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A History of Witchcraft

Witchcraft originated with the human civilization itself. Fear of the unknown and its imagined role in making our daily lives easy or difficult created a role in society for shamans. These individuals were thought to be mediators between humans and the mysterious beings beyond Earthly existence. Shamans were known to heal the sick, predict weather, and anticipate the migratory patterns of animals. To simple people, these acts were evidence of not only magic, but the shaman’s ability to communicate with the Divine.

Witchcraft is evident in all ancient cultures, but has been best showcased in Egyptian and Norse cultures. In Egyptian culture, the moon played an important magical role. Festivals held under the full moon were meant to raise the energy levels of the Egyptian people, and harmonize themselves with the forces of nature. The Egyptians also saw great power in seasonal patterns, hence the “Wheel of the Year” with its eight spokes symbolizing the four agricultural festivals and four solar festivals commemorating seasonal solstices and equinoxes. Witchcraft permeated the Egyptian temples in which magic practitioners watched and charted the night sky. In these massive observatories, they used the movement of the planets to predict events to come – a practice now known as Astrology. The Norse also charted the skies and watched the turn of the seasons; however, their craft leaned more heavily towards the use of symbols to explain patterns. The Norse also charted the skies and watched the turn of the seasons; however, their Craft leaned more heavily toward symbolism. The Norse used symbolism to explain patterns. An individual’s repeated dreams of a wolf, or regular sightings of a crow could be explained by the tribe wise woman as symbols for war, or upcoming marriage. Often, the wise woman would read Runes, an oracle from which one seeks advice very similar to tarot cards. The Runes, often made of good stones, or wood, had old Germanic letters carved on them. Each rune was attached to a particular God and a specific story. These did not tell the future, but gave an avenue for analysis of one’s current path and the likely outcome.

The practice of witchcraft continued past ancient civilization into a more extreme form in the Medieval era. Practitioners attempted to control outside forces like weather, life events, and society with witchcraft; however, when the desired results were not reached, they resorted to more violent tactics, often including blood and sacrifice. This form of the Craft was not accepted by true Wiccans, but the consequences in society stretched to even those peaceful followers of witchcraft. People thought to be associated with witchcraft were often captured, tortured, and murdered. The image of the witch – the old hag – was formed at this time, and set the stage for later trials against witches in the Elizabethan and Victorian eras.

Modern witchcraft is a brew of herbalism, homeopathy, symbolism and the use of old, forgotten knowledge. Its practitioners believe in the balance of nature and the effectiveness of natural healing.

Modern witchcraft relates more closely to ancient shamanism and old wives’ tales than to the need for ultimate control seen in Medieval and Victorian eras.

                             
                                                                                        





                                                                                 The Maine Psychic

Wiccan Rede

Bide ye Wiccan laws you must,
in perfect love and perfect trust
Live ye must and let to live,
fairly take and fairly give
For the circle thrice about
to keep unwelcome spirits out
To bind ye spell well every time,
let the spell be spake in rhyme
Soft of eye and light of touch,
speak ye little, listen much
Deosil go by the waxing moon,
chanting out ye baleful tune
When ye Lady's moon is new,
kiss ye hand to her times two
When ye moon rides at her peak,
then ye heart's desire seek
Heed the north winds mighty gale,
lock the door and trim the sail
When the wind comes from the south,
love will kiss thee on the mouth
When the wind blows from the east,
expect the new and set the feast.
Nine woods in the cauldron go,
burn them fast and burn them slow
Elder be ye Lady's tree,
burn it not or cursed ye'll be
When the wheel begins to turn,
soon ye Beltane fires will burn
When the wheel hath turned a Yule
light the log the Horned One rules
Heed ye flower, bush and tree,
by the Lady blessed be
Where the rippling waters go,
cast a stone, the truth ye'll know
When ye have and hold a need,
harken not to others greed
With a fool no season spend,
or be counted as his friend
Merry meet and merry part,
bright the cheeks and warm the heart.
Mind ye threefold law ye should
three times bad and three times good
When misfortune is enow,
wear the star upon thy brow
True in love my ye ever be,
lest thy love be false to thee
These eight words the Wiccan Rede fulfill;

An harm ye none, do what ye will.

This page gives general information about witchcraft, including simple spells, important dates, and other resources.