Magic and witchcraft has been around since the dawn of time. No one knows exactly when witchcraft began, but many believe that its origins date back to the Stone Age. At different times, witches have been respected members of their communities or mercilessly persecuted by those who fear what they do not understand. In ancient times, witches were sought for help with illness and trouble, and respected for their knowledge and wisdom. But as Christianity spread through Europe, witches were thought to be associated with the Devil. Thousands of people, both witches and accused witches, were killed. Witchcraft is presently experiencing a resurgence.
Ancient Times
The roots and history of witchcraft are thought to have begun with the ancient Celtic people.The Celts were a deeply spiritual people, who worshiped both a god and goddess. Their religion
was pantheistic, meaning they worshiped many aspects of the “One Creative Life Source” and honored the presence of the “Divine Creator” in all of nature. They learned to make use of the Earth’s gifts and natural cycles, and thus were viewed as healers and wise women.
560 BC
Witches are begining to be prosecuted. Witches are condemned in the Old Testament.
Sixth to Eighth Centuries
Witchcraft is seen as a threat to Christianity. Witchcraft began to be seen as a threat to Christianity, as many Christians feared that witches were associated with the Devil. Around the sixth century, the Christians began to outlaw witchcraft.
13th Century
The Inquisition begins, under orders from Rome. Thousands of witches and others accused of heresy and blasphemy are imprisoned and executed.
15th to 17th Centuries
The history of witches continues with witch hysteria taking hold in Europe; thousands of people are tortured and killed in the interest of ridding Europe of witches. Burning witches at the stake becomes the preferred method of execution.
1692 to 1693
The notorious Salem Witch Trials occur in the American Colonies, resulting in the hanging deaths of 19 people and one death by pressing. Three others died in prison while awaiting trial. In all, more than 150 people were accused and tried.
19th Century
Spiritualism and witchcraft begin to flourish in England once again. Many books on the subject were published during this time.
1950s
Laws forbidding witchcraft are finally dropped in England in 1951. During this same time, a restructuring of ancient witchcraft, called Wicca, begins in England.
The term witch, which means to “twist or bend,” has its origin in the ancient, Anglo-Saxon word “wicca,” which is derived from the word “wicce,” which means “wise.” Witch is also related to the German word, “weihen,” which means “to consecrate or bless.” Some say that the origins of the witch date back thousands of years, to the days when the goddess was worshiped and humanity had great reverence for the powers of nature and for women as creators of new life. In the “New Age” philosophy, this relates to the concept of “Gaia,” or “Mother Earth,” which views planet earth as essentially a living being.
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