witchcraft. what is witchcraft? according to wikipedia, witchcraft is the use of certain kinds of...

WitchcraftWitchcraft

What is witchcraft?What is witchcraft?

• According to Wikipedia, witchcraft is According to Wikipedia, witchcraft is the use of certain kinds of alleged the use of certain kinds of alleged supernatural or magical powers. supernatural or magical powers.

Who practices witchcraft?Who practices witchcraft?

• A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft. While mythological witches are often While mythological witches are often supernatural creatures, historically supernatural creatures, historically many people have been accused of many people have been accused of witchcraft or have claimed to be witchcraft or have claimed to be witches. witches.

Do you believe in magic?Do you believe in magic?

• Witches, witchcraft, and magic has been Witches, witchcraft, and magic has been around since the beginning of time. It around since the beginning of time. It began as a tribute to the gods and began as a tribute to the gods and goddesses as a way to guarantee a healthy goddesses as a way to guarantee a healthy season of crops and harvest. During the season of crops and harvest. During the harvest season, bad weather, sickness, and harvest season, bad weather, sickness, and shortage of food caused stress and shortage of food caused stress and misfortune onto the village. Therefore, the misfortune onto the village. Therefore, the people began to perform magic to increase people began to perform magic to increase the likelihood of a successful season and the likelihood of a successful season and life. life.

The History of witchcraft.The History of witchcraft.

• The Celts, 700 BC-100 AD, were The Celts, 700 BC-100 AD, were descendants of Indo-European people descendants of Indo-European people who first began using witchcraft in who first began using witchcraft in their everyday lives. The Celts were their everyday lives. The Celts were very spiritual people who worshipped very spiritual people who worshipped gods and goddesses. They believed gods and goddesses. They believed in reincarnation where they believed in reincarnation where they believed that they would ascend to that they would ascend to Summerland and wait for rebirth. Summerland and wait for rebirth.

The History of witchcraft.The History of witchcraft.

• The Druids were the priests of Celtic The Druids were the priests of Celtic region and remained in power until region and remained in power until the 4 century AD. It took 20 years of the 4 century AD. It took 20 years of schooling and intense study to schooling and intense study to become a Druid. become a Druid.

PaganismPaganism

• The religious beliefs and practices grew The religious beliefs and practices grew into a larger religion known as Paganism. into a larger religion known as Paganism. Pagan means “country dweller.” Over Pagan means “country dweller.” Over several centuries, Paganism’s beliefs and several centuries, Paganism’s beliefs and practices were turned into potion making, practices were turned into potion making, ointments, casting spells, and magic. This ointments, casting spells, and magic. This became known as witchcraft.became known as witchcraft.

PaganismPaganism

• Prior to the 14Prior to the 14thth century, witchcraft century, witchcraft became known as the practice of became known as the practice of healing through the use of spells, healing through the use of spells, concoctions, and predicting the concoctions, and predicting the future. Witchcraft also became future. Witchcraft also became known as “demon worship.” known as “demon worship.”

Black MagicBlack Magic

• Black magic is performed with the Black magic is performed with the intentions of hurting, harming, and intentions of hurting, harming, and destroying another human. This is what destroying another human. This is what we today associate with witchcraft and we today associate with witchcraft and magic. magic.

Witchcraft in North AmericaWitchcraft in North America

• When the European’s landed in North America, When the European’s landed in North America, they brought their culture, beliefs, and witchcraft they brought their culture, beliefs, and witchcraft with them. However, witchcraft was not so with them. However, witchcraft was not so welcome here in New England. In fact witchcraft welcome here in New England. In fact witchcraft was deemed evil and associated with the devil. was deemed evil and associated with the devil. This led to many trials, most notably, the Salem This led to many trials, most notably, the Salem Witch Trials.Witch Trials.

Salem Witch Trails and Salem Witch Trails and PuritanismPuritanism• To understand the Salem Witch Trials, we must first To understand the Salem Witch Trials, we must first

understand the language.understand the language.

Pilgrims-The early settlers in North America. They came to Pilgrims-The early settlers in North America. They came to America in 1620 and landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts from America in 1620 and landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts from England. They brought their England. They brought their culture with them that we culture with them that we commonly associate our identity with. commonly associate our identity with.

Puritans-The Puritans were from the 16Puritans-The Puritans were from the 16thth and 17 and 17thth centuries centuries of England. They were people who were seeking “purity” of of England. They were people who were seeking “purity” of worship from the Roman Catholic Church. This formed the branch worship from the Roman Catholic Church. This formed the branch of Christianity known at Protestant. of Christianity known at Protestant.

Quakers-Another form of religion. This religion began is the Quakers-Another form of religion. This religion began is the 1717thth century century of England. They were dissatisfied with the Roman of England. They were dissatisfied with the Roman Catholic Church and the newly named Protestant Church. Catholic Church and the newly named Protestant Church.

Salem Witch Trails and PuritanismSalem Witch Trails and Puritanism• Puritan Language ContinuedPuritan Language Continued

John Calvin-A Puritan theologian who protested John Calvin-A Puritan theologian who protested against the against the Roman Catholic Roman Catholic Church. Calvin built the Church. Calvin built the theology known as theology known as Calvinism. Calvinism believed that Calvinism. Calvinism believed that your ticket to heaven was your ticket to heaven was not completed through not completed through good deeds on earth, but you were good deeds on earth, but you were pre-destined or hand pre-destined or hand picked by God to make it to heaven. If picked by God to make it to heaven. If you were chosen you were chosen by God all your sins were forgiven and you by God all your sins were forgiven and you were were cleared of all damnation.cleared of all damnation.

Salem Massachusetts-Was founded in 1629. This Salem Massachusetts-Was founded in 1629. This village sits at village sits at the mouth of Naumkeeg River. Salem means the mouth of Naumkeeg River. Salem means “peace.” The “peace.” The government of Salem was built in government of Salem was built in 1692.1692.

Salem Witch TrialsSalem Witch Trials

• The Salem Witch Trials are the most The Salem Witch Trials are the most controversial trials in American history. controversial trials in American history. They began in 1692 as the result of They began in 1692 as the result of witchcraft conspiracy in both the Salem witchcraft conspiracy in both the Salem Village and Salem Town, Village and Salem Town, Massachusetts. The trials ended with Massachusetts. The trials ended with the death of 20 people, 14 men and 6 the death of 20 people, 14 men and 6 women and the imprisonment of 175 women and the imprisonment of 175 people. people.

Salem Witch Trials Burial Salem Witch Trials Burial SiteSite


Bridget Bishop "I am no witch. I am innocent. I know nothing of it."


Rebecca Nurse "Oh Lord, help me! It is false. I am clear. For my life now lies in your hands...."

Salem Witch HouseSalem Witch House

Witchcraft TodayWitchcraft Today

• Witchcraft today can be viewed in Witchcraft today can be viewed in two totally separate lights, good two totally separate lights, good versus evil. Today we are captivated versus evil. Today we are captivated by magicians. Magicians perform at by magicians. Magicians perform at children’s birthdays and other child children’s birthdays and other child social events. We are amazed by social events. We are amazed by their tricks and astounded by the their tricks and astounded by the unknown. unknown.

Witchcraft TodayWitchcraft Today

• On the other side, the ideas of witchcraft is viewed as evil On the other side, the ideas of witchcraft is viewed as evil and morally wrong. Believe it or not, some people out and morally wrong. Believe it or not, some people out there still believe in witches and witchcraft. Today the there still believe in witches and witchcraft. Today the modern practice that is associated with witches and modern practice that is associated with witches and witchcraft is voodoo (ism). witchcraft is voodoo (ism).

• Do you know that tattoos are seen as ties to witchcraft? Do you know that tattoos are seen as ties to witchcraft?

Harry PotterHarry Potter

• The infamous Harry Potter series are all based on The infamous Harry Potter series are all based on wizardry and witchcraft. In fact, in many schools wizardry and witchcraft. In fact, in many schools nationwide, the Harry Potter series are banned nationwide, the Harry Potter series are banned due to the content in the novels. To date, the due to the content in the novels. To date, the Harry Potter series has made an excess of 15 Harry Potter series has made an excess of 15 billion dollars. That’s a lot of money for billion dollars. That’s a lot of money for something that isn’t even proven. something that isn’t even proven.

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