The social media app TikTok is home to several different online communities, but a specific one is harboring much popularity: WitchTok. 

     WitchTok covers a wide variety of interests such as tarot card readings, crystals, manifestation, spells, and more. WitchTok is not a joke and is a real community where self proclaimed witches can share tips and tricks about spirituality. Witchcraft and “magick” has often been surrounded by negative stigma and considered taboo primarily due to the fact that it was never quite exposed to mass amounts of people and remained a niche interest for many. However, witches and tarot card readers have recently been congregating on TikTok. TikTok has been an ideal platform for many witches because of how casual and accessible it is. You can open the app and watch 15 to 60 second videos with spiritual tips and tricks. Witch creators often communicate regularly with their following through livestreams or by doing video responses to comments. Because of this accessibility, more people are being introduced to the practice.

     “TikTok is an ideal platform because it is very easy for people who have similar interests to find each other,” junior Danielle Davro said. “You can watch videos of people from all over the world so there is a greater percent of people with those shared interests that you could come in contact with.”

     Witchcraft is not like religion where you have to be very involved and knowledgeable of it to adopt it into your lifestyle. In witchcraft, you can adopt certain aspects of the practice into your life without having to learn all about the occult and become a full-blown witch. For example, many non-witches have begun purchasing and carrying crystals around with them for a variety of reasons. Each crystal has its own healing abilities for the mind and soul, some protect and some provide comfort. But all crystals are said to promote good energy and deflect negative energies. If you are looking to amplify the love in your life, platonic or romantic, Rose Quartz is what you’re looking for. This stone will help you connect with others and open your heart. If you are looking for a stone that will help you radiate positivity, Citrine will do exactly that. It is said to fill you with happiness and help you project positive energy into the universe. Not only that, tarot readings have gained a lot of attention recently from non-occult members. Most tarot readers will do free readings on their account and these readings can offer insight and clarity to those who need it. 

     “I really like the idea of having crystals to bring good energies into your life,” Favro said. “There have also been a few tarot readings I’ve seen that have been surprisingly accurate and it’s also almost scary seeing how specific it was to my life.”

     Astrology, the belief that the stars and planets influence the behaviors of people, is another prominent aspect of WitchTok. Most people are aware of their sun sign, which is your zodiac sign on your date of birth. Some well known signs and their corresponding dates are Aries (March 21 to April 20), Sagittarius (November 22 to December 21), Scorpio (October 23 to November 21), and Taurus (April 20 to May 20). There are twelve total astrological signs as well as twelve astrological houses. The importance of the astrological houses arises in your natal chart: the location of the planets in the sky at the time of your birth. These houses in your astrological chart represent different aspects of your life and depict the good fortune and obstacles you will encounter throughout your lifetime; this is all based on the time and location of your birth. But what is the point of all this? Your natal chart can reveal to you what people and situations you should avoid, what experiences strengthen you, what you need to work on more, etc. It is basically a guide to yourself and your inner workings. 

     “My favorite parts of WitchTok are astrology and crystals,” Favro said. “I enjoy learning about the different energies that different types of crystals can attract or repel and learning about how the date and time of my birth influences my personality.”

             Furthermore, because of the personalization of the app, TikTok humanizes witches after centuries of being deemed mad by outsiders or being characterized as cult members for their seemingly “arcane” practices. After the history of abuse and prejudice against witches, this social media app acts a sort of accepting safe haven for those interested in the occult. Witches can now show the more personal sides of themselves on TikTok. And further, WitchTok serves as a symbol of unity and is a community where witches with all ranges of experience look out for each other and teach one another .

     WitchTok is a place where complete novices can personalize their own spiritual journey.  Spirituality has no requirements besides being open to the beliefs of others and holding a non-judgemental mindset.