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Teenage Witches
Magical Youth and the Search for the Self
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Language:
English
Published/Copyright:
2007
About this book
A popular new image of Witches has arisen in recent years, due largely to movies like The Craft, Practical Magic, and Simply Irresistible and television shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and Charmed. Here, young sexy Witches use magic and Witchcraft to gain control over their lives and fight evil. Then there is the depiction in the Harry Potter books: Witchcraft is a gift that unenlightened Muggles (everyday people) lack. In both types of portrayals, being a Witch is akin to being a superhero. At the other end of the spectrum, wary adults assume that Witches engage in evil practices that are misguided at best and dangerous at worst.
Yet, as Helen A. Berger and Douglas Ezzy show in this in-depth look into the lives of teenage Witches, the reality of their practices, beliefs, values, and motivations is very different from the sensational depictions we see in popular culture. Drawing on extensive research across three countries--the United States, England, and Australia--and interviews with young people from diverse backgrounds, what they find are highly spiritual and self-reflective young men and women attempting to make sense of a postmodern world via a religion that celebrates the earth and emphasizes self-development.
The authors trace the development of Neo-Paganism (an umbrella term used to distinguish earth-based religions from the pagan religions of ancient cultures) from its start in England during the 1940s, through its growing popularity in the decades that followed, up through its contemporary presence on the Internet. Though dispersed and disorganized, Neo-Pagan communities, virtual and real, are shown to be an important part of religious identity particularly for those seeking affirmation during the difficult years between childhood and adulthood.
Author / Editor information
HELEN A. BERGER is a professor of sociology at West Chester University in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
DOUGLAS EZZY is a senior lecturer in sociology at the University of Tasmania in Australia.
DOUGLAS EZZY is a senior lecturer in sociology at the University of Tasmania in Australia.
Reviews
This book is informative, engaging, and enchanting. The interweaving of the vignettes and quotes from the authors' interviews is masterful.
— James R. Lewis, author of Legitimating New ReligionsThis book is thoroughly enjoyable to read, introducing the reader to a group of thoughtful, ethically concerned, and charming young people.
— Brian J. Gibbons, Magic, Ritual, and WitchcraftTopics
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Frontmatter
i -
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Contents
vii -
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List of Illustrations
ix -
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Acknowledgments
xi -
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Introduction
xiii -
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Vignette. Beverly—A Minister’s Daughter (United States)
3 -
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Vignette. Charles—From Big Brother to Witchcraft (England)
10 -
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Vignette. Ruth—Coming out of Depression (Australia)
17 -
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Chapter One. The World of Teenage Witchcraft
23 -
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Vignette. Morgan—One Path to Witchcraft
49 -
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Chapter Two. Coming Home to Witchcraft
56 -
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Vignette. Karen—Magic, Ritual, and Self-Transformation
86 -
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Chapter Three. The Magical Self
94 -
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Vignette. Victoria—Creating Pagan Community
122 -
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Chapter Four. Within the Circle: Community and Family
130 -
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Vignette. Nika—The Goddess as Role Model, Healer, and Mother Earth
160 -
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Chapter Five. The Goddess Is Alive: Feminism and Environmentalism
169 -
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Vignette. Annie—The Moral World of Teenage Witches
199 -
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Chapter Six. If It Harm None, Do As Thou Will
205 -
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Chapter Seven. Teenage Witchcraft: Why,What, and Where To?
229 -
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Appendix A: Interview Questions
243 -
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Appendix B: Information on Interviewees
245 -
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Notes
249 -
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Works Cit
253 -
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Index
265 -
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About the authors
279
Publishing information
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook published on:
June 22, 2020
eBook ISBN:
9780813541365
Pages and Images/Illustrations in book
eBook ISBN:
9780813541365
Keywords for this book
Teenage Witches; Magical Youth and the Search for the Self; HELEN A. BERGER; DOUGLAS EZZY; sociology; witches; witchcraft; The Craft; Practical Magic; Simply Irresistible; Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Sabrina the Teenage Witch; Charmed; young sexy witches; popular culture; pop culture; Neo-Paganism; pagan religions; ancient cultures; Hollywood; motion picture; movies; 1960s; 1970s; auteurism; commercial cinema; 1940s England; history; development of Neo-Paganism; religious identity; magic; supernatural; religion; identity
Audience(s) for this book
For universities and colleges of further and higher education
