “banishing 2020'“ that’s been flapping around the internet of late. What do professional witches have to say about it? Let’s find out!

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To an outsider, the “new age” might seem like a monoculture—a divergence from the socially-conscious mainstream that values science and rationalism. But underneath that veneer is a world of dueling factions. Just ask any serious modern practitioner; “witchcraft” is not the same as “woo-woo”. Not even close.

While the New Age movement took root when hippy culture got rolled under the wheels of ‘70s and ‘80s style individualism, witchcraft is seen by its devotees as an ancient and inherently political tool of resistance – and it is increasingly popular, as religious studies academic Helen A Berger notes, there are now more people in the United States identifying as Wiccan than Presbytarian.

For practicioners, modern witchcraft is feminist, queer, and always on the side of the little guy. In 2020, witches made headlines hexing and banishing Donald Trump (just say his name backwards with intention *Pmurt J Dlanod*), with astrologer-fuelled voting campaigns, and witch-themed protest groups supporting the BLM movement. Individual witches-of-influence fundraised for the bushfires, spoke up against Qanon conspiracy theories and in favour of Covid testing and vaccinations.

But what does modern witchcraft actually look like? I spoke to five professional witches to find out how they intend to leave 2020 behind.

For them, “banishing” 2020 means a lot more than finally throwing away that iso-inspired sourdough starter. It’s a term meaning to energetically send something or someone away, never to return. Think: The Force, but for personal boundaries. They explained that, amongst the depressing turmoil lies wisdom, here is how they intend to uncover it.

THE CELEBRITY WITCH
FIONA HORNE (SHE/HER)

Fiona Horne is the author of The Art of Witch (among others), the lead singer of Australian band, Def FX, and a commercial pilot.

Can you share a ritual to assist people in clearing the toxic energies of 2020?

I make a conscious effort to clear toxic energies anytime I sense I have encountered them and sometimes they can come from my own mind when I’m tired or feeling worn down. I light a candle, gazing at the flame and breathing slowly. I forgive myself for hanging onto feelings and thoughts that are not supporting my highest good. Then I recite, ”Fire, burn away my noxious thoughts”. Then I swiftly blow out the flame.

When I lost my job as a pilot (when the California lockdowns were enforced) it really helped: Write on a piece of paper (with a green pen or pencil if possible) something you are truly grateful for. Hold the paper to your heart and say this charm: “May the beat of my heart charge this magick to start.” Then fold the paper and place it under a living plant, tucking it gently into the soil. In your own words, ask Mother Nature to “grow” your gratitude into more reasons to be grateful so that you can be useful and a positive light in the world.

THE TEACHER WITCH
GEDE PARMA / FIO (THEY/THEM)

Gede Parma is a Balinese-Australian author, teacher, and initiate of many witchcraft traditions, based in Brisbane/Yuggera country.

As a witch, do you practice banishing? What are your thoughts on expelling the bad vibes of 2020?

I definitely practise and perform magical workings with the intention of banishing negative or malevolent forces and circumstances. This may look like complex workings that last over days … or it may be as simple as the chanting of certain words, singing, and prayers while burning incense and ringing bells or toning and drumming.

I think more than banishing, it is about addressing what emerged for each of us in 2020, which of our "demons" danced most fiercely, and how we transform these confused and confronting things—bringing the illumination of our awareness to the task. How can we summon discernment in order to truly understand which steps to take in the coming days, weeks, and months? If anything needs to be banished and utterly dismantled, it is what bell hooks has named as imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy. It is important that we meet this time with vigour, creativity, fierce kindness, and deep-hearted willingness, with an appreciation for our wild diversities that could strengthen our progressive and liberationist movements.

THE HEALER WITCH
ALLIRA POTTER (SHE/HER)

Allira Potter is a spiritual coach, healer, meditation teacher, and proud Yorta Yorta woman based in Geelong/Wathaurong country.

What moments defined this year, in your eyes? And what do you think about banishing 2020?

This year everyone was forced to become woke, both spiritually and socially. This was the kind of year where people had to lean on something greater to almost hold themselves together. For some people, Coronavirus has come with silver linings but for others, it’s been a nightmare. Either way, we had to slow down. Being an Aboriginal woman, I witnessed the BLM movement and the way PoC are mistreated in Australia. There’s certainly been a lot of questions about injustice and the idea of “equality”.

I’m a big fan of a spell that involves writing down the name of someone, or a situation, on a piece of paper then adding it to a freezer bag to freeze. A freezer spell helps us eliminate a person or situation from our space, cutting that energetic connection. But we’re also sending them no ill wishes; they’re just no longer needed. So yes, I’m here for banishing in general, but also, don’t the “bad vibes” of a year like 2020 offer us important lessons, in disguise?

THE ASTROLOGER WITCH
ALIZA KELLY (SHE/HER)

Aliza Kelly is an NYC-based author, podcaster, and the resident astrologer for Cosmopolitan.

What are your thoughts on banishing the bad vibes of 2020 to energetically close out the year?

“Banishing” is a wonderful tool for personal protection, so I encourage people to perform banishing spells when they feel physically, emotionally, or spiritually endangered, like Paulette’s (a.k.a Bad Mamma Jamma) "protection ritual for Black people”. However, the horrors of 2020 are the direct result of sweeping atrocities under the rug. 2020 is a reminder that ignoring problems doesn't make them go away.

On December 21 2020, Jupiter and Saturn unite in Aquarius, forming what’s known as the Great Conjunction and kicking off a new era—the Age of Air—that continues for 200 years and is defined by innovation, communication, and huminatiarism. One great way to honor this energetic shift is by carving out time to journal, draw, or discuss your vision for a better tomorrow. Everything that exists—both physically, emotionally, and spirituality—first begins as an idea!

THE WITCH NEXT DOOR
PTOLEMY (THEY/THEM)

Ptolemy is a teacher-in-training within the Reclaiming tradition of witchcraft, based in Sydney/Gadigal-Wangal country.

What rituals might a witch-curious person who’d like to properly farewell this year and start fresh try?

A ritual bath, either at home or at the ocean. Perhaps a person could write a list of the things they wish to leave behind. Bringing attention to those things, they could submerge themselves three times (because three times make a spell), allowing the waters to take away all that they want to be rid of. After doing that, they could list things that they wish to attract in 2021 and submerge themselves again (three times) allowing the waters to bring them those things. A simple home cleansing with incense is always nice too. I also find that actually cleaning also helps!

Rather than banishing, you could create a “honey jar” to attract those things one wants in 2021. Someone could take some time to list on a piece of paper the things they wish to attract in 2021. If they work with particular spirits or Godds (a gender inclusive term coined by Reclaiming priestess, Urania) they may want to create sacred space and petition their assistance. Put the list in a jar with honey and other sweet, nice things (like lavender or rosemary). Leave the jar in a safe place and make sure to give it some attention throughout the year.

Interviews have been edited for length and clarity.

Photo by GIPHY