The Spirit Halloween Witch Hat is a staple accessory for any witch costume. This iconic accessory brings the perfect touch of magic and spookiness to any Halloween outfit. The hat is typically made from black felt material, giving it that classic witchy look. One of the most popular styles of the Spirit Halloween Witch Hat is the classic pointed hat. Its tall and pointed shape instantly transforms any individual into a witch with just a simple addition to their ensemble. This hat is usually adorned with ribbons, feathers, or other decorative elements to add a bit of flair and individuality.

Witchcraft philippines

South China Morning Post

Two beers from Alamat Craft Brew, an independent backyard brewery where beers and labels pay tribute to mythological creatures of the Philippines. On the left is an IPA named “Mambabarang” after a witch that performs malignant sorcery. Beside it is “Sitan”, named after the guardian and keeper of souls in hell. Photo: AJ Bolando

This hat is usually adorned with ribbons, feathers, or other decorative elements to add a bit of flair and individuality. The Spirit Halloween Witch Hat can also come in various colors, not just black. Some options include purple, green, or even metallic shades, allowing individuals to customize their look and stand out from the crowd.

Witchcraft in the Philippines: as millennials fall under the spell, businesses are catching on

• The rise of liberal millennials in the Philippines has brought witchcraft and the mystical forces of nature from the fringes into the mainstream
• Businesses are joining in, with themed restaurants, occult bars, and beers celebrating the country’s mythological creatures

Timmy Potenciano first turned to witchcraft as way of life to help her escape from organised religion.

Potenciano, 32, has been practising tarot since 2005. But it was only recently when she started hanging out with other women who practise witchcraft that she began to recognise herself as a witch.

“In recent years, there’s been a boom in esoteric practices in the Philippines, and it’s comforting because I don’t feel so alone any more,” says Potenciano, from Quezon City, who works as a content strategist by day.

With the rise of liberal millennials in the Philippines, and driven by their interests in wellness and New Age spirituality, witchcraft – broadly defined as beliefs and practices anchored in the mystical forces of nature – has been brought from the fringes into the mainstream. And while Philippines is known as a Catholic country, it is not unfamiliar with the concept.

Numerous records indicate that in pre-colonial Philippines, Filipinos worshipped Bathala, the Tagalog supreme deity who created the universe. They believed in engkantos, the spirits of ancestors or guardians of nature who are said to have the ability to appear in human form. Communities were dominated by babaylans (shamans) and mananambals (witches) that practise sacred rituals and magic.

Although these forms of mysticism have been considered taboo since Catholicism was introduced in the 15th century, many Filipino witches still practise. Among them is Mym Valdez, who has been a Wiccan practitioner for 20 years. She identifies herself as a kitchen witch, drawing ingredients from her own garden. She mixes small vials of basil and olives for protection, and prepares salt rubs and spelled chocolates to counter sadness.

“I’m a little like an albularyo [witch doctor, or traditional healer], someone who uses herbs as medicine, knows the magical properties of ingredients and uses it in everyday life,” she says.

Waiters at Agimat Foraging Kitchen and Bar in the Philippine city of Makati put on this wooden carved mask and perform a ceremony inspired by Philippine tradition when serving drinks. Photo: AJ Bolando

Valdez was introduced to the power of nature-based magic by her uncle when she was three years old. She claims that over the years she learnt to talk to spirits and cast complicated spells. She chose to pursue the Dianic path, which focuses on healing and creating health at home.

Inka Magnaye, 29, was first drawn to witchcraft out of a spiritual longing and scepticism towards her religion.

“I discovered witchcraft when I was 10 years old, from books in my school library,” says Magnaye, who is a TV and radio voice actress by day. “I found it so intriguing. I was raised in a Catholic home, went to a Catholic school and sang in a Catholic church for years. While the ritualistic nature of Sunday mass always fascinated me, I never really felt quite connected to the belief of my childhood.”

Magnaye reads tarot cards as a form of divination. She says she creates her own spells and rituals by using candle magic, and meditates to commune with the energies of her surroundings and to recharge her own spirit.

The solitary practitioner, who lives on a beach in La Union, in the Ilocos Region of the Philippines, says that practising witchcraft has made her more sensitive to nature and the vibrations of the earth. She believes the appeal of witchcraft is that it offers a path without judgment.

“It is open to anyone, whatever gender you are, however you identify, whatever your background is. The path you walk is your own. It’s a very personal belief system,” she says.

As Filipinos continue to embrace witchcraft, entrepreneurs have begun riding the mystical wave by using mythology, folklore and witchcraft as the themes of their businesses.

Alamat Craft Brew is an independent backyard brewery where beers and labels pay tribute to mythological creatures of the Philippines.

Branches create eerie lighting and a dark folk ambience at the Agimat Foraging Bar And Kitchen. Photo: AJ Bolando

The lair of Alamat Craft Brew in Marikina City opens up to a “beer rack” which features a display of their India pale ales (IPAs). Hanging on the brick walls are wooden light fixtures and a humongous abaniko, a Filipino folding fan painted with an ancient scripture that reads “biringan”, meaning “where one finds the lost”.

Their IPAs are steeped in limited batches, says Agoni Kama Itachi, co-owner of the brewery. Since 2015, they have come up with more than 16 different variants, one of which is called the “mambabarang”, a dark IPA. This brew was inspired by local folklore about Mambabarang, a Filipino witch who casts malignant magic by hexing insects to infect victims’ bodies.

All of Alamat’s beers are black, from the bottles to the caps. They also feature labels with self-made artwork of the creatures they embody. A gallery showcasing the original illustrations that appear on the labels can be found on the second floor of their den, which is yet to open to the public.

As a kid, my parents would often take me to an albularyo whenever I was sick. He would tell me that I was sick because I had offended a duende, a mischievous elf

Kama Itachi, who is clad in a goth get-up when we meet, with black-framed spectacles and skeleton rings hugging his fingers, says the concept fits their interest in folklore and dark music and arts.

“Since most of us are members of a metal band, we thought of venturing into something dark and ‘astig’ [cool],” the brewmaster says. “At the same time, we wanted to embrace the rich culture of the Philippines by introducing people to the mystical creatures that are little known to them.”

Kama Itachi hails from Marinduque, an island in the Philippines where various tales of supernatural occurrences are often mentioned.

“As a kid, my parents would often take me to an albularyo whenever I was sick. He would tell me that I was sick because I had offended a duende, a mischievous elf,” he says.

Gayuma is a restaurant located in the hip Poblacion neighbourhood in the city of Makati. Gayuma is a Filipino term which means a potent potion intended to attract a mate.

The restaurant’s colourful aesthetic draws inspiration from witchcraft all over the world, particularly the French Quarter in New Orleans. Foliage and coloured bottles cover the ceiling and on its walls are displays of “love potions” and books of spells.

“The idea is to spark curiosity among customers, whether they believe in the power of gayuma or not,” says brand manager Joaqui Mendoza. “We do this by providing magical ambience and serving them with food infused with aphrodisiac ingredients.”

Among their bestsellers is a pasta made of crab fat topped with balut, or a fetal duck egg – a popular Filipino delicacy often regarded as an energy booster that is said to enhance one’s stamina and sexual performance. Their signature drink is a vodka-infused cocktail served in a huge glass bowl that looks like a potion.

Just a stone’s throw away from Gayuma is another portal to the mystical realm, the Agimat Foraging Bar and Kitchen.

Chef Kalel Demetrio, one of the co-owners, says the watering hole draws inspiration from “agimat”, an enigmatic amulet in the Philippines known for possessing great power and warding off evil.

Chef Kalel Demetrio is a self-taught bartender with a passion for foraging and using local ingredients. Photo: AJ Bolando

All the ingredients used in their exotic craft cocktails and complex dishes are foraged by the chef from all over the country.

“I go to different parts of the country to seek ingredients,” Demetrio says. “I go to the mountains, the jungle, talk to local people, including witch doctors who are known to have knowledge about rare ingredients found only in our land. It is through them that I learned to respect all that nature provides. I was inspired by them to transform these ingredients into something that would be enjoyed by whoever comes here.”

Demetrio fondly refers to Agimat as the modern house of a shaman. An ambience of magic has been created: burnt red candle wax lines the stairs; wooden charms, antique decorations and exotic wall hangings appear throughout; and fascinating rituals and chants accompany cocktail preparations.

“If Filipinos were to put up bars in the early days, this would have been how it looked like,” Demetrio says.

Unraveling the supernatural: Examining elements of modern Filipino witchcraft

Magic, sorcery, and the supernatural are only the tip of the iceberg in witchcraft.

• Post author By Jamie Sanchez, Kazandra Vargas, Lizelle Villaflor
• Post date October 29, 2021
• No Comments on Unraveling the supernatural: Examining elements of modern Filipino witchcraft

Deep within dense forests, a bubbling brew of spells and supernatural powers comes to life. Accompanied by their black cats, they fly into the night to spread misfortune among innocent and unsuspecting bystanders. In the moonlit sky, they cackle and howl to signify the end of their malicious mission. This image comes up most often when people think of witchcraft. But unknown to many, it is a sacred connection with nature, other people, and oneself through the use of sorcery or mystical means.

In the Philippine context, witchcraft used to be a common practice due to our polytheistic belief systems. However, more than 300 years of Spanish colonization led to the transfiguration of pagan beings and practices, making witchcraft a taboo topic in the now predominantly Catholic country.

Fortunately, the rise of “WitchTok” videos and Facebook community groups in the past year allowed people to rediscover witchcraft. With these platforms, conversations about precolonial and modern witchcraft are more openly discussed—a long overdue discourse. Damien Roh and Lester Agaloos, mentors of the “Philippine Witches” Facebook group, unravel this often overlooked tradition.

These alternative colors can add a modern twist to the traditional witch costume. Not only is the Spirit Halloween Witch Hat a fun and essential accessory for Halloween, but it can also be used for other events and parties throughout the year. It is a versatile piece that can be incorporated into various costume ideas, such as a fortune teller or a mystical sorceress. When wearing the Spirit Halloween Witch Hat, it is important to consider comfort. Some hats may be heavier or have a less secure fit than others, which can cause discomfort or make it difficult to wear for extended periods. It is recommended to try on different styles or adjust the fit with elastic or bobby pins to ensure a comfortable and secure fit. In conclusion, the Spirit Halloween Witch Hat is a must-have accessory for anyone looking to complete their witch costume. With its classic pointed shape and various colors and embellishments, this hat adds the perfect touch of whimsy and mystery to any Halloween or costume event..

Reviews for "Spirit Halloween Witch Hats: Shaping the Halloween Costume Industry"

1. Sarah - 1 star - I purchased the Spirit Halloween Witch Hat for my daughter's costume and was extremely disappointed with the quality. The hat felt flimsy and cheaply made, with loose threads and poor stitching. The shape was also difficult to keep intact, as it would constantly flop over instead of maintaining its classic pointed look. Overall, I would not recommend this hat for anyone looking for a durable and properly constructed accessory.

2. Mark - 2 stars - I was excited to find the Spirit Halloween Witch Hat to complete my costume, but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations. The sizing was way off, as the hat was much smaller than advertised, making it uncomfortable to wear. Additionally, the material felt rough and uncomfortable against my skin. The hat lacked any sort of padding or lining, making it seem cheap and poorly designed. In the end, I had to make do with a different hat I already owned, as this one was just not worth the money.

3. Emily - 1 star - The Spirit Halloween Witch Hat was a complete disappointment. The color of the hat was significantly different from what was shown in the pictures, making it clash with the rest of my costume. The material felt like low-quality polyester that was scratchy and uncomfortable to wear for extended periods. Furthermore, the brim of the hat didn't hold its shape, making it look floppy and unappealing. I regretted purchasing this hat and ended up finding a better alternative elsewhere. Don't waste your money on this subpar accessory.

Breaking Stereotypes: Men in Spirit Halloween Witch Hats