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Witchcraft Facts & Worksheets

Witchcraft is the practice of mystic and supernatural abilities. Witchcraft, also referred to as witchery, is a term that encompasses multiple references in various communities and cultures.

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Witchcraft is the practice of mystic and supernatural abilities. Witchcraft, also referred to as witchery, is a term that encompasses multiple references in various communities and cultures. In most indigenous cultures, witchcraft is associated with the magical means to harm or help someone.

See the fact file below for more information on the Witchcraft or alternatively, you can download our 21-page Witchcraft worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ETYMOLOGY

  • There is more than one belief of where the word witchcraft derives from.
  • One belief is that it comes from the Old English word “wiccecræft.”
  • Another common belief is that it is related to “wisdom”, so it is deemed as the practice of the wise.

DEFINITION

  • The original definitions of witchcraft state that, unlike sorcery, witchcraft does not make use of physical tools to apply curses. Instead, an inner ability is used.
  • However, European witchcraft has come to include physical tools and practices as well.

HISTORY

  • Witchcraft has an extensive recorded history and exists in diverse forms worldwide, depending on the culture and religion.
  • The predominant concept of witchcraft is that of the Old Testament laws against it.
  • Witchcraft was associated with the devil because of the theological conflict between good and evil.
  • Because of this belief, witches were hunted down, tortured to death, and blamed for misfortune. These events were called witch hunts, and witch trials and were widespread throughout Protestant Europe.
  • Largescale witch hunts stopped during the European Age of Enlightenment.
  • These views have evolved over the years, with some Christians still believing in the association of witchcraft with evil, some having a less intense belief in it, and some not believing in it at all.
  • Since the mid-20th century, witchcraft has been referred to as a branch of modern paganism, which is mostly practiced by Wiccans.

DIFFERENT CULTURES, DIFFERENT MEANINGS

  • When cultures around the world were colonized by the West, the Western concept of witchcraft influenced other cultures as well.
  • Hunting down, scapegoating, and shunning witches still occurs in modern times.
  • Even in the present, some believe diseases such as the Ebola virus and AIDS are caused by witchcraft.

WITCHCRAFT PRACTICES

  • SPELLCASTING
    • Spellcasting is one of the most popular abilities associated with witches.
    • Witches are believed to cast a spell by uttering strings of words that are intended to carry out a supernatural action in real life.
    • A spell could be a verse, some type of formula, a ritual, a set of words, or a combination of any of those methods.
    • Traditionally, spells were cast and done together with the inscription of letters on an object to give it supernatural power.
    • A spell could also be cast by sacrificing or binding a puppet of the person to be cursed.
    • Incantations, which are magical formulas, could also be recited and physical rituals can be done.
    • Other methods of spellcasting include using mystical herbs, potions, or amulets, and looking into mirrors, crystal balls, or other reflective surfaces.
  • SUMMONING THE DEAD
    • Communicating with or summoning the dead is also a practice commonly associated with witches.
    • This practice is called necromancy.
    • Conjuring the dead is mostly done for the purpose of prophecy or fortune telling.
  • WICCA
    • Wicca, also known as Pagan Witchcraft, is a modern pagan religion developed in England in the early 20th century. It was introduced to the public in 1954 by Gerald Gardner as he claimed that witchcraft still existed in England.
    • Nowadays, the Wiccan religion is no longer associated with being a witchcraft religion.
  • MYTHS ABOUT WITCHCRAFT
    • Witchcraft was traditionally deemed a female activity, which is why women were mostly accused of practicing it. However, the truth is, witchcraft could also be practiced by men. Men who practiced witchcraft are called wizards, sorcerers, or warlocks.
    • For a person to be convicted of witchcraft, no solid proof was required. Oftentimes, the evidence against people accused of witchcraft were as simple as a revelation in a dream, a hunch or spite.
    • Additionally, a compilation of tips to effectively hunt down and deal with witches was written a Catholic clergyman, Heinrich Kramer. It was titled Malleus Maleficarum, meaning Hammer of Witches.
    • Another myth is that Halloween is a special time when witches come out and practice witchcraft, but the history of Halloween says otherwise. If not Halloween, Midsummer’s eve during the summer solstice is believed to be a special time for witches.
    • While witchcraft is also associated with Satanism, it is in fact rooted in paganism. And since most pagan beliefs are not Christian beliefs, it became associated with Satanism. The pagan belief system also does not have the concept of Satan, let alone worshipping him.

Witchcraft Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the Witchcraft across 21 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Witchcraft worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the Witchcraft which is the practice of mystic and supernatural abilities. Witchcraft, also referred to as witchery, is a term that encompasses multiple references in various communities and cultures. In most indigenous cultures, witchcraft is associated with the magical means to harm or help someone.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Witchcraft Facts
  • Defining Terms
  • Differentiating Terms
  • True or False
  • Witchcraft Symbols
  • Myths vs. Facts
  • Good Witch, Bad Witch
  • The Witching Hour
  • Famous Fiction
  • Creating Spells
  • Different Cultures

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Link will appear as Witchcraft Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, October 30, 2019

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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