The Rise of WitchTok: Spells, Aesthetics and Chaos
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It started innocently enough. A crystal here, a moon phase tracker there. Maybe a soft-focus video of someone lighting incense with a caption like “cleansing my space, don’t @ me.” But then… it happened.
You scrolled a bit too far. Clicked on the wrong video. And just like that—you were hexed. Not literally (probably). But algorithmically? You entered the coven. Welcome to WitchTok, where spellwork meets thirst traps, curses are casually posted with trending audio, and your For You Page suddenly feels like it’s been smudged with sage and sprinkled with glitter.
If you’ve ever wondered how witchcraft became one of the fastest-growing aesthetics on TikTok, or why your little cousin suddenly owns twelve tarot decks and refers to herself as “an intuitive empath with Aries placements,” allow me to explain. With caution.
1. Where Chaos Reigns and Aesthetics Are Supreme
WitchTok is not just witchcraft. It’s witchcraft with vibes. The candles? Colour-coded. The altars? Curated like Pinterest boards. The potions? Served in mason jars with ethically sourced cinnamon sticks. Every spell has a matching soundtrack. Every hex comes with a filter. It’s not about whether the spell works—it’s about whether it looks good in 15 seconds.
Want to banish your ex? There’s a trending sound for that. Want to manifest a free holiday and better skin? Grab your ring light. In WitchTok, aesthetics are the real magic—and your intention better match your outfit.
2. The Algorithm Is a Nosy Little Familiar
Once you engage with one WitchTok video—just one—the algorithm decides you are now a practising hedge witch, moon baby, and part-time chaos gremlin. Your feed will be flooded with:
- Full moon rituals
- Shadow work how-tos
- Chaotic hexes on people who cheat at Uno
- Hot people wearing cloaks in the forest
- Vague messages from “spirit” who definitely saw your last breakup
And before you know it, you’re whispering affirmations into a cup of tea and wondering if Mercury is gaslighting you again.
3. Spells You Can Do with Stuff from Your Kitchen Drawer
WitchTok prides itself on accessibility. Can’t afford fancy supplies? No problem. Need to break a soul tie? Use tinfoil, a sharpie, and tears of regret. Want to call in abundance? Pour cinnamon in your shoes. Ward off bad vibes? Salt. Always salt. If in doubt—salt it out.
Some of the most popular spells include:
- The Lemon Freeze Hex (no, not a cocktail)
- The Jar of Justice (filled with vinegar and wrath)
- The Bay Leaf Manifestation (burn responsibly)
- The Hot Girl Protection Spell (uses lip gloss and a boundary)
4. Curses, but Make Them Cute
The most chaotic corner of WitchTok? CurseTok. This is where witches casually hex people on camera, usually with glitter, ominous smoke, and the passive-aggressive energy of a customer service call. There’s often dramatic music. Occasionally a middle finger. Always a disclaimer.
“Don’t try this if you don’t know what you’re doing,” they say, while smearing blood-red lipstick and whispering into an onion. Helpful.
Hexing your cheating ex, the guy who ghosted you, or your landlord has become a genre. But so has un-hexing yourself, cleansing your energy, and posting follow-up videos if your spell backfired and now your plants are dying and your hair won’t hold a curl.
5. The Rise of the TikTok Tarot Reader
There are now thousands of TikTok tarot readers—each more dramatic than the last. Some have neon lighting and smoke machines. Others read cards while dancing. Most begin with something like, “If you found this video, it’s for you.”
It’s not.
But you watch anyway. Because deep down, you need to know if your soulmate is coming before or after Mercury Retrograde.
The real power of WitchTok tarot? It’s not accuracy. It’s the serotonin hit of a hot stranger on your phone screen telling you “they regret everything.”
6. Aesthetic Witchcraft vs Actual Practice
Here’s where it gets sticky. While many creators are genuinely spiritual, knowledgeable, and respectful of witchcraft traditions, there’s a lot of surface-level spell-fluencing going on. Like, “I just learned what a sigil is and now I’m selling moon water for R300 a bottle” levels of chaos.
Some practitioners raise valid concerns: that sacred practices are being trivialised, that ancestral work is being repackaged into TikTok trends, and that real spiritual growth takes more than a seven-second montage with sparkles.
But others argue—if it brings people into themselves, teaches intention, and opens the door to deeper paths… is that such a bad thing?
Insert shrugging crystal emoji here.
7. The Pagan Police and Gatekeeping Goblins
Where there’s magic, there’s gatekeeping. And WitchTok has plenty. From debates on whether you can use white candles instead of black, to vicious comment threads about “who’s allowed to call themselves a witch,” the drama is very real.
You’ll see usernames like “@WitchMomOfficial” fighting “@HexQueen420” over lunar calendar accuracy. You’ll witness feuds about broomstick brands. You’ll hear phrases like, “That’s not how Hecate works, Karen.”
Honestly? It’s captivating. Spiritually questionable. But captivating.
8. Crystals, Vibes, and Questionable Purchases
WitchTok will convince you that you need crystals. Lots of them. For protection, for love, for productivity, for “hot girl shadow work.” Soon, you’re broke but spiritually aligned. Your bedside table is a glowing rainbow. Your wallet? Empty. But your vibes? Immaculate.
Don’t be surprised if you end up buying:
- A wand that doubles as a concealer stick
- A cauldron-shaped oil diffuser
- A ring with a “portal stone” (it’s probably plastic)
- A planner based on your natal chart
9. Spells for Literally Everything
WitchTok offers spell tutorials for everything:
- A spell to sleep
- A spell to forget your ex
- A spell to remember why you left your ex
- A spell for glowing skin
- A spell for parking spots
- A spell for stronger boundaries
- A spell to block Brenda from HR
It’s empowering. It’s chaotic. It’s mildly terrifying that I now instinctively grab cinnamon before important meetings.
10. It’s Actually Kind of Wonderful
For all the mess, drama, and crystal debt, there’s something undeniably beautiful about WitchTok. It’s a space where queerness, spirituality, and weirdness are embraced. Where people find empowerment in rituals, community in comment sections, and healing in shared spells.
Whether it’s satire, aesthetic fluff, or your path to self-discovery—WitchTok is a digital coven unlike any other.
Just… maybe don’t summon anything on your lunch break without grounding first.
Final Thoughts
WitchTok is chaos. It’s candlelit selfies and full-moon thirst traps. It’s glitter-covered hexes and digital spell jars. It’s part performance, part practice, and all personality.
But it’s also kind of magic. Not just because people are waving herbs around—but because it’s proof that in the middle of the algorithmic void, people are still craving ritual, community, and a little bit of mystery.
So go on. Light that candle. Chant that affirmation. And scroll with caution. Because once WitchTok has you—it doesn’t let go.
