I’ve seen a lot of non-witches ask: is manifesting witchcraft? From my perspective, manifesting in most belief systems (or even without a belief in a greater universal tie or gods) has similar components and accomplishes similar results. While it might sound odd for a witch to say, I don’t necessarily believe that manifesting creates some sort of universal pull to change the outcome of my life (I view tarot similarly). I do, however, know that it’s a tool that can produce results. Here’s how.
How Does Manifesting Work?
This is how manifesting works in my experience. Like tarot and other tools sometimes used by witches and non-witches, there is a psychological and practical component to the practice that may or may not be spiritual in nature.
Because I am focusing on something, I prompt myself to act on it. I’m conditioning myself, just like you can do under the guidance of a therapist in CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). Manifesting can also be like art therapy — you keep making art, music, or stories about a theme. You notice it pop up more in conversations and in the world because it’s on your mind.
Here’s how manifesting worked for me.
I wanted and needed a new job. I would say I manifested it. Each day, I would wake to see prosperity and career empowerment objects on my altar. This caused me to start my day with that thought in my mind. It was the last thing I would consciously look at before going to sleep as well. This trained my brain to focus on it.
I didn’t really “put it out to the universe.” What I did was:
- Pull my own focus towards it with manifesting objects
- Ask the ancestors for guidance and mediate on what my deceased grandparents would advise
- Â Spent hours every day applying for jobs and taking interviews
- Trusted my network and continually reached out to them
- I ritualized my focus by using altar candles to signify time to contemplate my next move
In the end, I had several very hot leads and a solid offer at a company I wanted to work at: stable, high-paying, and creatively fulfilling.
I didn’t pull a job out of the universe. I worked for it, but I manifested it using the above mentioned techniques. It is also important to note that I had some privileges on my job search due to characteristics such as race and a network of preparatory school and college connections in business. (The networking connection who helped me land the job was actually someone I met in gaming, which takes some privileges to participate in as well.)
Note: The word “manifest” has a complicated list of connotations, including the colonialist “manifest destiny.” For this reason, I use it sparingly, and with care and clear intent. No person or race has the right to take anything from others, spiritually or otherwise.
Is Manifesting Witchcraft?
To me, manifesting is witchcraft. That’s because I define witchcraft as a practice of self-empowerment and personal sovereignty. To maintain those principles and values in my life under capitalism, I need to make a living for myself, and manifesting helps me do that.
Manifesting is also like shorthand to other witchy types. If I say “I’m manifesting a new job opportunity,” they know what I mean. They might ask how they can help, and if I am looking for any connections. Or they might send me a charm for my altar to help. In this way, manifesting is very personal, but it also helps me maintain and build critical relationships in my life.
A member of an organized religion might manifest through prayer. While I don’t think God is handing them something — and I don’t appreciate the value judgements about worth that come with that mindset — I think it is a valuable use of time to focus yourself through prayer, especially when it is followed by action. I don’t think forces are always at play, nor do I think it’s like the Greek gods who we can petition to sway things or interfere with the lives of other mortals. I do know that if we focus our energy and attention through something, using manifesting as a focus, it can work when the right conditions are at play.
Weaponizing Manifestation as Witchcraft
It’s vital that we do not accept the weaponizing of manifestation. That’s a way to harm people.
When I worked at Starbucks and was desperately looking for a new role in publishing (well over a decade ago), a friend’s mom told me that God would provide, I needed to read a book called The Secret, and I needed to sell through an MLM and manifest my success.
So. Many. Red. Flags.
I felt incompetent. How could other people in this community manifest cars, houses, and financial security, while I could not? There were reasons and answers for that — but none that this person was providing. This version of manifestation happened to come in a Christian guise, but I’ve seen it in “self-empowerment” and “witchy” communities, too.
Stop encouraging people to harm others and themselves in the name of manifestation.
My success was due to certain factors, but none of them had to do with the fact that I wasn’t trying hard enough or thinking about it enough. It had to do with living in a terrible economy in an abusive situation.
She should have manifested me out of that — not told me to buy into an MLM.
As you can see, when manifestation is weaponized, it’s for selfish, greedy means.
In Summary: Manifesting is Witchcraft to Me
So yes — manifesting is witchcraft, and manifesting when done for the right reason is beautiful.
You might feel differently about how manifesting has worked for you, and that’s okay! I’m open to your ideas as long as they don’t harm others. This is how it’s worked for me, as I’ve been asked, and how I recommend you focus on manifesting big goals regardless of your spiritual beliefs. Most systems do or will accommodate manifestation, but you might have to phrase it to religious leaders in ways that don’t evoke witchcraft, if you are intent on that path. Ask them… “how do I embody my spirituality in a way that can make this thing happen?” and go from there. But, if you call it manifestation in private? I won’t tell. It works.
