Witchcraft

The remains of a goddess cult, witchcraft works within specific and narrow limits to generate cathartic magical liberation. The word "witch" derives from a root whose idea is bending or changing, performing magic or religion. Rituals represent aspects of the cultural history of human consciousness. Witches claim to stand in a long tradition as adherents of an ancient religion which is counter to those artificially created and which springs from an inherent human capability to relate to, understand and use nature and natural forces, although these are unperceived by those who cannot exercise their latent powers in this way. Thus witches and their assemblies, which may include those wishing to develop such abilities, are the custodians at once of an ethic and philosophy of nature, and a knowledge of such things as natural medicine and healing. Renewed interest in the craft is characteristic of a time in which man and woman have recovered awareness of nature and each other.

Witches or traditional healers flourish in developing countries, especially in Africa. Whereas modern doctors are respected for relieving symptoms, many Africans believe that diseases have spiritual roots and that a thorough cure requires a healer in touch with such dimensions. They are therefore often useful in the treatment of psychosomatic ills. Traditional herbal remedies often anticipate developments in pharmacology.