Witchcraft History

Witchcraft: History Ancient Times

Witchcraft as sorcery has existed since Witchcraft as sorcery has existed since humans first banded together in groups.humans first banded together in groups.

Prehistoric art depicts magical rites to ensure Prehistoric art depicts magical rites to ensure successful hunting.successful hunting.

Western beliefs about witchcraft as sorcery Western beliefs about witchcraft as sorcery grew out of the mythologies and folklore of grew out of the mythologies and folklore of ancient peoples, especially the Greeks and ancient peoples, especially the Greeks and Romans.Romans.

When Christianity began to spread, When Christianity began to spread, witchcraft came to be linked with worship witchcraft came to be linked with worship of the Devil.of the Devil.

In Europe, beginning about A.D. 700, In Europe, beginning about A.D. 700, witchcraft was increasingly associated with witchcraft was increasingly associated with heresy (rejection of church teachings).heresy (rejection of church teachings).

• The Christian church began a long campaign The Christian church began a long campaign to stamp out heresy.to stamp out heresy.

• Beginning in the 1000’s, religious leaders Beginning in the 1000’s, religious leaders sentenced heretics to death by burning.sentenced heretics to death by burning.

• The Inquisition, which began about 1230, was The Inquisition, which began about 1230, was an effort by the church to seek out and punish an effort by the church to seek out and punish heretics and force them to change their heretics and force them to change their beliefs.beliefs.

Eventually, the secular (non-Eventually, the secular (non-religious) courts as well as all religious) courts as well as all Christian churches were involved in Christian churches were involved in the persecution of witches.the persecution of witches.

Especially after the 1500’s, most Especially after the 1500’s, most people accused of witchcraft came to people accused of witchcraft came to trial in secular courts.trial in secular courts.

The witch hunt reached its peak in Europe The witch hunt reached its peak in Europe during the late 1500’s and early 1600’s.during the late 1500’s and early 1600’s.

Many victims, who were mostly women, Many victims, who were mostly women, were falsely accused of witchcraft.were falsely accused of witchcraft.

Many accused witches were tortured until Many accused witches were tortured until they confessed and then faced they confessed and then faced imprisonment, banishment, or execution.imprisonment, banishment, or execution.

• In American Colonies, a small number of accused witches were persecuted in New England from the mid 1600’s to the early 1700’s.

• The most famous witch hunt began in 1692 in Salem, Mass., where a group of village girls became fascinated with the occult.

• The girls began to act strangely, uttering weird sounds and screaming.

• Suspicions that witches were responsible for the girls’ behavior led to the arrest of three women, with more arrests to follow.

• Thus, mass trials were held and nearly 150 people were imprisoned on witchcraft charges.

Nineteen men and women were Nineteen men and women were convicted and hanged as witches.convicted and hanged as witches.

Anyone who refused to plead either Anyone who refused to plead either innocent or guilty to the witchcraft innocent or guilty to the witchcraft charge was pressed to death with charge was pressed to death with large stones!large stones!

Ten Theories of WitchcraftTen Theories of Witchcraft

The "theories" for the causes of the The "theories" for the causes of the Witch Hunts listed below are drawn from Witch Hunts listed below are drawn from what various historians have suggested. what various historians have suggested.

They are called theories, because they They are called theories, because they are based on reasonable information (or are based on reasonable information (or were, when they were first proposed), were, when they were first proposed), and make some sense in explaining the and make some sense in explaining the phenomena. phenomena.

No one explanation or theory will No one explanation or theory will suffice to explain all Witch Hunts in suffice to explain all Witch Hunts in Europe from 1400 to 1800. Europe from 1400 to 1800.

To understand the Witch Hunts in To understand the Witch Hunts in their totality, we must keep all of the their totality, we must keep all of the theories in mind, and even look for theories in mind, and even look for more still. more still.

1. Illness Theories1. Illness Theories – These are variously related to physical These are variously related to physical

and mental conditions of people and mental conditions of people involved in the hunts. involved in the hunts.

– According to one theory, peasants went According to one theory, peasants went a little wacky, becoming clinically a little wacky, becoming clinically neurotic and even psychotic, and in a neurotic and even psychotic, and in a group panic went after the witches. group panic went after the witches.

– According to another theory credence given to According to another theory credence given to children’s fantasies and psychosomatic illnesses children’s fantasies and psychosomatic illnesses are some sources for the panic. are some sources for the panic.

– Yet another theory suggests suggests syphilis or Yet another theory suggests suggests syphilis or ergotism (caused by mold on rotten bread) as ergotism (caused by mold on rotten bread) as causes for mental instability. causes for mental instability.

– Similarly, a final theory suggests that the effects Similarly, a final theory suggests that the effects of consuming bad mushrooms, herbs like deadly of consuming bad mushrooms, herbs like deadly nightshade or henbane, or bufotenine from the nightshade or henbane, or bufotenine from the skin of some toads could have affected people’s skin of some toads could have affected people’s minds. minds.

2. The Geographic Origins 2. The Geographic Origins Theories:Theories: – The Witch Hunts originated in specific The Witch Hunts originated in specific

locations, for example first in mountainous locations, for example first in mountainous regions of the Alps and Pyrenees.regions of the Alps and Pyrenees.

– Economic differentiation between regions Economic differentiation between regions which were normally self-sufficient which were normally self-sufficient suddenly caught in new competition suddenly caught in new competition because of the commercial revolution because of the commercial revolution should also be considered. should also be considered.

3. The Greed Theory:3. The Greed Theory: – Elites initiated the hunts in order to Elites initiated the hunts in order to

confiscate property of others. confiscate property of others.

4. The Religious Rebellion 4. The Religious Rebellion TheoriesTheories: : – These theories are of two kinds: These theories are of two kinds: – A. First, A. First, the Satanic Religious the Satanic Religious

Rebellion Theory:Rebellion Theory: Devil worship actually existed, in particular Devil worship actually existed, in particular

as a subversive attack on the ruling as a subversive attack on the ruling Christian order. Christian order.

– B. Second, B. Second, the Pagan Religious the Pagan Religious Rebellion Theory:Rebellion Theory: Certain forms of worship from the Certain forms of worship from the ancient world continued through ancient world continued through the Early Modern period and was the Early Modern period and was misinterpreted by the Christian misinterpreted by the Christian hunters as Satanic. hunters as Satanic.

5. The Confessional Conflict 5. The Confessional Conflict Theory:Theory:   

– Reformation and its resultant fights Reformation and its resultant fights between Protestants (mainly Lutherans, between Protestants (mainly Lutherans, Calvinists and Anabaptists, as well as Calvinists and Anabaptists, as well as Anglicans) and Roman Catholics led Anglicans) and Roman Catholics led each to use witchcraft to attack one each to use witchcraft to attack one another. another.

6. The Disaster Theory:6. The Disaster Theory:

– As actual misfortunes struck (plague, As actual misfortunes struck (plague, famine, war, storm), people blamed famine, war, storm), people blamed supernatural forces and found supernatural forces and found scapegoats in witches.scapegoats in witches.

7. The (Mistaken) Conspiracy 7. The (Mistaken) Conspiracy Theory:Theory:    – In the Late Middle Ages, religious elites In the Late Middle Ages, religious elites

created a new, and mistaken, created a new, and mistaken, intellectual framework out of Christian intellectual framework out of Christian heresy and theology concerning heresy and theology concerning demons. demons.

– They linked the idea of witches to an They linked the idea of witches to an imagined organized sect which was a imagined organized sect which was a danger to the Christian commonwealth. danger to the Christian commonwealth.

– Thus authorities sincerely believed in Thus authorities sincerely believed in and acted against this Satanic threat, and acted against this Satanic threat, even though it did not really exist.even though it did not really exist.

8. The Social Control or State-building 8. The Social Control or State-building Theory:Theory: – Early modern governments exploited the fear of Early modern governments exploited the fear of

witchcraft in order to centralize authority, witchcraft in order to centralize authority, increase bureaucratic jurisdiction, impose increase bureaucratic jurisdiction, impose cultural uniformity, and dominate the Church.cultural uniformity, and dominate the Church.

– The Church Oppression TheoryThe Church Oppression Theory, popular in , popular in the 19th century but held by few today, the 19th century but held by few today, according to which the Church fraudulently according to which the Church fraudulently invented witches so as to crush its opponents invented witches so as to crush its opponents and grow rich. and grow rich.

9. The Social Functionalist or 9. The Social Functionalist or Social Accusations Theory:Social Accusations Theory: – Witch accusers acted on a psychological Witch accusers acted on a psychological

need to blame others for their own need to blame others for their own personal problems. personal problems.

– Supporters of this theory argue that Supporters of this theory argue that witch hunts were therapeutically witch hunts were therapeutically beneficial for society, since they defined beneficial for society, since they defined what was right and wrong and rid what was right and wrong and rid society of its troublesome marginalized society of its troublesome marginalized folk, like the old and the poor. folk, like the old and the poor.

10. The Misogyny Theory:10. The Misogyny Theory: – The Witch Hunts embodied a social The Witch Hunts embodied a social

hostility toward women. hostility toward women. – Such theories are often tied with Such theories are often tied with

popularizing feminist writers, who might popularizing feminist writers, who might also see in witchcraft a source of also see in witchcraft a source of empowerment for women. empowerment for women.

– The majority of accused and executed The majority of accused and executed were female, yet also old, living alone were female, yet also old, living alone (whether widowed or spinster), and (whether widowed or spinster), and poor.  poor. 

Ten Common Errors and Ten Common Errors and Myths about the Witch Myths about the Witch HuntsHunts • Corrected and CommentedCorrected and Commented

by Brian A. Pavlac, by Brian A. Pavlac, Ph.D., Professor of History Ph.D., Professor of History

• #1. The Witch Hunts were an #1. The Witch Hunts were an example of medieval cruelty and example of medieval cruelty and barbarism.barbarism. – FACT: While frequently cruel, the FACT: While frequently cruel, the

Witch Hunts took place after the Witch Hunts took place after the Middle Ages and were conducted by Middle Ages and were conducted by civilized people.civilized people.

• #2. The Church was to blame for #2. The Church was to blame for the Witch Huntsthe Witch Hunts..– FACT: While Christianity clearly FACT: While Christianity clearly

created the framework for the created the framework for the Witch Hunts, no single "Church" Witch Hunts, no single "Church" was to blame, and many secular was to blame, and many secular governments hunted witches for governments hunted witches for essentially non-religious reasons.essentially non-religious reasons.

– During the Middle Ages, the During the Middle Ages, the predominant Christian view of witchcraft predominant Christian view of witchcraft was that it was an illusion. was that it was an illusion.

– People might think they were witches, People might think they were witches, but they were fooling themselves, or the but they were fooling themselves, or the Devil was fooling them. Devil was fooling them.

– Most authorities thought that witchcraft Most authorities thought that witchcraft could do no serious harm, because it could do no serious harm, because it was not real. was not real.

•Ultimately in 1484, Pope Ultimately in 1484, Pope Innocent VIII, in his Innocent VIII, in his Summis Summis desiderantesdesiderantes, let the , let the Inquisition pursue witches. Inquisition pursue witches.

• #3. The Witch Hunts specifically #3. The Witch Hunts specifically targeted women.targeted women.– FACT: While many witch hunters FACT: While many witch hunters

explicitly went after women, very explicitly went after women, very often men fell victim to the witch often men fell victim to the witch hunts.hunts.

– Men were often accused of being Men were often accused of being witches, and executed for it.witches, and executed for it.

• #4. The Witch Hunts were an attempt #4. The Witch Hunts were an attempt at "femicide" or "gendercide," at "femicide" or "gendercide," meaning the persecution of the meaning the persecution of the female sex, equivalent to genocide.female sex, equivalent to genocide.– FACT: The necessity for women to FACT: The necessity for women to

be involved in procreation of our be involved in procreation of our species prevented any realistic species prevented any realistic approach toward genocide.approach toward genocide.

• #5. The Witch Hunts are/were all alike.#5. The Witch Hunts are/were all alike. – FACT: While the Witch Hunts share some FACT: While the Witch Hunts share some

essential similarities, they were essential similarities, they were enormously different depending on time enormously different depending on time and place.and place.

– Most witch hunts involved government Most witch hunts involved government authorities deciding that a problem with authorities deciding that a problem with witches existed. witches existed.

– Usually the danger was seen in an Usually the danger was seen in an organized conspiracy led by the Devil. organized conspiracy led by the Devil.

– The authorities then pursued an The authorities then pursued an investigation that often included secret investigation that often included secret informants and torture to acquire informants and torture to acquire information and confessions. information and confessions.

– Finally, convicted witches were often Finally, convicted witches were often executed. executed.

• #6. Millions of people died because of #6. Millions of people died because of the Witch Hunts.the Witch Hunts.

– FACT: While millions of people might have been FACT: While millions of people might have been affected, the best estimates of recent historians affected, the best estimates of recent historians range from 50,000 to 200,000 dead.range from 50,000 to 200,000 dead.

– The earlier estimates, too often the figure The earlier estimates, too often the figure of 9 to 10 million dead is cited, were of 9 to 10 million dead is cited, were grossly exaggeratedgrossly exaggerated

• #7. People condemned during #7. People condemned during the Witch Hunts were burned at the Witch Hunts were burned at the stake.the stake.

– FACT: While indeed governments FACT: While indeed governments did burn many witches at the stake, did burn many witches at the stake, most were executed by other most were executed by other means.means.

– The most common form of execution, The most common form of execution, though, was hanging. though, was hanging.

– Admittedly, burning was important in Admittedly, burning was important in many of these cases also, since to many of these cases also, since to further protect against any malevolence further protect against any malevolence from the dead witch, authorities often from the dead witch, authorities often burned the remains afterward. burned the remains afterward.

– Other popular forms of execution for Other popular forms of execution for witches included beheading, drowning, witches included beheading, drowning, and breaking on the wheel. and breaking on the wheel.

– Witches were rarely buried alive, boiled Witches were rarely buried alive, boiled alive, impaled, sawed in two, flayed, alive, impaled, sawed in two, flayed, drawn and quartered, or disemboweled, drawn and quartered, or disemboweled, as other contemporary criminals were. as other contemporary criminals were.

• #8. During the time of the Witch #8. During the time of the Witch Hunts, witches actually existed and Hunts, witches actually existed and worked magic.worked magic.

– FACT: While some people have claimed to FACT: While some people have claimed to be able to work witchcraft, there is no be able to work witchcraft, there is no scientific, empirical, reasonable proof scientific, empirical, reasonable proof that any actual witches existed or that that any actual witches existed or that the magic they claimed to perform the magic they claimed to perform actually did what it was supposed to do.actually did what it was supposed to do.

– Most of the crimes of witches sprung Most of the crimes of witches sprung from the imaginations of the hunters, from the imaginations of the hunters, the ravings of the insane, and the the ravings of the insane, and the agonies of the tortured.  agonies of the tortured. 

– Even those who confessed to witchcraft Even those who confessed to witchcraft crimes could not prove a cause and crimes could not prove a cause and effect relationship between their effect relationship between their witchcraft and actual events. witchcraft and actual events.

• #9. In modern usage, the term "Witch #9. In modern usage, the term "Witch Hunt" can be applied to any organized Hunt" can be applied to any organized persecution of a group of people.persecution of a group of people.– FACT: While the term "Witch Hunt" does FACT: While the term "Witch Hunt" does

involve persecution of a group,  that involve persecution of a group,  that group may or may not exist in an organized group may or may not exist in an organized fashion;  and the proper use of the term fashion;  and the proper use of the term especially requires that the targeted group especially requires that the targeted group is not a real threat to society.is not a real threat to society.

– Literally, a "witch hunt" is an organized Literally, a "witch hunt" is an organized attempt to identify and eliminate people attempt to identify and eliminate people who are believed to be able to use who are believed to be able to use supernatural powers to harm society. supernatural powers to harm society.

– The great tragedy of the Witch Hunts is The great tragedy of the Witch Hunts is not only was there no conspiracy of not only was there no conspiracy of witches, but even if there were, they witches, but even if there were, they could do no serious harm to society. could do no serious harm to society.

• #10. Modern #10. Modern witchcraft/magick/wicca is a witchcraft/magick/wicca is a direct descendent of those direct descendent of those practices done by people during practices done by people during the Witch Hunts of 1400-1800.the Witch Hunts of 1400-1800.

– FACT: While modern witches and FACT: While modern witches and pagans have tried to resurrect pagans have tried to resurrect witchcraft activities described by witchcraft activities described by witch hunters, there exists only a witch hunters, there exists only a very tenuous connection between very tenuous connection between modern witches and those before modern witches and those before 1800.1800.