Black and White Magic

What does the word "witch" mean? Where did it come from? Well, first of all, the word "witch" came from the Celtic word "wicca." A witch or wicca is somebody who is believed to have received supernatural powers. They are also known as an enchantress or a sorcerer.

There are two ways of looking at the word "witch". A witch could be good or evil depending on the witchcraft or magic that they practice. An evil witch is one that practices black magic. Black magic is the type of magic that does harm to others, and is associated with the devil. The people of Salem in 1692 thought of witches only as the black magic type. This is why they were seen as a threat were executed.

A good witch is one that practices white magic which includes healing, protection, and love spells. In Europe, witches found doing white magic were given a more merciful punishment then those found practicing black magic. The black magic witches were executed by hanging, burning, beheading, or drowning. In Salem, the executions were mostly by hanging, except for the pressing to death of Giles Cory.