Witches

Images of witches have appeared in various forms throughout history—from evil, wart-nosed women huddling over a cauldron of boiling liquid to hag-faced, cackling beings riding through the sky on brooms wearing pointy hats. Early witches were people who practiced witchcraft, using magic spells and calling upon spirits for help or to bring about change. It’s unclear exactly when witches came on the historical scene. Witch hysteria really took hold in Europe during the mid-1400s, when many accused witches confessed, often under torture, to a variety of wicked behaviors. Within a century, witch hunts were common and most of the accused were executed by burning at the stake or hanging. Single women, widows and other women on the margins of society were especially targeted. These are just some interesting facts about witches.

• Not all witches are/were green
• People don't know where the word witch orginated from
• Laws about witchcraft were in place during the mid-20th century.

Witches © created by Hannah 11/08/21