The traditional stereotype of the witch as an ugly old woman who harms others using supernatural means has a strong hold within the popular imagination.

But in modern society other types of witches have emerged, including those who use supernatural means to benefit others, those who follow a nature-based neo-pagan religion, and those who resist the imposition of patriarchal structures and hierarchies.

From among this complex environment of different understandings of witchcraft emerged Modern Pagan Witchcraft, also known as Wicca, in the 1950s. It has been described as one of the fastest growing religions in Western civilisation and it is the only religion that Britain has given to the world. Social media channels abound with specialised groups for witchcraft and Wicca, with numbers measuring in the millions for Facebook and Instagram, and in the billions for views on TikTok. Most YouTube videos relating to Wicca have hundreds of thousands of views, ranging from guides for beginners to advanced discussions. But is it just a trend? Or is there more to the modern revival of witchcraft?

Join Dr Phillips in this enchanting talk to examine beliefs about witchcraft from the witch trials of medieval Europe to its modern expression in the 21st century. Discover the key influencers from 19th century Britain who helped witchcraft endure from its shadowy past to emerge re-born into public awareness in the 1950s.

Dr Julia Phillips is Hon Senior Research Associate and lecturer at the University of Bristol. She received her PhD for her research examining how witches and witchcraft were featured in newspapers in Victorian Britain. Her work has been published in books, academic journals, and popular magazines, and she is a regular presenter at conferences and events. Her primary research interests are the study of witchcraft in the 19th century and the development of modern Pagan Witchcraft in the 20th/21st centuries.