The Rise and Persecution of Witchcraft Through History

Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has mostly believed in a polytheistic belief systems, worshipping a variety of gods and spirits. Christianity, however, sought to dismantle these long-standing traditions by promoting a monotheistic framework, a shift that clashed with the deeply ingrained cultural and spiritual practices of the time. As the Church worked to solidify its authority, the persistence of these ancient beliefs led to a feeling of threat within Christian ranks. This friction between old traditions and the rise of Christianity birthed a long history of witch persecutions.

The Evolution of Witchcraft and Its Persecution

Witchcraft persecution evolved alongside the expansion of Christianity. Although conversion spread across Europe, many individuals, particularly in rural areas, continued to honor the old ways. Beliefs in the Mother Goddess, who gave birth to a Divine Child that later became her husband and the master of harvests, remained strong. This seasonal cycle of death and rebirth persisted in folk traditions, with peasants and nobles alike venerating ancient deities. Witchcraft practices were often seen as a means of improving life’s hardships, leading to continued secret rituals.

As Christianity’s influence grew, the Church viewed these ancient customs as a direct challenge to its authority, labeling them the “Devil's cult.” This led to a brutal campaign against those suspected of witchcraft, resulting in the deaths of over 200,000 people. Over time, the number of executions soared, with an estimated eight million people losing their lives as a result of witchcraft accusations during the peak of the Church’s fanaticism, particularly between the 12th and 18th centuries.

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The Phases of Witch Persecution

Three major waves of witch persecution can be identified, each coinciding with pivotal moments when the Church felt its dominance was under threat. The first wave began in the 13th century, at the close of the Crusades. As European Modernism emerged and Islamic ideas infiltrated Europe, the Church instituted the Inquisition to combat perceived heresy, including witchcraft. One of the earliest witch trials occurred in 1324, when Alice Kyteler of Ireland was accused of worshipping old gods. Although she managed to escape due to her noble status, her associates were not as fortunate and were burned at the stake.

The second phase of persecution unfolded in the early 15th century, following the devastation of the Black Death and the conclusion of the Hundred Years War. The most infamous event of this period was the trial and execution of Joan of Arc, who led the French against the English. Her association with witchcraft stemmed from rumors of her involvement in rituals dedicated to the goddess Diana, as well as her refusal to recite Christian prayers during her trial. Despite later being canonized by the very Church that executed her, Joan’s legacy remains tied to this period of intense persecution.

The execution of Joan of Arc by François Chifflart. (Public domain)

The Influence of the Malleus Maleficarum

The final wave of witch persecution began in 1484, with the issuance of a papal bull condemning witchcraft. The belief that using magic to solve problems meant surrendering one’s soul to the Devil fueled widespread fear. In response, inquisitors Jakob Sprenger and Heinrich Kramer published the Malleus Maleficarum in 1486, a guidebook for identifying, interrogating, and executing witches. This text, translated into several languages, became the go-to reference for the Inquisition.

14th century depiction of burning witches and holding others in the stocks. (Public domain)

The Inquisition’s stronghold in Spain continued well into the 16th century, even as the Protestant Reformation began to challenge the Vatican’s power. Protestant figures like Martin Luther and John Calvin openly defied the Catholic Church, sparking renewed efforts by the papacy to root out both Protestantism and witchcraft. During this time, women, believed to be more susceptible to demonic influence, made up 80% of those accused. Public humiliation, torture, and executions were common, with gruesome methods designed to extract confessions from the accused.

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Witchcraft Across Continents

Witchcraft practices also took hold in North America. In Pennsylvania, a German brotherhood used witchcraft to connect with nature, celebrating the solstices and honoring fertility deities. Their practices included trances and astral travel, evolving into a belief system centered on the Mother Goddess. Meanwhile, Native American-inspired witchdoctors performed rituals aimed at healing, love spells, and even detecting precious metals. Others, however, dabbled in black magic, using their skills to curse enemies or spread illness.

Satanic witchcraft, a more feared form of magic, involved pacts with the Devil and reversed Christian rituals such as the black mass. In the 18th century, black masses often took place in churches, using sacrificial blood or menstrual blood in place of the Eucharist. Inquisitors identified witches by looking for “witches’ marks”—physical abnormalities believed to be signs of a pact with Satan. Many innocents were condemned simply for having birthmarks or scars that did not bleed when pricked.

Satanic witchcraft included the practice of black mass. (Public domain)

The Salem Witch Trials

Perhaps the most famous witch trials took place in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692. Betty Parris, the daughter of a local priest, and her cousin Abigail Williams were taught magical practices by their family’s slave, Tituba. Their strange behavior, including seizures and animalistic howling, led to accusations of witchcraft. Other young girls in Salem displayed similar symptoms, claiming to have seen apparitions. The trials resulted in the execution of 19 individuals, including Tituba and several women accused by the girls. The Salem witch trials set a precedent for future legal proceedings, where spectral evidence was considered admissible in court.

Lithograph depicting the Salem Witch trials. (Public domain)

The Famed Salem Witch Trials

Probably the most well-known witch hunt from history took place in the winter of the year 1692, in Salem, Massachusetts. Betty, the nine-year-old daughter of priest Samuel Parris, and Abigail Williams, her cousin, had been taught by the family's Indian slave named Tituba about magical beliefs transmitted from the ancestors.

Many people from the village appealed to Tituba, known for practicing a divination technique which implied pouring egg whites in a glass of water. Over time she taught witchcraft practices to several young girls from Salem. Betty and Abigail began to enter trances, having seizures and running around the courtyard howling like wolves. Other girls who had entered into contact with Tituba began to act as if they were absent, and when they came to they would say that they had seen apparitions.

A 12-year-old child named Ann Putnam came to from such a state and declared that she had been chased by a demon. Medics consulted the girl and they did not find anything wrong with her from a physical point of view. This is how the investigations began to study the strange happenings from Salem and, at the village tribunal, Betty Parris accused Tituba of practicing witchcraft.

She wasn’t the only one they accused. They also pointed the finger at a Sarah Osborne, an unmarried woman who lived with a man from the village, a scandalous thing at that time. There was also Sarah Good, an alcoholic beggar known for smoking a pipe, an eccentric passion for her time.

During the trial, Tituba recognized that she had used her astral body to attack Ann Putnam. As a result of her confession, the priest Parris did not condemn her to death, preferring to sell her. Meanwhile, Sarah Osborne, Sarah Good and another 17 women were condemned and executed for practicing witchcraft.

The Salem witch trials created the legal precedent for future witch trials. From this moment on, even accounts related to spectral presences were considered acceptable evidence in court. In this way, someone could very easily get rid of a person whom he or she disliked. All they had to do was to declare that they had been attacked by the spectral double of the individual and that individual would be executed for practicing witchcraft. There was no escaping such an accusation since it was believed that a spectral double could act while the material body led its daily activity elsewhere.

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Witchcraft in the Modern Era

Despite centuries of persecution, witchcraft persisted into the 20th century. Figures like Aleister Crowley and Anton Szandor LaVey emerged as leaders of black magic. Crowley, known for his involvement in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, earned a notorious reputation for his practice of sexual magic and alleged involvement in human sacrifices. LaVey founded the Church of Satan, advocating for the release of sexual energy as a form of occult power.

In contrast, white magic focused on reconnecting with nature, celebrating life’s regeneration, and rejecting the concept of original sin. These practitioners honored ancient traditions, gathering in forests to meditate and perform rituals during the full moon. They believed in the inherent divinity of humans and sought harmony with the natural world.

Conclusion

Witchcraft, in its many forms, has been both a source of fear and fascination throughout history. From the brutal witch hunts of Europe to the enduring practices of modern-day witches, the persecution of those deemed to hold magical power reflects society’s ongoing struggle with the unknown. Today, witchcraft has diversified and evolved, but its historical legacy serves as a reminder of the dangers of intolerance and the enduring allure of ancient spiritual traditions.

Top image: The persecution of witches is a common theme within the history of witchcraft. Source: Matrioshka / Adobe Stock

By Ancient Origins