Many women today carry an invisible weight—an ancestral and soul-level fear of being seen, using their voice, or stepping into their power. Over the past year, I’ve witnessed this “witch wound” surface in my transformational coaching practice in ways I never expected. Visions of past-life persecution, fear of judgment, and deep-seated resistance to owning one’s gifts have come through in my clients’ sessions. These memories aren’t just stories; they live in the body, influencing confidence, self-expression, and even physical health. And yet, when healed, they unlock an entirely new level of personal and professional expansion.
What Is the Witch Wound?
The witch wound is the subconscious imprint left by centuries of oppression, persecution, and violence against those—especially women—who embodied intuitive gifts, wisdom, and healing abilities. Whether one believes in past lives or not, this wound is deeply embedded in the collective psyche. It manifests as fear of being too much, fear of being seen, fear of using one's voice, or an internalized belief that standing in one's power will result in rejection, harm, or even death.
This wound stems from historical realities—witch trials, inquisitions, and societal structures that punished those who deviated from the norm. Women who healed with herbs, understood energy, or simply spoke out of turn were labeled dangerous. Over time, this fear became a generational inheritance, passed down through the subconscious, shaping the way many women navigate the world today.
How the Witch Wound Shows Up Today
The witch wound is not just a distant historical concept—it is alive and active in modern life. It surfaces in ways that may not seem obvious at first, but when examined closely, they reveal a deep-rooted fear of fully stepping into one’s power.
Fear of Visibility – The hesitancy to share one’s truth, post online, speak on a stage, or even advocate for oneself in personal relationships.
Self-Sabotage – Holding back from opportunities, procrastinating, or playing small in fear of judgment.
Perfectionism & Over-Explaining – The deep-seated need to justify oneself, prove worthiness, or ensure that every action is “acceptable.”
Throat Chakra Blockages – Physical manifestations like tightness in the throat, chronic sore throats, or difficulty expressing oneself.
People-Pleasing & Fear of Rejection – The inability to set boundaries, say no, or stand firm in one’s truth without guilt.
For many, these fears feel irrational—they know logically that they are safe, that speaking their truth won’t lead to literal persecution. And yet, their nervous system tells a different story.
Witnessing the Witch Wound in Coaching Sessions
I’ve seen it unfold time and time again. We begin a session by dropping in—connecting to breath, grounding into the body, opening the space for whatever wants to emerge. And then something shifts. A particular block surfaces, often tied to speaking up, leading, or stepping fully into purpose. And in that moment, a client will suddenly remember.
A woman will see herself bound at the chest, flames rising around her. Another will feel the cold rush of water as she is submerged, unable to breathe. Another will recall standing at the edge of a cliff, the moment before being pushed. The details change, but the theme is the same: a past-life memory of persecution, an old knowing that being powerful, being seen, being different—was once fatal.
We sit with it. We presence the moment, the fear, the pain. And then, we move beyond it. Witnessing the journey, the death, the reincarnation into this life shifts everything. The fear dissolves. The contract that kept them small, silent, or hidden releases. What follows is a profound reclamation—a new sense of purpose, fearlessness, and bravery.
Healing the Witch Wound
Healing the witch wound requires deep inner work, but the results are life-changing. Here are a few practices that can support the process:
1. Reclaiming the Narrative
One of the most powerful steps in healing is recognizing that this fear is an echo of the past, not the present. The world is not the same. While judgment still exists, the risk is no longer life-threatening. By acknowledging this, the nervous system can begin to recalibrate, understanding that it is safe to be seen, heard, and powerful.
2. Past-Life Regression & Shadow Work
For those who resonate with the concept of past lives, regression work can be transformative. Revisiting and witnessing these memories—not to relive the trauma but to bring awareness and closure—can dissolve subconscious fears. Shadow work, where one explores the parts of themselves that have been repressed due to fear or conditioning, also plays a vital role.
3. Throat Chakra Healing
Because the witch wound is so often connected to expression, working with the throat chakra can be profound. Practices like chanting, singing, breathwork, and speaking affirmations help release energetic blockages. Journaling, especially on topics of self-expression and personal truth, can also create breakthroughs.
4. Community & Sisterhood Support
Many who experience the witch wound have a fear of other women—competition, betrayal, judgment. Healing this wound often involves finding a safe, supportive community where authenticity is celebrated. Being witnessed and held in one’s power by others is incredibly healing.
5. Somatic Healing & Nervous System Regulation
Because the witch wound is stored in the body, somatic work is essential. Breathwork, movement, energy healing, and practices like TRE (tension & trauma release exercises) help the body process and release stored fear.
The Power of Reclamation
Healing the witch wound is not just about past lives; it’s about this one. It’s about rewriting the subconscious patterns that have kept women from fully stepping into their power for generations. It’s about remembering that their voice, their magic, their presence is needed now more than ever. And when that realization lands? Everything changes.
I have seen women emerge from this work completely transformed—more confident, more powerful, more unapologetically themselves. They launch businesses, write books, take center stage, and create lives that would have once felt impossible. The fear that once held them back dissolves, and in its place stands a woman who knows she is sovereign, safe, and ready to lead.
The witch wound was never about weakness. It was always about power. And now, it’s time to reclaim it.
