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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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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. | 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]] | 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== | ||
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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== | ||