#wedeck

[yetibaba]

from "A Treasury of Witchcraft," ~Wedeck, 1961 This book was on our donate cart, due to some condition issues. I happened to come in on my off day, spy it, flip through it, and say "Oh I'll buy This." It's loaded with illustrations/prints, and uncommon, interesting information.

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The symbol of the Pentacle became a popular and predominant symbol of witchcraft in 1949. This symbol of a five pointed star is meant to represent earth, wind, fire, air, and spirit, encircled in the bond of witches. 

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Terms Used for Witches:

Incantatrix: a female enchanter

Lamia: a woman with a horse’s hooves

Maga: a selfish witch

Malefica: a witch taught by a demon 

Saga: a fortune teller

Strix: sorceress and vampire

Venefica: a witch who uses poison

Sortilega: a diving witch

These categories for witches were used to determine a witch’s punishment, as well as the work she did for those who sought her assistance illegally. 

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A witch could be defined as an “outcast in her community,” usually living alone in a secluded and generally earthy area, like a cave or wooden hut in the woods. Witches were expected most commonly in rural areas with farmland as this was an integral part of her craft. 

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“The term witch... stems from Old English ‘Wicca;’ a man who practices magic.”

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“Magicians are those who are commonly called evil-doers on account of the enormity of their crimes. They stir up the elements, disturb men’s minds and without any poisonous potion they destroy by the mere force on incantation.”

Isidore of Seville, 7th Century

Isidore of Seville was a saint, scholar, and for nearly 30 years, Archbishop of Seville. 

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Witchcraft was “an integral element,” of Western Medieval society

“coloring and molding religious, political, and social situations and attitudes.” 

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Theologian turned scientific investigator Albertus Magnus was prosecuted in the 13th century