The most notable figure in any discussion of magic is that of the witch. There are many reasons for the witch being the most recognized figure in magic. Many explanations stretch back to ancient pagan beliefs or teachings. Both men and women practiced the acts of magic. The earliest stories concerning magic however attribute it most prominently to women and to the idea of witchcraft. Jacob Grimm explains the reasoning for this in the following way:

To woman not to man, was assigned the culling and concocting of powerful remedies, as well as the cooking of food. Her lithe soft hands could best prepare the salve, weave th

Certain trees were believed to protect against misfortune and evil. Ash, birch, holly, oak, and bay were believed to repel shape changers and witches. In Russia, was laid on the grave of a witch to prevent her ghost from riding out at night to terrorize people. All of these charms were used in protecting one from magic and those practicing magic. However many of these superstitions and charms can be thought of as magic as well since many dated back to pagan times and beliefs. Where there exists the use of magic for evil purposes, witches, dwarfs and elves there also exists the use of magic for good purposes; a love potion, and charms to ward of the evil magic.

The witches are of the retinue of former goddesses, who hurled from their thrones, transformed from gracious adored beings into malign and dreaded ones, roam restless by night, and instead of their once stately progresses can only maintain stolen forbidden conferences with their adherents.

A second major part of medieval magic was the use of spells and charms for both good and bad purposes. The spoken word is used by all nations for both blessings and cursings. Both forms of medieval spells, good and bad, played vital roles in the magic of this time. First starting with the idea of bad or evil intended spells we find many examples in old Icelandic Sagas and early German tales. Since Gods and demons had the ability to raise storms and invent potions or charms and the same is true of the magicians who did this by use of songs. In the Romance of Tristan we learn that Yseults mother prepared for her a love potion which she was supposed to drink with her husband on their weeding night. On the way from Ireland to Cornwall Tristan and Yseult become thirsty and ask Brangain, who was entrusted with the potion, to bring them a drink. Brangain in doing so mistakenly gives them the love potion which they drink thinking it to be good wine and having no idea of the hardships they will endure by drinking this potion. Although this potion was created for a good purpose a minor error by Brangain would cause them to suffer for many years because of their love for each other.

Fairies are the souls of dead pagans. Since pagans unbaptized, they are neither considered good enough to go to heaven nor bad enough to go to hell. They are therefore caught in a netherworld thus becoming faeries. A final speculation on the origin of these fairies comes from Norway and is explained this way; Fairies were the children of Adam and Lilith, Adams first wife who is sometimes referred to as The Demon Queen.

This radical idea of the devil was instituted at first by putting this force in the power of a female. However the devil's wickedness gained more popularity and by tying the witch and the devil together it made this practice that much more sinful. The original church explanation was thus increased having each single witch forming an alliance with the devil himself. Those practicing witchcraft were thus accused of adoring the beast himself. As a result of the renou

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2054
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)