Witchcraft History

Infused with mystery, fear, unbelievable and grim facts and
records, Witchcraft History can be traced back to

The belief in the existence of witches was strengthened

centuries.

particularly after Pope Innocent VIII issued a declaration
in the 1498 confirming their existence in society, and

The word ‘Witchcraft’ has been derived from the word
‘Wicca’ which means ‘the wise one’. Witchcraft has

inquisition increased, although in 1200, killing of witches
had already become authorised by Pope Gregory IX.

been seen as a magical phenomenon, a pagan worship or
religion, sorcery, and others, at different periods in

The Inquisition thus began after 1200 on orders of the

Witchcraft History.

Church to discover the witches or heretics who were believed
to be evil and against the Church. Full-fledged killing of

The earliest records of the concept and practice of
witchcraft can be traced to the early days of humankind when

witches was, however, recorded in the 1500s and 1600s.

witchcraft was seen as magical a phenomenon that was invoked
for magical rites which ensured good luck, protection

The first crusade against witches was held in 1022 AD when a
witch was burned to death. Witchcraft History echoes the

against diseases, and other reasons.

terrible campaign against Witchcraft in Salem in 1692 in
which 150 people were tried as suspects of practicing

However, it was not until 1000 AD that the practice of
Witchcraft and witches invoked the wrath of priests,

witchcraft.

Christianity, and members of the society. Witchcraft, seen
as a religion of the ancient and traditional pagan religion

People suspected as witches were usually burned at stakes,
and those pleading their innocence were either stoned to

which worships the feminine, earthly, and masculine aspects
of God, was considered as anti-Christian and a heresy.

death or even sometimes thrown in water to prove their
innocence. Witches usually faced severe and painful deaths

Held to be against the declarations and beliefs of the

or punishments.

Church, witches were considered as evil, making pacts and
connections with the Devil. It was even believed that

A juxtaposition of good as well as evil views, Witchcraft
History is, thus, a stock of shocking, yet hypnotising

witches engaged in practices such as flying, invisibility,
killing, taming black wolves and cats to spy on people, and

incidents of humankind and their crusade against the
practice of Witchcraft.