This study investigates five Polish Instagram creators who self-identify as witches, examining their spiritual practices, perceptions of online communities, and experiences with hostility. Data were collected via open-ended questionnaires and analyzed using Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions to assess emotional tone. Participants expressed diverse, syncretic approaches to witchcraft, navigating tensions between authenticity and visibility. Communities were valued but conceptualized differently. Despite recurring experiences of online discrimination – often rooted in religious intolerance – dominant emotions were trust and joy, indicating strong social bonds and positive engagement. Fear also emerged, suggesting critical awareness, while anger and disgust remained low.
Marta R. Jabłońska (Thu,) studied this question.