From Witch Hunts to Book Bans: The Curious History of Witch Literature

Have you ever wondered why books about witches were banned?  Well!  It's October, so you should ask.  The history of witch-related books being banned is full of irony and strange twists.  Below are some fun and surprising facts.

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🧙 A book that argued against witch hunts got banned. In 1584, The Discoverie of Witchcraft by Reginald Scot argued that most accused witches were innocent and that supernatural claims were exaggerated. Instead of being celebrated, the book was condemned by people who believed it undermined belief in witchcraft. King James I reportedly disliked it so much that copies were later suppressed.  [3]

📚 Sometimes books about witches are banned from opposite viewpoints. Some communities have challenged witch-themed books because they were thought to promote occult practices, while others have criticized the same books for portraying witches negatively. The same book can be accused of encouraging witchcraft and attacking it, depending on who is objecting.

⚡ The "Harry Potter effect": Many modern challenges to witch-related books came after the popularity of fantasy series featuring magic. Some parents and religious groups argued that books depicting spellcasting normalized occult beliefs, leading to challenges in schools and libraries. Lists of challenged books often include fantasy and witchcraft-themed titles. [1, 2]

🧹 Roald Dahl's "The Witches" has been challenged. "The Witches" has appeared in banned and challenged book discussions over the years. Objections have included its portrayal of women and the frightening nature of the story for children. [4]

🔥 Real witch-hunt history can be controversial too. Even nonfiction books about historical witch trials have faced challenges. For example, a book titled "Witches" by Stuart Kallen was reported as banned in a U.S. school district because of concerns cited as religious content and violence. [5]

😄 The irony? Centuries ago, people feared books would create witches. During periods of intense witch fears, some authorities worried that merely reading about magic could tempt people toward forbidden practices. Today, many of those same books are studied as important historical and literary works.

This one is likely to be everyone's favorite irony: the earliest famous "witch books" to get into trouble weren't teaching witchcraft at all. It was basically saying, "Maybe we should stop accusing innocent people of being witches." That position was controversial enough to get the author attacked for it. 🧙‍♀️📖

{NOTE: This post is an overview of book challenges and censorship history, not a scholarly article.}

SOURCES: (Accessed 5 Oct. 2026.)

[1] Banned Books and Challenged Books: Witchcraft Fiction. BooksBanned.org, 2026, https://www.booksbanned.org/books/banned-by/tags/witchcraft-fiction. 

[2] Banned Books and Challenged Books: Fantasy & Magic. BooksBanned.org, 2026, https://www.booksbanned.org/books/banned-by/tags/fantasy-magic. 

[3] The Book That Got Its Author Accused of Witchcraft in the 1600s. Times Now, https://www.timesnownews.com/lifestyle/books/features/the-book-that-got-its-author-accused-of-witchcraft-in-the-1600s-article-117684077. 

[4] These Banned and Challenged Horror Books Subvert Cultural Norms. The Lineup, https://the-line-up.com/banned-and-challenged-horror-books. 

[5] The Witches by Stuart Kallen: Censorship History. Banned Books, https://www.banned-books.org/books/witches. 

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Similar or Related Links at Partner Blogs:

• Witches vs Secret Societies: Threat or Real Threat?

• ‘What If’ They Called Your Mother a Witch (True Story)

• You Think You Know All About Witches | earthpages.ca (Reblog)

After Three Decades 'Practical Magic 2' Will Be Released September 2026

The Owens Sisters Are Back! Practical Magic 2 is officially on its way, arriving in theaters on September 11, 2026, nearly three decades after the original film enchanted audiences. After its theatrical run, the film is expected to stream on Max, continuing Warner Bros.’ recent release pattern.

• Based on Alice Hoffman’s 2021 novel The Book of Magic, the sequel returns to the beloved blend of fantasy, romance, comedy, and family drama that made the first movie a cult classic.

Movie poster

PLOT SUMMARY:

A whisper of enchantment is stirring again around the Owens family. Even the teaser’s incantation~ “Tooth of wolf and morning dew, something old and something new” ~ feels like a spell cast to awaken memories of the original film.

At the heart of the story are the sisters, Sally and Gillian Owens ~ brought back to life by Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. They find themselves drawn once more into the shadow of the centuries-old curse that has shaped their family’s fate. But this time, the magic runs deeper. The sequel expands into a sweeping, multi-generational tale as Sally’s daughter ~ played by Joey King, begins to feel the first tremors of her own power. Her awakening sets off a chain of supernatural echoes tied to the Owens bloodline, forcing the family to confront long-buried secrets and rekindle bonds that time and tragedy have strained. Together, the Owens women must summon every ounce of courage—and magic—to face the darkness that has haunted them for generations.

What Each Actress Brings to the Sequel

• Joey King:  The presence of this young American actress adds a vibrant spark to the evolving Owens legacy. Having begun her career at just four years old, King has grown into one of Hollywood’s most versatile young performers, shifting effortlessly from heartfelt roles in Ramona and Beezus (2010) to the chilling tension of The Conjuring (2013), the global popularity of The Kissing Booth trilogy (2018–2021), and the emotional intensity of The Act (2019), which earned her Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award nominations. Her recent work in Bullet Train (2022), The Princess (2022), and We Were the Lucky Ones (2024) further showcases her range—making her a natural fit for a story steeped in destiny and transformation.

• Award-winning actresses Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman return to bring a sense of full-circle magic to the project. Bullock, known for acclaimed performances in The Blind Side (2009), Gravity (2013), Speed (1994), and Miss Congeniality (2000), continues her producing work through Fortis Films and lends both star power and emotional grounding to the sequel. Kidman, celebrated for The Hours (2002), Moulin Rouge! (2001), Big Little Lies (2017–2019), and The Others (2001), brings her own creative influence through Blossom Films. Both actresses have expressed genuine excitement about returning to the Owens universe, a sign that the sequel aims not just to revisit the past but to deepen it.

Drawing from Hoffman’s rich four-book Practical Magic series, the film promises a story woven with moonlit secrets, inherited power, and the unbreakable ties of family.  Practical Magic 2 invites audiences back into a world where love is a force of nature and magic is both a gift and a responsibility.

• NOTE: The Practical Magic Series by Alice Hoffman is a Collection of 4 Books (PracticalMagic, The Rules of Magic, Magic Lessons, and The Book of Magic)

Fans are excited for the Owens women to cast their spell once more.

WATCH THE TRAILER