Witchcraft

The word ÐŽowitchÐŽ± is derived from the Celtic word Wicca which is defined as the wise one or magician. They are believed to have special powers given to them by their parents. From ancient to modern times, the beliefs of people have different perspectives about witchcraft.

A witch can be a man, woman, or child that performs witchcraft. Witchcraft is the use of magical powers, generally to harm people or damage their property. Some Europeans believes that witchcraft involved of one exchanging their soul for powers to the devil. Africans, West Indians, and North America Indians believe that witchcraft does not involve the devil but is used to harm and hurt people.

Archeologists found many artifacts in France dating back to pre-historic times that might be linked to the use and beliefs of witchcraft. For example, they found amber amulet necklaces that are worn for protection against danger. They also found skulls from corpses and used for drinking the personЎЇs wisdom.

The beliefs of ancient people are similar to tribal community beliefs. The tribal members blame whenever bad fortune happens on witchcraft. In the West Indies, the people believe in voodoo which is similar to witchcraft. However, the main different between the two is that the witch must be an apprentice to get the knowledge needed in order to become a witch doctor. Witch doctors are also said to be old, widowed, and lives alone outside the village.

In modern times today, the power of witches can be used to harm people by casting spells. In order to inflict physical pain or death to the victim, the witch would have a belonging of the victims, such as a lock of hair or nail clippings, attached to a small doll or mask. Then the witch would burn, pin needles, or cut the doll sending the victim pain. Other than harming people, witches record the movement of the sun, stars, and the moon, create poisonous concoctions from plants. They perform spells with ceremonial music, dancing, and incantations.

From selling souls to the devil for getting magical powers to hurting a victim with a doll to performing spells, beliefs changed and adapted from ancient to modern times. Yet mostly some are still the same and are known to harm people. These beliefs can prove the origins of witchcraft and the story behind it.

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