As a young girl, I wanted to be a witch. They were mystical and wise. People came to them for help. Most importantly, witches had magic. They could conjure spells, brew potions, and divine the future. In short, they effected real change with power, knowledge and will. Who wants to be a princess when that’s available?
Everyone loves a fun hat
According to fairy tales, everyone.
Princess-hood is usually a desired outcome for most women in fairy tales. It usually allowed them to leave a difficult or abusive situation. Cinderella abandoned being a scullery. Snow White was saved from the creepy obsessions of her step mother. Sleeping Beauty got to leave the woods and wake her entire kingdom. In the latter two cases, they were born princesses, but it didn’t mean much until they found a prince. What if they wanted different things?
The Evil queen never needed a man’s permission to exert her will.
But we’re taught to root for the vulnerable princess (or scullery) and despise the witch. To be fair, witches who use their power to kill little girls who might be prettier than them are despicable. However, I try and look at it from their point of view. The world in which these women lived considered magic evil, especially in a woman. Her only acceptable power was perceived power, i.e. the power she could wield through her husband or other male figure. Historically speaking, the witch represented everything a patriarchal society feared—a woman with power over men and the natural world. So, if your only acceptable power is being pretty enough to convince men to follow your orders, is it any wonder a prettier, younger woman is a threat? She shouldn’t have killed the girl, but her fear was real.
I’m an adult now and I’m still fascinated with witches–their mysteries and knowledge a source of endless study. They’re my go-to paranormal/fantasy read and my preferred heroine to write about usually has some supernatural abilities (as well as other strengths). Not only does it bring a little magic to the everyday, but it always reminds me of my power. And maybe a potion or two…
Fairy Tale Feminista 
Highly relatable. I wanted to be a witch too, well, I still kinda do lol
I’m of the opinion that first and foremost, it’s a state of mind.
The word Witch is a slang word for Wicca, as I am sure you know. Witches are only as good as their belief in Wicca and they are healers, for the most part, but also have power by their strength of will (psychics, seers, and healers). They can be magical and cast spells too. But, like you, being able to control events, with a witch’s power and magic is a thousands time better than being a princess. Being a princess is like a caged bird, a shining object of interest for a short time. I wanted to be a witch and an angel and do good in the world and actually both witches and angels are one and the same. I love fairy tales. I am an author who writes about the paranormal and the book I am writing now is about a witch and her ability to time travel, sometimes, not by choice. Thank you for your blog! I love it.
I have always loved witches more!I used to dress up as a witch when I was little!Princess,what?Spectacular post!I love this blog already!
Glad you’re enjoying it! 🙂