The Witch's Path: Spirit Work, Fetish Objects, and Animist Magic with Matthew Venus
Magic isn't just about ingredients and spells—it's about recognizing that consciousness permeates everything around us. In a fascinating conversation with Matthew Venus of Spiritus Arcanum, we explored the deeper implications of animist witchcraft and what it means to truly embody the identity of a witch in today's world.
Matthew approaches magic from what he calls a "panpsychic animist" perspective, suggesting that consciousness is fundamental to the universe itself. This worldview radically transforms magical practice. Rather than treating herbs, stones, and other magical materials as mere ingredients in a recipe, Matthew encourages practitioners to develop relationships with the spirits inherent in these materials. When working with clove in a spell, for instance, he doesn't just toss it in because a book says it's good for money magic; he calls forth the spirit of clove, understands its nature, and asks for its assistance in the working.
This animist approach to magic represents a significant departure from how many modern practitioners operate. In an age where TikTok witchcraft often emphasizes acquiring magical objects over developing magical relationships, Matthew's perspective offers a refreshing alternative. He observes that contemporary witchcraft sometimes falls prey to the same capitalist mindset that dominates our broader culture—the idea that buying things makes you magical, rather than how you engage with the world around you.
The concept of witch identity itself was another fascinating topic in our discussion. Matthew describes "witch" not merely as a label one adopts but as a "spirit that we inhabit" and that inhabits us. By claiming the title, we become part of a historical legacy, avatars for a particular kind of magical work. For Matthew, the hallmarks of witchcraft include spirit work, spirit flight (similar to astral projection or shamanic journeying), shape-shifting, and the "bewitching" of ordinary objects—awakening their inherent magical properties.
Perhaps most compellingly, Matthew speaks about breath as his favorite magical tool. He notes that many words for spirit across cultures are etymologically connected to breath—pneuma, anima, spiritus. When he crafts magical objects or makes offerings to spirits, breath becomes a powerful medium for transformation and exchange. This simple yet profound practice reminds us that magic doesn't require elaborate tools or expensive ingredients—it's accessible through the very act of conscious breathing.
The conversation also touched on challenging topics like ethical consumption in magical practice. As both a witch and a business owner selling magical supplies, Matthew acknowledges the contradiction inherent in operating within a capitalist system while trying to practice an animist spirituality that views the world as more than resources to be exploited. This tension exists for many modern practitioners who try to balance magical values with practical realities.
Matthew's forthcoming book, "Ensouling the Effigy: The Witch's Art of Enspirited Objects," promises to explore these concepts further, particularly around the creation of spirit vessels and fetish objects. For those interested in developing a more authentic, relationship-based magical practice, his work offers valuable perspectives on how to move beyond "spell recipes" toward genuine engagement with the spirits that surround us.
