【2011 Archives】

Under the light of this week's full moon011 Archives a group of witches of TikTok — or WitchTok, if you will — are casting protection spells for protestors and hexes for cops.

With the U.S. a week into protests against police brutality after the killing of George Floyd, a surprising array of subcultures have stepped up to help. K-pop stans flooded police reporting platforms with fancams so informants couldn't snitch on protestors. Even Mennonites showed up to protest in Minneapolis. And now covens are redirecting their power to protestors.

Organizing under the #witchesforblm hashtag, practicing witches are teaching each other how to cast simple spells, draw sigils, and manifest intentions.

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The movement seems to have started with a comment from TikTok user beckydoeslife. This was in response to a TikTok by venxm.exe, in which the practicing witch filmed herself casting a protection spell for protestors rallying against police brutality.

In just five days, the tag #witchesforblm garnered a collective 10 million views on the app.

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The tag started when a TikTok user suggested using #witchesforblm to organize. Credit: tiktok / venxm.exe The tag started when a TikTok user suggested using #witchesforblm to organize. Credit: tiktok / venxm.exe

WitchTok users aim to protect protestors and hex law enforcement, who have been escalating violence against peaceful protestors nationwide all week.

In some videos, like this one from rue.the.day, users act out what they predict will happen to cops after WitchTok casts its spells.

TikTok users are acting out what'll happen to cops after they cast their spells. Credit: tiktok / rue.the.day

In a video for beginners, jes.tkidding suggests a simple hex: write down the names of police officers and use a black candle to burn that paper, and then let the candle burn all the way through. In a video for more experienced practitioners, sorciereverte demonstrates how to write protection sigils that spell out "PROTESTORS ARE PROTECTED FROM POLICE BRUTALITY" and "BLACK LIVES MATTER TODAY AND ALWAYS."

A TikTok user demonstrates simple spells beginner witches can cast. Credit: tiktok / jes.tkidding A TikTok user demonstrates writing a sigil that says, "PROTESTORS ARE PROTECTED AGAINST POLICE BRUTALITY." Credit: tiktok / sorciereverte

Of course, casting spells probably isn't enough to really make change to a historically racist and unjust system. So in addition to recommending meditating, burning candles, and making "moon water," TikTok user earthytiana suggests using the power of the full moon to sign petitions, donate to the Black Lives Matter movement, and attend protests.

Happy full moon, witches.