My Experience as a Witch and Tarot Reader in the Southern U.S.

Not everyone wants to hop aboard the witchy or spiritual (non-religious) train, and that’s never bothered me. Most people, in my experience, are content to let others believe what they want to believe (I count myself among them), but there are parts of the United States that are far less forgiving. I happen to live in one of them.

Here in the South, there’s a region known as the Bible Belt, where evangelical Protestantism strongly shapes social and cultural norms. It’s an area with no shortage of churches and religious people, and historically, witches have often been persecuted for their practices, even when those practices are benevolent and rooted in good intentions.

Living somewhere like this has changed the way I operate, in a few key ways:

1. I keep to myself. Broadcasting my beliefs around here is a fast way to lose my peace. People can be mean, gossipy, and even harassing. A local gothic coffee shop actually had to close its doors after being harassed by religious fanatics. I was so disappointed, because it was a genuinely cool spot with spectacular coffee.

2. I don’t advertise my business to the locals. After watching that coffee shop situation unfold, I keep my work private, even though I don’t have a physical storefront for anyone to target. Everything I offer is delivered digitally, but there’s still a fear that locals could find it, harass it, and try to get it taken down.

3. I support local witchy businesses. There are a handful of shops in my area that sell spiritual items, tarot readings, or witchcraft supplies. I make it a point of supporting them. Shopping local is always worth it, but in a place where being different invites scrutiny, backing others like myself feels essential. It’s that kind of quiet solidarity that lets shops like mine gradually become more accepted over time.

The reality is that businesses like mine face criticism both locally and online. Unless you live in a genuinely progressive area, there’s always a chance things could go south if you happen to cross the wrong people.

So what can you do? Show support for your favorite spiritual or witchy businesses. Normalize them where you can. Change happens slowly, but often, it’s the small steps along the way that have the biggest impact.