The History and Evolution of Witches

Iconic Halloween Character

• Typically represented as:
  • Dressed in black
  • Green skin
  • Tall, pointy hat
  • Flying on a broomstick across a full moon

Long and Tumultuous History

• Witches are not just a Halloween cliché; they have a significant historical background.
• Global Presence:
  • Witchcraft exists in various cultures worldwide:
    • Asian
    • African
    • Native American societies

Witchcraft in History

• Blame for Misfortunes:

  • Before scientific explanations, witches were blamed for:
    • Storms
    • Accidents
    • Diseases

• Witch Hunts in Medieval Europe:

  • Estimated 100,000 to 200,000 arrests on suspicion of witchcraft.
  • Approximately half of the accused were executed.
  • Accused individuals included not just women but also men and children.

Cultural Fascination

• Even after witch hunts, Western culture remained intrigued by witches:

  • Influential fairy tales include works by:
    • Brothers Grimm
    • Hans Christian Andersen

• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz:

  • Written by L. Frank Baum
  • Features the Wicked Witch of the West, a significant pop culture figure.
  • The witch's green skin was not in Baum's book but became iconic in the 1939 film adaptation.

Witches' Symbols and Attire

• Pointy Hat:

  • Originally worn by upper classes in Europe during the 15th century.
  • Style later adopted by commoners, particularly those accused of witchcraft.

• Broomstick:

  • Used by pagans in ancient fertility rites.
  • Symbolized witches who supposedly hid their wands in brooms.
  • Belief that witches could fly using an ointment applied to their brooms.

Modern Day Witches

• Wicca:

  • A modern form of witchcraft founded in England during the 1950s.
  • Members worship nature and a female deity known as the Goddess.
  • They vow to do no harm with their magic.
  • There are over 400,000 Wiccans in the U.S.

• Appearance of Wiccans:

  • Contrary to stereotypes, they do not typically wear pointy hats or have green skin.