Introduction to Witchcraft Unit 2: Witchcraft Introduction to Witchcraft

Unit Outline Introduction to Witchcraft (1 Class) Documentary (2 classes) Cultures who practice(d) Witchcraft (3 classes) Salem Witch Trials (1 Class) Modern day Witchcraft (Wicca) (1 Class) Final Project (2 Classes)

What is Witchcraft? “Also known as witchery or spellcraft means the practice of, and belief in, magical skills and abilities that are able to be exercised individually by designated social groups, or by persons with the necessary esoteric secret knowledge.” Wikipedia

What is Witchcraft? Witchcraft often possesses a religious. Divinatory, or medicinal purpose in society. Many cultures in the world today still possess a “magical world-view” Witchcraft CAN share common ground with sorcery, the paranormal, magic, superstition, necromancy, possession, shamanism, healing, spiritualism, nature worship, and the occult, it is considered separately by anthropologists.

Witch vs Sorcerer Witches are different from sorcerers in that they do not tools or actions to curse; instead their power or “maleficium” is a possessed inner quality. You are born with this quality, some people may live their entire life not knowing they are a witch. A male witch is known as a warlock.

Historical Witchcraft The term “witchcraft” has been given to the practices people believe influence the body, mind, or physical property. Witchcraft is present in all continents and in all faiths, some may accept it, some may acknowledge it as a sin.

White Witches The idea of the “good witch”. Those who use their abilities for good. Many Neopagan witches strongly identify themselves with this concept and claim that witches have an ethical code to uphold.

Alleged Practices Spell casting Necromancy: conjuring the dead Demonology White Witches Healing Shamanism

Cultures Who Practice Witchcraft Africa North America South America India Daesh Japa Kuwait Pakistan Phillipines Saudi Arabia Tocharians Spain Cook Islands Papua New Guinea Russia