 |
 |
|
|
|
|
There is much written about the so-called history of Witchcraft, some of it pure fiction. Reverence for the Great Goddess, reverence for the Earth and its seasons, can be dated back at least 25,000 years to the Palaeolithic period; and still continues to the present day. Although Christianity came very much to the fore in recent times, Pagan religions have existed on most continents since history began, indeed it was the official religion of the Roman Empire until the death of the last Pagan Emperor, Julian, in 326 C.E.
The term Pagan comes from the Latin word paganus (meaning country dweller), this in turn was derived from pagus, Latin for rural area or village. As Christianity grew, often the last people to be converted lived in outlying areas. These people still practiced the old religion, and came to be termed Pagan or Heathen (heath dweller); names that due to political pressure from Christian sources became derogatory. Nevertheless, the old ways were never totally killed off. What was a religion based upon the reverence of nature and the worship of the Goddess and God, was manipulated to represent Devil worship (a Christian image of the Pagan Horned God), and persecution of so-called Witches began in earnest. This persecution came to frenzy in the 13th & 14th centuries and continued in varying degrees until very recent times. During this period, thousands of innocent people were tortured, maimed and murdered as Witches and Devil-worshippers.
Despite all of this, the religion persisted. Some of the more remote parts of Italy never suffered this persecution, and so the Italian Strega still exist today. Similarly in Britain, small covens of Witches thankfully escaped persecution. With the repeal of the Witchcraft act in 1951, Gerald Gardener published information relating to his experiences of a small coven in the New Forest. This publication formed the basis of modern day Wicca. Renewed interest in the old religions has fuelled the growth of Wicca, and in the USA Wicca is rightly recognised as an 'official' religion, something that has yet to happen here in Britain. Although it's doubtful if modern day Witchcraft is practiced exactly as it was before the attempts at wholesale eradication, it can be said that it is a very close replica.
1320, Pope John XXII formalised persecution of Withes in Europe, by allowing the Inquisition to condemn sorcery.
1484, Pope Innocent VIII issued a 'papal bull' that allowed Cramer & Springer, two members of the Inquisition, to publish (in 1486) the 'Malleus Maleficarium', a book that became known as 'the Witch hunter's bible'. In this book, they recorded what they believed to be the acts of Witches, describing Witchcraft as a major threat to the Christian religion and society as a whole. They also described Witches as being 'slaves of Satan'.
1542, in England first statute against Witchcraft issued by Henry VIII.
1563, second statute against Witchcraft issued by Elizabeth I.
1611, James I had the first English translation of the Christian Bible published, but believing Witches to be responsible for plotting to sink his ship and kill his family, he had the line 'Thou shall not suffer a poisoner to live' changed to, 'Thou shall not suffer a Witch to live' to reflect his disdain.
In 1645, Mathew Hopkins appointed himself as 'Witchfinder General' in East Anglia. Although thought that his persecution of Witches was enacted throughout the country, he actually only had sway in East Anglia.
1692, the 'Salem Witch trials' took place in Salem Massachusetts.
1888, the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn was founded by W.R. Woodman.
1951, repeal of the 1736 Witchcraft act in England.
