what started belief in witches?

Answer 1

My Mother in law!

Answer 2

The fact that they are real possibly has something to do with it. It's not like in charmed, vanquishing demons and saving the world, it's a religion like any other. In fact it's the oldest known religion still practiced. There are lots of books you can read if you're interested, it won't make you a witch by the way, it just means you have an interest in learning about it.

Answer 3

There is more than a belief of witches. They're real. Those who believe in the Pagan religion branch of Wicca are considered witches. Most people consider being Pagan and Wiccan the same thing - but they aren't. Wicca is a branch of Paganism. Just like Catholicism or Baptist are branches of Christianity.

Read up on Paganism and Wicca.

Answer 4

Who knows! Alot of people start up stories about how the belief in witches came to be. One of them would be, two ladies were cleaning clothes. Another comes along and gives them a herb to clean their clothes. But things went wrong and the two ladies clothes got messed up. So the ladies passed rumors that the lady that gave them the herb cursed them. (and spread even more rumors because they wanted more attention) But thats all false. It started in the middle ages of course. When the spread of the black death went from east to west. It started in china. Rats spread the disease. People started with nosebleeds, then bruises on the skin, swelling of body parts, etc... so, people thought it was the scent that spread the disease and wore costumes. (these people weren't very hygenic by the way) so, people prayed to god but they felt as if god had ignored them. So, they started casting spells and performing rituals. and were known as wiccans, witches, or whatever you want to call them.

Answer 5

Witches are people, not just women, who follow the changes of the Earth. They were the ones who studied herb law and the flow of the moon. Witches do exist. They always have and always will. There are many different types of modern witch.

In response to an earlier comment, Wicca is a branch of witchcraft, not the other way around.

Answer 6

"Merry meet."
Seriously:
Belief goes back to the age of time...
If you look at alot of history, many things 'abnormal', unexplainable, where ignorance was involved were accused of sorcerous activity.
(ie: herbs with healing properties unknown at the time were 'attacked', so one can only imagine how many brilliant minds were unsupported and discouraged from 'evolvement'!!

However, personally when it comes to such, i practise my own personal beliefs, i am NOT wiccan, which is NEW AGE (ie: tarot exists as far bak in popularity in the 14th century France, but 'introduced with awareness' to North America in the early 70's...

I noticed some other answerers talked of 'black magick' which DOES, indeed, exist. There can be NO good without evil; ying yang, etc. BUT one should always DO for the greater good, NOT personal gain, as the NEGATIVE energies created can 'reverse' and attack the conjurer-DO NOT MESS WITH THE UNKOWN!

I hope I was able to give you a little insight on your question.
Blessed be!

Answer 7

Ancient relgion basically intelligent educated girls in basic science, medicine, psychology ties up with environmentalisism and a culture supporting nature.

Before evil chrisitianity witches would have been respected like the local doctor

Answer 8

my x girl friend was a which and she put a spell on me that lasted years and its still wearing off it was a containment spell to make me stay with her even thought i should of got away i couldn't, she would not admit that she was a witch but she was. i think some woman were chosen to be witches and some were not, if they exercise there power they can become very powerful but many chose just to be normal thank god........

Answer 9

Villiage Healers.

Answer 10

Witchcraft

Answer 11

There was no explanation for so many things that naturally occurred. Diereses were a big one. it was a lot easier to blame someone. people like to focus on the tangible and love to have someone to blame for everything. It was also a good way to get back at people you were made at. so many people that died weren't witches. they were innocent victims of revenge