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It has been found at various times and in many forms among cultures worldwide, and continues to have an important role in some cultures today.
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The concept of witchcraft and the belief in its existence have persisted throughout recorded history. The Magic Circle by John William Waterhouse, 1886 8 Historical and religious perspectives.5.2 European witch-hunts and witch-trials.In contemporary Western culture, most notably since the development and popularization of Wicca in the 1950s, the term witchcraft has been redefined by some adherents to refer to harmless or helpful practices such as divination, meditation, and the self-help practices found in the modern Pagan and New Age movements. Modern witch-hunting is found in parts of Africa and Asia. As with the cunning-folk in Europe, Indigenous communities that believe in the existence of witchcraft define witches as the opposite of the healers and medicine people, who are sought out for protection against witches and witchcraft. Anthropologists have applied the term witchcraft to similar beliefs and occult practices described by many non-European cultures, and cultures that have adopted English will often call these practices "witchcraft", as well. European belief in witchcraft gradually dwindled during and after the Age of Enlightenment.Ĭontemporary cultures that believe in magic and the supernatural often believe in witchcraft. European witch-hunts and witch trials in the early modern period led to tens of thousands of executions - almost always of women who did not practice witchcraft. Often they would be formally prosecuted and punished if found guilty. Suspected witches were also intimidated, banished, attacked or killed. It was believed witchcraft could be thwarted by protective magic or counter-magic, which could be provided by the cunning folk or folk healers. Witchcraft was seen as immoral and often thought to involve communion with evil beings. In medieval and early modern Europe, where the term witchcraft originated, accused witches were usually women who were believed to have attacked their own community. In various cultural worldviews, witchcraft is the use of magic or supernatural powers, usually to cause harm and misfortune to others. The Witches by Hans Baldung (woodcut), 1508