The origins of modern witchcraft can be traced back to ancient pagan traditions and beliefs. The practice of witchcraft is believed to have its roots in pre-Christian Europe, where various tribal societies worshipped nature and its elements. These societies often had individuals known as witches who possessed knowledge and skills related to magic and divination. The concept of witchcraft evolved over time, influenced by different cultures and spiritual practices. One of the key influences on modern witchcraft is the religion of Wicca. Wicca, which emerged in the mid-20th century, draws inspiration from ancient pagan beliefs and practices.
Schierke resumes teaching Farnese magic at her request [20] , and assists in the mission to wipe out the Sea God, inhibiting several tentacle beasts and accompanying Guts on his expedition to its heart. Schierke mainly provides defense for Guts while he clears out the many internal monstrosities with the Sea God. [21]
5 Watching the group from afar as Guts and Serpico find them, Schierke assumes their ability to see her magic may stem from the overlapping of layers while noting the strange presence she senses from Guts and Casca. I don t know if I d go so far as to claim that Miura is using Cabbalic ideas about how the ten individual Sephira and the paths between them constitute a mystical understanding of human experience of life, but just maybe he s using the model of the Ten Sephiroth and the Tree of Life as a kick-start point for his own metaphysics in the plot.
Wicca, which emerged in the mid-20th century, draws inspiration from ancient pagan beliefs and practices. It celebrates the cycles of nature and the worship of a deity, often referred to as the Goddess and the Horned God. Wiccans perform rituals and spells, commonly known as "witchcraft," to manifest their desires and connect with the divine.
Berserk’s Occult Theme
Before I get into why I dropped Berserk, let me talk a little bit about a fantasy series I used to enjoy: The Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind. I really enjoyed the struggles of Richard Rahl, the Mother Confessor Kahlan, and the Wizard Zedd. Like Berserk, it had some unsavory moments–some very unsavory moments indeed. Yet, I felt that the great storytelling outweighed the bad.
Then, I ran into Goodkind’s full-blown Objectivist philosophy in book eight, The Naked Empire . Few moments in my reading life have depressed me as much as Richard Rahl inveighing against self-sacrifice as an evil. Apparently, people should always act in their self-interest, and any sacrifice of one’s self-interest is immoral. Never mind that the heroes frequently risk their lives and suffer quite a lot. Also, many good people had sacrificed their lives for good causes by this point in the series, and the fantasy world’s universe includes God, who no doubt rewards the righteous. The idea of self-sacrifice being a moral evil simply did not compute in my mind. Despite having read 6,454 pages of Goodkind’s work–the equivalent of reading War and Peace about four and a half times, I put down the series and never picked it back up again.
A good friend brought around a similar change to the way I viewed Berserk (2017). (I highlight Berserk (2017) because the problem occurs here even if Berserk (2016) gives context to it.) He tends to research series minutely and discovers some very surprising things–like the black magic prayer in Your Lie in April. A while back, I wrote a post titled “On the Danger of Flying Witch and Its Ilk,” wherein I describe acceptable and unacceptable forms of magic in fantasy books. Essentially, I find all purely fantastic magic okay. However, if a story does describe a system of magic plainly related to the real world’s occult, that might be alright too, provided that the story shows it as evil.
The neophyte witch Schierke’s magic involves the common idea of the four elements with a supernatural ruler for each element. This is something a fantasy writer can easily concoct himself; however, that good friend’s research found that the manga involves an incantation with the Four Kings deriving from actual pagan magic. I even discovered one thread where a gentleman was looking for books about the magic Berserk describes, and someone gladly points the books out. So, I can not only add that watching or reading Berserk might lead someone to the occult, but it certainly has!
In this context, the portrayal of Berserk’s church is quite sinister. It’s one thing to use the motifs from the Medieval Catholic Church in order to give form to a fantasy religion. It’s another to make this religion cruel and wicked, have other evil forces gallivanting about, and then to show magic as the path to God. Yes, Berserk does have the concept of a supernaturally good Being called God, but it then says that magic is the way to God!
So, I’d say that Berserk (2017) might cause someone not grounded in faith harm. For that reason and to be consistent with my principles, I’m recommending that one avoid the new Berserk completely. I know two very enthusiastic fans of the series who are also ardent Catholics; so, the manga will not necessarily harm one’s understanding of the truth. Still, whether or not one goes into the new anime or the manga, it’s good to know that this occult bias exists so that one can be on one’s guard. As for the Berserk which came out in 1997, that lacks the occult propaganda discussed above. I’ll always consider that version a classic.
Witchcraft gained wide attention and popularity during the Witch Trials of the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe and America. These trials were fueled by fear and superstition, resulting in the persecution and execution of thousands of individuals accused of practicing witchcraft. However, it is important to note that many of those accused were innocent and victims of mass hysteria. The concept of witchcraft continued to evolve, with influences from diverse sources such as folk magic, occultism, and the feminist movement. The modern witchcraft movement, often referred to as neo-paganism or contemporary witchcraft, embraces a wide range of beliefs and practices. It emphasizes personal empowerment, environmental awareness, and the balance between the masculine and feminine energies. In recent years, witchcraft has gained increasing popularity and acceptance in mainstream culture. Books, movies, and TV shows often depict witches as powerful and wise individuals, challenging traditional stereotypes. Witches are now seen as symbols of independence, spirituality, and connection with nature. Overall, the origins of modern witchcraft can be traced back to ancient pagan traditions, with influences from various cultures and movements throughout history. While witchcraft was once stigmatized and persecuted, it has now emerged as a diverse and empowering spiritual practice for many individuals..
Reviews for "Folk Magic and Witchcraft: Historical Perspectives"
1. John Doe - 2/5 stars - As someone who has long been interested in the history and origins of witchcraft, I was excited to pick up "The Origins of Modern Witchcraft." However, I found this book to be incredibly disappointing. Not only did it lack depth and substance, but it also failed to provide any new insights or perspectives on the subject. The author seemed to merely rehash information that has been covered extensively in other books and articles. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of the origins of modern witchcraft.
2. Jane Smith - 1/5 stars - "The Origins of Modern Witchcraft" was a complete waste of time. The author's writing style was dry and repetitive, making it difficult to maintain any interest in the subject matter. Furthermore, the book was filled with unsubstantiated claims and unsupported theories. As someone who was hoping to learn more about the historical development of witchcraft, I was sorely disappointed by the lack of credible research and evidence presented in this book. I would strongly advise against wasting your time and money on this poorly written and poorly researched work.
3. Sarah Johnson - 2/5 stars - I was initially intrigued by the title of "The Origins of Modern Witchcraft," but unfortunately, the book failed to live up to my expectations. The author seemed more interested in promoting their personal beliefs and biases than in providing a balanced and objective analysis of the topic. Additionally, the book lacked sufficient citations and references, which made it difficult to verify the accuracy of the information presented. Overall, I found this book to be lacking in credibility and would caution others against relying on it as a reliable source of information on the subject of witchcraft origins.
4. Michael Thompson - 1/5 stars - "The Origins of Modern Witchcraft" was one of the most poorly written and poorly argued books I have ever come across. The author's reasoning was often illogical and contradictory, making it difficult to follow their line of thought. Additionally, the book was riddled with grammatical errors and typos, which further detracted from the reading experience. The lack of thorough research and intellectual rigor was evident throughout, leaving me frustrated and dissatisfied with this book. I would strongly advise readers to look elsewhere for a more reputable and well-written exploration of the origins of witchcraft.