You're probably here because something feels... off. Maybe you found a weird bundle of sticks tied with red thread on your doorstep, or perhaps a friend has suddenly started talking about "manifesting" with a suspicious amount of incense burning in the background. Honestly, the internet has made magic look like a trendy aesthetic, but for people living in cultures where folk magic is a daily reality, the question is a bit more serious.
How do you know if someone is doing witchcraft? It isn't always about pointy hats or bubbling cauldrons. Real magic—or at least the practice of it—is usually quiet. It’s subtle. It’s tucked away in a kitchen cabinet or buried six inches under a rosebush.
Whether you're a skeptic looking for a logical explanation or someone who genuinely believes they've been targeted by a "working," understanding the signs requires looking past the Hollywood tropes. We’re talking about actual anthropological practices, folk traditions, and the modern occult revival.
The Visual Clues: It’s Rarely What You See in Movies
If you're looking for a pentagram drawn in blood, you’re probably watching too much Netflix. In the real world, practitioners of "The Craft" or various folk traditions like Hoodoo, Brujería, or Wicca use mundane objects.
Common signs often involve "curios." You might find jars filled with vinegar, rusty nails, or even hair. In many Appalachian and Southern folk traditions, a "sour jar" is used to make someone’s life go bitter. If you find a jar hidden in a dark corner of a shared space that looks like a science experiment gone wrong—especially if it contains a piece of paper with a name on it—that’s a classic sign.
Then there’s the "doorway protection." Have you noticed a line of salt across a threshold? Or maybe a horseshoe hung "u-shape" up to catch luck? People have been doing this for centuries. It’s not necessarily "dark" witchcraft; often, it’s just someone trying to keep bad vibes out of their living room.
Small, Intentional Oddities
Sometimes it's just the arrangement of things. A bowl of water behind a front door is a common practice in Santería and Espiritismo to absorb negative energy. It looks like a pet's water dish, but if there’s no dog in the house, it’s a spiritual tool.
Look for "spirit bags" or "mojo bags." These are small flannel pouches, often red, carried in a pocket or pinned inside clothing. They aren't fashion statements. They’re filled with roots like High John the Conqueror or herbs like cinnamon and bay leaves.
Behavioral Shifts: The "Witchy" Personality Change
Let’s be real: most people "doing witchcraft" these days are just hobbyists on TikTok. But if you're asking about practitioners who take it seriously, their behavior usually changes in specific ways.
They might become strangely obsessed with the lunar cycle. If your roommate suddenly refuses to sign a lease or start a new job during a Mercury Retrograde or a New Moon, they’re likely following astrological timing, which is the backbone of most ritual work.
Observation is key. Do they suddenly have an oddly specific interest in your "personal concerns"? In traditional magic, "personal concerns" refer to things like hair clippings, a used tissue, or even a photo. If someone is suddenly very helpful about cleaning your hairbrush or "borrowing" a physical photograph of you, it might raise an eyebrow for those familiar with sympathetic magic.
The Vocabulary Shift
Listen to how they talk. You’ll hear words like "intention," "cleansing," "shadow work," or "grounding." While these are common in therapy now, a practitioner uses them with a different weight. They aren't just "journaling"; they’re "writing their will into existence."
The Difference Between "Doing" and "Being Targeted"
There’s a huge distinction here. Usually, when people search for how do you know if someone is doing witchcraft, they are worried they are the victim of a hex or a curse.
Paranoia is a powerful thing.
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Psychologically, if you believe you are cursed, you will start experiencing "confirmation bias." You stub your toe? Must be the curse. Your car won't start? Definitely the curse. Your boss is grumpy? Witchcraft.
However, in cultures where "The Evil Eye" (Mal de Ojo or Nazar) is a recognized phenomenon, the "signs" are quite specific:
- Sudden, unexplained lethargy that doctors can't find a cause for.
- A string of "impossible" bad luck (the kind where three appliances break in the same hour).
- Chronic headaches that only happen when you're in a specific person’s presence.
- Plants in your house dying all at once despite perfect care.
Anthropologist Dr. Sabina Magliocco, who has studied Italian folk magic, notes that these beliefs often serve as a way for communities to process social tension. If you feel "cursed," it’s often a reflection of a fractured relationship with someone in your real life.
Modern "Insta-Witch" vs. Traditional Practitioner
We have to talk about the "Aesthetic Witch."
Since about 2020, witchcraft has become a multi-billion dollar industry. You can buy "spell kits" at Urban Outfitters. If someone has a lot of crystals (Amethyst, Rose Quartz, Selenite) and smells like White Sage, they are probably just following a lifestyle trend.
True practitioners—the ones who actually follow the Grimoire tradition or traditional African Diasporic Religions (ADR)—are usually much more discreet. They don't usually post their altars on Instagram because, in many traditions, showing the work "cools" the power of the spell.
If someone is truly "doing witchcraft," you might only know by the subtle scent of Florida Water (a citrusy cologne used for cleansing) or the fact that they always seem to have a candle burning, even when it’s 90 degrees out.
How to Handle It (Actionable Steps)
So, you’ve found the salt. You’ve seen the jars. You’re convinced. What now?
First, don't panic. Most witchcraft—even the "scary" kind—is based on the practitioner's belief, not necessarily a physical law of the universe. Your reaction is often what "fuels" the psychological impact of the work.
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1. Cleanse your space physically and energetically. In almost every tradition, the "cure" for witchcraft is simple hygiene. Mop your floors with a bit of salt and lemon juice. Open the windows. If you found a "hex" object like a jar or a bundle, do not touch it with your bare hands. Use a glove or a bag, take it far away from your house, and dispose of it in running water (like a creek) or a trash can that isn't on your property.
2. Set firm boundaries.
Magic is often about power. If someone is using ritual to feel powerful over you, the best "counter-spell" is showing them their rituals have zero effect on your mood or your life.
3. Look for the mundane first.
Is the "weird smell" a spell, or is it just old plumbing? Is the "shadow" in the corner a spirit, or is it just a trick of the light from a streetlamp? Always exhaust the logical explanations before jumping to the supernatural.
4. Protect your "personal concerns."
If you’re genuinely worried about someone in your circle, just be mindful. Don't leave hair in brushes in shared bathrooms. Don't leave your drink unattended. This is just good advice for life, honestly.
Witchcraft is a practice of symbols and intent. Whether you believe in the literal power of a candle flame or just the psychological power of a ritual, the signs are always there if you know how to look past the smoke and mirrors.
If you suspect someone is practicing, the most important thing is your own state of mind. Fear is the only thing that gives "spells" a foothold. Stay grounded, keep your space clean, and remember that a jar of vinegar only has as much power as you give it.
Moving Forward
If you have found physical items that worry you, your next step is to document them—take a photo—and then calmly remove them from your environment. Focus on "un-crossing" your own energy through grounding exercises, spending time in nature, or even just a salt bath, which is a universal ritual for "washing off" the day's heaviness. Identifying the behavior is the first step toward regaining your sense of control.