Traditional Witchcraft and Ancient Witchcraft: What's The Spirit of Witchcraft?

Answer 1

Traditional witchcraft originated in the practices of European sects, primarily Celts and the British, as a way to integrate with the laws of Nature. Since it relates to the worship of an unseen god, ie., the forces of Nature, it was often bracketed with paganism as forbidden knowledge.

It is also said that a section of acient or traditional witchcraft actually began as a pre-medieval way to address women's health issues. The romantic practice of giving a rose to a woman has origins in the belief that women should eat rose hips (dried or fresh) during their menstrual period. This is known as Dianic witchcraft -- a practise meant solely for women. Ancient withcraft eventually evolved to encapsulate everything (both good and bad) that could be realized as a force of nature and understood simply as the spirit of the unknown.

You could say that modern parapsychology and mysticism, as encouraged by certain religions, are also derivatives of ancient witchcraft, and therein lies its magnetism and myth to attract both believers and non-believers to its fold.

Answer 2

There is no ancient "Witchcraft." There was no word "witch" until invented by the Christians in years of the inquistition and "witch hunts." The crafts that People work at are as old as Humankind. A herbalist or Healer, may not have used any Magick at all and yet been tortured and die for practicing "Witchcraft" in the burning times. There is no spirit of Witchcraft that existed before then 19th century when a brave few decided to make the title and the crafting honorable or die trying--and many did. Today's practitioners of neo-Witchcraft mix a bit of religion with their crafts and may also join the Wiccans.

The Magi existed before the birth of Christ and even before the wars of occupation of the Hebrews that was guided by their God. They were not titled "witches" and were honored to the point were, supposedly, they were allowed to annoint the baby Jesus, and give his family gold to escape into Egypt.
The spirit of those in the crafts is best told anecdotally. Every time a midwife was called to help in a birth and try to keep woman and child alive, she was placing her life in jeporady. in the 15th century both clergy and parents could call her witch if child or woman died, and, have her burned or hung. (There were even those who called her witch for washing away the honest dirt of God from her hands and the birthing sheets.) Midwifery is still a working that women choose for a life craft.

Answer 3

Witchcraft is a generic term for arcane energy manipulation. Used with the intent of being specific, it usually refers to practicioners of 'rituals' to influence the energies.

There's no specific 'spirit' of witchcraft.

Answer 4

Tradiational Witchcraft and Ancient Witchcraft are the same thing so I don't understand your dichotomy. Perhaps you mean Modern and Historical Witchcraft?

Answer 5

No matter what adjective you put before it, witchcraft is still the use of the natural forces of this world "for the good of all". That's all it has ever been, regardless of funny hats, black robes, brooms, 'familiar spirits' or kilos of silver jewellery.
Those of us who do not need to display those things still get on with the work.

Answer 6

if you put it this way the spirit of giving

Answer 7

A gimmick used to sell books.