Witchcraft can be described as the practice of magic or sorcery.The word is used in different ways in several historical and social contexts. Many people participating in the modern revival of witchcraft, known as the neopagan revival, identify themselves as benign witches (meaning good and moralistic). Therefore, the practice of witchcraft shouldn’t be associated with evil or immorality, nor with diabolism, (the invocation of Devils). In addition, many accusations of malignant witchcraft have been speculative and have sprung from illogical fears and social concerns. I’m going to divide the extensive subject of witchcraft into three different sections; Sorcery, with reference mainly to witchcraft in ancient societies; Diabolism with a focus on the persecution of supposed witches and the reasons behind the persecution; and Modern Witchcraft, concerning witchcraft in the neo-pagan revival. These are three very different subjects and this is very important to remember when using the term witchcraft.

Sorcery Simple sorcery such as setting out offerings to helpful spirits or using charms can be found in almost all societies. Although the contrasts are often hazy, practices like these differ both from religion (worship of a supernatural power or god/s) and from the arts of alchemists and magicians. Sorcery is meant to force results and it’s worked by simple and traditional means. From a sociological perspective, the extensive practice of sorcery within a tribe or rural community strengthens and brings together beliefs about the supernatural world and the connection between humans and that world. Psychologically, sorcery gives a sensation of control over nature and so eases the anxieties caused by disease, unpredictable weather, and natural disasters. When things such as these do take place in spite of preventive measures, they were perceived as the effect of malignant witchcraft, and the alleged witches were then driven out of the community. The purpose of the witch doctor or medicine man in many societies was to prevent and inverse the power of evil witchcraft through good magic. Shamans performed rites that banished harmful spirits in order to heal and protect. They would normally do this with the assistance of good spirits or gods invoked through incantations and rites. The ancient Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans knew of practices such as these. The Greco-Roman world was infused by the belief in witchcraft. Horace mentions crones who clawed the earth to invoke spirits of the underworld, and the philosopher Apuleius refers to the practice of nailing owls above doors with their wings spread to avert storms. After Mediterranean world was Christianized in the 4th century, numerous customs like these were seen as folk magic. Village sages or “wise women” were accomplished in witchcraft or sorcery, which usually referred to the ways of pre-Christian religion.