Black witch

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For the moth black witch moth, see ascalapha odorata.

The term black witch is a relatively modern creation generally used to distinguish between "good" and "bad" witches. The phrase appeared in common usage as an antonym to "white witch"; since the word "witch" itself has long had connotations of evil-doing and connections to Satanism, the phrase would until recently have been considered redundant.

These terms are used subjectively, but in general, good or "white" witches use magic in a helpful, constructive manner (see also: Wiccan Rede), black witches use it in a harmful and/or destructive manner. Many modern Neopagans consider magic itself to be neither good nor evil, and thus this distinction describes the way in which a given witch uses magic, rather than the kind of magic used.