The Realities of Witchcraft and European Persecutions

Witchcraft

Magical practices often linked to societal fears.

Maleficium

Evil magic used for harmful purposes.

Diabolism

Magic involving the devil or demonic forces.

Witch Craze

Period of intense witch hunts and prosecutions.

Prosecution Numbers

Estimated 90,000 witch prosecutions in Europe.

Execution Rate

Average execution rate of 50% for accused witches.

Gender Dynamics

Women predominantly targeted in witch hunts.

Malleus Maleficarum

Papal bull legitimizing witch hunts, published 1487.

Reformation

Religious movement starting in 1517, impacting witch hunts.

Counter-Reformation

Catholic response to Reformation, influencing witch prosecutions.

Sabbaths

Meetings where witches allegedly performed rituals.

Devil's Pact

Agreement between a witch and the devil.

Satan

Adversary figure evolving from messenger to evil entity.

Cosmic Battle

Absence of dualistic good vs evil in Old Testament.

Diabolical Witchcraft

Witchcraft involving a pact with the devil.

Judicial Torture

Methods used to extract confessions from accused witches.

Cultural Conflict

Social tensions contributing to witch hunts.

Old Age and Magic

Older women often viewed suspiciously in society.

Gossip Transmission

Rumors used to spread knowledge about witchcraft.

Sexual Elements

Sexual acts often associated with witchcraft accusations.

Witch Hunts

Systematic searches for suspected witches in communities.

Heresy

Beliefs contradicting established religious doctrines.

Capital Punishment

Death penalty often applied to convicted witches.

Narcotics Use

Psychoactive substances linked to witchcraft phenomena.

Agricultural Crises

Farming failures contributing to witchcraft fears.

Witch's Mark

Physical sign indicating a witch's pact with the devil.

Confession

Admission of witchcraft often obtained under duress.

Community Relationships

Interpersonal dynamics influencing witchcraft accusations.