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Beliefs
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Circa 560 B.C. – The Bible condemns witches. - Exodus 22:18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live - Leviticus 20:27 A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.
Circa 420 St. Augustine argues witchcraft is an impossibility stating that witches did not have supernatural powers.
Mid 1400s, Witchcraft trials erupted in Europe - people began to be tortured if they were suspected of magical and demon pacts.
Pope Innocent VIII & Malleus Maleficarum (1484) - Pope Innocent asked two Friars, Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger to publish the Malleus of Maleficarum. This book became the basis for witch hunting.
Early to mid 1500s - Outbreak of witchcraft hysteria and mass executions. Over 160 years 50,00-80,000 suspected witches were executed.
Shakespeare’s Macbeth 1606 - Shakespeare wrote a play which included witches, because of the witch-hunting that was occurring in England.
Englands last witch execution in 1682. Lord chief Justice Sir Francis North’s criticism of witch trials help discourage additional prosecutions and witch hunting.
Gerald Gardner (1884-1964) started the modern era of witchcraft. He created a new religion centered upon worshiping Mother-Goddess.
The roots of Witchcraft can be traced back to the first version of Paganism, all the way back to 4th century BCE. It has evolved over the centuries and has made very defining appearances in history.