I will be discussing some of the definitions or stereotypes attached to Witchcraft. I will also discuss the history of the craft and what effect certain organized groups had on it, specifically the influences of the Church.

What is Witchcraft?

Witchcraft as sorcery has been around since humans first banned together into groups, but what is witchcraft? The answer to that question really depends on who you are asking. Anthropologists refer to witchcraft as the use of malevolent powers by psychic means without the use of rituals or charms. This statement may have been true in the days of the inquisitions but not for contemporary witches. Witches of today do indeed work there magick through the use of spells, rituals and charms.

Webster’s online dictionary defined Witchcraft as:

1. The use of sorcery or magic
2. Communication with the Devil or a familiar
3. An irresistible influence or fascination.

One source said “Witchcraft also known as black magic, is the evil evil of supernatural powers. Witchcraft calls upon the Devil like a believer prays to God.” Unsatisfied with these negative descriptions I searched on and found a source which said that Witchcraft allowed to much freedom to truly be defined, but put into it’s most simple terms Witchcraft is the worship of Mother Earth, awareness of the cycles of the universe and becoming in tune with the nature around them. This definition is the one I liked best I feel it is accurate and to the point.

However I did find many other opinions some said that Witchcraft was a religion influenced by pre-Christian beliefs and practices of western Europe, which affirms the existence of supernatural power (as magic) and of both male and female deities who inhere in nature, and that emphasizes ritual observance and life cycles. In general Witchcraft is known as sorcery. The magickal manipulation of supernatural forces, using spells,charms and by conjuring and invoking the spirits. The Craft is a very free religion allowing people to make their own choices in what they want to believe and practice. Therefore depending on what path you choose to take, will also affect the definition you choose that will best suit you.

Witchcraft has a very long history and is often referred to as the oldest religion in the west. A religion which dates pre-Christian, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, as well as Hinduism. Witchcraft of the Old Religion took teachings from nature, the Sun, Moon and Stars were all looked upon for their insight and information. The people of these days also looked to the trees, birds, animals, seasonal cycles and other vibrational realities for the answers they seeked. Early men and women practiced what we now call “sympathetic magick”. This magick is the art of showing a deity what a person needs or wants. This is done by acting out the symbolism necessary to bring an understanding of the particular need or desire. An example would be the gathering of the tribe to show the deity food was needed through successful hunts, or that fertility was needed in the tribe or animal population. By using symbols and actions, the art of ritual was born and became part of the Old Religion forever, even to this day most traditions use some form of ritual.

What is the Churches View on Witchcraft?

Before the arrival of Christianity distinctions had been made between what was good magic and what was bad. This was especially so within the Romans and the Greeks. In fact up until then only magic proven to be harmful was punishable by law. When the Christian religion first came about, there were no visible changes and all seemed well. People of the Old Religion viewed the Mother/Child?sacrificial King of the Christ mythos as simply another version of their own earlier tales. The mythology of the Goddess cycle with Consort/Mother?Child was often adjusted by conquering Patriarchies. It was actually quite common in those times for Priests of the new Christian religion to work together with the Old Religion most often during seasonal rites as the two religions shared many similar holidays.

Early groups or covens of the Old Religion became known as the “benders and shapers” of the subtle forces to which they held the knowledge of. The members of these covens came to have several different names, these included “Wit, Witta, Wicca, Wice, and Vitki” these had been derived from Irish, Anglo Saxon and Germanic words, all respectively meaning to “bend or shape”. Once the religion of Christianity began to spread, life for the people of Pagan religions began to change in dramatic ways. Many of the alliances as well as distinctions began to fade away, the people of the church suddenly became concerned that Witchcraft was a direct link to their greatest nemesis Satan. Fear, hatred and a lot of incorrect information, was spreading all across Europe.

How did the Church Effect Witchcraft?

In Europe around 100AD Witchcraft was associated with heresy (rejection of the churches teachings), the Christian church began it’s very long campaign to abolish all heresy. Beginning sometime in the 1000’sAD the churches religious leaders decided the punishment for a heretic would be death, by either burning or hanging.

During the 12th and 13th centuries many more changes were being made. Pope Gregory the Great was in charge of the church. He attempted a mass conversion to the newer Christian religion. First he had churches built, over what was the ancient worshipping sites of the Pagans. Even worse was Pope Gregory forced the people of the Old Religion to build them for him, covering their own sacred grounds. In an attempt to keep their religion alive the Pagan people placed various symbols hidden throughout the churches walls, such symbols include; Green Men, quarter guardians and pentacles. By this time the church was realizing that the Horned God and Goddess may be a more difficult rival (in their own created battle) then they had first anticipated.

As an effort by the church to seek out and punish those considered to be a heretic, in the year 1230 what was known as the Inquisitions began. This was done so the people of the church could force those who had different beliefs, into either changing them to match those of the newer Christian religion or be punished. In the year 1233 Pope Gregory instituted the first Papal Bull, a way for him to communicate his thoughts and feelings on Witchcraft and the issue of heretics. Eventually all Christian churches and secular (non-religious) courts were involved in the persecution of witches. Although the people of the Old Religion may have been forced to act like their opinions and beliefs had changed out of fear, for most part those beliefs hadn’t changed a bit. Poetry and music of the goddess was still wide spread, this helped to compensate the Pagan peoples need for her. In 1324 an Irish coven was discovered, led by a woman named Dame Alice Kytler the group was tried by the Bishop Ossuary for worshipping a non-Christian God. Kytler was the only one in her group spared from punishment, done so only because of the title she held. The rest of her coven were burnt for the crime of heresy.

By the time of the 1400’s Witchcraft was being defined by the church as any person, usually female whom by their own free will rejects God and instead makes a pact with the “Devil” himself. Any person found practicing the Craft was seen as an agent for Satan, on a mission to destroy the church and to work evil on the followers of God. Despite the numerous attempts to wipe out the Craft, the numbers continued to grow. So did the stories being told about witches, most were greatly exaggerated saying such things as; people flying on broomsticks. It was a very dark time, wars, plagues and crusades advanced across Europe. A woman named Joan of Arc led her armies of France to victory, however once it was found out she was indeed a woman and no man like they had thought, she suddenly became bruited as a sorceress, after all what woman could do such things. Originally an alleged Witch, but officially Joan was condemned as a heretic and burned at the stake for her crime May 30, 1431. this example indicates the embryonic stages of the Witchcraft accusations. For at this point in time it was easier to convict someone a heretic than of Witchcraft. Unfortunately for those who practiced the craft, over the course of the next century this fact would be reversed.

In 1486 the Malleus Malleficarnum, translation “the Witches Hammer” was released. Produced by two Inquisitors who worked for Pope the Innocent. These Dominicans Kramer and Spranger brought forth what is often referred to as the first Witch Hunter’s Handbook. The Malleus stated that “All Witchcraft” stemmed from lust, which in most woman (according to the them) was insatiable. This definition of Witchcraft made it so anyone could be accused including children. Unlike our laws of today, in those days you were guilty until proven innocent. Many terrible and torturous things were done to those held prisoner for their so called Witchcraft. Placed based on a definition of a word, not to mention a definition that was made up solely by those of the church. Simply a theory invented by people, but in the minds of most of the churches followers it was reality.

How Did The Inquisitions Effect Witchcraft?

In 1494, ” the Papal Bull” of the innocent the VIII unleashed an inquisition against the Old Religion. Issued Dec. 5, 1494, it’s purpose was to serve justification for pitiless persecutions. The Papal Bull instituted the combating of the Devil and saving man kind from the clutches of evil. This set forth a reign of terror which gripped Europe well into the 18th century, a time when rumours, lies and a very incorrect meaning of the word “Witch” was being spread. The years moved on, but the people of the church had not. The conditions for those who practiced the craft had not become any better. By the 1500’s people accused of Witchcraft were being brought to secular courts for trial. Charged with awful crimes such as; human sacrificing and worshiping the Devil through horrible rites. Although many historians today doubt there was any actual worship of the Devil, but if there was it was not very widespread. It didn’t matter either way the stories alone were enough to cause fear and panic to those belonging to the church.

Witch hunts in Europe reached a peak in the late fifteen to early sixteen hundreds, because of this an Inquisitors job became quite profitable, since they were paid for each conviction. Many people (mostly woman) were being falsely accused of Witchcraft. Any person the church felt threatened by was a possible target. This included out spoken women, the elderly and midwives, who were considered threatening the patriarchal medical society. The accused were often tortured into confession, forcing them to reveal the names of the others in their coven whether they belonged to one or not. They were then either imprisoned, banished or executed.

The hunting of witches was happening across Europe. In the early sixteen hundreds even Germany hopped on board. Under the guidance of Bishop Johann Gottfried von Aschhausen, more than three hundred witches faced death between the years 1609 and 1622. The Bishop earned himself the nick name “The Witch Bishop” because of his nature and beliefs. After his rule Bishop Johann George II took over. He too encouraged Witch Hunts, he even built prisons to keep them in. These type of trials continued in Germany for many years until the Swedish Army Invasion, it was at that time those kind of trials were terminated.

After all the suffering they had endured by the late seventeenth century most of the surviving members of the craft had gone deep underground. This gave the perfect opportunity for the Christian religion to take the upper hand. With the people of the Old Religion in hiding, they were unable to defend themselves from any slander. So the church took this time to publish a lot of incorrect information, on it’s own jaded version of Witchcraft.

In 1603 James the sixth of Scotland became James the first of Scotland and England. When James went to England he brought with him his own views on “Demonology”. In 1604 James the First convinced parliament to pass a new act changing the emphasis from “Malleficarnum” as it had been for sometime, to “a pact with the Devil” he did this to heighten the acts against witches. Even though by the end of his reign, his personal views and attitudes had changed, the act he had passed remained until the year 1736. This act was then replaced by one passed by George the second which stated, “there is no such thing as Witchcraft and for a person to pretend they have occult powers, was to commit fraud”.

The Witchcraft craze was starting to subside across Europe. The last execution was in 1685. However what happened in Europe made it’s way overseas to New England and the people of the craft were once again put to the test. In fact most of the witches involved in the Salem Witch Trials were tried under the King James the First Statue.

Witch Hunts in New England

The hysteria that plagued Europe was now doing it’s damage in New England. December 14, 1692 the Massachusetts General Council enacted the 1604 bill, to give more particular direction in the execution of the laws of Witchcraft and remained Massachusetts law until 1695. This strict religious society, along with the strict upbringing of their children, and their adherence to the bible created a very strong belief in the Devil and the churches definition of Witchcraft made for an easy scape goat.

One of the most famous American Witch trials, was one that occurred in Salem, Massachusetts 1692. A small group of girls, one of which was the daughter of Rev. Samuel Parris. They became fascinated with the occult. The girls were said to be having meetings with a West Indian slave name Tituba. During their visits with Tituba the girls received divinations such as, who their future husbands would be. Due to the strict religious upbringings they had, it wasn’t long before guilt and anxiety set in. Some of the girls involved began “taking fits” as they called them. Acting strangely, lashing out and speaking words that made no sense. There was no medical evidence to explain what may have been causing the girls episodes. During this time in history, if something could not be explained or understood, then suddenly the answer became quite simple it must be Witchcraft.

There are several theories on what actually happened to those girls. Some people say they made it up to avoid punishment, others believe the girls ingested a mold known as ergot, which is said to produce fits and other symptoms similar to the girls. Unfortunately it is all just speculation and what did happen we will never know, but regardless of the cause after this incident intense questioning and accusations began to spread. First with the more vulnerable members of society such as; the poor. Eventually it started to spread to the more prosperous members as well and then no one was safe from being accused.

The most significant difference between England and New England during their witch hunts and trials was their ways of punishing. In New England those who confessed to their supposed crimes were not put to death like in England just imprisonment. Only those who denied the accusations were executed. It is said that one hundred and fifty people were accused of witchcraft and of those fifty-five were found guilty and convicted. After time these prisoners were set free and in the 1711, the General Court declared the use of spectral evidence unlawful and they reversed twenty-two of the guilty convictions. Finally in 1957 the Common Wealth of Massachusetts reversed the remaining convictions. At this time they also acknowledged the errors that has been made so long ago, and that because of those mistakes a lot of incorrect information and made it’s way to the forefront.

How Was Witchcraft Reinvented?

The religion of Witchcraft seemed to have vanished, but it only appeared that way due to the large number of witches who had gone into hiding. Even though underground they continued to practice their ways, passing their traditions on to family members and sometimes a select few that were allowed initiation into a coven. The religion of Witchcraft was still very much alive. Unfortunately most who practiced were too afraid to come forward and combat the vicious rumours being spread about their religious beliefs.

In 1921 a woman named Dr .Margaret Murray published a book entitled “Witch Cult in Western Europe”. In her book she discussed a pre-Christian religion called Witchcraft. Although there were many people who disputed her opinions, the book itself held important information and brought the religion of Witchcraft out from the shadows and once again into the publics eye. Dr. Murray’s second book “God of the Witches” came out in 1931, it’s purpose was simply to elaborate on her previous opinions and comments. Trying to once again open the closed doors of communication.

England repealed the last Witchcraft law in 1951, replacing it with a new law the Fraudulent Mediums Act. This opened the door for many authors, allowing them to no longer be afraid of publishing a non-fiction book based on Witchcraft, and other Pagan religions. Some of the first to take this step was the late Gerald Gardner who formed the religion of Wicca. Another was Raymond Buckland who was initiated in Perth, Scotland, and was considered responsible for bringing Gardnerian Wicca to the United States. Also Sybil Leek and Laurie Cabot, they to came to America bringing with them and writing about their own family and European traditions, many others followed in their footsteps.

Now a days the definition of Witchcraft differs depending on who you ask, ranging in a variety of aspects and factors such as; magic, religion, spirits as well as ritual. Throughout history there have been many well known witches both real and fictional. A few of these include, the North Berwick Witches of Scotland sixteenth century. A group of witches put to death, when they were accused of causing a storm, with the intention of killing King James the first. Dr .Margaret Jones was the first witch to be executed throughout the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the sixteen hundreds. She was accused when her patients became sickened, when in reality her patients her became sick when they did not take their prescribed medicine. Some of the more famous fictional witches include Samantha from the much loved television show “Bewitched”, another example is the famous movie character Harry Potter, from series of movies directed towards a younger audience. The last example is the delightful Sabrina from Sabrina the Teenage Witch. A show for younger audiences, where the world of magic is dealt with in a fun, and positive way.

The views on Witchcraft has changed in the minds of many a lot since the days of persecution. Many now promote Witchcraft as a Pagan religion, which is not associated with Christianity or the Devil. Stating most witches actions foster only the best of intentions. People today are becoming more and more drawn to reconnecting with the old ways. Witchcraft as a Religion just keeps growing in both it’s beliefs and practices as well as it’s numbers.