My daughter asked me why I decorated a shelf for Halloween using a Harry Potter theme. She said he is a wizard, not a witch, even though he has experience flying on a broomstick. Yes, of course, wizards can do that—take on someone else's role. But witches are skills-limited. Or maybe they just modestly mind their own business? Perhaps they don’t believe in such a thing as a magic wand? Yes, they view this world from a more realistic perspective. Although some of us would be skeptical of their existence, they don't only exist in folk tales, and they are not necessarily super active during Halloween, flying on their brooms and putting evil spells on people. Instead, they are very selective about wishes and needs, giving priority to needs, not to wishes. Real witches do not only carefully consider which spell to cast but also if they should cast it at all. Needless to say, you can’t buy yourself a spell based on your whims. Any respectful witch will ask you about the details and the purpose of your plan. Only then, will she decide whether to take your case or not. Another distinct characteristic of a real witch is that she won’t take money for her service. She may take some of your belongings - a piece of jewelry, for example, or a kitchen utensil. She might be willing to take some groceries as a fee for her services, but she will not be interested in your paper bills. Why? Because she can’t get a proper (desired) value from the paper bill.
Learning how to be a witch from books is one of the misleading things about the how-to-become-witch-industry. There is no such thing as a witchcraft industry, period. Yes, you can read about herbs and stones and how to charge them; but then, you will be playing a wizard game. Witches don't need to charge their stones, because they know where to get them ready- to-use. Witches may differ by region in how they perform their tricks, but what they all have in common is the source of their knowledge. They do not learn their craft from books like sorcerers. They pass down their witchcraft from one generation to another, and they gradually gain their own experience, so that eventually, they are able to make their own spells. Not everyone born from a witch becomes a witch, only those with a special flair (similar to intuition - Seesoo as it is in my coming-soon-book). For example, a real witch knows which rock to stop by in the woods, because she can feel unique vibes from it. This happens with everything around her - trees and flowers, water and soil. She knows which root, when, and where to harvest, and she gains her knowledge through all her senses. Real witches absorb and build their expertise from nature, and they are led by their inner power. In other words, they are very well real and can be easily related to this world. Do you believe in witches? Would you rather be a witch or wizard?
“So, what happened to all the witches, if they even existed in our town of course?” Ida asked, revealing her usual disbelief.
Aztra sighed in regret. “You know, if you don’t see witches flying around town it doesn’t mean they don't exist. Rather it proves their power has weakened.” She regarded Ida’s eyes, and probably for the first time in her life, she found a sign of respect in them. Aztra had a point, and a good one; the one to which Ida couldn’t find a strong argument. “The witches have forgotten how to fly because they began to use regular transportation. They wanted to be like everyone else. But if they don't practice their craft, they lose their skills.” Aztra’s mouth twitched with a sarcastic smile as she continued. “The old witches died, and the new ones were born. Each year, the new generation was becoming more and more mediocre. Then, young people who didn't have a single gene from the witch began to study witchcraft from the books. How can you learn this?” Skeptical, Aztra shrugged her shoulders.“It was always inherited. You must have a Seesoo—the witch’s power—and sometimes, you even have this against your will..."
(Ida Harrida: Returning Home, Book 1)