Witch
3.5/5
Critic Rating
The witch has held a place firmly in our imagination for centuries - from whispered warnings in folklore to pop-culture driven heights. But what does it mean to be a witch now?Presenter India Rakusen, creator of the podcast 28ish Days Later, is on a journey to find out.
Critic Reviews
Score: 2.5
Edward Wickham • Church Times • Jun 16, 2023
"No such authority is displayed by India Rakusen...“If you look carefully into the smoke, you might see the goddess Freya emerging.” Given that this was a serious ritual, conducted by serious people, and she is a serious reporter, what exactly is connoted by that word “might”? Of these, the most influential nowadays appears to be the sense that it bestows confidence and agency on young women and a sense of power. Becoming a witch is “an act of resistance”. All 13 episodes are now available on BBC Sounds, to be ignored at your leisure."
Score: 4.5
Anna Leszkiewicz • New Statesman • May 24, 2023
"Rakusen meets many people who identify as witches today, asking them what they think the term means, and engaging in burning and chanting rituals with them. The listener will have to decide for themselves whether these are acts of self-delusion or moving attempts to claim power in a mysterious world. A bit like any other religion, then, really. …"
