Are there really witches in the world?

The answer depends on the definition used. The "supernatural" version or the Wiccan or Pagan religions that include many who call themselves "witches", which is not the same thing.

Definitions and Explanation
(see dictionary link in related links below)

The word witch originates from Middle English wicche, from Old English wicca. It is defined as:
- a person that is believed to wield malignant, supernatural forces. Usually women and often attributed as being "in league with the devil"
- an old ugly woman
- a charming female
- a practitioner of Wicca * (the details below)

As you can see above, the word is associated frequently and regularly with the popularized fictional image or cinematic "witch" as well as an interpretation of the Biblical witch.
If you are asking if these types of witches exist, then the short answer is NO.
In fact these images are misleading, prejudicial, bigoted, and short-sighted, and spring more from misunderstanding, misrepresentation, and fear of the unknown.

For those who choose to quote the King James Bible... "Suffer not a witch to live", the original version read "Suffer not a POISONER to live".


The "Practitioner of Wicca" definition

Wicca is one of the spiritual paths, but not the only one, that comes under the umbrella of Paganism. (see related links)

Not all practitioners of Wicca, or even many of the diverse Pagan paths, call or consider themselves "witches". And not all people who call or consider themselves "witches" are Wiccan or even Pagan. There are dozens of personal stories about how people have come to their personal spiritual paths, and what those paths mean to people.

Many will give you a personal spin on the use and meaning of the word "witch"; all of them are valid to the individual, but may be challenged by others who believe that theirs is the correct view.

Questions of faith, spirituality, belief and religion are always subject to this kind of problem. However, in the spirit of trying to fully answer the original question, the long answer is YES, there are people referred to as "witches". There are thousands of people in many countries who proudly and reverently call and consider themselves "witches", and their beliefs should be respected.
Wiccans are real, they believe in Wicca.


There are many practitioners of Witchcraft accross the world. Not every Witch is Wiccan, although that is one of the modern neo-pagan pathways.