‘Anyone is welcome’: Meet Georgie Windsor and the Cambridge University Witch Society

Georgie Windsor, an Archaeology student at Hughes Hall, is one of the founders of the Cambridge University Witch Society, starting up this unusual society three months ago. She identifies as a witch who practices Wicca, which she describes as a type of “neo-paganism” with a belief in divinity in nature. As part of this, she also often manifests things for herself and her loved ones, and uses crystals and candles.

Georgie Windsor looking stunning in her witchy get-up! (Image Credits: Georgie Windsor)

Together with Zainab Athumani, her co-president of the society, Georgie set up probably one of Cambridge’s newest societies. Georgie told us more about what their society involves: “We are a diverse and inclusive society, bringing together those who practise witchcraft (of all forms), Wicca and other alternative spiritual beliefs falling under the umbrella of Paganism and beyond.”

Georgie added that the society promotes “the use of magick as an empowering individual or collective practice, with no set framework or standard strata of how to engage with it.” The society’s Instagram reads: “Whether you believe in deities, practise rituals for mental health purposes, or use witch as a politics term, this society is for you.”

The society is open to all genders, and is a safe and inclusive space. Georgie said: “Really anyone is welcome. We have no typical type of person we are expecting as a witch.” There are countless ways, Georgie explains, of practising witchcraft. Some examples include manifestation, crystal work, kitchen witchcraft (which incorporates magic and cooking) or sex-positivity.

Some of the society’s beautiful promotional artwork (Image Credits: Screenshot from Cambridge University Witch Society)

The society will facilitate meetings between the witches of Cambridge, and anyone who is interested in finding out more. Georgie and Zainab want to expand the society by holding workshops on different elements, such as tarot card reading. Georgie stresses that the society is “self run” and will go in any direction that the members find helpful.

The society also hopes to tackle the “historicised reputation of witchcraft through a feminist vision.” The term witch, Georgie says, is “deeply stigmatised” and heavily gendered, so one of the society’s aims is to debunk the narrative of who can be a witch and to tackle the stereotypes of what a witch is.

Zainab Athumani, co-president of CU Witch Society, looking witchy at a Formal (Image Credits: Zainab Athumani)

Studying at Cambridge can be a “stressful period” and Georgie stated that using magic can bring purpose to students’ lives and bring about a deeper “sense of self.” It can also help members of the university to channel their creativity and try new things. She stresses the “mental health” benefits of engaging with witchcraft practices that are based on looking within and connecting with yourself.

When asked how would you describe a witch, Georgie mentioned a quote that she identified with: “Being a witch means living in this world consciously, powerfully, and unapologetically.”

To find out more about Cambridge University Witch Society, check out their Instagram here and their Facebook here.

Feature image credit: Georgie Windsor

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