It’s that time of year again; leaves are falling from trees, and Halloween decorations are all around. One of those decorations might happen to be a witch. The typical witch, long nose, big pointy hat, and usually, a mean grin on its face.

That witch decoration out in someone’s yard? It may actually not be as accurate as one might think.

Non-fictional witches or people who practice witchcraft look like regular people, not like the ones a person might see as Halloween decor.

People who practice witchcraft are not like fictional Halloween witches in any way; they don’t ride brooms, and they (hopefully) are not out to get you.

Witchcraft is based on spiritual experience rather than belief. Practitioners of witchcraft or Wicca (a type of witchcraft) are likely to do it on their own. Covens are a way for people to practice in a group. It is believed that working together can create more powerful magic.

Fictional witches are caricatures or exaggerations making fun of witches and trying to make them seem like a bad thing. Most witches actually use witchcraft as a source of healing instead of evil; they tend to avoid negative energies.

“Magic is a manipulation of the natural world by harnessing or focusing cosmic or psychic energies to bring about a desired change,” according to Annabel Margeret, the Green Witch.

The practice of witchcraft is always up for question; there is often no concrete answer or a single way in which a task has to be done. Something that works for one witch may not work for another.

Who can practice witchcraft?

Anyone can practice witchcraft. Adding rules is usually avoided, and a lot of people practice in their way, so it’s reasonably easy to get into.

Everything has its stereotypes, and witchcraft is one of these things.

One should still enjoy the frightful sights of Halloween decorations. Just know that the next time a person sees some spooky decor, it may not be what was expected.