September 13, 2026 By Alan U. Dalul | Arts & Culture
Main Facts: Redefining Modern Witchcraft Through Character
During a prolonged period away from The Wild Hunt due to immigration and green card restrictions, columnist Alan U. Dalul turned inward. While navigating bureaucratic limbo, his practice relied heavily on reading, continuous learning, and seeking innovative ways to refine his craft. Books became vital lifelines. Among the titles that emerged from this period of enforced stillness is Raechel Henderson’s latest contribution to modern esoteric literature: A Witch Is: 13 Keys to Witchcraft, published by Llewellyn Worldwide.
Unlike traditional grimoires or spellbooks crammed with rote rituals, Henderson’s work takes an innovative approach by focusing on character, ethics, and personal accountability. The core premise of the book rests upon thirteen distinct traits that help define a practitioner’s identity and elevate their magic. According to Henderson, a witch is resourceful, resilient, creative, self-assured, kind, patient, intuitive, self-aware, well-read, determined, honest, respectful, and curious.
Rather than serving as an exclusionary gatekeeping manual that dictates who holds the title of "witch," the book offers a constructive framework. As Dalul notes in his critique:
"While it’s true that we should stay well away from whoever tries to tell us who is a Witch and who is not, we can and should stay close to those who say ‘if you are a Witch, it would be good to keep this in mind.’"
Chronology: From Bureaucratic Limbo to Literary Discovery
The journey toward this literary review spans several key developments in the life of the author and the broader modern Pagan community:
August 2026: Alan U. Dalul publishes reflections on The Wild Hunt detailing his experiences and witchcraft lessons learned while awaiting processing for his green card under strict immigration constraints.
Early September 2026: Isolated from physical community spaces and traditional group circles, Dalul focuses intensely on literary introspection, studying contemporary releases in the "witch-sphere."
September 13, 2026: Dalul officially debuts his review of Raechel Henderson’s A Witch Is: 13 Keys to Witchcraft, framing it as the first of several planned literary reflections following his return to writing.
September 14, 2026: Final editorial updates and structural adjustments are completed for the digital publication on The Wild Hunt.
Supporting Data: Structure and Content of A Witch Is
Published by Llewellyn Worldwide, A Witch Is: 13 Keys to Witchcraft is structured around thirteen core chapters, each dedicated to exploring one of the defining traits of modern witchcraft.
Key Structural Elements of the Book:
Thematic Breakdown: Each chapter isolates a single virtue or capability—such as resourcefulness, honesty, or intuition—and provides historical context, personal anecdotes from Henderson, and actionable development advice.
Practical Exercises: Readers are guided through experiential projects, including creating personal magical correspondences, constructing astral residences, and establishing ancestral altars.
Challenging Taboos: The text directly tackles controversial or nuanced subjects within the craft, asking hard questions: Is it ethically acceptable to cast curses? What steps should a practitioner take when burnout or obstacles make them want to quit? How can one accurately evaluate their personal magical resources?
Exclusion of Spells: In a departure from introductory texts that rely on pre-written spells, A Witch Is deliberately minimizes ritual scripts. Instead, it prioritizes shadow work, emotional healing, self-introspection, and internal evolution.
Official Responses and Publisher Collaboration
The release of A Witch Is has drawn considerable attention from reviewers and magical practitioners alike for its refreshing refusal to police the boundaries of magical identity.
Llewellyn Publications provided a review copy of the text to The Wild Hunt, facilitating Dalul’s extensive engagement with the material. Esoteric critics have noted that Henderson’s style—described by Dalul as "like a talk with a kind teacher who ends up becoming a friend"—strikes a rare balance between accessibility and profound psychological depth.
Rather than relying on dogmatic rules, Henderson encourages readers to question established norms. Dalul emphasizes this pedagogical philosophy:
"One of the first things I learned as a witch is that if you participate actively in your practices instead of limiting yourself to following the instructions of someone else, you will obtain better results. Experience has shown that this is true."
The book champions historical adaptability. While modern practitioners often enjoy access to endless catalogs of pre-packaged correspondences, historical witches survived and thrived by utilizing whatever was locally available. Henderson urges modern readers to reclaim that spirit of resourceful improvisation.
Implications: Shadow Work, Autonomy, and the Future of the Craft
The publication and reception of A Witch Is signal a broader cultural shift within modern paganism and witchcraft communities. As the digital age democratizes access to magical information, the community faces an influx of surface-level aesthetics and rigid online gatekeeping. Books like Henderson’s counteract these trends by returning the focus to internal integrity, resilience, and personal ethics.
1. Moving Beyond Dogma
By dismantling the notion that a witch must follow a specific lineage, aesthetic, or rigid rulebook, Henderson empowers solitary practitioners. The implications for beginners and veterans alike are profound: magic is treated not as a set of mechanical tricks, but as a reflection of the practitioner’s character.
2. The Necessity of Shadow Work
By intentionally omitting a traditional spellbook appendix, Henderson forces readers to confront their inner landscapes. Healing, shadow work, and emotional resilience are framed as prerequisites for effective magic. For practitioners emerging from stressful socio-political environments—such as the immigration constraints navigated by Dalul—this inward turn offers a sustainable model for long-term spiritual endurance.
3. Fostering Community Accountability
Dalul’s commentary underscores a vital distinction in modern magical spaces: the line between authoritarian gatekeeping and healthy mentorship. True guides do not command who belongs; they offer wisdom on how to carry the responsibilities inherent to the title.
In conclusion, A Witch Is: 13 Keys to Witchcraft stands out as an essential guide for anyone looking to deepen their magical foundation. Whether for a novice seeking direction or an experienced practitioner desiring a spiritual tune-up, Henderson’s work bridges the gap between ancient adaptability and modern self-awareness.
