“Witches and wizards” is a topic that became very famous in our world: it had an impact on history, literature, and even in our culture. For my first blog entry, I would like to talk about the origin of the words “witches” and “wizards” and how these terms started to be used inside our society but, first of all, we’re going to start with the term “witchcraft” that, according to Encyclopedia Britannica, is “the exercise of invocation of alleged supernatural powers to control people or events, practices typically involving sorcery or magic”.
This kind of practices emerged from the Celts, which were a community who lived between 700 b.C. – 100 a.D. These people was very good at activities like musicians, storytellers, farmers, artists, and even warrior but also they were very spiritual who believed in a god and in a goddess and they believed in reincarnation. The time passed and their religious practices and beliefs changed with what is called as Paganism and those beliefs became mixed with the ones of the Indo-European descended groups, adopting to cast spells, doing works of magic, and preparing potions as practices so this became known as “witchcraft”. Now, after creating the word “witchcraft”, the term of “witch” became created thousands of years ago, when some cultures believed in goddess that have powers of nature that can be able to create new forms of life but then, the humanity gave the concept of “witch” to women who secretly practice witchcraft (essortment.com).
Finally, according to Edward Peters in his book “The Magician, the Witch and the Law”, it’s said that the concept of “wizard” or even called “magician” came from medieval and Renaissance ideas of aberration and disagreement (xiii). Peters also explained that the wizard or magician is the one that has natural gifts that make them different from the non-magical ones and that if the society started to believe that someone was a witch or a wizard, that person was persecuted because it was believed that they had pacts with the demon (xiii) but… this is another story. Well, that’s all for today… On the next entry I’ll write about these persecutions that can be seen in some history books.
Essortment. The History Of Witchcraft And Magic. 2011. 16 August 2011
Peters, Edward. The Magician, the Witch, and the Law. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1992.
"witchcraft." Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. Encyclopædia Britannica, 2011. Web. 17 Aug. 2011.
(Important: If you want to know more about the information that is on the second paragraph, enter to essortment.com ... there's where I've got it).
I think that's a very interesting topic :), especially since it has become very popular nowadays with all these movies, series, and books about witches and sorcerers. However, according to what you just wrote about the origins of it all, I think the concept of magic and wizardry have been evolving a lot, because as far as I know, (and like you said), its origin is very simple, spiritual, and related to nature. I guess people started to misinterpret these practices and that’s why these ‘witches’ in the past where persecuted, which I’ve always seen as unfair. For me, everyone should be able to practice whatever they want to believe in. But at least, now they’re able to. I’ve read there are modern ‘witches’ that actually believe in the power of these spells involving chants, natural herbs, the power of the moon, and many other spiritual practices. Some say they work, though I won’t really judge that, since I myself haven’t tried to cast a spell ever (lol).
ResponderEliminarAlso, I guess you already have many ideas for the following topics of your blog, (I think talking about the persecutions would be great, I remember some things about that topic from History class but it’s always good to learn more about it ;) ) and some other things that I’d love you to consider are: explaining more about the Wicca, the practices of witchcraft nowadays, and perhaps even some spells for us to try out. :P (and I guess I don’t have to mention Harry Potter, since I’m pretty sure you WILL take it in account :) )
Well, that’s everything I have to say. Nice start for your blog! :)
Hello AK!
ResponderEliminarWow, a charm related topic ... definitely interested. I find everything related to magic, spells and witches VERY interesting. Short stories and novels related to it are amazing, and analyzing historic situations such as the Holy Inquisition and other Pagan aspects just blows my mind.
I've heard something related to "wiccas", a kind of nature and white magic witches... your should really post something about it.
See you
Danyel
What a great topic Ana Karen!
ResponderEliminarI found this topic very amusing. Witchcraft used to be a highly controversial topic several centuries ago. And nowadays witchcraft movies, TV series and books are a trending topic. The famous Harry Potter's books and movies are the perfect example of the public's acceptance of this topic.
Every topic related with magic and witchcraft lets people imagine how life would be like if actually these practices exist. Some people could argue magic and witchcraft exist in some places like Africa and some Caribbean Islands, and some others could say this is only effect of peoples beliefs.
True or not, witchcraft is a groovy topic. I found it amazing Ana Karen.
Congrats!