Supernatural lore vs. real lore about witches
Supernatural lore on traditional witches was introduced in Season 3. Here’s how the show’s lore connects to the real lore.
Dean Winchester makes his views on witches extremely clear in the series and he’s never really changed that view. The Supernatural lore on the men and women has also never really adapted, except to introduce two types of witches into the series. It’s time to look at the real lore about the magical humans and how the show’s and real lore connect.
It shouldn’t be too surprising to hear that the lore is similar with a unique show twist. After all, that’s what the show has always offered.
Supernatural lore about witches
More from Supernatural
- Jensen Ackles and The Winchesters cast kick off #SaveTheWinchesters campaign
- Will The Winchesters be saved? (Can Supernatural fans save the prequel?)
- Did The Winchesters get renewed? (Is The Winchesters season 2 happening?)
- Is a new episode of The Winchesters on tonight? (March 14, 2023)
- The Winchesters Season1 finale explained: Did it connect to Supernatural?
In the series, there have been a handful of types of witches introduced. The first ever was the Albanian witch called the shtriga in the first season, but is often overlooked or forgotten as the first witch on the series. The most common type of witch we come across now is one that has sold their soul for the magic. They go to Hell, which is the way Ruby became a demon.
However, our resident witch, Rowena, makes it clear that not all witches have sold their souls. Some are born with their abilities or can learn how to use them. Some witches will use Hoodoo, while others opt for Wicca, Voodoo, and other religious practices from throughout history and across the globe.
Regardless of the type of witch, they commune together in a coven. They use spells and hex bags, whether for malicious or good intentions–although mostly malicious. Covens will have a High Priestess, and there is something known as the Grand Coven.
Witches in real lore
There is a ton of lore about witches and witchcraft as a whole. It would be near impossible to go into it all in one article. It’s worth looking at where most of the Supernatural lore for witches has come from. While there are mentions of Voodoo and Hoodoo, most of the lore is from the Wicca religion.
Wicca was officially recognized as a religion in the United States in the 1990s — yes, it took that long! To be honest, Wicca itself wasn’t a religion created until the 1940s and it was based on druidism, which is a Celtic religion.
There is a lot that is misunderstood about witchcraft, with the church viewing it as blasphemous and heretical from the late 15th century (before then it was believed fake and impossible). After that, witches were considered workers of the devil. They would use spells to cast hexes. However, some were viewed as good witches; those who would protect and help heal people.
In most cases, the people viewed as witches were women. They could be outcasts (usually viewed as the malicious “witches” or those who practiced as healers in their local area, using herbal remedies to treat.
By the way, druidism and paganism (another name given for the Celtic basis of witchcraft) don’t recognize the devil. The part of the Supernatural lore that does must come from the Christian view of witchcraft rather than the real witch lore. There is Satanism, a religion that does worship Satan, which is where this part of the lore could come from.
Again, it would be near impossible for me to go into witchcraft and all the different lore. Over time I will, but for now this is the basis for the Supernatural lore on witches.
Next: Hex bags: Supernatural vs. real lore
Did you know the truth about witchcraft and Satanism? What do you know about the witches lore used in the show? Let me know in the comments below.
Follow SPN Hunters on Twitter for more Supernatural lore to get you through Hellatus.