Witchcraft
��The origins of Witchcraft are estimated to have begun approximately 35 thousand years ago, with the nature worship of the 'cavemen'.
��The written history of the Witchcraft tradition called "La Vecchia Religione" begins around 8000 years ago in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain - the home of the Basque people, who are thought to be the oldest race of people on the planet. La Vecchia Religione is probably the oldest Witchcraft tradition still in existence today.
��Prior to 800 B.C., people carrying these traditions migrated into and spread throughout Europe.
��With the beginning of the persecutions by the Catholic church, the practise of witchcraft went underground and became a very secretive society. Except those involved, almost no one knew anything about the old ways.
��The vast majority of 'Witches' were tried from 1550 - 1650. Some of the victims worshipped Pagan deities, but most probably did not. Some victims were midwives and natural healers, but most were probably ordinary folk. Neighbours would accuse each other and anyone else they held a grudge against. It was a suspicious time. About 25% of the victims were male. The victims who 'confessed' to practicing Witchcraft were usually tortured. Many were hanged or burned at the stake. The total number of victims was probably between 45,000 - 100,000. This period of Witch hysteria is now referred to as the Burning Times.
��Belief in Witches gradually dissipated during the Age of Enlightment as people began to question many long-held religious beliefs. This forced an end to the execution of Witches in Europe by 1792 and America by the 1830's.
��In truth Witchcraft is as it always was; the Craft of the Witch, the practice of magic, especially magic utlizing personal power in conjunction with the energies within stones, herbs, colours and other natural objects. While this may have spiritual overtones, Witchcraft isn't a religion.
A Witch is:
The word 'Witch' apparently comes from 'Wicce' meaning 'women' and from 'Wicca' meaning 'Wise' both come from the Old Saxon word 'Wic' meaning 'to bend or flex'. Thus 'Witchcraft' translates to 'the Craft of the wise (women)' or 'the Craft of wisdom'. This is because women were usually the healers and teachers, the 'wise ones'. A male practitioner of the Craft is also called a Witch.
��A Witch, is a practitioner of the remnants of pre-Christian, folk magick, particularly that relating to herbs, healing, wells, rivers and stones. One who practiced Witchcraft. The term Witch is also used by some members of Wicca to describe themselves. Not all Wiccans are Witches though, some Wiccans don't deal with the magic side of things.
