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Why are younger seekers drawn to Paganism and witchcraft?

Why are younger seekers drawn to Paganism and witchcraft?

Last updated on: October 19, 2026 at 1:55 am by Bader Saab

Why are younger seekers drawn to Paganism and witchcraft? 2026-10-17T17:45:57-04:00 Bader Saab

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One of the things I’ve noticed the most is that I’m far from being the only one who got started in Paganism and witchcraft during his teenager years. This happened to more than one of my peers, and it’s not just where we grew up. I see a lot of people being more open to the idea, and while it’s hard to speak in general terms, I can speak from my experience.

“With access to the internet, people have access to a lot of information. They have access to other ideas, and they can compare and discuss.” Image by Studio Friluma from Pixabay. Cropped.

Paganism and witchcraft offer freedom

There’s not a central authority here, there’s no intermediaries, and there’s no gatekeeping (most of the time). Not only that, Paganism and witchcraft also allowed me to be whoever I wanted to be at the time. I grew up in a mostly Catholic environment, and while there has been progress in today’s world (debatable, sure, but there have been some moves in the right direction), that wasn’t the case 15 years ago.

Enter the Craft world. I found a community that was okay with me being queer, asking questions, not believing in the concepts of sin or hell, in the power of nature, in the gifts I had since I was a kid and the gifts some of my relatives have. I also wasn’t asked to believe in this or that, or that “salvation” would be just for those who followed the rules that put some on top of the others.

With access to the internet, people have access to a lot of information. They have access to other ideas, and they can compare and discuss. The whole reasoning of “because that’s how it is” doesn’t have the same power it used to have before.

“We define our rules and rewards aiming to be better. At least, that’s how I see it, because why would you want to have so much control and authority over yourself if not to live fully as yourself?” Image by abdulla binmassam from Pixabay. Cropped.

Paganism and witchcraft offer autonomy

As defined by Merriam-Webster, autonomy is “a self-governing state”. When I think about it in this context, I see it as a result of our practice and an aim. I try to better myself, to control myself, monitor myself, but also reward myself. As an extension of freedom, or understanding freedom as one aspect of autonomy, the idea is that we use that freedom for good.

All that freedom to explore and do and try and believe in what we want, but free from the responsibility? It doesn’t sound balanced to me, and so that’s where autonomy comes into play when we talk about Paganism and witchcraft. We define our rules and rewards, aiming to be better. At least, that’s how I see it, because why would you want to have so much control and authority over yourself if not to live fully as yourself?

Authenticity is the perfect example of autonomy because no one can tell you what to feel, do, or think. It is you and only you. In your purest form.

“You don’t necessarily need to become the next Leonardo da Vinci. Creativity can take many forms.” Image by Komaromi Angel from Pixabay. Cropped.

Paganism and witchcraft offer creativity

Last but not least, one of the first things I ever learned was that a witch always customizes their Craft. You find a spell? Add an ingredient that you like. A ritual? Use the music you enjoy, call the deities and/or spirits you work with. A tool? Find new uses for it. And so on and on. And don’t get me started on the craftier, artistical side of it, where people do tools, powders, altars, clothes, jewelry, books, and so on, from scratch.

There has been a huge discourse about putting the “craft” back into “witchcraft”, mostly because we live in a capitalist society. While there are advantages to it, the problems are undeniable. We need a closer connection to our tools, our craft, our intuition. Going back to the freedom aspect of it, we are free to try new things, to learn new things, to do and believe in other things. Creativity is sacred, and I see it as an essential aspect of Paganism and witchcraft.

You don’t necessarily need to become the next Leonardo da Vinci. Creativity can take many forms. Mine recently took the form of a fake degree, for example.

“That’s the most beautiful thing for me: being able to build your spiritual identity from scratch.” Image by Cari R. from Pixabay. cropped.

In Conclusion

For me, this is where the appeal of Paganism and witchcraft is, but each person is a different world. Each person experiences the Craft differently, so I know some might disagree with what I say here. Please do. And please share your opinions about it. Remember that we were just talking about freedom, so you’re free to believe whatever you consider best.

We also talked about autonomy, so you have the right to believe in whatever you consider best. As for creativity, you can give this path the shape you consider best, as well. That’s the most beautiful thing for me: being able to build your spiritual identity from scratch, keep it as a constant work in progress, as you rediscover the world(s) around you over and over again.

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