witches

Witches are individuals who practice magic, sorcery, or occult arts. The term has deep and varied meanings across cultures and periods. In English, the word derives from Old English wicce (a female practitioner) and wicca (a male practitioner), and over time came to denote a person believed to wield supernatural powers.

In Europe during the Early Modern period, accusations of witchcraft led to widespread trials and executions, with tens of thousands prosecuted and many killed. Historians attribute the persecutions to a combination of religious conflict, social stress, economic change, and gender dynamics, since women were disproportionately accused. Witchcraft allegations were often directed at healers, midwives, or marginalized individuals, sometimes serving as a scapegoat for misfortune, disease, or disasters. Legal procedures and the use of torture varied by region.

Across cultures, the meaning of witchcraft varies. In some societies, witches are feared as malevolent beings; in others, practitioners are respected healers or shamans. The label can apply to both women and men, and some traditions distinguish between "white" or benevolent and "black" or harmful magic.

In the modern era, new religious movements such as Wicca helped shape contemporary witchcraft as a spiritual path rather than a crime. Modern witches identify with diverse practices, often nature-based, with ethical guidelines such as harming none. Wicca, founded in the mid-20th century, is one among several contemporary expressions of witchcraft; many practitioners are part of broader neopagan or occult communities.

Scholars and educators study witchcraft as a social, religious, and cultural phenomenon. The term remains contested, reflecting changes in belief, gender, and power. In many places today, witchcraft is not illegal, though accusations and stereotypes persist in popular culture and folklore.