A HOMAGE OF SORTS

WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL TERRORIST CONSPIRACY FROM HELL and W.I.T.C.H.

The name WITCH is drawn from the Women’s International Terrorist Conspiracy From Hell (W.I.T.C.H), a radical feminist group in the 60s and 70s. W.I.T.C.H’s ethos was rooted in the belief that capitalism and colonialism (the “Imperialist Phallic Society”) were a result of a patriarchal system, and, as such their provocative and performative demonstrations targeted symbols of capitalism and patriarchy - from Wall Street to Bridal Fairs. The organization adopted the Witch as their namesake and symbol because of its historical association with feminine power, independence, resistance, and everything women were “taught not to be.” To be a Witch was to seize freedom, embrace creativity and imagination, and reject systemic oppression of all persons. A W.I.T.C.H leaflet states:

You are a Witch by saying aloud, “I am a Witch” three times, and thinking about that. You are a Witch by being female, untamed, angry, joyous, and immortal.

***** NOTE!!!! The magazine WITCH draws on these characteristics of a Witch for its 2025 volumes. However, WITCH does not focus explicitly on sex and gender identity, nor is being ‘female’ a prerequisite of being a ‘Witch’. This magazine expands what it means to be Witch. If you believe in gender equality and are untamed, angry, joyous, and immortal, you are a Witch. And perhaps readers will not realize these things until they delve into the volumes and observe the broad ways these words are defined by the voices in the magazine.