Wiccans: Improvising in urban Manila

Since urban space is limiting, Wiccans have to improvise in their practice of the craft.

“I’ve had to improvise a lot. I live in the city and I don’t have that much space, but I do note the solar and lunar cycles, and I celebrate the solstices in my own way,” Melina, a 22-year-old Wiccan, says.

Ishilta, a Buddhist-Wiccan and 22-year-old BS Geography senior at the University of the Philippines, also does the same.

"Halimbawa, you’re a busy person. You don’t have the luxury to travel, to go outside the city. Kailangan ma-kontento ka sa available space sa mga condo units. Fifth floor, 39th floor… you have to adapt. Hindi na siya ‘yung natural scenery," he says.

Ishilta points out that one cannot also do rituals outdoors, since people would inevitably look at them and label them weird.

"You simply can’t practice it outdoors kasi the environment will not allow you. We tried it in UP, pero sa UP naman talaga wala namang pakialamanan yung mga tao ‘dun. Public in every sense of the word lahat ng acts dun, kahit private siya [dapat] ginagawa out in the open," he says.

An example of a Wiccan altar with tools.

Funding for supplies and the supplies themselves are also not easy to get in Manila.

“Wala kaming kinikita. This is just some form of help, and it’s a last resort,” Lady Dana, high priestess and occult shop owner, says.

She explains that there are rare ingredients such as scorpion bones and dead tarantulas that she has to source abroad, and these are usually expensive.

Ishilta adds that Wiccans have to buy plenty of tools and supplies.

“Maluho siya. This is the path or practice not supported by most parents. Kapag teenager, you can get money pa for gimmicks. Dito ‘di ka bibigyan. Ewan ko lang kung may ganon pero sakin it’s not the case,” he says.

He says that Quiapo can be a good source for supplies, although one must be discerning.

“Sa Quiapo marami, pero ‘di lahat totoo. You don’t rely on ‘yung mga sasabihin ng tindera, kasi ise-sales talk ka lang talaga. Dapat equipped [ka] with knowledge."

Wiccans can also check out malls and groceries for crystals and herbs.

Ishilta, however, advises Wiccans to be resourceful. He says they can plant their own herbs or craft their own tools. "Nasa paligid mo lang talaga ‘yan.”