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At a time when participation in the traditional religions is declining among Americans, the practice of witchcraft is said to be on the rise. CBS2's Ali Baum...
- 3 min
- 121.5K
- CBS New York
Nov 3, 2022 · This documentary explores the misconceptions surrounding witchcraft, with self-proclaimed witches discussing the history of witchcraft across the world, including the Salem Witch Trials. The...
- 68 min
- 58.7K
- Absolute Sci-Fi
Whether it is protesters dressed up as witches at demonstrations, or influencers concocting potions on TikTok, there is no denying that witchcraft is having a moment.
- 4 min
- 58.6K
- Global News
- South Africa
- Chile
- Philippines
- United Kingdom
- Haiti
- Mexico
- Romania
- Central African Republic
- Saudi Arabia
In South Africa, witches are not merely mythical figures or part of cultural history — they’re an important element of the Zulu way of life. The indigenous Zulus revere witch doctors as healers who serve a vital role in their society. Witch doctors fall into two categories: inyanga and isangoma. Inyanga are like shamans, practitioners of natural me...
In the culture of Chile’s Mapuche people, witchcraft has a more sinister connotation. The Mapuche believe in evil sorceresses called Kalku, who are the enemies of spiritual leaders and medicine women (the Machi). The Kalku are essentially the societal villains, working with evil spirits to thwart the Machi. They are believed to use black magic to a...
Witchcraft is prominent in the Philippines and can be used for either good or evil. Filipino witchcraft is called Kulam, and those who practice it are mangkukulam — sorceresses able to perform black magic. While the mangkukulam do cast spells designed to harm their enemies, through the use of voodoo dolls, they can also use their magic to help thei...
Wiccans’ beliefs are rooted in nature worship and witchcraft. The religion originated in England in the 1950s and is based on the pagan traditions predating Europe’s conversion to Christianity. In Wicca, covens are small communities of witches who work together to master the practice of peaceful magic and ritual. Wiccans practice ceremonial magic, ...
Obeah is a blend of magic and religion, and originated in the Caribbean during the slave trade. This version of magic, which came from West Africa, uses spells to make predictions or make tasks easier. Although there are no official religious institutions or structures for Obeah, its practitioners are seen as spiritual guides. The most prominent fo...
Mexico’s version of witchcraft centers on the Santa Muerte, or Saint of Death. Although a “saint,” the figure is rooted in magical superstition and frequently has sinister connotations. Santa Muerte is portrayed as a woman wearing a skull mask and a long cloak, and her statues are believed to have magical powers. Black sculptures of Santa Muerte ar...
Much like Salem in 1692, some countries are still identifying witches — with or without evidence — and persecuting them for their perceived crimes. In Romania, the government introduced a new law taxing witches, fortune tellers, and astrologers in 2011. A law was also drafted that punished witches for incorrectly predicting the future. In response,...
In the town of Mbaïki, in the Central African Republic, Pygmies are often accused of casting spells on their enemies and shape-shifting into animals. According to Atlanticcontributing editor Graeme Wood, who visited Mbaïki and spoke with one of its judges, the “practice of charlatanism and sorcery” is considered a fairly common criminal offense in ...
An entire police unit in Saudi Arabia is dedicated to fighting witchcraft-related crime and educating the public about the danger of sorcery. To take their anti-witch efforts even further, the police unit even created nine witchcraft-fighting bureaus in cities across the country, and has prosecuted over 600 cases of “magical crime.” In 2012, 215 “s...
Nov 21, 2023 · Today, witchcraft is still practiced around the world. The word “witchcraft” is derived from the Old English word “wicce,” which means “wise woman.” In ancient times, witches were often...
Dec 6, 2023 · Practical rituals in ancient witchcraft often involved using natural and household objects to effect change in the everyday lives of common folk. These rituals could range from healing practices and protection against the evil eye to spells for love and prosperity.
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Where are the most common forms of Witchcraft Today?
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What is Witchcraft Today?
Oct 30, 2022 · For me, the answer is yes. I am one of a million-plus Americans who — whether proudly, secretly or dabbling through the power of consumerism — practice some form of witchcraft. Witchcraft,...
