Reading that the makers of the Chilling Adventures of Sabrina had Wiccans advising them on the details of their witchcraft, this seemed unusual.
The witchcraft in Sabrina appears to mainly be an inverted Christianity, inspired by witch trials:
Meanwhile, modern witchcraft, claiming ancient roots is more about fertility and the natural passing of the seasons:
Two things that are most of note. In Sabrina, the covens are led by men, just as the Christian church tends towards patriarchy. In pagan witchcraft, there is a balance to the sexes in leading the ceremonies and more communal decision making processes, with perhaps a slight lean toward the goddess/female power.
And perhaps more significantly, the witches in Sabrina meet the Dark Lord in person, a goat headed being (distinct from the statue of Baphomet 'borrowed' from the Church of Satan, seen in the centre of the witches school). And actual demons appear too. With such tangible presences the room for faith is slim. And yet within Sabrina's coven there is room for people to do good, not everything in Satan's name is an evil act. Sabrina herself often tries to do the right thing, while others tempt her to the 'dark side'.
Those Wiccans may well have expertise in Theological Satanism, but the two faiths are not the same thing.
The witchcraft in Sabrina appears to mainly be an inverted Christianity, inspired by witch trials:
- the witches and warlocks meet in a deconsecrated church
- they 'get the Heaven out of here' and 'praise Satan' in daily speech
- they are confirmed in the church by writing their names in the 'Book of the Beast'
- while some magic can be done, it is powered-up by working for Satan
Meanwhile, modern witchcraft, claiming ancient roots is more about fertility and the natural passing of the seasons:
- the witches meet outside
- a goddess and horned god are revered
- the equinoxes, solstices and in between festivals are celebrated
- magic comes from nature, the practitioner, and perhaps any number of deities and beings depending on the flavour of faith
Two things that are most of note. In Sabrina, the covens are led by men, just as the Christian church tends towards patriarchy. In pagan witchcraft, there is a balance to the sexes in leading the ceremonies and more communal decision making processes, with perhaps a slight lean toward the goddess/female power.
And perhaps more significantly, the witches in Sabrina meet the Dark Lord in person, a goat headed being (distinct from the statue of Baphomet 'borrowed' from the Church of Satan, seen in the centre of the witches school). And actual demons appear too. With such tangible presences the room for faith is slim. And yet within Sabrina's coven there is room for people to do good, not everything in Satan's name is an evil act. Sabrina herself often tries to do the right thing, while others tempt her to the 'dark side'.
Those Wiccans may well have expertise in Theological Satanism, but the two faiths are not the same thing.
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