Witches, Those Popular Halloween Symbols

As soon as we hear about the word "witch", we systematically think about an ugly old person, whose face is green or grey, idolising the devil, hovering over a large iron black cauldron filled with disgusting ingredients and whispering some sort of enchantment.

Fairy tale books and Hollywood movies are largely responsible for such untrue propaganda simply because the movie is more exciting.

Witches are also generally associated with Halloween. But what are witches in reality? Let's find out...

Basically, the term "witch" originates from the words wicca, wicce or wiccian; which all mean in reality 'wise woman', 'wise women in the plural form. There always have been people interested in studying the special virtues of medicinal plants, the course of the moon, stars and other planets, and by many other aspects of the nature.

Generally, witches are associated with a well-known earth-based religion: the Wicca, however a lot of others can be called "witches" no matter the fact that they do not follow this specific religion. The majority of these people practice a mishmash of old pagan rites. These rites existed long before the advent of Christianity whose originated the word "witch" and launched the idea that those who lived under the cycles of nature were revering the church of the devil.

It was the Catholic religion which established the concept of Satan or a demon. Until the Catholic church came on the scene there was no concept of Satan or a demon. Actually, the word "pagan" itself signifies "people that live in the country" - not devil worshippers.

Systematically thinking to women when one hears the word "witch" is also a common mistake as a lot of men are witches. There is a misconception of the term that male witches are considered as 'warlocks' - this also is another of those Hollywood driven ideas because the word seems more masculine.

In reality the word "warlock" originates from the Middle English "warloghe", and from ancient English "wrloga" and stands for "the one that breaks religious belief" or "betrayer". The word "warlock" was used by the pagans as a term of loathing to identify someone who bretrayed his people and the ways of Nature.

It is well known that witches cast spells. The word 'spell' is derived from the ancient german word "spiel", whose definition is "prayer", or "to pray". Basically, someone who casts a spell, prays for a certain outcome; which is no different than what the followers of Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc. do. Indeed, the notion is that they are supposed to use the power of the forces of the universe to get what they want.

Just like in any other religion, it is necessary that witches set the mood and state of mind in their practice. And so, they use some tools in order to cast spells such as Athame - a ceremonial knife, book of shadows (spell book), scented oils, herbs, etc.

Many people believe witches are evil but being given that magic is what is done with and that nothing is entirely black or white, everyone is free to have their personal thought about witchcraft and decide whether or not anyone is good or evil.

And in witchcraft, as it is the case in many other religions, we can do what we want for as long as we do not hurt anyone.

"For as you send, so shall it return to ye thrice-fold."

Happy spell casting on October 31st!