My Skin, My Magic, My Truth: Unpacking Lineage in Modern Witchcraft

By Madame Verveine, The Tarot Witch®, The Sex Psychic®, BeWitchy®, That Bomb Witch® and more...

Let's talk about it.

In the vibrant, evolving tapestry of modern witchcraft, there's a conversation bubbling, sometimes fiercely, sometimes subtly. It's about who gets to claim what, who has the right to traditions, and who truly belongs. And for some of us, that conversation gets intensely personal, bleeding into the very skin we inhabit.

I am Madame Verveine. And my journey, my magic, my very being, is a testament to the fact that spiritual lineage isn't always as simple as what you see on the surface.

My mother was a powerful, brown-skinned German woman (or what Americans have been known to refer to as "Black Dutch" woman). A formidable, wise, and deeply spiritual individual, her profound influence and the rich tapestry of her heritage led me to practice a wide range of witchcraft. This includes roots magic, European Black Magic, Germanic Witchcraft, Folk Witchcraft, Romani Magic, and the deeply rooted practices of Balkan Witchcraft. I have also found myself drawn to and actively engage with Mexican folk magic, including Brujería (witchcraft), Curanderismo (traditional folk healing), and Hechicería (sorcery), which often incorporates Folk Catholicism.

I witnessed some practices akin to Hoodoo, and whilst it is possible that African people did migrate to the Balkans, there does not appear to be any documented proof of those specific Hoodoo practices being widely passed around in the region. That doesn't mean it didn't happen, however. Her knowledge, her rituals, her deep connection to specific ancestral currents, are woven into the fabric of my soul. She understood the intricacies of her own lineage, encompassing practices that resonated with her diverse heritage, drawing from both African diasporic wisdom and potent European traditions.

My father is white. And yes, my skin carries that heritage visibly.

This, for some, has been a problem.

This reference of "Black Dutch" is another can of worms and the reasoning behind it, but let's leave that for another day.

This has, at times, led to curiosity about my racial background. While no one has directly challenged my use of specific styles of witchcraft to my face, the questions about my race often carry an underlying assumption about who has the 'right' to certain traditions. For me, these inquiries haven't bothered me, because I know better. However, they subtly hint at a dismissal of my very identity, ignoring the sacred connection to my mother's bloodline and the practices she once made, as well as the very real knowledge passed from her – be it about the earth-bound power of roots magic or the disciplined practices of various European traditions she embraced.

I understand the vital conversations around cultural appropriation in magic. I get it. There are practices that are closed, sacred, and historically bound to specific peoples, born from unique struggles and survival. The need to protect these is paramount, and "gatekeeping" is sometimes absolutely justified to prevent erasure, commodification, and disrespect. I would myself never teach anyone the direct things I know and have learnt from my mother.

But I also believe there's a nuanced layer often overlooked: lineage through blood, spirit, and direct transmission. What about those of us who stand at the intersection of worlds? Whose heritage defies neat boxes, or does not – they don't seem to fit in anywhere.

And let's be clear about genetics. Skin colour or color for some, isn't like mixing two paint colours in a bucket. It's a complex polygenic trait, meaning it's determined by multiple genes – often over a hundred – working together. Each parent passes on a unique combination of these genes. This is why it's a well-documented scientific reality that it is entirely possible for a child with one brown or Black parent and one White parent to present with lighter, even "white-passing" skin, while still inheriting their full ancestral genetic makeup. My physical appearance does not, and cannot, negate my inherited spiritual lineage.

It never bothered me that my mother had a different skin colour to me. In fact, I quite liked and respected the fact she was brown (or black, depending on perception), but what did bother me sometimes was the ignorance by passersby who assumed my Black friend was my mother's daughter, and I was just the visiting White friend. And the strange looks and reactions when my mother would announce that in fact, I was the daughter. They often looked confused.

This phenomenon of racial appearance not aligning with ancestral roots is not new, nor is it unique to my or other people's family. Think of the historical context in America, particularly during the era of slavery and Jim Crow. Individuals who were legally considered Black under discriminatory "one-drop rules" – meaning they had any known African ancestry, no matter how slight – could still have very light, even visibly white skin. Many such individuals "passed" as white, often as a desperate means of survival, to escape the brutality of bondage, or later, the oppression of segregation. Their skin color allowed them to navigate a world that denied them basic rights, but it never erased their true heritage or the bloodlines that ran through them. My situation, while different in context, echoes this historical reality: visual perception does not always define intrinsic identity or ancestral ties.

Indeed, the science of ancestry is complex. As geneticists and historians inform us, inherited DNA from a distant ancestor can simply become undetectable over generations due to the random nature of genetic inheritance. I've seen the figures and it's kinda scary how much DNA can be dramatically lost over generations ie change etc. Moreover, modern DNA tests sometimes struggle to precisely differentiate between North African ancestry and populations from geographically close continents, such as Southern Europe or the Middle East. This means that a "brown-skinned" ancestor, even if originating from Africa, might not always register as "Sub-Saharan African" on a commercial DNA test, especially if they were from North Africa or if their lineage was significantly mixed. I have researched this and it is also possible that today's DNA tests are not able to decipher between North African and closer by continents. I am mentioning this because time and time again, I have come across people who are powerfully "drawn" to certain practices, feel a deep resonance, but on the surface, based on limited information or rigid categorization, appear to have "no right" doing so. Perhaps it is a whisper from an ancestor, a subtle thread of memory carried in the spirit, even if not explicitly present in every modern genetic marker.

My path is not one of appropriation, but of inheritance. It is a direct legacy from a brown-skinned German mother who walked these paths before me. To deny me these arts is to deny her, to deny my ancestors, and to perpetuate a different kind of gatekeeping – one based on visible markers rather than authentic roots.

My magic doesn't care about your preconceived notions of race. It flows from the wellspring of my ancestry. It is a gift, a birthright, and a responsibility passed down through generations. It is forged in the lessons learned at my mother’s knee, in the deep-seated wisdom that runs through my veins, regardless of the melanin content of my skin. This is about the undeniable, unbreakable bond of blood and spirit.

The world of witchcraft, in its truest form, is about understanding energy, honouring ancestors, and connecting to the unseen. It should be a space of profound inclusion, where power is recognized not by arbitrary markers, but by genuine connection, deep study, and authentic lineage.

My path has taught me resilience. It has taught me to stand firm in my truth, to honour my mother's legacy, and to continue the work she began, amplified by my own unique journey.

So, when you encounter me, or anyone who doesn't fit your neat boxes of what a "witch" should look like, I challenge you: Look deeper. Listen to the story. Understand that magic is vast, multifaceted, and often defies simplistic categorization, just like some of our mixed races do.

My skin may tell one story, but my spirit, my blood, and my magic tell the whole, unfiltered truth. And that truth is: I am here, I am rooted, and my magic is as authentic and powerful as the sun rising each morning.

Let's move beyond surface judgments and into a deeper, more respectful understanding of the diverse tapestry that makes up our global magical community. Because when we honor all lineages, all truths, we collectively become stronger.

— Madame Verveine.

BeWitchy

BeWitchy Magazine

If you found this article helpful, please leave us a 5 star review and explanation as to why you left it. We appreciate your support and grateful you found us here. When you give to the universal energies that be, they give to you.

Warrior Strength to those who deserve it & Destruction to those who need it!

International Psychic Medium Witch Madame Verveine+

Witchcraft Practitioner Demonologist Author Artist Mentor Owner and Founder of BeWitchy

BeWitchy® ©Copyright Protected 2025. BeWitchy is many registered trademarks. We take violations seriously. We service and sell worldwide!

Thinking about copying or using the term "BeWitchy" or similar variations... first think... are you original? The answer will be no. Do you want to gain a reputation for riding on someone elses branding, name and presence? Stealing brand identity is a serious offence and shameful!

Medical & Mental Health Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered, medical or mental health advice. It is not a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or therapy by a qualified healthcare or mental health professional.

Always seek the advice of your physician, psychiatrist, therapist, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical or mental health condition. Never disregard professional medical or mental health advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this article.

If you believe you may have a medical or mental health emergency, call your doctor, emergency services, or your local emergency number immediately. The author and publisher of this article are not responsible for any adverse effects that may result from your reliance on any information contained herein.