how the witch became a feminist icon (and how it failed)

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today i have a new video essay for you guys ! this one is a deep dive into witchy characters: evil witches, empowered witches, cozy witches - all of them!
my deep dive playlist: • Deep Dives & Video Essays
00:00: intro
3:46: witch hunts & woman hate
14:58 the empowered witch
19:53: the witch as a victim
30:12 the "witch paradox"
38:27 conclusion
sources:
Witch, BBC Radio 4
Mary E. Corey. Matilda Joslyn Gage: A Nineteenth Century Women’s Rights Historian Looks at Witchcraft. OAH Magazine of History, 2003.
Sempruch, Justyna. Fantasies of Gender and the Witch in Feminist Theory and Literature. Purdue University Press, 2008.
Matilda Joslyn Gage. Woman, Church and State, The Original Exposé of Male Collaboration Against the Female Sex. 1893
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Hi! My name is Leonie and I am a 25 year old girl from the Netherlands who loves talking about books! From YA to non-fiction to classics, I read it all (although fantasy will always be my fave).
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[@pendragon2012]

I remember in grad school teaching a Halloween-time lesson on real life pirates and the witch trials because pirates and witches are two of the most popular costumes. But the real pirates were actually awful human beings, and the real witches were innocent victims....

[@mygaaraofthedesert]

Are you talking about the witch trials no if you're talking about the Witch Trials of Salem then someone told you wrong because the witch trials is Salem but innocent people that were accused of witchcraft with that information come from

[@tigura02]

​@mygaaraofthedesert not sure exactly what your saying there, but I think you agreed with pendragon... the witches were just innocent people.

[@blackk_rose_]

Well, pirates (especially those who weren't privateers) were also often victims of society - outcasts, underpaid sailors, former slaves, etc. But they did murder and pillage while the so-called witches just lived their lives, so I get what you mean.

[@tuluppampam]

Also witches were men as well, but for some reason the term later became associated with women It was originally just a pejorative term for heretics

[@edbotikx]

Witches were not innocent victims. Witchcraft was a severe crime, which is why they were forced to hide.

[@grybentinas2157]

So Malleus Maleficarum is basically a 15th century incel manifesto that caused a shit tone of cruelty on women

[@justwonder1404]

Can't say I'm surprised.

[@zx921]

First recorded copypasta

[@bpblitz]

Very little difference between it and that screed that started gamer gate lol

[@The_Crimson_Fucker]

@@bpblitz Man I keep forgetting you hoes are still getting ass-blasted about that. GG, stay mad.

[@CatSaver7]

maleficarum... maleficent

[@itowilltube]

This video essay was an educational slay! She did thorough research and I'm glad she acknowledged for the idea that this happened. Continues to occur in Asia and Africa as well as Western world.

[@sofiasireno]

For anyone interested, I highly reccomend "The Mercies" by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, based on the real events of 1621 witch trials in Finnmark, Norway. After a storm claims all the men of the village, the women of Vardø are left to face not only the harsh Arctic elements but also the looming threat of witch trials. Slowly, the island becomes a battleground of survival and superstition. Evocative and beautifully written - I adored it! Btw, loved this one Leonie! 🔮💜

[@katnisseverdeen5466]

I loved Hargrave's 'The Deathless Girls' so I'll have to give that one a try, thanks for the recommendation!

[@sofiasireno]

Oh I have to read that one as well then! Thank you😊

[@mollika22]

OMG. How does everytime I'm interested about something The book leo makes a video about that? I'm so happy 💛

[@Mr_Starkitty]

Same 😊

[@itowilltube]

She a mmmm

[@zhoradaiyu5184]

My mom once wrote a paper in school on the topic of witch hunts, which I then used for my own high school history presentation

[@meganberk6072]

So I remember reading a book in school called “The witch of blackbird lake” which is about a Quaker woman accused of witchcraft. That happened a lot in real life.

[@justinameans4324]

OMG I've read that book three times! I've always been bothered by it, because I think she was botanist. I remember my mom planting a lot of herbs I always thought we were cool witches. Maybe we still are : )

[@DrFranklynAnderson]

15:34 I’ve read some of Cotton Mather’s writings on witchcraft. (What can I say? I’m a history nerd who loves The Legend of Sleepy Hollow-which mentions Mather several times-and I enjoy deep dives into the minutia of stories. 😂) The witches were NEVER considered to have their own inherent power. It always came from having some kind of relationship with the Devil, making a deal with evil spirits, being given a familiar, etc. There’s also a surprising amount of “we thought the accusation was crazy and impossible, but after exhausting every other option it seemed the only explanation.” The description of the witch’s victims, usually children, seemed like possession to me, but that might be because the recent Exorcist movie is fresh in my mind… 😅

[@mia0006]

Pleaser never stop making these types of video's!! I love them sm!

[@tmilhazes2291]

Already watched and liked when it first came out but came back for the comment! Im sorry that the algorithm is treating this video poorly, the quality of the content makes it obvious you invested time studying and working on it!

[@lilygreenall2837]

I love this take! There are so many paradoxes in witch narratives and in modern concepts of witchcraft and feminity. It's really interesting to hear someone talk about it. Have you come across a novel called Now She Is Witch by Kirsty Logan? It does a really good job describing the position of historical witches.

[@spinstercatlady]

Now She is Witch has been on my wishlist for a while, but I've been slightly hesitant bc the synopsis was kinda opaque and I wasn't sure what type story it would be (seems like magical realism maybe?).

[@lilygreenall2837]

@@spinstercatlady Yeah it's quite hard to sum up! I guess it's like historical fiction with magical elements? Quite a unique read.

[@spinstercatlady]

@@lilygreenall2837 sounds good, I'll give it a go for sure!

[@yasuriyamile080]

I am from Catalunya and I feel very excited to see that you mentioned my beautiful country in your video. I hadn't heard of the campaign "No eren bruixes" before, but I'll definitely do some research because it is true that here where I live it's "usual" to hear about witchcraft and witch-hunting as it happened quite frequently in the past. I find it very cool that we actually have programs that talk about it!

[@ericasosa9234]

The change in lighting throughout the video is just ✨ethereal✨

[@elelleie9037]

witches have always been the most memorable characters, thank you for this!!

[@AllieVDB]

The editing, the content, the vibes… This is top tier content 🤌

[@girlkaramazov]

leo!! i love your videos always, and i have to mention how much i love your editing lately !! it rlly transmits the care you put into this and its also very aesthetically pleasing

[@Necrotoxin44]

That's always been my biggest problem with the witch archetype, is how the (at least modern) interpretation usually has a thread of "worthiness', often falling along bloodlines of inheriting the power. Which, even without reading into it too much, was just never satisfying to me. That someone was powerful through no real consequence of their own, but rather through happenstance. Especially as it's often a power fantasy, it personally puts more distance between myself and the protagonist.

[@katnisseverdeen5466]

A really insightful analysis! I love how it got darker throughout the video haha, really added to the ✨vibes✨ In fact I love every video from you, such interesting topics and cosy vibes!

[@someanthropologist]

If anyone is interested in other forms of magic around the world. Chris Gosden (an anthropologist) wrote a book called 'The History of Magic' a couple years ago. I haven't gotten around to reading it yet, but it looks at different ways of thinking about magic in different times and places over the last 12,000 years.

[@pauline-1322]

I love when you do videos like these. It is super interesting. Thanks for the commitment and the research!

[@sophhnavarro]

What an excellent deep dive! Thanks for the great quality content Leonie

[@user-qu8zs7vs1x]

I definitely feel like these thematic series you're doing could be chapters in a non fiction book about the tropes and themes of western literature! Something along the lines of what Olivia Laing does with the art world in her books

[@gobln426]

Thank you for the interesting video! :D some points made me think of the Japanese magical girls because they also them from the us hype of the „domestic witch“. Early magical girl stories often focused on pure, young girls (magical girls) vs adult, career focused and sexualised women (villains). Later, I think during the 90s, magical powers became like a mirror for innocence and childhood with losing your powers when you’ve reached maturity and chores or smth. 🤔 sadly I don’t remember that point too well. 😅 But Miyazaki‘ „Kiki‘s Delivery Service“ is an exception to the typical, old magical girl trope since the older, working women are her role-models and not enemies. :)

[@JuanPablo-rj6zz]

First of all, sorry for my bad english, i'm still learning the vídeo is great, i think that you did a very good job and can see that you search a lot to make this vídeo. One of my favorite witch history actually is one comic called "Witch boy" where the male protagonist lives in a magical family where the kind of magic who is teached to boys and girls are a metaphor for genderoles. The history is simple and kind chilldish, but i'm still think that it's great. In my opinion, the romanticization of small towns in witch historys come from a idea of a small town as a location who still in a past somehow, like it's own a thing that is lost in big citys and modernity at all, in practice, that's make it a local whorse to everyone who is out of the line, as a witch, at least in my experience, but also make it kinda magical somehow, like there's something supernatural that's only can happen there, like it's another world. I think that's also why romance historys generally pass in this kinda place, like, the characters now it's out of reality and anything can happen. i'm sorry if i don't make sense.

[@mavsepiphany]

im obsessed with this video, perfect timing as i’ve just read slewfoot (which i loved!!!)

[@sarahk4794]

I really enjoy all your Videos and this one in particular! I find it very interesting to see how literature is using the archetype of a witch to tell stories that are supposed to be empowering, but end up failing to do so because they fall back into tropes of representation :)

[@robyntotheTee]

I don't actually don't read any fantasy and don't read witchy books, but I so enjoy the way you share your love of reading with your audience. I especially enjoy your deep dives. I like learning about new things or learning more, and you do an incredible job of engaging with the subject matter and presenting research and sources for further knowledge. Sorry this post seems to be getting knocked by the algorithm.

[@grahamcrack]

You look majestic as hell in the dark lighting👏🏻 it matches the vibe of the video! I love your video essays about the history of mythical creatures and beings and how they came to be as we know them today🌸

[@probablyanotherescape7496]

Loved this video! The editing is perfect and I gained lot of new perspectives on the topic!🥰

[@palkoeszter5766]

Thought I knew evrything about witches, but you managed to tell me new information 40 minutes straight. Congrats Leonie! It's clear how much work you put into this video, and we appreciate it so very much!

[@arthurshort6619]

I can see the argument to be made about Nancy from the Craft being the villain as anti-lower class. I however, liked the choice to make her a villain and here's why. Nancy, with everything she went through and all her personal trails and tragedies, was on a hero's journey. She was going through a series of negative experiences that could have molded her into the hero of the story. Her choosing the dark side instead, in my opinion, was an interesting inversion of the trope. She may have begun on the hero's journey, but where that path took her was her own free choice.

[@RestingKitten]

I’m reading Slewfoot right now, how timely ☺️

[@karoline5687]

I loved everything about this!! Can't imagine how much research must've gone into this❤

[@banaa9463]

Agreed 👏

[@dronesaur4328]

Have you read "Caliban and the Witch" by Silvia Federici? If not, you might find it really interesting. It discusses gender and the social and economic role that the witch hunts played in European history immediately prior to the development of capitalism, and how the division of labor in society was redefined, with the constraining of women's power being a crucial part of that process.

[@hodif]

Such an atmospheric video on a very interesting subject. You talking about witches and feminism it just hits different

[@kobzatimea8465]

i ADORE when you make these kind of videos, you've made me realise i enjoy deep dives into topic like these within literature! and especially the topic of witches is a really interesting one! i honestly haven't yet thought about how much the witch would have been a threat because she was representing the independent women. or how the archetype evolved or how the witches in stories where they accused to be one, they always turn out to be one instead jut not. very exciting topic, and it shows how much research you've out into it yet again! i hope you'll continue make these kind of contents, because they basically make me drop work and dive into a Cozy Leonie Lesson the moment the video drops haha

[@dominikawie5665]

Can i just say absolutely loved this video like im down for any type of analyse video but u just made this one 100% better

[@Felisophiena]

Thank you for this video! I always enjoy your deep dives and also your bookish content but this is a topic I've also been thinking about a lot lateley and it was really nice to gather more information that I might not have stumbled upon otherwise. Plus as a history student I love that you questioned the connection between actual historical facts and the myths based on them (+ the other way round) and how those myths have changed over time while also maintaining a lot of themes, not necessarily only good ones I'd say. Probably gonna start my own deep dive into witchy topics now haha :)

[@luiiiandmovieee]

So happy you included good omens because I was thinking about it the whole time

[@Lol_notme]

Loving this video ! I have always been fascinated by the association between feminism and witches! Loads of great sources too!!

[@sulesahin4115]

Really cool analysis on witches! I definitely haven't thought of these concepts in depth before!

[@eliana7441]

This is my favorite argument of all time, thank you for this! I love how you expose these topics, the vibes, the photos, the images etc. I love history, I study it in university, and I'm glad that you always first speak about the historical context, not every booktuber/youtuber in general does it. You're the best💙🍂 ps. it's pronunced "Malleus Maleficarum"

[@heatherbocks]

Your deep dive videos are fantastic! It’s obvious that you put so much work into them ❤

[@user-pd8lc3ow6x]

This is such a beautifully insightful video essay. I must admit I didn’t know that most women who were persecuted during the Witch Hunts were not all independent, smart, free-thinking women. It’s even more disturbing that these women were predominantly the more fragile and vulnerable members of society. Puts a new spin on the idea of the empowered witch.

[@NovelsWithNicole]

I love this deep dive I didn't know I needed. I have been consuming so many whimsical witchy magic stories lately and I am so into it.

[@laradadic908]

I love whenever you post and you finally did a witch video 🧙🏻 love the vibes and these essay type of videos! ❤❤❤

[@wallobyway3055]

Fav book content creator again and again!! This was so thought-provoking and felt like chatting with a friend over tea ☺️🖤

[@inesabrantes5343]

I really liked this video, it talks about a topic I have never heard. Witches are just intelligent powerful women. But the fact that witch stories still contain class oppression was just surprising to me

[@theinkedpath9631]

Hi Leonie! I know it is very late and that you posted these a long time ago but I am doing a marathon of your content (here and in your secondary channel). I ADORED THIS VIDEO. Thank you for making it.

[@SophieOlgadeJong]

Love these little documentaries you make! hope you make more of them!

[@samairasabahaat]

I just finished Dark Heir by C.S Pacat and I cannot express how much I was thinking "wow Leo would love this book" because sHE SO WOULD

[@leoboyd7175]

I almost never like or comment but your insta asked me to and so I shall. Also, this fall i bought the mushroom hoops you had in one of your fall videos and i love them!

[@cleopatraclara8036]

one of the most well pur together videos ive seen recently! ive already watched it twice, such an interesting topic as well

[@nojigikuao317]

There's a really cool french historical novel by Aline Kiner called La nuit des béguines that talks of witchcraft, empowerment and freedom of women. It follows a religious order of only women (les béguines) which is a specific one where women tend to be way freer than in society or a traditional religious order. The order actually existed and used to have a monastery in Paris. It's set in the late middle ages. That novel is really interesting because it shows how women found a way to freedom through sisterhood and isolation from men, though they still represented a threat for the order.

[@VeraFran]

Just started the video but I have to say this, I was thinking about this subject/theme yesterday, how the role differs depending on the culture, but it's always there.

[@TheHunt598]

These deep dives are altering my view on so many opinions and constructs, really great ❤❤🎉

[@lokalcrow1470]

Super interesting video!! It will actually really inform the fantasy novel I'm writing and how witches will be treated in it. VERY minor point from a catalonian, for anyone interested: The "x" in "No eren bruixes" is pronounced as "sh", like in crash: Brui-sh-es

[@yonej8379]

I love these history on bookish things videos you make. Niche topics like this are always the most interesting ❤

[@Indie_witch10]

Loved this video! I am also so glad that you read Slewfoot. I honestly think it is my favorite books this year. Anyway, I am a practicing pagan witch myself (although I am currently going through a rest/ self-exploration period) and I agree with the criticisms towards witchy characters. I have always seen witchcraft as a means of self- empowerment and connecting with nature on a deeper level. It means different things for different people though. Because of this, I am really craving more diversity among witchy characters and their stories. As much as I love the books I have read, I feel as though the same tropes are being used over and over again, when there really is so much more to dive into. Although it still fits the bill of many witchy tropes, Wildwood Whispers by Willa Reese is another one of my favorite books that I believe does a decent job at exploring the witch narrative in an interesting way. Plus, it has a good mix of cute and angst that I had no idea that I needed. Thank you for another amazing video Leonie!

[@jenniferedwards5795]

If you want a great book about a witch who is being prosecuted for being a witch who doesn't actually have powers and then gets powers. I recommend the year of the witching. It's set in Bethel New England during the witch trails in a small divided town run by a terrible priest. The book also touches on racism and being poor. Immanuelle, the main character, is a mixed girl who was raised by her white grandparents after her mother, who went crazy and offed herself after Immanuelle's black father was burned at the stake for falling in love with her mother. It's an amazing book and is basically everything you're asking for and talking about in the video. It's a gut wrenching book. I also belive that it's pretty similar to slewfoot but I've never read that book so I can't be certain but from your synopsis I think it's very similar. I've never really seen anyone talk about "The Year of The Witching" but I think it's because of who the main character is and what it's about. It not a fluffy story about a rich white girl who gets her way lol. You're probably not going to see this but if you do I believe you'll love this book if you haven't already read it and also you always look so pretty in all of your videos just wanted to say that lol.

[@rewbaccan.1005]

I love these deep dives. Thanks for your hard work!

[@she.is.literal]

This has the feeling of a video essay. Loved your insights❤

[@draupadih3980]

Your videos are so relaxing and informative!

[@liamwhalen]

Excellent research. The substack podcast Witchcraft, Matriarchies, and Deep History - Stone Age Herbalist | Maiden Mother Matriarch 39 has some information in the extended version about this topic in our times.

[@kcaudill23456]

Just started watching, but I already know this video will be a winner just like all of your deep dive videos 💕

[@jeanne8264]

this is a soo interesting and important theme ! please do more videos like this ! thank you !

[@unvergebeneid]

"When I was a child, witches were the villains. [...] It all started to change in the sixties." Wow, girl! If you don't share your skin care routine one day, that's a crime! :D

[@michellemeiner]

GODDDD i love these in-depth videos so much

[@Pastamonstertje]

Always the best video essays on booktube ❤️

[@wolfbrown1004]

This video was very informative, sad and heartbreaking. I really liked how much research you did to make this video.

[@mathilda128]

I loooove this format! The cozy ✨️vibes✨️, the information, the feminism >>>

[@hellothere7948]

I would love to watch a movie about a woman living at that time and what it felt like to live in a society where women around her being accused of being witches and the horror of the trials but without any supernatural fanfare just the historical side of how it was to be a woman at that time. Idk if there are any, i havent really looked into it so im not sure

[@AmbreColry]

Hi ! For the ones in the audience speaking french, you can read two books talking about witches through history : - Sorcières, la puissance invaincue des femmes - Mona Cholet - Sorcières ! Le sombre grimoire du féminin - Julie Proust Tanguy

[@S20028]

I love ur videos.❤❤ thos one is amazing. Feels like a podcast with the music and everything

[@hopethevampireslayer3791]

Love this video so much!!! I love these kinds of videos so much 😍😍🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🥹

[@maja_ksiazkoholiczka3508]

Great video, I've learned so much ❤️

[@vuvuzela691]

As always love the research you do for your videos!

[@dancesbyk251]

i absolutely love these video essay type of videos from you!!

[@aligolden4436]

I love your videos! They are super informative, and you have a really cool way of explaining things 😊 definitely my favorite book KZbin channel

[@teresalombardi2638]

Great job! It was a very interesting perspective filled with valuable references. Thank you ❤

[@bendetoni7004]

I just started watching your videos and I think they are great. Keep it up !

[@Solarstormflare]

im writing a book about witches after i finish the one im writing this nano! excited to hear your thoughts in this video :D

[@ilseklop]

Ik heb zo veel geleerd in deze 40 minuten, love it❤ En ja, Victoriaanse kerstkaarten mogen van mij ook een comeback maken

[@Torlik11]

One thing that wasn't said about the early witch trials is that it happen at a time of massive religious conflict. The church autority was challenged by protestantism and they became harsher in their dogma. Accusing someone of witchcraft was an easy way to discredit those who would question catholic doctrine. Also, witches were usually hanged, not burned at the stake. Being burned was normally reserved for heretics, not witches.

[@juliak5149]

Favourite witch Story: la sorcière de Bergerac During the whole time you ask yourself, is she maybe really a witch? It isn't the reason she's persecuted for (which ist societal ostracisation, envy, incels etc), but at the end I was still so unsure!

[@moviemagus1921]

Would recommend Kiran Millwood Hargrave's book called The Mercies, if you haven't read that one yet. The audiobook is read by Jessie Buckley, which is amazing.

[@newtscamander9370]

U are my favorite youtuber !!!! 🖤✨️

[@amanduhreads]

Just came from your story on Instagram! This is truly some of your best work and I hope it reaches as many people as possible 🤎 side note - I’m currently in the Netherlands on holiday, and watching this video while I’m here just made things so much more cozy!

[@Merve77772]

I already watched the video but leaving a like and comment for the algorithm. I really enjoyed listening to your research while studying. Thanks for the great work, Leonie❤ I love your content

[@annulla3812]

I really loved this video. So well researched! Thank you!

[@minatauros]

Clicked on your video again to add greetings to the algorithm🫡 You deserve it Leonie😊

[@luciaminy-giani3305]

I would love for you to do a list of biology related dark/light academia books! I’m in my first year of bio undergrad I need some inspiration :)

[@furroy]

enjoyed this deep dive!

[@williamerickson520]

I suppose you could say that my history with the witch symbol has been conflicted. Growing up I saw them as just spooky fun but in my 20's into my 30's I fully leaned into the misogyny interpretation and wanted nothing to do with it. By my late 30's into 40's (I'm 42) I sincerely do see the figure of the witch in an empowering light, though powerful people, male or female, are going to be more than a little intimidating to others. In that sense the witch could simply be an allegory for any kind of power. Nancy from The Craft is a classic exemplar of the saying "power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely". I say that power reveals, as people who perceive themselves as powerless tend to grow resentful and once they gain some measure of power, they become drunk on that power and often lash out at the people that they feel have wronged them. We see a similar thing in Willow from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, though her character goes through a redemption arc in the end.

[@bxyamilabertoni382]

Loved this video. Thank you ❤

[@WandaNat-np1gw]

This was a wonderful and very interesting video, I loved it!! And it got me out of a reading slump, thank you so much

[@guardian9832]

Super interesting deep dive

[@ChristaC22]

If you like a good empowered/revenge witch story, I highly recommend Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow. Its not only my favorite witch book but probably just my favorite book.

[@Ellereads1]

Loved this, thank you for your work

[@livhaven]

you should consider doing a podcast i know it would be super interesting