| For centuries, the practice of witchcraft was | | | | over 20 years. Her books are considered essential |
| considered an evil and foul tradition, and witches were | | | | reference sources for practitioners of modern |
| hunted and killed, often by cruel and painful methods, | | | | Wiccanism. |
| usually by being burnt alive at the stake. Fear of | | | | The third individual credited with influencing the |
| witches and witchcraft was widespread throughout | | | | contemporary witchcraft movement is Alexander |
| several areas of Europe and in some areas of a | | | | Sanders. Alexander studied witchcraft as a young boy, |
| newly settled America. The witchcraft delusion was an | | | | as it was a family tradition passed down by his |
| epidemic affecting everyone, and even a simple | | | | grandmother. Alexander also established several |
| accusation of being a witch, despite the absence of | | | | covens throughout Britain, and proclaimed himself the |
| any real evidence, was often enough to condemn an | | | | "king of witches." |
| individual to torture and death. | | | | While Wiccanism might be the most popular tradition of |
| Thankfully, modern society has moved beyond such | | | | witchcraft studied and followed by modern society, |
| superstition and insanity, and today, witches are free to | | | | other old traditions still exist. Native Americans and |
| practice varying traditions of witchcraft openly and | | | | indigenous tribes located in Central and South America |
| without fear of persecution. The Wiccan religion is | | | | still practice shamanistic magic. Similarly, tribes in Africa |
| perhaps the most well known form of modern | | | | and Australia look to their tribal witch doctors |
| witchcraft, thanks in part to movies and media | | | | whenever tribal magic might be needed, whether it be |
| attention. However, there are several forms of modern | | | | asking the gods for a good hunt, or seeking to expel a |
| witchcraft being practiced today, though most have | | | | sickness from a tribe member. |
| roots in ancient cultural traditions. | | | | In Louisiana and Haiti, Voodoo is practiced, and similar |
| Modern witchcraft in western culture can be largely | | | | traditions such as Santeria in the Spanish Islands, as |
| attributed to the influence and practices of three | | | | well as other offshoots of voodoo such as Hoodoo |
| specific individuals. The first is Gerald Gardner, | | | | and Macumba. |
| sometimes referred to as the Father of modern | | | | Most forms of witchcraft share common |
| Witchcraft. In the late 1930s and during the 1940s, | | | | denominators -- rituals, spellcasting, and calling upon the |
| Gerald Gardner began establishing several covens | | | | gods for help or wisdom. Typically, most forms of |
| throughout Britain in an attempt to revive the | | | | witchcraft are also considered "white", or good, and |
| foundations of the old religion, which is closely related | | | | are meant for healing and positive effects, rather than |
| to modern Wicca. | | | | to induce harm, curses, or ill will towards an individual. |
| Gerald Gardner was a public figure who wrote several | | | | While many books and resources are available for |
| books on the subject of witchcraft, helping to cast the | | | | those interested in Wicca and other forms of |
| old traditions in a new and positive light and reshape | | | | witchcraft, individuals should also take care not to treat |
| society's perspective of witchcraft. | | | | witchcraft lightly or as a form of entertainment. Spells |
| Another individual of note is Margaret Murray, a British | | | | and rituals are best left to professional witches who |
| scholar who studied ancient witchcraft and also wrote | | | | have several years of experience and have studied |
| of old religions, preceding Gerald Gardner's work by | | | | extensively. |