TV and Movie Witches

Iconic TV and Movie Witches: A Magical LineupSamantha Stephens (Bewitched)

• Powers: A twitch of the nose is all Samantha needs to magically tidy up the house, fix a problem, or cast a spell on her sometimes difficult in-laws.
• Fun Fact: Bewitched was one of the first shows to bring witchcraft into mainstream television, normalizing witches as relatable and lovable characters.
• Connection to Real Witchcraft: While nose-twitching isn’t how most witches work, Samantha's everyday magic mirrors the practices of kitchen witches and hedge witches, who incorporate their craft into daily life. Whether it's blessing a meal or cleansing a home, many witches strive for balance between the mundane and the magical.

Willow Rosenberg (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)

• Powers: From floating pencils to opening portals, Willow's powers grow exponentially, with a pivotal shift after she taps into dark magic following a personal tragedy.
• Fun Fact: Willow’s deep dive into witchcraft became a defining character arc, turning her from the shy, brainy sidekick to a powerful force in the Buffyverse.
• Connection to Real Witchcraft: Willow's journey highlights a key tenet in real-world magical practice: power comes with responsibility. Witches often start small, with simple spells and protection work, much like Willow’s early days. Her later struggle with dark magic also reflects real witches' emphasis on balance and ethics, as many follow the rule of “harm none.”

The Sanderson Sisters (Hocus Pocus)

• Powers: Brewing potions, casting curses, and a dash of comedic antics, these sisters wreak havoc in Salem.
• Fun Fact: Hocus Pocus has become a Halloween classic, with the Sanderson Sisters’ bumbling yet powerful trio captivating fans for decades.
• Connection to Real Witchcraft: While their version of witchcraft is more theatrical, the use of potions and spells has roots in herbalism and folk magic, where natural ingredients are key components in real-world spellwork.

The Wicked Witch of the West (The Wizard of Oz)

• Powers: Commanding flying monkeys, casting wicked spells, and the ultimate nemesis to Dorothy, the Wicked Witch is a classic villain.
• Fun Fact: Actress Margaret Hamilton's green-skinned portrayal set the standard for what witches looked like in movies for years.
• Connection to Real Witchcraft: Although the green skin and broomstick are fantasy elements, the witch’s use of symbols for control echoes the use of sigils, amulets, and wards in traditional witchcraft to direct energy and protect.

Glinda, the Good Witch (The Wizard of Oz)

• Powers: Encompasses light magic, protecting Dorothy and helping her discover her own strength. Known for traveling in a bubble and dispensing wisdom with kindness.
• Fun Fact: Glinda’s character is one of the first major depictions of a 'good' witch in pop culture, showing that magic can be used for kindness and guidance.
• Connection to Real Witchcraft: Glinda’s focus on protection and guiding Dorothy aligns with practices like casting protective circles and creating magical barriers. Many modern witches use magic to provide guidance, assist others, and help people find their own paths, similar to Glinda’s nurturing role.

Hermione Granger (Harry Potter series)

• Powers: Expert at spells, potions, and defense against the dark arts, Hermione is a brilliant witch and a crucial member of the trio.
• Fun Fact: Hermione’s magical prowess and love of books have made her a feminist icon in modern pop culture, encouraging a generation of young witches (and muggles) to embrace intelligence and learning.
• Connection to Real Witchcraft: Much like in real witchcraft, where knowledge, focus, and intention are key, Hermione’s precision in spell casting and potion brewing mirrors how witches often spend years honing their craft to ensure success in their workings.

Sabrina Spellman (Sabrina the Teenage Witch)

• Powers: Sabrina’s powers include teleportation, conjuring objects, and transforming matter with a simple point of her finger. Over time, she learns more about spell casting, potions, and navigating the magical realm.
• Fun Fact: Sabrina the Teenage Witch was originally a comic series in the Archie universe, and the TV show gave a comedic and family-friendly view of witchcraft.
• Connection to Real Witchcraft: Sabrina’s “learning phase” in her magical journey parallels the growth many witches experience when they first begin to study the craft. Just like Sabrina, many witches start with basic spells and gradually build their knowledge through reading, practice, and mentorship. The idea of spells sometimes having unintended consequences also speaks to the importance of careful planning and intention in real-life spell work.

Maleficent (Maleficent, Sleeping Beauty)

• Powers: Dark, shape-shifting magic, curses, and control over natural elements. In Maleficent, her powers expand to include protective and healing magic as well.
• Fun Fact: Maleficent was originally conceived as a pure villain in Disney’s Sleeping Beauty (1959), but the Maleficent films present her as a more complex, misunderstood anti-hero.
• Connection to Real Witchcraft: Maleficent’s connection to nature, particularly her command over plants, animals, and the earth, is reminiscent of green witchcraft, which emphasizes working with nature’s energies. Her transformation from a villain to a protector mirrors the balance between light and dark magic that many witches recognize—working with shadow energy for healing and protection when necessary.

Witchy Trivia and Fun Facts

• Sabrina’s cat, Salem, was a talking cat in the TV show. In real witchcraft, animals like cats are often considered familiars, spiritual companions who assist in magical workings.
• Maleficent’s staff, with its powerful orb, is a traditional symbol of magical authority. Many witches use wands, staffs, or even athames (ritual knives) as tools to direct energy during spellwork.
• The broomstick used by the Wicked Witch of the West in The Wizard of Oz was made of bamboo.
• Hocus Pocus was not a hit upon release in 1993, but it has since become a cult classic, inspiring yearly Halloween celebrations and a sequel.
• The actress who played Glinda, Billie Burke, was 54 years old when she portrayed the Good Witch in The Wizard of Oz—a fact that helped shatter stereotypes about what a witch should look like.

Fiction vs. Real WitchcraftTV/Movie Witches:

• Often portrayed as having powers they can access immediately with dramatic visual effects, like glowing hands, chanting in ancient languages, or brewing colorful potions.

Real Witchcraft:

• Focuses more on ritual preparation, using natural elements like herbs, candles, and crystals. Visualization and intention are key, and results take time, rather than instant transformation. Real witches also work with the cycles of the moon, the seasons, and elemental energies—there’s no teleportation or conjuring objects, but plenty of grounding, meditation, and connection with nature.