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[[File:Angelene Tubbs.jpg|400px|thumb|[[Angeline Tubbs]], aka The Witch of Saratoga]] | [[File:Angelene Tubbs.jpg|400px|thumb|[[Angeline Tubbs]], aka The Witch of Saratoga]] | ||
A ''' | A '''witch''' is a practitioner of [[witchcraft]]. | ||
Although the term can be gender-neutral, it is usually used to describe a female who uses [[ritual magic|magic]], while a male engaging in similar practices is called a [[warlock]]. | Although the term can be gender-neutral, it is usually used to describe a female who uses [[ritual magic|magic]], while a male engaging in similar practices is called a [[warlock]]. | ||
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==Definition== | ==Definition== | ||
Throughout history there has not been a consistent definition of the term witch. Johannes Nider and other 15th century writers used the Latin term ''maleficus'' to mean witch—a person who performed ''maleficium'', harmful acts of sorcery, against others. The [[witch | Throughout history there has not been a consistent definition of the term witch. Johannes Nider and other 15th century writers used the Latin term ''maleficus'' to mean witch—a person who performed ''maleficium'', harmful acts of sorcery, against others. The [[witch-hunt]]s of medieval Europe differed from pre-[[Christianity|Christian]] practices in condemning the witch as a moral corruption, rather than focusing on whether the act of sorcery was harmful, expanding the customary understanding of the ''maleficium'' concept. | ||
Perhaps the earliest definition of a witch comes from [[Jean Bodin|Jean Bodin's]] 1580 book ''[[De la démonomanie des sorciers]]'' (''Of the Demon-mania of the Sorcerers''): "A witch is a person, who, though cognizant of the laws of god, endeavors to act through the medium of a [[diabolical pact|pact]] with the devil." The introduction of the idea of [[demon|demonic]] forces empowering the acts of ''maleficium'' gave the term witch new connotations of idolatry and apostasy that were adopted in the ''[[Malleus Maleficarum]]'', but these remained disputed despite papal injunctions to take action against witches. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
The concept of witchcraft and the belief in its existence have persisted throughout recorded history. Most societies have believed in, and feared, an ability by some individuals to cause supernatural harm and misfortune to others. This may come from mankind's tendency "to want to assign occurrences of remarkable good or bad luck to agency, either human or superhuman". Witchcraft is seen by historians and anthropologists as one ideology for explaining misfortune, which has manifested in diverse ways. Some cultures have feared witches much less than others, because they instead believed that strange misfortune was usually caused by gods, spirits, [[demon]]s or fairies, or by other humans who have unwittingly cast the "evil eye." | The concept of witchcraft and the belief in its existence have persisted throughout recorded history. Most societies have believed in, and feared, an ability by some individuals to cause supernatural harm and misfortune to others. This may come from mankind's tendency "to want to assign occurrences of remarkable good or bad luck to agency, either human or superhuman". Witchcraft is seen by historians and anthropologists as one ideology for explaining misfortune, which has manifested in diverse ways. Some cultures have feared witches much less than others, because they instead believed that strange misfortune was usually caused by gods, spirits, [[demon]]s or fairies, or by other humans who have unwittingly cast the "evil eye." | ||
The predominant view of witches in the Western world derives from Old Testament laws against [[witchcraft]], and entered the mainstream when belief in witchcraft gained Church approval in the Early Modern Period. It is a theosophical conflict between good and evil, where witchcraft was generally evil and often associated with the [[The Devil|Devil]] and Devil worship. This culminated in deaths, torture and scapegoating (casting blame for misfortune), and many years of large scale witch-trials and [[witch | The predominant view of witches in the Western world derives from Old Testament laws against [[witchcraft]], and entered the mainstream when belief in witchcraft gained Church approval in the Early Modern Period. It is a theosophical conflict between good and evil, where witchcraft was generally evil and often associated with the [[The Devil|Devil]] and Devil worship. This culminated in deaths, torture and scapegoating (casting blame for misfortune), and many years of large scale witch-trials and [[witch-hunt]]s, especially in Protestant Europe, before largely ceasing during the European Age of Enlightenment. | ||
[[Christianity|Christian]] views in the modern day are diverse and cover the gamut of views from intense belief and opposition (especially by Christian fundamentalists) to non-belief, and even approval in some churches. From the mid-20th century, witchcraft – sometimes called contemporary witchcraft to clearly distinguish it from older beliefs – became the name of a branch of modern Paganism. It is most notably practiced in the [[Wicca]]n and modern witchcraft traditions, and it is no longer practiced in secrecy. | [[Christianity|Christian]] views in the modern day are diverse and cover the gamut of views from intense belief and opposition (especially by Christian fundamentalists) to non-belief, and even approval in some churches. From the mid-20th century, witchcraft – sometimes called contemporary witchcraft to clearly distinguish it from older beliefs – became the name of a branch of modern Paganism. It is most notably practiced in the [[Wicca]]n and modern witchcraft traditions, and it is no longer practiced in secrecy. | ||
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Folk magicians throughout Europe were often viewed ambivalently by communities, and were considered as capable of harming as of healing, which could lead to their being accused as "witches" in the negative sense. Many English "witches" convicted of consorting with [[demon]]s may have been cunning folk whose supposed fairy [[familiar]]s had been demonised. | Folk magicians throughout Europe were often viewed ambivalently by communities, and were considered as capable of harming as of healing, which could lead to their being accused as "witches" in the negative sense. Many English "witches" convicted of consorting with [[demon]]s may have been cunning folk whose supposed fairy [[familiar]]s had been demonised. | ||
[[Sybil Leek]] regarded witchcraft as being passed down from the ancient Druids in an unbroken lineage. | |||
==In popular culture== | ==In popular culture== | ||
From at least the time of the Renaissance, witches have been a popular topic for music, literature, and theater. In the modern era, many movies and television shows have been made about witches and witchcraft, often portraying them in a sympathetic light. | From at least the time of the Renaissance, witches have been a popular topic for music, literature, and theater. In the modern era, many movies and television shows have been made about witches and [[witchcraft]], often portraying them in a sympathetic light. | ||
In the 1968 film ''[[Rosemary's Baby]]'', a young housewife is raped by [[the Devil]] at the behest of her husband and a coven of evil witches through a [[sex magic|sex ritual]] intended to bring about the birth of the [[Antichrist]]. | |||
The 2015 film ''[[The Witch]]'', set in 1630s New England, follows a Puritan family who encounter forces of evil in the woods beyond their farm in the form of a witch of the woods. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||