what is a "witch" and did they really exist??

Question

and what is the wicca religion?

Answer 1

I know a few witches, and yes most are women. I'm a witch and I'm a man. So don't say they are just women. Do your research.

Answer 2

First Witches NEVER worshiped Satan. And Witches still exist today. In fact Paganism is growing as a base and Wicca (a sect of Witchcraft) is one of the fastest growing belief systems in the country, USA.

Witches worship different deities and Mother Nature. Essentially seeing the Divine in Nature. We worship the Goddess of old and try to be good peaceful people.

And as another poster so accurately stated Witchcraft is not all that different from what Native Tribes use to Worship before the colonists came over from Europe

Yes Witches do cast spells, but normally that is for healing or Prosperity. And those are only done when it does not cause any harm, And I mean ANY.

The Witches of the past were likely herbalists and Mid wives. Older Ladies that own land that the state wanted to steal from them, SO they were accused of being Witches so they could be killed and have their land and belonging taken from them.

Witches are good people, they simply follow a different Spirituality, One that is a largely maligned because of fear, Un-founded fear.

Peace to all

Answer 3

There are so many ways a person could be considered a witch. One who practices witchcraft, who acknowledges the elemental energies and works with them, possesses knowledge of herbs and herbal remedies, a healer, someone who practices divinity...the list could go on and on.

I am an Agnostic Witch. I do not believe in Deity, but I think there are energies and spirits out there that one cannot explain. I have no religious aspect to my art.

Yes, they did and still do exist. You may walk by a modern day witch and not even realize it. They are normal everyday people. They are teachers, lawyers, doctors, police, grocery store clerks, waiters and waitresses...you get the idea.

Answer 4

"Witch" is the term eventually applied to the women who were herbalists and natural healers of the common people who saw no need to convert to the new religion of Christianity as it was taking root in Europe. In those times the use of natural remedies was outlawed and people were commanded to ask Jesus for healing by prayer. It became accepted that whoever prayed and was healed was a good and virtuous person, but who ever sought the services of the wise-women were cavorting with nature spirits which were actually considered demons. Thus the witch trials of Europe began. Those who clung to the old healing arts that used herbal potions and ritualized procedures were condemned and tortured or executed. Yes, these women actually existed.

Notice that after these age old healing practices were discontinued and replaced with prayer, the Black Plague entered Europe and killed millions. People believed it was the End Time and priests taught is was retribution for their sins.

Answer 5

There probably isn't room to really answer this here. I suggest you look up the etymology of the word "witch." Witches, as I understand it, were simply old women, who by virtue of their years were quite knowledgable in local lore. They were often demonized by clergy because they were alone in the world and not always "proper."

As to today, witches do exist. Or at least there are plenty of practicioners of witchcraft. http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm

Edit: Ok, Wicca is a mystery religion founded in the 1950's by Gerald Gardner. It is vaguely recconstructionist of pre-Christian Celtic religions, is earth-based and involves 8 major celebrations that correspond with the solar year and 13 celebrations for the moon phases. It has several offshoots, such as Faerie tradition, Alexandrian tradition, Dragon tradition, and Solitary practice. http://www.witchvox.com has the best information on current practice.

Answer 6

A Witch is a person of any gender that practices nature based arts; herb lore, animal lore, communion with natural and elemental spirits as well as things like spell-craft, divination and astrology.

Many midwives of the previous centuries were considered witches, as were country doctors, dowsers (water finders).

Wicca is an initiatory oath-bound Witch priesthood whose principles and practices were codified by Gerald Gardner and Doreen Valiente back in the 50's

Answer 7

Witches do exist... I consider myself one. We don't fly broomsticks, or wear pointy hats, or eat little kids or any of that other crap. We don't believe in the devil either so we certainly don't worship him.

What is true about us....

Some practice witchcraft (ie spells, potions, healing, divination)

Some follow the Wiccan religion

Some are pagans ( follow an earth based religion)

Some are healers


It is possible that a withc is all or only one of these things listed. You don't have to be Wiccan to be a witch.

Witch is such a broadly used term these days it is really hard to narrow down exactly what one is because everyone is different.

Answer 8

A Witch is someone who practices witchcraft to help better the world and mankind. A witch is NOT someone who is ugly, worships the devil, or hurts people

Witch is a name given to someone who works with magical powers and natural substances and uses them to help and heal. Magic can be used for both good and evil, but is generally used solely for the good.

Love & Blessings
Milly

Answer 9

witches are those who practice the wiccan religion. Nothing evil and sinister about it as in movies and folklore. It is a pagan belief, a worship of nature of earth and sky, alot like Native Americans worship (in ways) similar. Witchcraft got a bad rap back in the days of the Puritans. Somehow Satanists and witches were blended together as one when in reality they are seperate.

Answer 10

of course they existed. but not in the Hollywood sense.
Belief in the old gods of nature.
of giving back to the land payment for what you have gained from it. Paganism Wicca are all related in this sense.
their is no devil in these old religions everything has its dark side.
The old midwifes and herbalists were deemed as witches by the doctors who wanted sole control.

Answer 11

In the Middle Ages, people who made medicine were considered "witches". Just because a woman could swim, doesn't mean she's a witch!