In England the legal definition of witch was "a person who hath a conference with the Devil to consult with him or to do some act."

Devil means "little God" usually when a new religion supplants an old, the gods of the old religion become the devils of the new religion. This was one reason for the construction of gargoyles, which were added to churches during the high Middle Ages. The "fierce" creatures were there to "protect" the structure from the ravages of the "gods" displaced by the Christian deity. Even today there are many Christian practices that have their roots in old pagan traditions.

Witchcraft represented the remnants of the pagan religions in Europe, which were more frequent in rural areas than in urban areas. Followers believed that their god appeared to them in other forms—i.e. cat dog, bull goat.

Four Sabbaths a year took place:
1. Candelmas (February 2) 
2. May Eve
3. Lammas (August 1) 
4. All Hallows Eve

Numerous superstitions grew around the cult of witchcraft that included:
1 If a candle flame turns suddenly blue there is a ghost nearby.
2 Ringing a bell on Halloween will scare evil spirits away.
3 Knocking on wood keeps evil away.
4 Walking around your home three times backward and counterclockwise before sunset on Halloween will keep evil spirits away from your home throughout the year.

Leaders of the cults were grouped in covens. Members of the cults had familiars. These familiars helped them "divine" the future.

Extended family in England during 1600's was an exception rather than a rule. The medieval welfare system of manor and church was breaking down thus the need to make changes in the social structure became necessary.

Elizabethan Poor Laws made the welfare of the poor the task of the Parish by compulsory taxes that were placed upon its members. There were more poor widows than widowers. People who survived childhood diseases lived to very old ages-- Demographically if we could return to the 1600's we would find 10% old people, many young people and comparatively few middle-aged people.

Renaissance individualism had made beauty an important factor. Beauty in a woman corresponded with fertility--postmenopausal women were, therefore, not beautiful. Beauty was also increasingly equated with virtue while ugliness was a sign of evil.

Women were considered sexually voracious in a time period when Puritanism condemned sexuality when not directed toward procreation.

Younger widows often became the village whores or paid for farm work in kind. What were old women to do, consort with Satan? With medical knowledge being limited, tumors, warts, moles were thought of as the Devil's mark. Older widows might actually think they were witches and use their powers for economic gain. They had no protectors and if they inspired guilt or erred on a cure they could be targeted for revenge for their mishaps. They might also have pets that could be interpreted as familiars. Important questions of the time included: Why does a woman show affection to her pet?

The vast majority of witches actually tried were both female and old with widows at special risk. Poverty was also a factor.

By 1700 most respectable people no longer believed in witches.
 

                                                                                From Larry Treadwell, Ely H.S. Pampano Beach, Fl.