Vancouver Island, it seems, is chock full of witches.

But, according to Lynn-Anne Hill, the producer of the recent Summer Witches Market in Metchosin, that may be a very good thing.

B次元官网网址淭here are hundreds of covens on the Island. There are a lot here in Victoria and all over. ThereB次元官网网址檚 a great coven up in Nanaimo,B次元官网网址� said Hill, who readily embraces her B次元官网网址榳itchinessB次元官网网址�, although she does not, herself, belong to a coven.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 a singular believer B次元官网网址� a nature-based witch B次元官网网址� and I live in the forest where I attract owls, bears and cougars,B次元官网网址� said Hill.

B次元官网网址淭hese are positive, wonderful, loving people,B次元官网网址� she added, looking around the hall where dozens of witches had gathered. B次元官网网址淎nd each of them finds their magic in their own way.B次元官网网址�

Moving around the market, it became apparent that HillB次元官网网址檚 assessment of the witches in attendance seemed to be spot on.

Karen Jones, for example, was entirely non-threatening as she tended to her broomstick sale.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 100 per cent witch,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 called upon to work my energy and these brooms have been made with intention.

She pointed out a broom made for a crone who needs help walking and another that draws on the energy of the ocean. Another broom had two heads attached to a single handle.

But do her brooms fly?

B次元官网网址淥h, they will fly. Of course it depends on whoB次元官网网址檚 riding them. If you have the power and want them to fly, they will absolutely fly,B次元官网网址� said Jones.

Notably absent from the WitchB次元官网网址檚 Market were any of the negative characteristics of witches that have infested our folklore and media depictions. There wasnB次元官网网址檛 a single cauldron full of hell-broth, newt eyes or toes of frogs.

In fact, the witches in attendance displayed none of the stereotypes that tend to accompany witch lore. Absent were the double chins, warts or toothless sneers that have come to characterize fairy tales and films. Instead, the witches in attendance appeared to be completely enchanting, blithe spirits.

And the people coming to visit the market and speak to the witches appeared to be quite at ease.

Of course, that hasnB次元官网网址檛 always been the case.

In the fall of 1982, allegations surfaced of witches having formed a satanic cult that was sacrificing babies stolen from a Victoria hospital.  The B次元官网网址淪atanic PanicB次元官网网址� put Victoria on the map for a time as the police even investigated the allegations.

Not surprisingly, those claims were soon debunked, and the hysterical fears abated.

Still, it wasnB次元官网网址檛 until the summer of 2017 that the Canadian Government repealed the last laws against witchcraft. (In fairness, those laws stated that it was illegal to "fraudulently pretend to exercise or to use any kind of witchcraft, sorcery, enchantment or conjuration". Presumably, if the witchcraft was real, it wasnB次元官网网址檛 illegal.)

Actually, a lot of the discrimination against witches it seems, has always been found in a response to a feminist agenda.

B次元官网网址淲itch means B次元官网网址榳ise womanB次元官网网址� a woman who tends to her own feelings and checks with her own intuition before making decisions,B次元官网网址� said Jordan Griffin, another of the witches at the Market. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really more of an intuitive, spiritual factor. Or sometimes, itB次元官网网址檚 someone who believes in and understands magic B次元官网网址� in things that are unseen.B次元官网网址�

Griffin explained that she used to host circles for women who understood the nature of the craft.

Sue Ferrie, another witch, reiterated GriffinB次元官网网址檚 viewpoint.

B次元官网网址淢odern religion is all about fear. Wicca is not. Wicca is about looking after nature and people. ItB次元官网网址檚 about women being in total control of herself, with no harm to anyone," said Ferrie.

Weighing in on the feminist side of witchcraft, Ronalda Katherine added, "I think all women are witchesB次元官网网址� and I donB次元官网网址檛 mean that in a bad way. We all have womenB次元官网网址檚 strength and the ability to make things happen. Women can use their energy to make things happen. TheyB次元官网网址檙e more in touch with their feelings and can project that more.B次元官网网址�

With that in mind, donB次元官网网址檛 imagine that Vancouver IslandB次元官网网址檚 witches are all about potions and secret incantations, or about some modern-day womenB次元官网网址檚 movement. 

At least thatB次元官网网址檚 not all itB次元官网网址檚 about. Witches seem to have some fun, as well.

ThereB次元官网网址檚 the British Columbia Witch-camp, for example. ThatB次元官网网址檚 where witches come together each year for one week to celebrate, learn, teach, and be together as community. Although they donB次元官网网址檛 specifically say so, there are some great bonfires and conversations and jokes as well.

Then thereB次元官网网址檚 events like the one hosted by the coven in Royston, BC. They dress in their witchiest outfits and paddleboard for charity.

Prizes are awarded for the best costume as well as the best cackle.

B次元官网网址淲e bring a lot of energy to our events,B次元官网网址� said Hill. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 no recruitment, and no judgement. This is just a wonderful, positive and loving community.B次元官网网址�

And yes, they do have the odd love potion available for those in need.