The witchcraft group in Western Europe has a long and fascinating history that dates back to the medieval period. During this time, the concept of witchcraft and the belief in supernatural powers became widespread in society. The main idea behind the witchcraft group was the practice of magic and the belief in witchcraft as a form of power. This group was often associated with women, who were believed to possess special abilities and to use them for both good and evil purposes. The main idea behind the witchcraft group was prevalent in Western Europe during the early modern period. In this time, witch hunts were carried out, resulting in the persecution and execution of thousands of people accused of being witches.
The numbers of people practicing contemporary witchcraft are unknown, although Helen Berger says that the number of people describing themselves as Wiccans is increasing. A Pew Research Center study conducted in 02018 estimated 1.5 million Wiccans in the U.S., up from 340,000 in 02008. With the numbers of witches sharing videos on TikTok, this may be an accurate read of the trends. While popular and digital forms of witchcraft may be at risk of being seen as a “passing fad” on social media when compared to more traditional forms of witchcraft, Helen Berger sees their practice as “quite serious”. She notes that “what they’re doing is not that different from what other Wiccans and eclectic witches are doing offline, older ones”. Importantly, she says that it is “very easy, and it’s too easy to disregard the young. I am not into that: I think they should be taken seriously.” As for whether the mostly-young TikTok witches will continue their fascination with the movement, or expand its influence beyond the online world, this is yet unknown. A potential backlash may simply be yet to come.
Ironically, witches who were once instrumental in guaranteeing continued fertility, good health, and plentiful harvests were suddenly held responsible for sterility, disease, infant mortality, famine, and blight. Each culture had its own definition of the person who was capable of performing magic, whether it be the shaman, village midwife, or council of druids.
In this time, witch hunts were carried out, resulting in the persecution and execution of thousands of people accused of being witches. These witch hunts were fueled by fear, superstition, and religious beliefs that labeled witchcraft as heresy and the work of the devil. The belief in witchcraft and the practice of magic became a significant social concern during this time, as it was believed that witches could harm others through the use of spells, curses, and other magical means.
From Witch Trials to WitchTok
Long persecuted and marginalized, witches are suddenly center stage in online culture.
Something strange is happening on TikTok. In one video, a white candle labeled “Her” and a black candle labeled “Him” are tied together with rope. They burn simultaneously until the rope catches fire, dropping between the candles and igniting the remaining length of the black candle. Another video shows a woman with bright green hair telling you to turn your broom upside down to make someone unwanted leave your home, or to put cinnamon sticks on top of your doorframe to bring abundance to your life. In yet another a woman sits on an armchair with a spoon spinning in her cup of tea while her hand makes circles in the air without touching the spoon. This is just a small sample of what you can find on WitchTok, an online community of witchcraft practitioners. It’s not fringe, either: the #witch and #WitchTok hashtags have tens of billions of views — more than #kimkardashian, #beyonce, and #donaldtrump. WitchTok provides a supportive group that Raven the Witch, a community member, describes as a place where “Everyone can be a witch, and every witch is beautiful.”
A few screenshots from the Witchtok Tag on TikTok. Courtesy of TikTok users b6byd6ll, eclectickarma, & emilyriboflavin
When most people think of “witches”, images of witch trials and innocent women burning at the stake come to mind. For centuries, witches were seen as evil, associated with the devil, prosecuted, and killed in the thousands. So how did the cultural meaning of witches change so significantly, enough that a generation of young witches could take over the internet?
To answer this question we must examine the history of witchcraft and the use of the word “witch.” In doing so, we’ll see how the seeds of today's WitchTok community were sown back in the 01960s, when a group of people known as Wiccans set out to revive what they perceived as an ancient witchcraft religion. In doing so, the Wiccans set in motion a process of reclaiming a term of oppression and giving it a new life, allowing the modern-day witches of WitchTok to build a positive and welcoming spiritual community.
As a result, many people were accused of witchcraft and subjected to intense scrutiny and often torture to extract confessions. In Western Europe, the witchcraft group was closely tied to the idea of the devil and his followers. It was believed that witches made pacts with the devil and gained their powers through him. Witchcraft became associated with evil and devil worship, leading to widespread fear and paranoia. The witchcraft group in Western Europe also had a gendered element, as the majority of accused witches were women. Women were often considered more susceptible to the influence of the devil due to their perceived weaker nature and supposed connections to nature and the supernatural. As a result, women were frequently targeted and accused of witchcraft, leading to their persecution and execution. The belief in witchcraft began to decline in Western Europe during the Enlightenment period, as science and rational thinking came to the forefront. The witchcraft group lost its hold on society, and the witch hunts gradually came to an end. Overall, the witchcraft group in Western Europe was a product of its time and reflected the fears, beliefs, and superstitions of the medieval and early modern period. It highlighted the power of superstition and the dangers of mass hysteria. The persecution and execution of alleged witches remain a dark chapter in European history, reminding us of the dangers of prejudice and scapegoating..
Reviews for "Contemporary Witchcraft Practices in Western Europe"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "The witchcraft group in western Europe" to be a disappointing read. While I was eager to learn more about the history and practices of witchcraft, I found the book to be shallow and lacking in depth. The author seemed to rely heavily on stereotypes and misconceptions, failing to provide any valuable insights or new information. Overall, I felt let down by this book and would not recommend it to those seeking a comprehensive exploration of witchcraft in western Europe.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with "The witchcraft group in western Europe". The author's writing style was dry and dull, making it difficult to engage with the material. Additionally, I found the content to be overly simplistic and lacking in substance. It felt like a superficial overview rather than a thorough exploration of the subject matter. I expected more from this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a comprehensive and well-written account of witchcraft in western Europe.
3. Emily - 2 stars - As someone with a genuine interest in witchcraft, I was hoping "The witchcraft group in western Europe" would provide me with new insights and a deeper understanding of the subject. Unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations. The information presented was often repetitive and lacked depth. Furthermore, I found the author's writing style to be disjointed and difficult to follow. Overall, I was not impressed with this book and would not recommend it to others. There are definitely better resources available for those interested in learning about witchcraft in western Europe.
4. Matthew - 1 star - I was thoroughly unimpressed with "The witchcraft group in western Europe". The author's biased perspective and lack of research were evident throughout the book. Instead of providing a balanced view, the author seemed intent on perpetuating stereotypes and misconceptions about witchcraft. I was hoping for a more nuanced and informative read, but this was far from it. I would advise readers to seek out other sources for a more accurate and comprehensive understanding of witchcraft in western Europe.
5. Samantha - 2 stars - "The witchcraft group in western Europe" failed to meet my expectations. The book lacked a cohesive structure, with each chapter feeling disjointed and disconnected from the others. Additionally, I found the author's analysis to be superficial and lacking in critical thinking. It felt like the book was hastily put together without much regard for accuracy or depth. Overall, I was left unsatisfied and would not recommend this book to others.