The "History" of Witchcraft is based on a minute piece of first hand information and a whole bunch of ridiculous superstition, religious politics, and fear of the unknown. The result is a monsterous mosaic which is supposed to represent the mind of a witch, his or her life, and the purpose of Witchcraft. One that is written in books and taken as unquestioned truth, regardless of the witch's morals or actions.

If totality admits toleration, its case is lost." Instead of Toleration, the Christianity used assimilation of Craft traditions. One of the only exceptions to this practice is the Jehovah Witnesses, who reject all holidays and practices that have even remote connections to Paganism and Witchcraft, which is most commonly associated with Pagan religions). Jehovah Witnesses even refuse to use wind chimes, because their origins are Pagan; they were used scare away evil spirits.

Assimilation brought with it a greater convert rate, and with subsequently higher revenue from Church taxes.

Within the Burning Times (1000 CE through the 17th century), murder was a profitable venture for the church. Over nine million people were murdered under the accusations of witchcraft. Curiously, (or perhaps not,) the accuser received, in the form of a reward, a fraction of the accused possessions, while the remainder reverted to the Church. The accused was guilty until proven innocent and the practice of Witchcraft, which deals largely with the "unseen" worlds, is hardly the easiest crime to disprove.

Furthermore, the accusers were often clergy or high ranking citizens, whom had a disagreement with someone of lower status. Often times the victims were not Witches at all, but rather people who didn't fit into the social norm: a too pretty girl who refused the advances of a "more noble" gentleman, an old woman who looked like a "witch," a "too ugly" man or woman, an individual with some type of disability, a rebellious man or woman (common or noble) who spoke out against the Church, ect.

It should be noted that many documents show that more than a few Clergy thought to make a deal with the devil and then cheat Him out of it in favor of the Church. From this derived the practice of Demonology, which is commonly mistaken for Witchcraft. Many of the books out today that claim of the "practices of Witchcraft" and "dealing with the Devil" are demonology literature, and not Craft topics, though it is a twisted derivation from Craft.

Thus, it can be seen how Witchcraft oppression, as well as any of the religious oppression, was more of a financial venture than a religious concern.

To present day, the propaganda of Witchcraft has grown so that it is always associated with Demonology and Satanism. This is akin to the Nazi propaganda against the Jews, which likewise continues to this day.

For detailed subjects, visit the Witchcraft Archives

Return to Witchcraft Dawning