I recently wrote about reclaiming the identity of the witch and how it can represent those who have felt different, misunderstood, or marginalised. In this blog I would like to further explore the crossover between neurodivergence and witchy practices and explore why do so many neurodivergent (ND) people seem to find them natural, comforting, or quietly familiar.
This isn’t true for everyone, of course, but it’s something I hear often and something widely discussed in online communities. Many people describe a kind of recognition: “I don’t know why, but this just fits.” So what’s going on here?
Is it neurodivergence… or is it magic?
When you look more closely, many traits associated with neurodivergence map quite naturally onto practices often described as witchy, often in very practical ways.
For example:
Sensory sensitivity can mean being more aware of subtle shifts in environment, atmosphere, or energy.
(On the London Underground, not always ideal… but in other contexts, it can be incredibly attuned.)
Pattern recognition, something many autistic people describe, allows for noticing connections, cycles, and themes.
This aligns closely with systems like tarot, or observing patterns in nature or personal experience.
Hyperfocus can create a deep sense of immersion - something many rituals or reflective practices rely on.
That absorbed, present-moment state can feel very similar to what some might call a trance.
A need for structure or repetition can make rituals feel containing and supportive, something predictable in an unpredictable world.
Stimming, often misunderstood, can function as grounding and regulation - something many traditional practices are also designed to support, even if described differently.
Seen this way, these aren’t traits to hide or manage. They are ways of engaging with the world that can be meaningful, regulating, and at times deeply supportive. The witchy lens is actually very ND-affirming. As a ND-affirming therapist, I’m always interested in approaches that support different ways of thinking, feeling, and processing rather than trying to reshape them into something more “acceptable.”
Ancient Practices, Modern Language
What’s interesting is that while we might describe these practices as witchcraft or alternative approaches, many of the same elements exist within psychological work too. The language is different, but the underlying processes are often very similar: grounding, repetition, symbolic meaning, focused attention, reflection. You might already recognise some of these from therapy. Grounding, for example, might look like focusing on your breath or noticing your surroundings to help regulate. Symbolic work shows up when we use imagery or metaphor to explore thoughts and feelings rather than relying on logic alone.
People have been using ritual, symbolism, and connection to cycles for as long as we’ve been trying to make sense of ourselves and the world. In many ways, these practices have been softened or lost in a more secular, logic-driven culture. But they also seem to be finding their way back. More and more, people are looking for ways to connect with parts of themselves that aren’t just about thinking or reasoning, but about feeling, sensing, and experiencing.
A Different Way of Understanding Difference
At its core, this work is about reframing difference. Many ND people have been told, directly or indirectly, that the way they think or experience the world isn’t quite right. Witchcraft, tarot, and other alternative practices offer another view: that these ways of being can be strengths. They create space for curiosity instead of judgement, exploration instead of correction, and personal meaning instead of following external rules. What’s often labelled as “different” can start to feel useful, insightful, and even grounding - a doorway into understanding yourself on your own terms.
Why I Love Tarot as a Therapeutic Tool
Tarot is something I offer as a structured, reflective tool. The cards help to externalise thoughts and feelings, turning something abstract into something visible and tangible. Instead of everything staying in your head, it’s there in front of you, something we can look at together.
I offer therapeutic tarot sessions on their own, and I may occasionally bring cards, oracle decks, or other imagery into therapy with your consent, alongside other approaches such as visualisation, working with objects, or more sensory-based reflection. For many ND clients, this can feel particularly accessible. For autistic clients, tarot can mirror a natural strength in recognising patterns and systems, helping make recurring themes more visible. For ADHD clients, the cards can act as a focus point, something to anchor attention and create space to slow down.
The cards help open up exploration. They help us notice patterns, consider different perspectives, and make sense of things that might otherwise feel confusing or overwhelming. This doesn’t require any particular beliefs. It’s more about creating different ways to engage with thoughts and feelings, a way of thinking things through that can feel especially accessible if your mind already leans towards pattern, symbolism, or creative exploration.
Alongside this, I often incorporate ND-friendly approaches into therapy more broadly. This might include working with structure and repetition where helpful, using visual or tangible tools, building in grounding and sensory awareness, and allowing space for different communication styles. Therapy doesn’t have to look one particular way to be effective. For clients who have long felt out of step with the world, these approaches can offer a way back to themselves.
If any of this resonates, you’re very welcome to get in touch to explore how this might work for you.