October 13, 2025
Many teens are drawn to Wicca’s promise of power and belonging. But only God’s Word brings truth that anchors the heart and transforms the soul.
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Lauren presses send.
An incoherent string of emojis rises to the top of the comment section on her Instagram feed. What might appear as an innocent collection of symbols actually carries a deeper meaning. Populating social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, these emoji strings represent the digital language of modern witchcraft and Wicca.
Across today’s online spaces, witchcraft has been rebranded for a new generation—stylized, accessible, and often presented as a harmless spiritual hobby. Yet beneath the aesthetic lies a belief system that subtly shifts attention away from God and toward the self.
Wicca is no longer a fringe movement. According to Pew Research Center’s 2023–2024 Religious Landscape Study, roughly 7% of U.S. adults identify with “other faiths” beyond Christianity and Judaism, a category that includes Pagan, New Age, and Wiccan practices. (For context, see Why Pew Typically Can’t Report Smaller Religious Groups for details on Pew’s methodology and why specific data on Wicca are often grouped under broader categories.)
The Gospel Coalition’s Joe Carter notes that Wicca is the largest subset of the modern witchcraft revival movement—characterized as a worldview built on rituals meant to harness and focus cosmic or psychic energies to bring about desired change. Earlier Pew estimates from 2014 placed the number of self-identified Pagans or Wiccans near one million, while more recent media reports (Newsweek, 2024) suggest the figure may now exceed 1.5 million.
Wicca’s ascent has been amplified by the entertainment industry’s fascination with the supernatural. From The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina to Once Upon a Time, shows that glamorize magic and witchcraft continue to capture the imagination of young audiences. Social media trends also play a major role—hashtags like #witchtok have accumulated billions of views, merging spell-casting tutorials with self-help and mental wellness content.
Barna Group’s 2025 cultural trends report observes that American spirituality is increasingly “customized.” Many now “reshape God to their liking,” blending biblical truth with mysticism or self-empowerment (Barna/Arizona Christian University, 2025). For teens searching for meaning and belonging, Wicca appears to offer both community and control.
Hashtags such as #mindfulness, #spirituality, and #wellness connect Wiccans across social media platforms. These overlap with popular discussions about mental health and inclusivity, resonating with young users who value acceptance above doctrine. In offering unconditional acceptance—no matter who you are or what you believe—Wicca appeals to teens who feel pressured to display “tolerance.”
One of Wicca’s core ideals is the revival of feminine power through goddess worship. This reimagined history assumes ancient societies were matriarchal and utopian before patriarchal religion “suppressed” them.
In doing so, Wicca and radical feminism share a desire to reverse male rule rather than embrace a biblical view of men and women. Power, in this worldview, is seen as a limited resource—something one gender must reclaim from another.
Wicca offers a form of emotional expression and perceived healing. Through rituals that emphasize personal energy and connection with nature, many young followers describe feeling “seen” and “centered.” But what happens when those emotional highs fade or fail to produce results? Feelings can be fleeting, and Wicca provides no lasting foundation for truth or peace.
Perhaps the most enticing promise of Wicca is the ability to influence reality through spells and rituals. For a teen who feels powerless, that illusion of control can be intoxicating. Yet in seeking to command unseen forces, followers unknowingly turn inward rather than toward the true Source of power.
Biblical tolerance calls us to truth and compassion together. We are commanded to “always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15–16).
God’s Word shows that real acceptance flows from love anchored in truth. Jesus welcomed sinners but never affirmed sin. The world’s version of tolerance demands agreement; biblical tolerance calls us to humility and honesty. “I am the way, and the truth, and the life,” Jesus said in John 14:6. True openness is found in following His example—listening with grace while standing firm on truth.
The drive to make one gender dominant over another misses God’s design for unity and interdependence. The distinction between male and female reflects the image of the Creator. In Ephesians 5:31–33, Paul highlights that both husband and wife are of equal value before God while fulfilling different roles that mirror Christ’s relationship with the Church.
In Wicca, divine power is often portrayed as feminine, meant to correct centuries of imbalance. But Scripture reveals a God who is beyond gender, yet intimately involved with both men and women—each created for divine purpose. God’s plan celebrates the worth of every person without exalting one over the other.
Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us that “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Our feelings are powerful but not always reliable guides. Psalm 73:26 offers the counterbalance: “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Emotions can draw us to worship or lead us astray. Wicca elevates emotion as a spiritual compass, but Christianity grounds it in the character of God. When we depend on Him, our emotions find stability and meaning.
The more questions you ask, the more influence you earn. Ask your teen what draws them to Wicca or spirituality outside Christianity. Seek to understand their experiences before offering correction.
Take time to research and reflect. Break conversations into smaller moments instead of reacting quickly. Teens appreciate thoughtful, well-informed dialogue. Focus on the Family’s Counseling Department can provide guidance and resources to help you navigate those discussions.
When you’re ready, share your insights. Use Scripture to reveal God’s design for spiritual power and belonging. Create a safe space for your teen to reason through what they’re learning, both independently and with you.
Witchcraft and Wicca have existed for centuries, but their promises are empty. They cannot offer eternal salvation or a relationship with Jesus Christ. For believers, there is no room for worship of anything but God. His promise of safety and salvation is stronger than any ritual or spell—and His power alone brings freedom.
When our hearts rest in Him, we no longer seek power elsewhere. As believers, we find that God’s strength is not something we conjure—it’s a gift that never runs out.
Parents often have more questions when they discover their teen’s interest in Wicca. Here are answers to some of the most common ones.
Yes. Wicca is a modern pagan religion that blends ancient rituals with nature worship and self-empowerment beliefs. It often appears harmless, but its teachings conflict with the truth of God’s Word.
Teens are drawn to Wicca because it promises acceptance, control, and belonging—especially online. But these promises fade quickly, leaving the same longing only God’s truth can fill.
Scripture is clear that witchcraft and sorcery separate us from God’s truth (Deuteronomy 18:10–12, Galatians 5:19–21). God calls us to trust His power, not our own.
Start with curiosity, not fear. Ask questions, listen carefully, and gently guide them back to biblical truth. Your calm confidence in God’s Word will speak louder than arguments.
You’re not alone. Focus on the Family offers licensed Christian counselors who can guide and encourage you. Call 1-855-771-HELP (4357) for a free consultation.
Jackson Greer is a Special Projects Manager for Focus on the Family. He lives in Colorado Springs with his wife, Clara. They love feeding birds, debating whether or not to get a cat, and reading William Carlos Williams’ poetry together. Also, he is a former high school English teacher and a defender of the Post Office.
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