Before we can answer that, we need to talk about what it actually means to be a witch. Because the dictionary definitions? They're a mess.

Merriam-Webster: magical things that are done by witches; the use of magical powers obtained especially from evil spirits

Dictionary.com: the art or practices of a witch; sorcery or magical influence; magic, especially for evil purposes

Wikipedia: the use of magic by a person called a witch. Traditionally, "witchcraft" means the use of magic to inflict supernatural harm or misfortune on others

I laughed until my sides hurt reading these. How is it legal to put something this subjective and uneducated into the public record for all of society's consumption? But maybe this is the cross we witches have to bear — the false pretense that we're nefarious creatures running around inflicting harm, when nothing could be further from the truth.

Don't get me wrong. Witches have strong, powerful boundaries. Try to mess with one and you might find yourself on the receiving end of a "return to sender" spell that knocks you flat from the karmic blowback. But most of us are intent on living a life of peace.

Do a real deep dive on witchcraft and you'll find that being a witch means being a conscientious, aware being interested in working with the natural powers of our universe. Witchcraft is the practice of working with intention, ritual, and natural forces to participate consciously in shaping reality. None of us are out here practicing baneful magic for fun. Most witches I've met are healers — working with herbs for ailments, using energy to soothe and comfort, offering spellwork and ritual to their communities. One of my closest friends, a fellow witch, hosts a monthly candle ritual called Transmute the Patriarchy. Notice the careful intention in her word choice.

Words are spells. Think about the word "spelling bee." Words carry power, and a witch's first choice is always peace.

If you imagine a witch and your mind goes straight to pointed hats and bubbling cauldrons, I'd love to gently update that picture for you. The witches I know are women running businesses, raising kids, tending gardens, holding space for grieving friends, and working real jobs in the real world. The magic happens alongside the laundry.

A witch's practice often looks like lighting a candle with intention before starting her work day. Brewing tea while whispering a blessing over the cup. Pulling a tarot card in the morning to set the tone. Walking the land barefoot to ground after a long week. Dressing a candle with oil for a friend going through a hard time. None of this requires a robe or a circle of stones in the woods, although those are nice too.

Modern witchcraft is the deliberate practice of paying attention. Of treating your inner life as real. Of remembering that you're part of nature, not separate from it. Of refusing to outsource your power to anyone or anything that hasn't earned your trust.

Crystals, on their own, are not witchcraft. They're natural rocks and minerals formed in the earth over millions of years. Technically they fall under the category of science. You'll find a stunning selection in any Museum of Natural History.

What you choose to do with the crystal is what determines the category. You can keep one as a keepsake, admire it for its beauty, marvel at the geological alchemy that took millions of years to create it. That alone makes crystals worthy of anyone's admiration.

But the moment you step into the world of metaphysical meaning and energetic use — that, my friend, is crystal witchcraft. And when you really get down to it, it's pretty innocuous. In the simplest terms, crystal witchcraft is using a stone to support a person's emotional and spiritual energy. That's it. That's the big scary thing.

Holding a piece of rose quartz over your heart while you cry through a hard moment. Tucking a piece of black tourmaline in your bag before a tough meeting. Setting amethyst on your nightstand because you sleep better with it nearby. Wearing a citrine pendant on a day you need a little more confidence. Placing a clear quartz next to your laptop while you work.

That's it. That's crystal witchcraft. There's no animal sacrifice. No deals with anyone shady. No harm to anyone, including yourself. Just a thoughtful use of an object the earth created over millions of years, paired with intention and care.

You could honestly argue that wearing a wedding ring is the same kind of practice. A symbolic object, worn with intention, carrying meaning. We just don't call that witchcraft because it's been culturally sanctioned for centuries.

When you come to my website, come as you are. You might be a forest witch. You might be a devout Catholic. The common thread between us is the same. We want to better ourselves and the people around us.

Witches aren't as different from everyone else as you've been led to believe. The persecution of our people began when the early Christian church set out on its conquests and wanted all the pagans to convert. They made it a sin, something sinister, to be a witch — which is completely untrue. You could say the Christians ran the most successful smear campaign in human history.

But these days, we can live side by side once we see the truth. We may not honor the same gods, but our principles and values are far more alike than they appear. Whether you're a devout Muslim, a devout Catholic, or a devout witch — you practice ritual. You honor the divine of your chosen path. You wish to do no harm.

Witches actually don't need to do harm. We understand the laws of nature, and karma truly is a bitch.