Historians and anthropologists see the concept of "witchcraft" as one of the ways humans have tried to explain strange misfortune. This may come from mankind's tendency "to want to assign occurrences of remarkable good or bad luck to agency, either human or superhuman". Most societies have believed in, and feared, an ability by some individuals to cause supernatural harm and misfortune to others. It has been found at various times and in many forms among cultures worldwide, and continues to have an important role in some cultures today. The concept of witchcraft and the belief in its existence have persisted throughout recorded history. The Magic Circle by John William Waterhouse, 1886 Other Wiccans avoid the term due to its negative connotations. In contemporary Western culture, followers of the neo-pagan religion Wicca, and some followers of New Age belief systems, may self-identify as "witches", and use the term "witchcraft" for their self-help, healing or divination rituals.
A newer theory is that the idea of "witchcraft" developed to explain strange misfortune, similar to ideas such as the evil eye. Known as the witch-cult hypothesis, it has since been discredited. Modern witch-hunting takes place in parts of Africa and Asia.Ī theory that witchcraft was a survival of a European pagan religion gained popularity in the early 20th century. As with the cunning-folk in Europe, Indigenous communities that believe in the existence of witchcraft define witches as the opposite of their healers and medicine people, who are sought out for protection against witchcraft. Anthropologists have applied the term "witchcraft" to similar beliefs and occult practices described by many non-European cultures, and cultures that have adopted the English language will often call these practices "witchcraft", as well. European belief in witchcraft gradually dwindled during and after the Age of Enlightenment.Ĭontemporary cultures that believe in magic and the supernatural often believe in witchcraft. In some regions, many of those accused of witchcraft were folk healers or midwives. European witch-hunts and witch trials in the early modern period led to tens of thousands of executions.
Often they would be formally prosecuted and punished, if found guilty or simply believed to be guilty. Suspected witches were also intimidated, banished, attacked or killed. It was thought witchcraft could be thwarted by protective magic or counter-magic, which could be provided by cunning folk or folk healers. In medieval and early modern Europe, where the term originated, accused witches were usually women who were believed to have used malevolent magic against their own community, and often to have communed with evil beings. Witchcraft traditionally means the use of magic or supernatural powers to harm others. The Witches by Hans Baldung (woodcut), 1508
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