4,016
edits
Difference between revisions of "Witchcraft"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
→Modern movement
Occultwiki (talk | contribs) |
Occultwiki (talk | contribs) |
||
| (3 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
In medieval and early modern Europe, where the term originated, accused witches were usually women who were believed to have attacked their own community, and often to have communed with evil beings. It was thought witchcraft could be thwarted by protective magic or counter-magic, which could be provided by cunning folk or folk healers. Suspected witches were also intimidated, banished, attacked or killed. Often they would be formally prosecuted and punished, if found guilty or simply believed to be guilty. | In medieval and early modern Europe, where the term originated, accused witches were usually women who were believed to have attacked their own community, and often to have communed with evil beings. It was thought witchcraft could be thwarted by protective magic or counter-magic, which could be provided by cunning folk or folk healers. Suspected witches were also intimidated, banished, attacked or killed. Often they would be formally prosecuted and punished, if found guilty or simply believed to be guilty. | ||
European [[witch- | European [[witch-hunt]]s in the early modern period led to tens of thousands of executions. Although some folk healers were accused of witchcraft, they made up a minority of those accused. European belief in witchcraft gradually dwindled during and after the Age of Enlightenment. | ||
==Practices== | ==Practices== | ||
In time periods and current localities where belief in malicious magic practices exists, practitioners are typically forbidden by law as well as hated and feared by the general populace, while beneficial magic is tolerated or even accepted wholesale by the people — even if the orthodox establishment opposes it. | In time periods and current localities where belief in malicious magic practices exists, practitioners are typically forbidden by law as well as hated and feared by the general populace, while beneficial magic is tolerated or even accepted wholesale by the people — even if the orthodox establishment opposes it. | ||
Probably the best-known characteristic of a witch is her ability to cast a spell – a set of words, a formula or verse, a ritual, or a combination of these, employed to do magic. Spells traditionally were cast by many methods, such as by the inscription of | Probably the best-known characteristic of a witch is her ability to cast a spell – a set of words, a formula or verse, a ritual, or a combination of these, employed to do magic. Spells traditionally were cast by many methods, such as by the inscription of [[rune]]s or sigils on an object to give that object magical powers; by the immolation or binding of a wax or clay image (poppet) of a person to affect them magically; by the recitation of incantations; by the performance of physical rituals; by the employment of magical herbs as amulets or potions; by gazing at mirrors, swords or other specula ([[scrying]]) for purposes of [[divination]]; and by many other means. | ||
The ability to work with a [[familiar]], a kind of totem animal or spirit, was often considered evidence of a witch's power. | The ability to work with a [[familiar]], a kind of totem animal or spirit, was often considered evidence of a witch's power. | ||
| Line 28: | Line 28: | ||
==Modern movement== | ==Modern movement== | ||
Wiccan and Neo-Wiccan literature has been described as aiding the empowerment of young women through its lively portrayal of female protagonists. Part of the recent growth in [[Paganism|Neopagan]] religions has been attributed to the strong media presence of fictional pop culture works such as Charmed, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the Harry Potter series with their depictions of "positive witchcraft" | Wiccan and Neo-Wiccan literature has been described as aiding the empowerment of young women through its lively portrayal of female protagonists. Part of the recent growth in [[Paganism|Neopagan]] religions has been attributed to the strong media presence of fictional pop culture works such as ''Charmed'', ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'', and the ''Harry Potter'' series with their depictions of "positive witchcraft," which differs from the historical, traditional, and Indigenous definitions. Even films that depict witches as malevolent, such as the ''[[The Witch]]'' (2015) or ''[[Hereditary]]'' (2018) are viewed favorably by modern witches. | ||
[[Wicca]]n beliefs, or pop culture variations thereof, are often considered by adherents to be compatible with liberal ideals such as the Green movement, and particularly with some varieties of feminism, by providing young women with what they see as a means for self-empowerment, control of their own lives, and potentially a way of influencing the world around them. This is the case particularly in North America due to the strong presence of feminist ideals in some branches of the Neopagan communities and the long tradition of women-led and women-only groups such as in Dianic Wicca. The 2002 study ''Enchanted Feminism: The Reclaiming Witches'' of San Francisco suggests that some branches of Wicca include influential members of the second wave of feminism, which has also been redefined as a religious movement. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||