I would like to greatly acknowledge all those who contributed to this research paper by offering their time, patience, and helpful information.
        I would especially like to thank Laval's school Library, Librarian, and my Language 2101 teacher, Ms. McGrath, for providing me with sources of information related to my topic and who dedicated her time by answering and questions I may have had while researching.
        I would like to thank my mother, Carol Ann, and my friends, Karen, Jolene, Crystal and Stephen for their ongoing help and ideas. Also my boyfriend, Mick for helping me find sources.

        My interest in witchcraft was first inspired by the tragedy that occurred at Salem. I was interested and enthusiastic in learning more about why so many innocent people died because of their beliefs. My interest was further sparked by such motion pictures as "The Craft" and "Practical Magic."
        The purpose of this research paper is to explain the shrouded, and often misrepresented history of witchcraft as well as clarify misconceptions of the craft.
        I hope that my essay will be easy to read and that you will learn some valuable information from it.

         My purpose is to shine a light of truth on the darkened, uneducated ideas people have about witchcraft in North America and to clarify the rich history of this religion.
        The practice of the art of magic which involves some association with the devil or an appeal to evil spirits to inflict harm on persons, recall the dead, or foretell the future is generally described as witchcraft. This, however, is incorrect as the main rule of behavior for a practicing witch is "An'it harm none, do what thou wilt." Had this rule been known in the past the massacre that was the witch-hunt may not have happened. It has been estimated that in the space of three centuries 300,000 to 2,000,000 persons were executed as witches.

         The practice of the religion, witchcraft, pre-dates recorded history, and it probably originated as "white" magic. "Primitive man was a frail creature in a hostile world. Because he did not understand the forces of nature, he feared them and tried to appease them with chants and rituals." (Ronan pg.5). Man offered sacrifices hoping to gain protection against the natural calamities that might occur such as poor harvests, scarce game, and bad weather. Rituals, dances and chants were used before a battle to "buy" victory over his enemies.
        In the beginning the practice of "the craft" was a group effort. "Everyone participated because everyone hoped to benefit. Then individuals began to use magic rituals to take care of their own individual problem."(Ronan, pg.5). It soon became evident that certain individuals got better results from their magic than others did, and the age of specialization began. The individual who was best at it took over the full-time task of being magic-maker for the entire tribe. The magic-makers abilities were supposed to do such things as cure the ill, heal the wounded, and most importantly to keep away the evil spirits.
        The magic-maker of the tribe was a powerful individual - and the need for more power
probably was the reason the first "black" or harmful spell was cast, perhaps the scenario was that a
tribal member desired his neighbors land, home, etc and went to a witch asking him/her to frighten
the neighbor away. The witch may have discovered that people feared him/her if he/she claimed to
have the aid of evil spirits.

         It has come to light that many of the aspects of Christianity have been derived from Pagan
(A pagan is a person who is not Christian, Jew, or Muslim. A Pagan may worship many gods or
may not believe in any god.) Religions, such as witchcraft. "Much of Christianity was derived from
Pagan sources; this includes the sites of many cathedrals, the lives of many Christian saints (who
were really Pagan Goddesses or Gods), and many Christian holy days. There are many vestiges
of Paganism which remain part of our culture; e.g. Groundhog Day, Christmas, May Day,
Halloween, the names of the days of the weeks and months of the year, common saying, numerous
traditions associated with holidays, etc."(Witchcraft, pg.5).
         So if we, as Christians, gained so much of our religion from witchcraft why did we persecute them for their beliefs? As early as the 15th century up until the 19th century there were crazed witch hunts, in Europe, South America and the New World (i.e. Salem). This was due to the fact that in the early days witchcraft was highly frowned upon as a religious practice. Witches were persecuted for their religious beliefs by the early Christians. Hence, the burnings at the stake, hangings, & tortures of many witches and those thought to be witches, "People used many kinds of tests to determine whether a woman was a witch. For example, they looked for moles, scars, or other marks on the woman's body where a pin could be stuck without causing pain. Such devils marks were said to be places where the devil had torched the accused woman. Devils marks also included birthmarks. In another test, people tied the suspected woman's arms and legs and threw her into deep water. If she floated, she was considered guilty of being a witch. If she sank, she was innocent."(Dundes.Pg.311).
         The Craft was a scapegoat for any unforseen disasters to the educated man and so the
persecution continued until people finally came to their senses. "Beliefs in witches faded with the
down of the 18th century. For the first time people began to understand the real causes of the things they feared- drought, thunder and lightening, mental and physical illness."(Starkey pg. 209). "It has been estimated that during the next three centuries (1300-1600) 300,000 to 2,000,000 persons were executed as witches. It is difficult to know how many of the victims were followers of the old pagan religion, how many lost their lives in the general hysteria simply because they were not liked in their communities, or how many genuinely believed themselves to be witches - to have magical powers to do evil."(Bacon pg.84).
         Even today many people frown upon those who practice witchcraft, (especially Christians), and many witches have had to hide their religious beliefs to avoid being demanded to leave the towns in which they live. This is wrong and it's about time for a change.

         Most people do not understand the religion of witchcraft and so they fear it, as is human to
do. One encyclopedia defined witchcraft as "The practice of the arts of magic which involves some
association with the evil spirits to inflict harm on persons, recall the dead, or foretell the future"(witchcraft pg. 16). This is not entirely true because although witchcraft has its religious
roots in ancient Pagan rituals does not mean they worship Satan or call on evil spirits to do their
bidding.
         Most practicing witches only deal in herbs and charms to "The self styled witches of
modern society usually emphasize that they are not involved in antisocial practices such as black
magic. "(Marwick pg. 3042). The false belief that all or most witches group together and make
plans to destroy people for fun, as in "Macbeth" can also be laid to rest. "Many, perhaps most,
witches are solitary practitioners; they perform their rites alone. Others form covens which are
informal groups of wiccans. There is usually no hierarchy beyond the coven; no state, provincial
or national organization. Those covens which have a high Priestess and/or Priest democratically
elect one of the of the group to that office."(witchcraft pg.12).
         The Roman Catholic church could learn a valuable lesson from practicing witches. (That is
that they believe that males and females are equal.). they celebrate all living things as witchcraft is a
natural religion, grounded in the earth. "Psychiatrists believe that many of the dreams and visions
once thought to be the result of witchcraft are really the products of hysteria or mental illness.
Modern research also is discovering medicinal value in many of the herbs used by witch doctors."(Starkey pg.209).
         As in any religion there are certain rules. For example a Roman Catholic must follow the 10
commandments. In witchcraft the main law is the three-fold law, which states "All good that a
person does to another returns three-fold in this life; harm is also returned three fold.".(Beliefs pg.6). They also have a main rule of behavior "An'it harm none, do what thou wilt."(Beliefs pg. 6).
This means that a person should feel free to do what ever they want to, as long as it does not harm
themselves or anyone else. This and the three-fold law obviously prevent a witch from doing harm
to themselves or to others, or attempting to manipulate others, or taking harmful drugs, etc. So,
witches are not so different from us after all.

Quotation by Margaret Adler:

         "We are not evil. We don't harm or seduce people. We are not dangerous. We are ordinary people like you. We have families, jobs, hopes, and dreams. We are not a cult. This religion is not a joke. We are not what you think we are from looking at T.V. We are real. We laugh, we cry. We are serious. We have a sense of humor. You don't have to be afraid of us. We don't want to convert you. And please don't try to convert us. Just give us the same right we give you - to live in peace. We are much more similar to you than you think."

         Witchcraft, one of the oldest religions that still exists in our present day society, has been
shrouded in mystery and persecuted by those who fear it, for untold centuries. (Ignorance kills). It
is my hope that those who read my essay will learn that witchcraft is not an evil religion related to
Satan. It is the worship of the earth and everything on it. Witches don't cast spells & ride around
on brooms, they are normal people, with normal lives who just want equality and a chance to
practice their religion freely, & without fear.

 Catholic Encyclopedia, 1965 ed. S.V. "Witchcraft."
 Colliers Encyclopedia, 1982 ed. S.V. "Witchcraft" by Marion L. Starkey.
 Encyclopedia Americana, 1983 ed. S.V. "Witchcraft" by Elizabeth E. Bacon.
 Man, Myth, and Magic Encyclopedia, 1970 ed. S.V. "Witchcraft" by M.G. Marwick.
 New Book of knowledge, 1980 ed. S.V. "Witchcraft" by Marion L. Starkey.
 Ronan, Margaret. "Witchcraft: Yesterday and Today." P.E., 7 March, 1968, pp. 4-6.
 Shapiro, Laura. "Lessons of Salem." Newsweek, 31 August, 1992.
 Vachon, Brian. "Witchcraft." Look, 24 September, 1991.
Witchcraftand Wicca.Online,Internet.20February1999.                                                                     Available http://www.religioustolerance.org/witchcra.htm.
 World Book, 1989 ed. S.V. "Witchcraft" by Alan Dundes.