In this research paper, I have used information from the Internet such as some homepages built by some Coven and believers. I also used b

Other similar cases of persecution were Pope Innocent VIII who produced the Bulls against the Witches in 1484 and two infamous German monks created their anti-Witchery plan, the Malleus Maleficarum (The Witches Hammer), two years later. The Archbishop of Treves was convinced that the local Witches had caused a severe winter and therefore 120 men and women who were thought to be the troublemakers were burned to death in 1586. Witches were the most convenient scapegoats for every aspect of life. Besides religious reasons, Witches studied a lot and had a broad knowledge of botany, meteorology, anatomy, veterinary science, psychology, astronomy, and primitive physics. What we called "science" now was considered as "magic" in the superstitious population of that time (DiLorenzo). Thus, many Witches were persecuted throughout history. Lists of "Witchcraft craze" happenings in England, Scotland, and France in the medieval time are attached with the paper (see appendix 1). In the late 19th century, as the society was getting more open to ideas, Witches had started to come forward to speak of the truth of their religion. The religion was legalized in the 50's. Finally, Witches began to enjoy the freedom of religion, which had been existed for quite a long time, as others (Johnson). It was around this very moment, in the 40s, when the Craft was revived and the term "Wicca" has officially become the name of the religion of Witches (Moorey 17).

Witchcraft is a "natural" religion (Vogel). It believes in the harmonic relationship between human beings, the natural environment, and Gods. In fact, Witches believe in the co-existence of a God and a Goddess (Alaya). The Goddess is the Mother of Earth and Nature and rivers are her blood (Boyle). She is the source of everything that exists according to the religion. The moon represents her (The Grimoire). She embodies the fertility of the plant, animal, and human kingdoms. She has the greatest power from May to October, a period that is being called as the "fertile half" of the year (Vogel). She symbolizes changeless and eternity (Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner, Cunningham 12) The God represented by woodlands, the Sun, grain, and the hunt. It was because most prehistoric prey had horns, the God is; therefore, often being called as the "Horned One". On the contrary, his power is at peak in the "dark half" of the year, from October to May (Vogel). As the religion believes that fertility and balance on both body and soul, they think that the perfect blend of two genders is important for the whole system to work (Johnson). In the eyes of Witches, Gods and Goddess are equally important, although some emphasized on worshipping the Goddess (Wicca: A Guide For The Solitary Practitioner, Cunningham 11). The common myth that Witches believe in "evil" is not true. Instead, they believe in the "Wiccan Rede" (see appendix 2). It is a basic moral code of the religion (Vogel). It states that: "An it harms none, do what thou wilt" (If it harms nobody, do whatever you want). Witches are left to choose what they would do. There is no such thing like "forgiveness" in Christianity. The "Threefold law" states that either good or evil, it comes back to them three times over (Johnson). Through this law, Witches learn to be responsible for their own action. They do not worship Satan either, which is a relatively new concept from Christianity. In addition, they do not do any kind of human or animal sacrifice at all (Vogel and Friedberg). According to my interviewee, the whole purpose of practicing the craft is to reach out to the innermost of believers and to achieve a perfectly harmonious relationship with the environment. The Old Religion carries few aspects that are very different from other religions; one of these is "Reincarnation". Witches think that everything will be reborn into the physical world after its' death. Their life follows a cycle of birth, death and reborn just like the endless the

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