I Am a Catholic, a Witch, and a Woman of Science
At first glance, those three identitiesâCatholic, Witch, and Woman of Scienceâmight seem contradictory, even irreconcilable. According to the formal institutions that govern each of these spheres, they shouldnât coexist. Yet, here I stand, embodying all three. And the more Iâve reflected, the more Iâve realized: the apparent contradictions arenât inherent. Theyâre imposed.
Institutions and Demonization
Much of the supposed âconflictâ between Catholicism, witchcraft, and science isnât rooted in the essence of any of them, but in how institutions have twisted them for power.
Witchcraft: Historically, spells and practices have roots in paganism, folk traditions, African diasporic religions like Vodou, and other belief systems oppressed by colonialism. These traditions were demonized not because they were inherently evil, but because powerful institutions feared the autonomy they offered ordinary people. A person who could bless, heal, or protect their community without the Church or State was dangerous to the established order.
Science: Once supported by the Church, science too fell victim to institutional paranoia. Early Catholic leaders commissioned scientists like Copernicus, who even dedicated some of his writings to Pope Clement VII. The real demonization of science came later, spurred first by Martin Luther and Protestant reformers, and then escalated by Catholic authorities trying to âout-doâ their rivals in zeal. What had once been embraced became condemned, not because of science itself, but because of politics.
The pattern is clear: institutions demonize what they cannot control.
My Catholic Faith
I was raised Catholic, and I still consider myself Catholic today. I believe in Jesus Christ as my savior, and I see his teachings as rooted in compassion, mercy, and understanding. But I donât take my faith blindly. I lean toward Omnism, the belief that all religions hold at least some truth.
When I look at the long history of Christianity being weaponizedâBible verses cherry-picked to justify war, conquest, slavery, or genocideâI cannot accept that as true Christianity. Fear tactics, peer pressure, and abuse of authority have kept countless people from seeking truth for themselves.
If anything, I think Jesus would be furious at the atrocities committed âin his name.â His Sermon on the Mount was about love and humility, not oppression. He flipped the tables of greedy merchants who corrupted the temple; how much more anger would he feel toward institutions that massacred, enslaved, or brutalized entire peoples under the banner of the cross?
Iâve even met Witches, Pagans, and Satanists who embody Christâs values of compassion and humanitarianism far more consistently than some âBible-thumpingâ Christians who weaponize scripture to belittle others. That hypocrisy speaks volumes.
Witchcraft as a Path of Knowledge
For me, witchcraft isnât about rebellion against Christianityâitâs about curiosity and care. I see witches as the pioneer scientists of the abnormal, exploring what couldnât be explained in their time.
Herbalism: Early witches experimented with plants, documented their effects, and passed on remedies that remain the foundation of modern medicine.
Spells and charms: These often arose from observation and experimentation, not unlike the scientific method. If one ritual for protection worked, it was refined and recommended with cautionary notes for others.
The unknown: Even now, there are aspects of life science cannot fully explainâintuition, luck, synchronicity, consciousness itself. Witches explore these liminal spaces.
In that sense, witchcraft is not opposed to science but complementary. Both are about testing, observing, and understanding the worldâjust from different angles.
Science and Spirituality
Despite stereotypes, many modern scientists still believe in God or a higher intelligence. The intricacy of the universe, the fine-tuning of physical laws, and the mysteries of existence often inspire awe rather than disbelief. Faith and science donât have to cancel each other out. They can inform and deepen one another.
My own practice of witchcraft began with research. One book, one article, one ritual led to another, until I found myself immersed in both study and practice. What Iâve found is that the more I learn, the more I see overlap between spirituality and scienceâdifferent languages describing similar truths.
Practicing with Morality
As both a Catholic and a Witch, I ground my magic in ethics. I use spells and charms for healing, protection, and blessing. Occasionally, I will cast a curseâbut only against those who intentionally and repeatedly harm others for selfish or cruel reasons. That, to me, isnât vengeance. Itâs justice, a way of tipping the scales when institutions fail.
After all, Jesus himself turned righteous anger into action. He didnât passively accept corruption in the temple; he overturned tables and drove out greed. If he could act decisively against injustice, why shouldnât I?
Conclusion
So yesâI am a Catholic, a Witch, and a Woman of Science. To some, that will always sound contradictory. But to me, itâs the most natural alignment of faith, curiosity, and practice.
Catholicism gives me a foundation of compassion and moral grounding.
Witchcraft offers tools for healing, protection, and empowerment.
Science keeps me questioning, testing, and seeking truth.
And woven together, these three paths allow me to live with open eyes, open hands, and an open heart.
