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{{Otheruses|Witchcraft (disambiguation)}}
{{Expert-subject|Neopaganism}}
{{Mergefrom|Russian witchcraft|date=April 2007}}
'''Witchcraft''' (from Old English ''[[:wikt:wiccecræft|wiccecræft]]'' "sorcery, [[necromancy]]"), in various historical, anthropological, religious and mythological contexts, is the use of certain kinds of alleged [[supernatural]] or [[Magic (paranormal)|magical]] powers. A '''witch''' (from Old English masculine ''[[:wikt:wicca|wicca]]'', feminine ''[[:wikt:wicce|wicce]]'', see [[Witch (etymology)]]) is a practitioner of witchcraft. While [[Mythology|mythological]] witches are often supernatural creatures, historically many people have been accused of witchcraft, or have claimed to be witches. Witchcraft still exists in a number of belief systems, with many modern practitioners.
The term "witchcraft" can have positive or negative connotations depending on cultural context; for instance, in post-Christian European cultures it has historically been associated with [[evil]] and [[the Devil]], while most contemporary people who self-identify as witches see it as beneficent and morally positive.
The majority of people identified as practitioners of witchcraft in history were women. Likewise, in myth the stereotype is female. The term witch is typically feminine, masculine equivalents include [[Magician (fantasy)|wizard]], [[sorcerer]], [[warlock]]<ref>For a book-length treatment, see Lara Apps and Andrew Gow, ''Male Witches in Early Modern Europe'', Manchester University Press (2003), ISBN 0719057094. Conversely, for repeated use of the term "warlock" to refer to a male witch see Chambers, Robert, ''Domestic Annals of Scotland'', Edinburgh, 1861; and Sinclair, George, ''Satan's Invisible World Discovered'', Edinburgh, 1871.</ref> and [[Magician (fantasy)|magician]].
==Overview==
[[Image:Baldung Hexen 1508 kol.JPG|thumb|right|[[Hans Baldung Grien]]: Witches. Woodcut 1508]]
Practices and beliefs that have been termed "witchcraft" do not constitute a single identifiable [[religion]], since they are found in a wide variety of cultures, both present and historical; however these beliefs do generally involve religious elements dealing with [[spirits]] or [[deity|deities]], the [[afterlife]], [[magic (paranormal)|magic]] and [[ritual]]. Witchcraft is generally characterised by its use of magic.
Sometimes witchcraft is used to refer, broadly, to the practice of indigenous magic, and has a connotation similar to [[shamanism]]. Depending on the values of the community, witchcraft in this sense may be regarded with varying degrees of respect or suspicion, or with ambivalence, being neither intrinsically good nor evil. Members of some religions have applied the term witchcraft in a pejorative sense to refer to all magical or ritual practices other than those sanctioned by their own doctrines - although this has become less common, at least in the [[Western world]]. According to some religious [[doctrine]]s, all forms of magic are labelled witchcraft, and are either proscribed or treated as [[superstition|superstitious]]. Such religions consider their own ritual practices to be not at all magical, but rather simply variations of [[prayer]].
"Witchcraft" is also used to refer, narrowly, to the practice of magic in an exclusively ''inimical'' sense. If the community accepts magical practice in general, then there is typically a clear separation between witches (in this sense) and the terms used to describe legitimate practitioners. This use of the term is most often found in accusations against individuals who are suspected of causing harm in the community by way of supernatural means. Belief in witches of this sort has been common among most of the indigenous populations of the world, including [[Europe]], [[Africa]], [[Asia]] and the [[Americas]]. On occasion such accusations have led to [[witch hunt]]s.
Under the [[monotheism|monotheistic]] religions of the [[Levant]] (primarily [[Christianity]], and [[Islam]]), witchcraft came to be associated with [[heresy]], rising to a fever pitch among the [[Catholics]], [[Protestants]], and [[secular]] leadership of the [[European]] Late [[Medieval]]/[[Early Modern]] period. Throughout this time, the concept of witchcraft came increasingly to be interpreted as a form of [[Devil worship]]. Accusations of witchcraft were frequently combined with other charges of heresy against such groups as the [[Cathars]] and [[Waldensians]].
In the modern Western world, witchcraft accusations have often accompanied the [[Satanic Ritual Abuse]] [[hysteria]]. Such accusations are a counterpart to [[blood libel]] of various kinds, which may be found throughout history across the globe.
==Practices considered to be witchcraft==
Practices to which the witchcraft label have historically been applied are those which influence another person's body or property against his or her will, or which are believed, by the person doing the labelling, to undermine the social or religious order. Some modern commentators, especially neopagan ones, consider the malefic nature of witchcraft to be a Christian projection. Witchcraft can also be a magical art alone, not necessarily part of a religion.
===Influencing another person's body or property===
The concept of a magic-worker influencing another person's body or property against his or her will was clearly present in many cultures, as there are traditions in both folk magic and religious magic that have the purpose of countering malicious magic or identifying malicious magic users.<sup>[http://freelovespells.ca/historyofwitchcraft.html]</sup> Many examples can be found in ancient texts, such as those from [[Egypt]] and [[Babylonia]]. Where malicious magic is believed to have the power to influence the body or possessions, malicious magic users can become a credible cause for disease, sickness in animals, [[Luck|bad luck]], sudden death, impotence and other such misfortunes. Witchcraft of a more benign and socially acceptable sort may then be employed to turn the malevolence aside, or identify the supposed evil-doer so that punishment may be carried out. The folk magic used to identify or protect against malicious magic users is often indistinguishable from that used by the witches themselves.
There has also existed in popular belief the concept of [[white witch]]es and white witchcraft, which is strictly benevolent. Some neopagan witches identify with this concept, and profess strong [[ethical code]]s that prevent them from attempting magic on someone without that person having requested it or at least given permission.
Where belief in malicious magic practices exists they are typically forbidden by law as well as hated and feared by the general populace, while beneficial witchcraft is tolerated or even accepted wholesale by the people - even if the orthodox establishment objects to it.
==
{{main|Magic (paranormal)}}
Probably the most obvious characteristic of a witch is the ability to cast magic [[spells]]. Spells can be cast by many methods, including [[meditation]], burning of [[candles]], the use of images (poppets), [[chanting]] or reciting [[incantations]], performing physical [[rituals]] and making [[herbal]], oil or incense preparations. Spells can also be attached to physical objects. Sometimes quite simple and mundane actions can constitute the physical casting of a spell, and it is a common belief amongst modern witches that the intention behind the actions is at least as important as the actions themselves. Methods are many and differ from witch to witch.
Spell Casting that involves the ability to cast magic [[spells]] onto a person, involves the spell casting of the spell directly into the energy link of this person.<sup>[http://mywitchcraftspells.com/2.html]</sup> It is said that the energy link is the key component that identifies one person over another during conjure. The influence of the spell resides in the energy link and influences outward. This method of spell casting influence is strongly linked with [[chanting]], [[candles]], and [[rituals]].
===Conjuring the dead===
Strictly speaking, "[[Necromancy]]" is the practice of conjuring the spirits of the dead for [[divination]] or [[prophecy]] - although the term has also been applied to raising the dead for other purposes. The Biblical 'Witch' of [[Endor]] is supposed to have performed it (1 Sam. 28), and it is among the witchcraft practices condemned by [[Ælfric of Eynsham]]:
"Yet fares witches to where roads meet, and to heathen burials with their phantom craft and call to them the devil, and he comes to them in the dead man's likeness, as if he from death arises, but she cannot cause that to happen, the dead to arise through her wizardry."[1]
===Other practices===
*[[Meditation]]
*The manipulation of energy
*Seeing [[aura (paranormal)|auras]]
*Conducting [[séance]]s; using [[ouija boards]]
*Chanting [[mantras]]
*[[Healing]]
*[[Divination]] - by [[tarot]], [[runes]], etc.
*[[Astrology]], reading of [[horoscopes]]
*Use of [[poppet]]s
*Invoking Spirits
*[[Scrying]]
==By ___location==
===Europe===
{{main|European witchcraft}}
[[Image:Sejdmen.jpg|right|250px|thumb|During the Christianisation of Norway, King [[Olaf Trygvasson]] had male [[völva]]s (shamans) tied up and left on a [[skerry]] at [[tide|ebb]].]]
[[Image:Persecution of witches.jpg|thumb|250px|Persecution of witches.]]
The characterisation of the witch in [[Europe]] is not derived from a single source. Popular neopagan beliefs suggest that witches were female or male [[shaman]]s who were made into malicious figures by [[Christian]] propaganda. But the familiar witch of [[folklore]] and popular [[superstition]] is a combination of numerous influences.
The characterisation of the witch, as an evil magic user, developed over time. <sup>[http://www.geocities.com/eildontree/reading/christianwitch.html]</sup> The advent of Christianity suggests that potential Christians, comfortable with the use of magic as part of their daily lives, expected Christian clergy to work magic more effectively than the old Pagan way. While Christianity competed with Pagan religion, this concern was paramount, only lessening in importance once Christianity was the dominant religion in most of Europe. In place of the old Pagan magic methodology, the Church placed a Christian methodology involving saints and divine relics — a short step from the old Pagan techniques of numerous [[deity|deities]], [[amulet]]s and [[talisman]]s.
The Protestant Christian explanation for witchcraft, such as those typified in the confessions of the [[Pendle Witches]], commonly involve a [[diabolical pact]] or at least an appeal to the intervention of the spirits of evil [http://www.pendlewitches.co.uk/].
The witches or wizards addicted to such practices were alleged to reject [[Jesus]] and the [[sacrament]]s, observe "[[Sabbath (witchcraft)|the witches' sabbath]]" (performing infernal rites which often parodied the [[Mass]] or other sacraments of the Church), pay Divine honour to [[Satan|the Prince of Darkness]], and, in return, receive from him [[preternatural]] powers. Witches were most often characterized as women. Witches disrupted the societal institutions, and more specifically, marriage. It was believed that a witch often joined a pact with the devil to gain powers to deal with infertility, immense fear for her children's well-being, or revenge against a lover.
The Church and European society was not always obsessed with hunting witches and blaming them for bad occurrences. [[Saint Boniface]] declared in the [[8th century]] that belief in the existence of witches was un-Christian. The emperor [[Charlemagne]] decreed that the burning of supposed witches was a pagan custom that would be punished by the [[Capital punishment|death penalty]]. In 820 the Bishop of [[Lyon]] and others repudiated the belief that witches could make bad weather, fly in the night, and change their shape. This denial was accepted into [[Canon law]] until it was reversed in later centuries as the [[witch-hunt]] gained force. Other rulers such as [[Coloman of Hungary|King Coloman of Hungary]] declared that witch-hunts should cease because witches do not exist.
The Church did not invent the idea of witchcraft as a potentially harmful force whose practitioners should be put to death. This idea is commonplace in pre-Christian religions and is a logical consequence of belief in magic. According to the scholar Max Dashu, the concept of medieval witchcraft contained many of its elements even before the emergence of Christianity. These can be found in [[Bacchanalia]]s, especially in the time when they were led by priestess [[Paculla Annia]] ([[188]]-[[186]]). However, previous to this time, not all witches were assumed to be harmful practicers of the craft. The [[Malleus Maleficarum]] defined a witch as evil and typically female. This document outlined how to identify a witch, what made a woman more likely to be a witch, how to put a witch to trial (involving extensive torture and confession) and how to punish a witch.
In [[England]], the provision of this curative magic was the job of a [[witch doctor]], also known as a [[cunning folk|cunning man]], [[white witch]], or [[wiseman]]. The term "witch doctor" was in use in [[England]] before it came to be associated with Africa. [[Toad doctors]] were also credited with the ability to undo evil witchcraft. (Other folk magicians had their own purviews. [[Girdle-measurers]] specialised in diagnosing ailments caused by fairies, while magical cures for more mundane ailments, such as burns or toothache, could be had from [[charmer]]s.)
:"In the north of England, the superstition lingers to an almost inconceivable extent. Lancashire abounds with witch-doctors, a set of quacks, who pretend to cure diseases inflicted by the devil... The witch-doctor alluded to is better known by the name of the cunning man, and has a large practice in the counties of Lincoln and Nottingham."
::<sup>Source: [[Charles Mackay]], [[Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds]]</sup>
[[Image:Goya - Caprichos (68).jpg|thumb|250px|[[Francisco Goya]]'s ''[[Los Caprichos]]'': ''¡Linda maestra!'' ("The Spoils: Beautiful Teacher!") - witches heading to a Sabbath]]
Such "cunning-folk" did not refer to themselves as witches and objected to the accusation that they were such. Records from the [[Middle Ages]], however, make it appear that it was, quite often, not entirely clear to the populace whether a given practitioner of magic was a witch or one of the cunning-folk. In addition, it appears that much of the populace was willing to approach either of these groups for healing magic and divination. When a person was known to be a witch, the populace would still seek to employ their healing skills; however, as was not the case with cunning-folk, members of the general population would also hire witches to curse their enemies. The important distinction is that there are records of the populace reporting alleged witches to the authorities as such, whereas cunning-folk were not so incriminated; they were more commonly prosecuted for accusing the innocent or defrauding people of money.
The long-term result of this amalgamation of distinct types of magic-worker into one is the considerable present-day confusion as to what witches actually did, whether they harmed or healed, what role (if any) they had in the community, whether they can be identified with the "witches" of other cultures and even whether they existed as anything other than a projection. Present-day beliefs about the witches of history attribute to them elements of the folklore witch, the [[charmer]], the cunning man or wise woman, the diviner and the [[Astrology|astrologer]].
Powers typically attributed to European witches include turning food poisonous or inedible, flying on broomsticks or pitchforks, casting spells, cursing people, making livestock ill and crops fail, and creating fear and local chaos.
See also:
* ''[[Malleus Maleficarum]]''
* [[Witch-hunt]]
* [[Flying ointment]]
* [[Sorginak]] (Basque witches)
===Asia===
====Ancient times====
The belief in witchcraft and its practice seem to have been widespread in the past. Both in ancient [[Egypt]] and in [[Babylonia]] it played a conspicuous part, as existing records plainly show. It will be sufficient to quote a short section from the [[Code of Hammurabi]] (about 2000 B.C.). It is there prescribed,
:''If a man has put a spell upon another man and it is not justified, he upon whom the spell is laid shall go to the holy river; into the holy river shall he plunge. If the holy river overcome him and he is drowned, the man who put the spell upon him shall take possession of his house. If the holy river declares him innocent and he remains unharmed the man who laid the spell shall be put to death. He that plunged into the river shall take possession of the house of him who laid the spell upon him.''<ref>''International Standard Bible Encyclopedia'' [http://www.bible-history.com/isbe/W/WITCH%3B+WITCHCRAFT/ article on Witchcraft], last accessed [[31 March]] [[2006]]. There is some discrepancy between translations; compare with that given in the ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15674a.htm article on Witchcraft] (accessed [[31 March]] [[2006]]), and the [http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/medieval/hamframe.htm L. W. King translation] (accessed [[31 March]] [[2006]])</ref>
====Pakistan====
Some Pakistanis strongly believe in the concept of [[Black Magic]]. Many cases of witch-burning were reported in late 60s and early 70s. Some women were also [[honour killed]] due to their alleged practice of witchcraft.
In [[Pakistan]] and especially [[Karachi]], a woman seen with her feet pointed backwards and without toes is considered to be a witch or a creature of darkness. Though many have claimed to have encountered such a creature, it is widely regarded as being mythical.
====Hebrew Bible====
In the [[Hebrew Bible]] references to witchcraft are frequent, and the strong condemnations of such practices which we read there do not seem to be based so much upon the supposition of [[fraud]] as upon the "[[abomination]]" of the magic in itself.
Verses such as [[Deuteronomy]] 18:11-12 and [[Exodus]] 22:18 "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" provided scriptural justification for Christian [[witch hunt]]ers in the early [[Modern Age]] (see [[Christian views on witchcraft]]). The Bible also provides some evidence that these commandments were enforced under the Hebrew kings:
<blockquote>"And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the [[familiar spirit]], and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee. And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?"<ref>I Samuel 28</ref> (The Hebrew verb "Hichrit" (הכרית) translated in the [[King James]] as "cut off", can also be translated as "kill wholesale" or "exterminate") </blockquote>
====New Testament====
:''See also: [[Christian views on witchcraft]]''
The prohibitions of [[magic (paranormal)|sorcery]] in the [[New Testament]] leave the same impression ([[Galatians]] 5:20, compared with [[Book of Revelation|Revelation]] 21:8; 22:15; and [[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] 8:9; 13:6). Supposing that the belief in witchcraft were held to be an idle [[superstition]], it would be strange that the suggestion should nowhere be made that the [[evil]] of these practices only lay in the pretending to the possession of powers which did not really exist.
There is some debate, however, as to whether the word used in Galatians and Revelation, ''Pharmakeia'', is properly translated as "sorcery", as the word was commonly used to describe malicious use of drugs as in poisons, [[contraceptives]], and [[abortifacient]]s.
====Judaism====
[[Judaism|Jewish]] law views the practice of witchcraft as being laden with [[idolatry]] and/or [[necromancy]]; both being serious theological and practical offenses in Judaism. According to [[Conservadox Judaism|Traditional Judaism]], it is acknowledged that while magic exists, it is forbidden to practice it on the basis that it usually involves the worship of other gods. Rabbis of the Talmud also condemned magic when it produced something other than illusion, giving the example of two men who use magic to pick cucumbers (Sanhedrin 67a). The one who creates the illusion of picking cucumbers should not be condemned, only the one who actually picks the cucumbers through magic. However, some of the Rabbis practiced magic themselves. For instance, Rabbi Rabbah created a person and sent him to Rabbi Zera, and Rabbi Hanina and Rabbi Oshaia studied every Sabbath evening together and created a small calf to eat (Sanhedrin 65b).
====[[Islam]]====
Divination and [[Magic_(paranormal)#In_Islam|Magic in Islam]] encompass a wide range of practices, including black magic, warding off the evil eye, the production of amulets and other magical equipment, conjuring, casting lots, astrology and physiognomy.
Muslims, followers of the religion of Islam, do commonly believe in magic, and explicitly forbid the practice of it (Sihr). Sihr translates as sorcery or black magic from Arabic. The best known reference to magic in Islam is the [[Sura]] [[Al-Falaq]] (meaning dawn or daybreak), which is a prayer to ward of Black Magic. <blockquote>Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the Dawn From the mischief of created things; From the mischief of Darkness as it overspreads; From the mischief of those who practise secret arts; And from the mischief of the envious one as he practises envy. (Quran 113:1-5, translation by YusufAli)</blockquote>
Many Muslims believe that the devils taught sorcery to mankind: <blockquote>And they follow that which the devils falsely related against the kingdom of [[Solomon]]. Solomon disbelieved not; but the devils disbelieved, teaching mankind sorcery and that which was revealed to the two angels in Babel, Harut and Marut. Nor did they (the two angels) teach it to anyone till they had said: We are only a temptation, therefore disbelieve not (in the guidance of Allah). And from these two (angels) people learn that by which they cause division between man and wife; but they injure thereby no-one save by Allah's leave. And they learn that which harmeth them and profiteth them not. And surely they do know that he who trafficketh therein will have no (happy) portion in the Hereafter; and surely evil is the price for which they sell their souls, if they but knew. (al-Qur'an 2:102)</blockquote>
However, whereas performing miracles in Islamic thought and belief is reserved for only Messengers (al-Rusul - those Prophets who came with a new Revealed Text) and Prophets (al-Anbiyaa - those Prophets who came to continue the specific law and Revelation of a previous Messenger); supernatural acts are also believed to be performed by Awliyaa - the spiritually accomplished, through Ma'rifah - and referred to as Karaamaat (extraordinary acts). Disbelief in the miracles of the Prophets is considered an act of disbelief; belief in the miracles of any given pious individual is not. Neither are regarded as magic, but as signs of Allah at the hands of those close to Him that occur by His will and His alone.
Muslim practitioners commonly seek the help of the[[Genie|Jinn]] in magic. It is a common belief that jinns can possess a human, thus requiring [[Exorcism#Exorcism_in_Islam|Exorcism]]. (It should be noted though, that the belief in jinns in general is part of the muslim faith. [[Imam Muslim]] narrated the Prophet said: "Allah created the angels from light, created the jinn from the pure flame of fire, and Adam from that which was described to you (i.e., the clay.)") The differentiation between practising light and dark magic does exist. While Sihr is forbidden, the practise of light magic is seen as a somwhat pious act, since light magic uses prayers and verses from the Quran to achieve results "with Gods permission". An example of this is writing verses from the Quran with ink on a porcelain plate, washing the ink off with water and have the "patient" drink the water-ink mixture. The knowledge of which verses of the Quran to use in what way is what is considered "magic knowledge".
Students of the history of religion have linked several magical practises in Islam with pre-islamic Turkish and East African customs. Most notable of these customs is the [[Zar_%28religious_custom%29|Zar Ceremony]].<ref>Geister, Magier und Muslime. Dämonenwelt und Geisteraustreibung im Islam. Kornelius Hentschel, Diederichs 1997, Germany</ref><ref>Magic and Divination in Early Islam (The Formation of the Classical Islamic World) by Emilie Savage-Smith (Ed.), Ashgate Publishing 2004</ref>
===Africa===
[[Africa]]ns have a wide range of views of traditional religions. African Christians typically accept Christian dogma as do their counterparts in [[Latin America]] and Asia. The term [[witch doctor]], often attributed to Zulu ''[[inyanga]]'', has been misconstrued to mean "a healer who uses witchcraft" rather than its original meaning of "one who diagnoses and cures maladies caused by witches" (using practices indistinguishable from Witchcraft). Combining [[Roman Catholic]] beliefs and practices and traditional [[West Africa]]n religious beliefs and practices are several syncretic religions in [[the Americas]], including [[Voudun]], [[Obeah]], [[Candomblé]], [[Quimbanda]] and [[Santería]].
In [[Southern Africa]]n traditions, there are three classifications of somebody who uses magic. The ''[[thakathi]]'' is usually improperly translated into English as "witch", and is a spiteful person who operates in secret to harm others. The ''[[sangoma]]'' is a diviner, somewhere on a par with a [[fortune teller]], and is employed in detecting illness, predicting a person's future (or advising them on which path to take), or identifying the guilty party in a crime. She also practices some degree of [[medicine]]. The ''inyanga'' is often translated as "witch doctor" (though many Southern Africans resent this implication, as it perpetuates the mistaken belief that a "witch doctor" is in some sense a ''practitioner'' of malicious magic). The ''inyanga'''s job is to heal illness and injury and provide customers with magical items for everyday use. Of these three categories the ''thakatha'' is almost exclusively female, the ''sangoma'' is usually female, and the ''inyanga'' is almost exclusively male.
In some [[Central Africa]]n areas, malicious magic users are believed by locals to be the source of [[terminal illness]] such as [[AIDS]] and [[cancer]]. In such cases, various methods are used to rid the person from the bewitching spirit, often [[Physical abuse]] and [[Psychological abuse]]. Children are often accused of being witches. A young niece may be blamed for the illness of a relative. Most of these cases of abuse go unreported since the members of the society that witness such abuse are too afraid of being accused of being accomplices. It is also believed that witchcraft can be transmitted to children by feeding. Parents discourage their children from interacting with people believed to be witches.
==Neopaganism==
As forms of Neopaganism can be quite different and have very different origins, these representations can vary considerably despite the shared name.
===Wicca===
{{main|Wicca}}
During the [[20th century]] interest in witchcraft in [[English language|English-speaking]] and European countries began to increase, inspired particularly by [[Margaret Murray]]'s theory of a pan-European witch-cult originally published in [[1921]], since discredited by further careful historical research.<ref>Rose, Elliot, ''A Razor for a Goat'', [[University of Toronto Press]], 1962. Hutton, Ronald, ''The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles'', [[Cambridge, Massachusetts|Cambridge, Mass.]]: Blackwell Publishers, 1993. Hutton, Ronald, ''The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft'', [[Oxford University Press]], 1999</ref> Interest was intensified, however, by [[Gerald Gardner]]'s claim in 1954 in ''Witchcraft Today'' that a form of witchcraft still existed in [[England]]. The truth of Gardner's claim is now disputed too, with different historians offering evidence for<ref>{{cite book |last=Heselton |first=Philip |authorlink=Philip Heselton |title=Wiccan Roots}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Heselton |first=Philip |authorlink=Philip Heselton |title=Gerald Gardner and the Cauldron of Inspiration}}</ref> or against<ref>Kelly, Aidan, "Crafting the Art of Magic," [[Llewellyn Worldwide|Llewellyn Publications]], 1991</ref><ref>Hutton, Ronald, "Triumph of the Moon," Oxford University Press, 1999.</ref> the religion's existence prior to Gardner.
The "Wicca" that Gardner initially taught was a "witchcraft" religion having a lot in common with Margaret Murray's hypothetically posited cult of the 1920s<ref>Murray, Margaret A., ''The Witch-Cult in Western Europe'',Oxford University Press, 1921</ref>. Indeed Murray wrote an introduction to Gardner's ''Witchcraft Today'', in effect putting her stamp of approval on it. Wicca is now practiced as a religion of an [[Initiation|initiatory]] [[secret society]] nature with positive ethical principles, organised into autonomous [[coven]]s and led by a High Priesthood. Wiccan writings and ritual show borrowings from a number of sources including 19th and 20th century [[ceremonial magic]], the medieval grimoire known as the [[Key of Solomon]], [[Aleister Crowley]]'s [[Ordo Templi Orientis]], and pre-Christian religions. In [[Wicca]], [[Samhain]] or [[Halloween]] is held to be the time when the veil between the living world and the Other World is at its thinnest, and this is a common time to attempt contact with those who have passed on. Both men and women are equally termed "witches." They practice a form of [[Duotheism|duotheistic]] [[universalism]].
Since Gardner's death in 1964 the "Wicca" that he claimed he was initiated into has attracted many initiates, becoming the largest of the various "witchcraft" traditions in the Western world, and has influenced various occult movements and groups. In particular it has inspired a large movement of "Eclectic Wiccans" who are not initiated into the original lineage but have adopted similar practices and beliefs.
===Judeo-Paganism===
Some [[Neopagan]]s study and practice forms of [[Magic (paranormal)|magery]] based on a [[syncretism]] between classical [[Kabbalah|Jewish mysticism]] and modern witchcraft. (See "The Witches Qabalah", in the list of references below.) These practitioners tend to identify with [[Judeo-Paganism]] (also known as Jewish Paganism), and/or practice Jewitchery, or Jewish Witchcraft. These individuals and groups either borrow from existing Jewish magical traditions or reconstruct rituals based on Judaism and NeoPaganism. Several references on these subjects include [[Ellen Cannon Reed]]'s book "The Witches Qabala: The Pagan Path and the Tree of Life", "The Hebrew Goddess", by [[Raphael Patai]], and the forthcoming book "Magickal Judaism: Blending Pagan and Jewish Practice", by Jennifer Hunter.
===Reconstructive===
{{main|Polytheistic reconstructionism}}
The basis of various historical forms of witchcraft find their roots in pre-Christian cultural practices. There has been a strong movement to recreate pre-Christian traditions where the old forms have been lost for various reasons, including practices such as [[Divination]], [[Seid]] and various forms of [[Shamanism]]. There have been a number of pagan practitioners claiming inheritance to non-Gardnerian traditions as well.
== Witches in popular culture ==
=== Movies ===
Many movies contain witches as a plot element for example ''[[Practical Magic]]'', ''[[The Craft (film)|The Craft]]'', ''[[Hocus Pocus (film)|Hocus Pocus]]'',[[The Blair Witch Project]] , ''[[Harry Potter (film)|Harry Potter]]''. These movies generally include stereotypical use of [[Brooms]], [[Wands]], and [[Cauldrons]].
=== Books ===
One of the most famous series, the [[Harry Potter]] books, are set in a world populated by Witches and Wizards.
Another rather popular [[Book series|series of books]] that deal with witches are the Sweep or [[Sweep (book series)|Wicca series]] by [[Cate Tiernan]]. The series contains fourteen books and one novel that follow the story of Morgan Rowlands, a girl who finds out she is descended from a long line of witches. Along with Morgan, other characters develop their own role in Wicca, and relationships. The books deal with teen problems, and many teens can relate to the stories on countless levels.
=== Recent history ===
Especially in media aimed at children (such as [[fairy tale]]s), witches are often depicted as wicked old women with wrinkled skin and [[pointy hat]]s, clothed in black or purple, with [[wart]]s on their noses and sometimes long [[claw]]-like fingernails. Like the three "[[Weird Sisters]]" from [[Macbeth]], they are often portrayed as concocting potions in large cauldrons. Witches typically ride through the air on a [[broomstick]] as in the [[Harry Potter]] universe or in more modern spoof versions, a [[vacuum cleaner]] as in the [[Hocus Pocus]] universe. One of the most famous recent depictions is the [[Wicked Witch of the West]], from [[L. Frank Baum]]'s ''[[The Wonderful Wizard of Oz]]''.
==See also==
*[[Balthasar Bekker]]
*[[Catalan mythology about witches]]
*[[Kalku]]
*[[List of fictional witches]]
*[[List of magical terms and traditions]]
*[[Lysa Hora (paranormal)]]
*[[Magician (fantasy)|Magician]]
*[[Osculum infame]]
*[[Paganism]]
*[[Seid (shamanic magic)]]
*[[Shamanism]]
*[[Sorginak]] (Basque witches)
*[[Voodoo]]
*[[Walpurgis_Night]]
*[[Warlock]]
*[[Wicca]]
*[[Witch doctor]]
*[[Wyrd]]
*[[Zar (religious custom)]]
{{Witchcraft}}
== Notes ==
<references/>
==External links==
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{{commonscat|Witches}}
*[http://personalwebs.oakland.edu/~dow/courses/an271/bswmr.html Bibliography for the Study of Magic Witchcraft and Religion, James Dow, Professor of Anthropology at Oakland University]
* [http://oll.libertyfund.org/Texts/LFBooks/TrevorRoper0256/Crisis17thC/PDFs/0098_Pt04_Chap3.pdf Some historical notes on the witch-craze from historian Trevor Roper]
*[http://www.chabad.org/article.asp?aid=325263 Kabbalah On Witchcraft - A Jewish view (Audio)] chabad.org
*[http://www.oldwitchcraft.org Old Witchcraft] by Bob Andrews
*[http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=220&letter=W&search=Witchcraft Jewish Encyclopedia: Witchcraft]
*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15674a.htm Witchcraft in the Catholic Encyclopedia on (New Advent)]
*[http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/17203 Witchcraft and Devil Lore in the Channel Islands], 1886, by John Linwood Pitts, from [[Project Gutenberg]]
*[http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/17209 A Treatise of Witchcraft], 1616, by Alexander Roberts, from Project Gutenberg
*[http://www.witchvox.com The Witches' Voice] 1997-2007 The Witches' Voice Inc
*[http://www.hedgewytchery.com/indexb.html] Traditional British witchcraft site.
[[Category:Witchcraft|*]]
[[Category:Anthropology]]
[[Category:Anthropology of religion]]
[[Category:Magic]]
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