witchcraft
Cauldrons and hexes
Witchcraft is the practice of magic, especially magic associated with evil or supernatural powers.
Historically, accusations of witchcraft led to persecution and execution, particularly of women.
The term now encompasses modern pagan practices like Wicca, which adherents don't consider evil: She's been studying witchcraft for years.
Figuratively, witchcraft describes any skill so impressive it seems magical: Her cooking is pure witchcraft.
Magical influence over someone
- hexMalevolent incantation
- curseInvoked harm through words
- incantationSpoken magical formula
- charmAttractive personal quality
conjuration · spell · jinx · potion · amulet · talisman · warding · banishment
Sacred ritual table
- pentagramFive-pointed mystical star
- invocationCalling upon higher authority
- evocationCalling forth to mind
- circleCurved closed shape
chalice · wand · robes · chanting · candles · offerings · consecration · purification
Formal legal proceedings
- SalemCity or name
- burningCombustion in progress
- drowningDeath by water inhalation
- inquisitionSustained, probing investigation
heresy · accusation · confession · torture · execution · ducking stool · pricking · hysteria
Non-monotheistic religious practice
- heathenryPagan beliefs and customs
- animismSpirits inhabit all things
- neopaganismRevived polytheistic spirituality
- earth-basedOf or from land
nature worship · goddess · wheel of the year · folklore · cunning folk · ancestral · sacred grove
Baseless belief in omens
- black catDark-coated feline
- broomBristled cleaning stick
- midnightTwelve o'clock at night
- full moonCompletely lit satellite phase
henbane · belladonna · mandrake · wormwood · toad · bat · raven · owl
Male practitioner of dark magic
- sorcererWielder of arcane power
- sorceressFemale practitioner of magic
- croneWizened old woman
- hagFrightening elderly witch
enchantress · wise woman · medium · necromancer · conjurer · shaman · brujo · bruja
Accessible to few
- arcaneUnderstood by few
- mysticismPursuit of divine union
- tarotDivination card set
- astrologyDivination by celestial positions
seance · clairvoyance · scrying · grimoire · cabala · hermeticism · theurgy · gnosticism
enchantment
Magical influence over someone
- hexMalevolent incantation
- curseInvoked harm through words
- incantationSpoken magical formula
charm · conjuration · spell · jinx · potion · amulet · talisman · warding · banishment · summoning
altar
Sacred ritual table
- pentagramFive-pointed mystical star
- invocationCalling upon higher authority
- evocationCalling forth to mind
circle · chalice · wand · robes · chanting · candles · offerings · consecration · purification · moon phases
trials
Formal legal proceedings
inquisition · heresy · accusation · confession · torture · execution · ducking stool · pricking · hysteria · scapegoat
paganism
Non-monotheistic religious practice
- heathenryPagan beliefs and customs
- animismSpirits inhabit all things
- neopaganismRevived polytheistic spirituality
earth-based · nature worship · goddess · wheel of the year · folklore · cunning folk · ancestral · sacred grove
superstition
Baseless belief in omens
full moon · henbane · belladonna · mandrake · wormwood · toad · bat · raven · owl · hex sign
warlock
Male practitioner of dark magic
hag · enchantress · wise woman · medium · necromancer · conjurer · shaman · brujo · bruja · medicine woman
esoteric
Accessible to few
astrology · seance · clairvoyance · scrying · grimoire · cabala · hermeticism · theurgy · gnosticism · occultism
- folk beliefssuperstition, superstitions, folk beliefs, omens, good luck
- magical fantasysorcery, spells, enchantment, curses, hexes
- occultsorcery, necromancy, black magic, tarot, magic
- ancient magicspells, curses, sorcery, enchantment, incantations
- colonial faithPilgrims, Puritans, Calvinism, Massachusetts Bay Colony, Plymouth Colony
- dark magicblack magic, dark magic, sorcery, dark arts, wizardry
witchcraftscience
Systematic study through observation
rationalism · empiricism · scientific method · materialism · logic
witchcraftsainthood
State of being canonized
piety · sanctity · blessing · prayer · priesthood
witchcraftdivine grace
Unmerited favor from deity
spiritual gifts · charism · prophecy · faith healing · thaumaturgy
- witchcraft trialsLegal persecution of alleged sorcerers
- witchcraft accusationsClaims someone practices magic
craft, witch, crafted, crafts, witches, bewitch, handicraft, crafting, bewitched