Witchcraft: Past and Present
Witchcraft: The Past
- Witch Hunting Madness: Beginning With The Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is said to be the period from the fall of the Roman empire (476 A.D.) to the late 15th century. During the Middle Ages, it was believed that women who practiced witchcraft were in an unholy alliance with Lucifer or Satan, i.e. the Devil. Supposedly, a witch had been given supernatural powers by Satan and with this added advantage, these women or witches could perpetrate extraordinary acts upon mankind. These witches were skillful at sorcery and used magic powers derived from evil spirits to cast spells on others and take control of the free will of another human being. This belief accompanied by fear led (or allowed) people to accuse a woman suspected of being a witch of being guilty of vice (a habitual disposition to choose evil), or of being Lucifer's sexual pawn, or being responsible for plagues and diseases and murders, and likely, whatever else made for a convenient accusation, at the time.
Specifically, in 1484, some truly evil people who had power, collectively referred to in historical documents as "Church and State", authorized the persecution of whoever it was they decided needed to be eliminated, because it was a very useful tactic to employ, if you really wanted to control the free will of another human being. These unfortunate souls were called witches . Torture was used to extract their confessions and these confessions were presented to the general public as proof that the accusation brought against these precious souls was true and they were, in fact, witches.
* Witch Hunt: A Biblical (dash Historical) View *
Witchcraft was forbidden under the Law of Moses. (Read: Exodus 22:18) This Old Testament scripture regards witches, sorcerers, soothsayers, fortune-tellers (psychics), etc., is that it refers to people who were nothing more than deceivers with malicious intent - either meaning to defraud another person or do even worse than that - claiming that they had supernatural powers and some sort of direct connection to the gods or God, which they did not have. (That's my understanding.)
The Devil, in Jewish and Christian theologies, is a spirit of evil or an evil spirit or both. Converts to Christianity during the first century, openly and publicly renounced the practices of witchcraft, sorcery, etc. - referred to as "curious arts" - and confessed or acknowledged that their faith was the only power needed to overcome evil. (Read: Acts 19: 19)
In medieval times, the most significant ecclesiastical directive was a papal bull issued in1484 by Pope Innocent VII: Summis desiderantes affectibus (Latin: "Desiring with supreme ardor"), which officially sanctioned the persecution of unfortunate persons accused of being witches. Many many many people were tortured and put to death.
The Frenzy Crossed Continents
- From Europe to America. But the Madness Finally Ended
This witch-hunting madness carried on for quite some time. It crossed over Europe into America, where the masked coveting of other people's property, possessions, belongings, especially their land, in the name of God and country, was continued. (That's my take.)
Eventually, around the 17th century, the witch-hunting mania came to a climax in England, Scotland and America. Why? Well I have a thought. I think it was when they executed a couple of dogs that were accomplices of witches, supposedly - the frightened hysterical frenzied people of the town took hold of their senses and said: "WHOA! Oh come on! Just how dumb do you governors really think we are?!!"
No doubt the sight of those dead dogs is where the people drew the line. Cause really, how many people do you suppose had dogs? Dogs are man's best friend. They don't own property or nothing. They just protect their masters and expect a scratch behind the ear or for you to rub their belly, in return; and spare a few scraps of food from the master's table so they can keep up their strength.
Besides, everybody knew black cats were the accomplices!! DUH! :)
When they executed those two dogs, the folks rose up and cried:
"THAT IS IT!!! You are not going to kill our dogs and let black cats walk!!"
Witchcraft: The Present
- Witchcraft Is Still Practiced Today In Many Places
Although there are some places where people take witchcraft seriously, they don't burn and stone witches these days. In western cultures, witches are incorporated into Halloween festivities (fake witches, not real witches). Folks dress up in costumes that look like what witches probably should look like.
Usually they dress up like the ugly witches. Frank Oz cleared up the confusion once and for all - not ALL witches are ugly. Glinda, The Good Witch of the North, is proof!
[You will note in the video (below) that even Glinda asked if the dog was a witch.]
Scene from: The Wizard of Oz | Dorothy's Encounter With Glenda
Collectibles @ Amazon
- An account of the Salem witchcraft investigations, trials, andaftermath.
An account of the Salem witchcraft trials of 1692. A Commentary by Douglas Linder - An account of the Salem witchcraft investigations, trials, and aftermath. One-page account, but a fascinating read!
- Eighteen years of being a victim of witchcraft
My brother's story on being a victim of witchcraft is hard to believe. I'm still thinking if those symptoms that happened on me, too, seemed so surreal. Bizarre things are happening these days. Films, writings and personal accounts on demonic possess
- The 18th Century Vampire Controversy
Throughout the 1700s, a vampire epidemic overtook Europe. Clerics, monarchs and even the cynical philosopher Voltaire had their say, before the panic finally abated.
- Nicolas Flamel The Immortal Alchemist
Nicolas Flamel the true story of the Alchemist who achieved Immortality. Did Nicolas turn base metal into gold? And what is the story behind the secret books that reveal how he lived forever?
Is There a Manual on ... How To Become a Witch?
There are people who still practice witchcraft and celebrate the witch's sabbath, etc.; but they don't exactly advertise. So how does one get in?
A manual or a handbook is probably a good place for starters. There are published handbooks that contain everything the aspiring witch would need to know, if you're curious about the principles, rituals and beliefs of modern witchcraft.
You might also do research on being a demon. Just for exploration.
Have You Decided?
So would you like to be a witch?See results without voting
© 2013 Treathyl FOX
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