Exploring History of Witchcraft

Traditional witchcraft is a system of religious beliefs that has come to present times through conventions and traditions.  The art of witchcraft pre...


Traditional witchcraft is a system of religious beliefs that has come to present times through conventions and traditions.  The art of witchcraft predates most of the religions of the world, and many historians believe that its origination dates back to Paleolithic period.  Witchcraft is an earth based religion and has been practiced for many centuries in the cultures and societies all over the world as per local traditions and beliefs.  Belief in spells, magic and witchcraft is found in many different cultures worldwide.

In early Modern Europe, the witchcraft came to be seen as the great diabolical conspiracy against Christianity.  In Germanic Europe, the serious accusations against the religion led to massive witch-hunts and killings.  Historians see the witchcraft as ideology to explain misfortune, but this ideology manifested itself in different ways.  In England, the word witch was not only used to describe the wicked magician, but also indicated the cunning person.

These wise people had the knowledge of medicines and herbs, could counsel people and were considered Shamanic healers and leaders in the community.  Druids were the priests of Celtic religion, and they were in power though out the fourth century AD.  Celts were highly spiritual people, worshipped god and goddess, and also believed in reincarnation.  The religious practices and beliefs of Celts were later termed as Paganism, which included the practices such as concocting ointments and potions, performing magic and casting spells.

Prior to fourteenth century, the term witchcraft meant the collection of practices and beliefs including healing through mixing ointments, spells, forecasting the future, dabbling in the supernatural and engaging in clairvoyance.  The term witch, which means to bend or to twist has been originated from the Anglo-Saxon word wicca, which means wise.  This practice was previously banned in colonies of North America, and was branded as demon-worship.  Prior to 14th century, the art of witchcraft was known as the collection of practices and beliefs including healing through concoctions or ointments, spells, forecasting or divining the future, dabbling in the supernatural and engaging in clairvoyance.

Depending on the intentions of the practitioner and type of magic used, the outcome can be good or evil.  Since the ancient times, the well-known types of magic are denoted by colors.  Unfortunately, in the recent years, the image of witch has been associated with heathenism, evil, and unrighteousness, but people need to understand that it is a true religion of Nature and God, and witches and witchcraft must be understood in its true perspective.  It has been believed that the rituals performed by early American witches protected their settlements from Native American’s attacks.

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