SH+P5+2014-15+Witchcraft

** Aim by Alex Zhao **

Witchcraft exists as a practice in religion and/or a religion that contains the magic and mythicality that individuals have wondered upon previously in history. Although witchcraft is often considered a component to the Wiccan religion, the biggest attraction to witchcraft is the introduction of magical powers. According to a website specializing in Wicca and witchcraft, the blog states, “In general, Wiccans feel free to review different belief systems, such as Celtic, Norse, Essene, Gnosis, or Shamanism, and then blend together any points that ‘feel’ right into their own personal path. Pure Witchcraft on the other hand, may focus a little more tightly on using Magick and ritual to work with the elemental and spiritual forces in nature” (Bridget). Witchcraft’s focus on magic and other forces or powers from nature works on enhancing and providing a niche for the religion of Wicca. Widely argued for witchcraft to be seen as a component of Wicca rather than its own separate category, witchcraft as its own separate category can help draw attention to the belief and/or practice of Wicca. Heather Lotus, a former Wiccan, states, “Wicca is intimately tied to one’s relationship with the divine, by whatever faces They choose to show to us. Witchcraft, on the other hand, does not have to involve deities. Instead, it is concerned with the use of spells and herbs to achieve a desired end–healing, love, protection, and others”. Magic, in all forms, does not determine if one participates in witchcraft, but those who actively choose to identify as a witch certainly participate in magic in the forms of spreading positive emotions to others through any spiritual or natural means. This also gives a unique factor to witchcraft as magic, spells, and herbs are believed to help other individuals or oneself which further encourages the purpose of witchcraft to be a healing aspect of religion. By providing such a niche that pertains to the wonders of humans to believe if magic is real or not, witchcraft certainly serves the purpose to retain a feeling of commonality and uniqueness to a specific group of people.

Works Cited: Bridget, Lady. //Thirteen Goals of a Witch//. LadyBridget.com, 1998. Web. 5 Jan. 2015. Lotus, Heather. //The Lotus Pond.// Silver Lotus. Web. 5 Jan. 2015.

**Audience by Kylie Barela**

Witchcraft is an idea that has been around since the ancient parts of history. In an article is states, “During the Elizabethan era people blamed unexplainable events as the work of witches… When people died from terrible diseases, when animals died, when there was a bad harvest, when houses were burnt down in fires even when foods curdled - witches were the obvious target” (Alchin 1). People, especially during the Renaissance period, believed that whenever something bad happened, such as the Black Plague or a famine, it was the cause of a witch. While scientists today have found natural causes for such things the people in this particular time period did not know that these happened naturally. Because the superstition of witches was so commonly believed in the past, witchcraft has been used in many stories, like Macbeth. Amanda Mabillard states, “Shakespeare’s hags, fascinating and frightening, appeal to our interest in the demonic supernatural. Most people do not believe in fairies, but any acknowledge the presence of evil in our world” (The Relationship Between Macbeth and the Witches 1). Witchcraft is when a person, usually a woman, becomes involved in magic, especially the kind that is evil and dark. Shakespeare uses this in the story of Macbeth in order to show a presence of evil in the world, giving a dark and eerie feeling to the play. Some people are interested and entertained by reading about superstition, dark magic and evil, which is probably why it is written in many different tales. While witchcraft is a very frightening superstition, is is also a very common and effective way of entertaining people who love to read about dark powers and the potential danger associated with them.

Works Cited: Alchin, Linda.“Elizabethan Witchcraft and Witches.” //elizabethan-era.// elizabethan-era.org, 16 May 2012. Web. 6 Jan. 2015. Mabillard, Amanda. “The Relationship Between Macbeth and the Witches.” //Shakespeare Online.// n.p., 20 Aug. 2000. Web. 6 Jan. 2015.

** Cultural by Elise Hart **

Witchcraft has been a huge part of pop culture. In “Witchcraft in Popular Culture- Films” it states, “The portrayal of witches was influence[d] by the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Andersen, and the film was highly influential in developing popular witch stereotypes” (Mastin 1). The Wizard of Oz is very well-known across the world and considered one of the classics. The Wizard of Oz was made a children’s movie, which therefore shows the impact of witchcraft among the different ages. Witches are also what many popular TV shows revolve around. The “Witches of East End Plot Summary” states, “ [It] Centers on the adventures of a mother and her two adult daughters, both of whom unknowingly are their family's next generation of witches” (IMDb 1). There are many more shows that also include witches. These include, but are not limited to: “Supernatural,” “American Horror Story-Coven,” “Grimm,” “Merlin,” and so many more. Witches are a key influence on a lot of aspects in popular culture.

Works Cited: Mastin, Luke. “Witchcraft in Popular Culture-Films.” //Witchcraft and Witches//. Luke Mastin, 2009. Web. 6 Jan. 2015. “Witches of East End Plot Summary.” //IMDb//. IMDb.com, Inc, 2015. Web. 6 Jan. 2015.


 * Historical by Emily Gates **

Witchcraft has had a large impact on course of history. Most famously known during the Salem Witch trials. In the article Salem Witch Trials states, “ T he infamous Salem witch trials began during the spring of 1692, after a group of young girls in Salem Village, Massachusetts, claimed to be possessed by the devil and accused several local women of witchcraft. As a wave of hysteria spread throughout colonial Massachusetts…” (1). Witchcraft is condemned by the Bible, so many people who are part of the church see witchcraft and those who participate in witchcraft would be condemned to Hell. This is why the women were burned at the stake when convicted of practicing witchcraft. Many people believe that witchcraft is a dark magic that is associated with the Devil, so anyone believed to be a witch need to be punished for their crimes. There has always been fear associated with witchcraft which has been proven throughout history.

Works Cited: Alchin, Linda.“Elizabethan Witchcraft and Witches.” // elizabethan-era //. elizabethan-era.org, 16 May 2012. Web. 6 Jan. 2015. “Salem Witch Trials.” //A and E Networks//, 2015. Web. 6 Jan. 2015