Witchcraft - Research Paper Example

Client’s 8 April There are many myths related to witchcraft, this paper will shed more light upon some of the misconceptions about witchcraft. Different people react differently when they hear the word “witchcraft”, Halloween is arguably the first thing which comes to mind when witchcraft is being talked about. People also get reminded of old hags when witches are being talked about. The image that people have of witchcraft has changes significantly in the recent past, this drastic change has occurred because of numerous movies made on this subject, several books have also been published on witchcraft which has again helped in changing the perception of the people about witchcraft.

This paper will shed light upon witchcraft and paganism since 1815; modern day witchcraft will be discussed extensively in the following parts of this paper. “Before really getting into what Witchcraft is, perhaps we should take a look back at what it was—the history of it. Witches should be aware of their roots; aware of how and why the persecutions came about, for instance, and where and when the re-emergence took place. There is a great deal to be learned from the past. It's true that much of history can seem dry and boring to many of us, but that is far from so with the history of Witchcraft.

It is very much alive and filled with excitement.” (Buckland, Raymond. P.1) Witches have often been banished from our society, they have been tortured beyond imagination and this image has to be changed. Christians try assiduously to follow the bible but several of them fail to do so when they develop hatred for witches, the Bible clearly says that hating another person is wrong. As discussed earlier there is a change in perception which has already taken place and because of this more and more have started accepting witchcraft.

It becomes an arduous task to describe modern day witchcraft; it is really difficult to describe it in general terms. In India voodoo magic is being followed, people in states like West Bengal indulge in this very dangerous practice. It is considered dangerous because several people have lost their lives attempting to do voodoo magic, it is often said that a person who has mastered voodoo magic can instantly hypnotize another person within literally no time. It becomes difficult to describe modern day witchcraft because there is no specific book which one can refer to; usually people follow different rituals and traditions.

Ancient religion, science fiction and myth all play an important part in witchcraft and paganism; people who practice it often take cues from religion, fiction and myth. Another important aspect of witchcraft and paganism is that people who follow it do not worship evil forces; they consider mother earth very important and usually worship mother earth rather than focusing their energy on evil forces. Satanism is another important topic which comes to mind when paganism and witchcraft is being talked of.

There is a lot of difference between Satanism and witchcraft, people who indulge in Satanism pray to the Saturn or the evil forces but the followers of witchcraft do not pray to the Saturn or the evil forces. “Here in Canada kitchen prophecy is a way of life.” (The "Kitchen Goddess”) This goes to show that prophecy is often practiced by witches. They engage in speculation, they enjoy telling people about what they should expect in the future. References Buckland Raymond. Buckland's Complete Book of Witchcraft.

 Llewellyn Publications, MN. 1986, 2002. The "Kitchen Goddess": The Reemergence of the Village Psychic. Films Media Group, 1999. Films On Demand. Web. Retrieved from: