The emergence of millennial witches and its misconception in the mainstream media

Abstract

Upon the forgotten ancient knowledge of the wise people, a new generation known as "millennial" that came from year 1980-2000 began to explore the wonders of the witchcraft world. This study examines the emergence, misconception of witchcraft, and why millennials find witchcraft appealing in the Philippine mainstream supported with the international studies. For centuries, witchcraft has been a part of cultures, and the actual belief has changed in the mainstream as evil. The witchcraft misconception stayed in the consciousness of people believing that millennial witches worship the devil, cause misfortune, are anti-social, and possess the ability to predict the future. Utilizing the Social construction theory assisted to examines the historical process of constructing stereotypes surrounding Millennial witches in the mainstream and folklore. It involves tracing the historical background of how the witches are portrayed during Spanish colonization. Employed the only media technology available to them in modern times, the internet formed a connection to assert their practices and services on the public. Thus, this qualitative study with phenomenological methodology helps investigate their lived experiences in stereotyping and misconception. This allows the study to be a great contribution to dispel the misconception and reconstruct the witches' image to present more positive of themselves and foster a friendly community between Witches and non-Witches.