![]() ![]() European belief in witchcraft gradually dwindled during and after the Age of Enlightenment. European witch-hunts and witch trials in the early modern period led to tens of thousands of executions - almost always of women who did not practice witchcraft. Often they would be formally prosecuted and punished if found guilty. Suspected witches were also intimidated, banished, attacked or lynched. It was believed witchcraft could be thwarted by protective magic or counter-magic, which could be provided by the cunning folk. Witchcraft was seen as immoral and often thought to involve communion with evil beings, such as a " Deal with the Devil". In medieval and early modern Europe, accused witches were usually women who were believed to have used magic to cause harm and misfortune to members of their own community. Hans Baldung Grien's Three Witches, c. 1514īelief in witchcraft in Europe can be traced to classical antiquity and has continuous history during the Middle Ages, culminating in the Early Modern witch trials and giving rise to the fairy tale and popular culture "witch" stock character of modern times, as well as to the concept of the "modern witch" in Wicca and related movements of contemporary witchcraft. ![]()
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