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:
- The use of sorcery or magic
- Communication with the Devil or a familiar
- 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.
