To ask you about witches

[DeepFatFriar]

Isn't there something really powerful and positive about the idea of witches?

Women living on their own, in harmony with nature, self sufficient, with healing powers?

Is this why they were persecuted?

You can get male witches. The Blair witch was male.

Many witches were men. It wasn't always the Church that persecuted them; sometimes it was local authority. Some churchmen protested against it. In the late 17th/early 18th century there seems, bizarrely enough, to be some overlap between interest in new science and an unhealthy interest in the possibility of other people practising witchcraft.

Historically, witches could be either male or female. As above they tended to be people who caused jealousy or who had an income as a healer or midwife or similar.

Accusations of witchcraft were an easy way of keeping people in line and ruling through fear.

Even James I (of England) VI (of Scotland) got his hands dirty during the witch trials as he used the notion of witchcraft as proof of devilry, and as God's chosen protector of the country, this was a way for him to cement his rule over any who denied his right.

Hermits- I'd have to argue that in the past Witchcraft was much the same as it is now. It's never been all about devil worship etc. But in a pre-scientific time with Christianity trying to stamp out the remnants of Paganism throughout the UK - it was often equated with devil worship. (And impossible to argue your way out of!)

Some historical figures DID practice witchcraft as a way of summoning demons etc. But they were mostly very fringe characters - pretty much the same as now. There's always one absolute loon who tries to ruin it for everybody! The tenets of witchcraft are pretty anti- evil stuff so it's not in their interests.

I've just read The witch finders Sister . Fiction based on fact, it was all about the witchfinder general told by his fictional sister. Very powerful book, couldn't put it down.

Larousse Encyclopedia of Witchcraft and Demonology

Today 18:16 speakout

BadBilly witchcraft is not a religion.

Some witches may be Wiccan, but not all.

I am a witch and an atheist.

My actual phrase was "folk religion" which is an accepted phrase for any belief system that is not organised in the traditional hierarchy and organised way that "traditional" systems are, but may still be followed by groups or individuals alike.

If you like just substitute "belief" instead of religion, as most forms of "witchcraft" require some form of belief in the rituals or practices you are following, or there would be little point in doing them otherwise.

I am not a religious person, but would I describe myself as an atheist? Difficult question, because my study of folklore has surprised me on many occasions , or is it my mind playing tricks on me and me imagining things happening when I do certain things? My rational head says imagination, but my romantic head (for want of a better word) can offer no explanation sometimes for an event or series of events that I have "made happen" by using certain practices.

Today 17:44 GeekyBlinders

BadBilly, I hate to blow my own trumper but I got a first, then a distinction and MA, and I now have a PhD in Medieval History - I assure you my analysis was very well received, and entirely based on the primary sources. Rather than folklore told to me by my mother. Yes, men were witches too, but there was a great deal of ingrained misogyny as well. HTH

If you've got all those letters after your name the why did you post such an incorrect post initially?

You now state (as many posters have pointed out - and - gasp- some of them are , unlike me, academics) that some witches were men.

So, what has changed between your first post where you state you thesis was about " why witches were women" . Surely, if you were in possession of the information you would have titled your thesis "why witches were mainly women" or something similar.

Anyway, I'm obviously a complete pleb, as I don't have any letters after my name, and you are a far superior intellect to me as you have so clearly shown, so HTH ( your ego).

It's very refreshing that a conversation can be had about what to some people can be a very misunderstood topic, and it not descending into a conversation about Satan, devil worship, Halloween or Harry Potter.

Also very pleased to see so many posters with knowledge and interest in the subject.

OP try Malcolm Gaskill, A short introduction to witchcraft

It looks like a small book but it's packed with info and it's a good starting point

I suppose Pendle has been mentioned already

"I am a witch."

I'm not too sure why but I quite literally laughed until tears ran down my cheeks at the thought of an adult declaring that they were a witch.

youngoffenders i have much the same reaction when someone claims theyre an adult who laughs at anothers religious beliefs

Best be off eh, young offenders

@Pretenditsaplan

Religion isn't funny. It's frightening and abhorrent. A bastion of misogyny and child abuse preying on the weak-minded.

However, as others have explained, being a witch is not a religion.

For some it is. For me it is. What you just said is offensive and bigoted. Your saying that my religion is child abuse and misogyny frightening and abhorrent. Barig in mind my religion is about love and harmony. The dualuty of god and goddess. The hope placed in the next generation to be that but better then us. What you spew is hate speech you might hate all forms of belief and thats your right. Doesnt stop me from thinking your a d*ickwad.

I also never said religion was funny but you openly mocked mine.

billy- *"Witchcraft" is a sub-section of many of these pagan religions.
*

You imply that witchcraft is a religion.
I really have to disagree.
Some people use other tools- Tarot or dowsing for instance, I wouldn't call that religious either.

Blimey, it would seem I spoke too soon, suddenly descended nearly into Harry Potter territory!

I'm not sure what you mean badbilly.

billy- "Witchcraft" is a sub-section of many of these pagan religions

The full quote was :

"Paganism is a cover-all term that covers many aspects of Folk Religions, and "Witchcraft" is a sub-section of many of these pagan religions."

That's just how it is-I'm not making this up, it's just how it is categorised, and you're free to disagree with it, but as I said in my later post, just use "belief" instead if the word offends you. It is a matter of semantics.

Also, if you're using the Tarot, surely you understand that there is a spiritual element to it, which could broadly be classed as a religious aspect.

Also, if you're using the Tarot, surely you understand that there is a spiritual element to it, which could broadly be classed as a religious aspect.

Spirituality and religion are different things.

I'm not sure what you mean badbilly.

I was just saying how nice it was that we could discuss what to some people is a contentious topic in a civilised manner, and even quietly disagree with certain aspects, without idiots coming on and taking the piss, and lo and behold it was like a bat-signal going up and someone arrives to do exactly that!

badbilly- with respect this thread was moving along in a civilised manner until you arrived to mansplain everything and insult another poster.

I think you have played a part in the nasty negativity on this thread.

@youngOffenders

Religion isn't funny. It's frightening and abhorrent. A bastion of misogyny and child abuse preying on the weak-minded.

The term 'religion' covers a massive range of belief systems and a range of hierarchical structures. For example, a solitary Wiccan in the Dianic tradition would be highly unlikely to match your description.