The History of Witches

The word witch comes is derived from the old English words wicce meaning wise one and wicca, meaning healer. The witch was considered a wise-woman who lived in harmony with nature and the seasons. They were skilled in the use of herbs and were often called upon to cure the ill.

The witch had many special items, many used in rituals. The Athame was the witch's personal steel knife used in many rituals. It was believed to have magical properties. The knife itself was double-edged had often had a black handle.

The broomstick was symbolic of magical powers. Its real purpose? To cleanse the area where magical rituals were performed. So how did the belief arise that witches rode broomsticks through the air?

On All Hallow's Eve, witches would often anoint themselves with a "magical" ointment. The ointment made the skin tingle and gave the illusion of being very light, perpetuating the belief that they could fly. A witch walking through the woods on her way to the festival would often use the broom as a means to help jump over a brook or stream. Hence, they were believed to be flying.

Of course, we've all seen witches standing over bubbling cauldrons and drinking from large chalices in the movies. The cauldron was a pot used for concocting magical potions and for scrying (looking into the future on the water's surface). The chalice was believed to be a receptacle of spiritual forces.

The wands that many witches carried, were made of hazel wood, crystal, carved ivory or ebony, silver or gold. It was believed that these wands were extensions of the life force of the witch herself.

Halloween is one of the four highest holidays in the pagan celebrations and is often considered the greatest of the four, sometimes called the Great Sabbath. It is a time to observe the supernatural powers of this world and otherworlds and ponder the mysteries that lie in both.

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The History of Witches