Witch

Various definitions of the word ‘witchcraft’ start from the same idea and reach different conclusions. Witchcraft is commonly defined as the practice of magic and it consists mainly in the use of supernatural forces. The problem is what kind or forces – good or evil? This fundamental opposition – good versus evil, yin and yang, alpha and omega – can be found in many cultures and civilizations.

In the Middle Ages people, mostly illiterate and ignorant, accepted the doctrine according to which all witchcraft or supposed witchcraft practices were inspired exclusively by the devil. And thus under the influence of the religious leaders thousands of people got killed for the “guilt” of practicing magic for evil purposes.

There are some features that can be found in all cultures, European and Asian, when it comes to the use of sorcery. A wizard or a witch can influence another person’s body and private property, he or she casts magic spells or conjures the dead and the devil. The powers commonly attributed to those believed to use magic originated in the pre-Christian beliefs of the peoples around the world. There was a time when the pagans in Europe strongly believed in gods, spirits and demons which could be called for help by the white witches and wizards or on the contrary to harm by the black witches. The Church placed a Christian methodology involving saints and divine relics which when venerated or mentioned in special ceremonies, such as the liturgy, would bring luck, health and peace. The fundamental difference between the pagan beliefs and the Christian doctrine consists in this clear statement: God is the only one who can be called for help and He does only good things. Satan is not worth paying attention to because he is an evil-doer.penta.gif

As I said, in the Middle Ages people were particularly interested in witchcraft. Anybody knows about the witch hunts. A witch-hunt is a search for the so called witches and wizards or evidence of sorcery, often involving moral panic, mass hysteria and mob lynching, but in many historical situations also legally sanctioned and involving official witchcraft trials. From this point of view the “classical age” of witch-hunts in Europe was between 1450 - 1700 which resulted in tens of thousands of public executions and torture. A very efficient “public service” specially founded for this purpose was the Inquisition. The Catholic Church fought by all means against heresy and the hostility to the ecclesiastical hierarchy. In England the episode of the “Witched of Pendale” in Lancashire represented a turning point for the evolution of the witchcraft phenomena.

In Eastern Europe, where most people are Orthodox, the “war” against the use of magic was not a priority. Pagan beliefs and customs were accepted by the Church as long as they did not interfere with or alter the religious doctrine. Spells and incantations were mainly used for domestic purposes such as protection of the family, of the cattle and very rarely to harm some neighbours.

Today, after of period when witchcraft has been neglected, it comes back but this time only as a source of inspiration for the showbiz. Especially in books and films aimed at the youth, witches are often depicted as wicked old women with wrinkled skin and pointy hats, clothed in black, with warts on their noses and sometimes long claw-like fingernails. They are usually portrayed as concocting magic potions in large cauldrons. Witches typically ride through the air on a broomstick as in Harry Potter’s universe. The modern folklore is represented mainly by successful literary works and movies such as the classical The Wizard of Oz, released in 1939, one of the greatest film ever.

While in Europe the word “witchcraft” stands for an obsolete concept in Africa it is still very popular. Voodoo or vodou represents a series of beliefs and ritual practices that connect the people with the forces of the Universe. The public in Europe and in America associates voodoo with satanic practices and yet even if there is evidence of zombie creation, it is a minor phenomenon within rural Haitian culture and not a part of this religion as such. Another prejudice against this western African faith is the practice of sticking pins, but its exact origins are unclear and seems it originated somewhere in the south of the USA.

Real or not witchcraft and all the myths related to it represents an important part of the cultural heritage of the world. In my opinion this concept is actually trying to explain the inexplicable. Originated in the ancient times the whole collection of practices and legends are just an attempt to make the world accessible to as many people as possible.

Good Resources: Underground Witchcraft Secrets, Witchcraft Exposed, Journey To Trad Witchcraft, Magic tricks, Floating Magic Card Trick, Love Spells, Huge Collection of Spells, Rituals and Magick