Signs you were a witch in a past life Have you ever wondered if you had a past life as a witch? While it is impossible to know for sure, there are some signs and characteristics that may indicate a connection to witchcraft in a previous lifetime. These signs can provide clues and insights into your spiritual journey and help you better understand your present self. Here are some signs you may have been a witch in a past life: 1. Intense fascination with witchcraft and the occult: If you have always been drawn to witchcraft, magic, spells, and all things supernatural, it may be a sign that you have had past experiences as a witch. This fascination could stem from your inherent connection to witchcraft in a previous lifetime. 2.
Witchcraft: Eight Myths and Misconceptions
Witchcraft is an area of history that most people feel familiar with. From the Salem Witch Trials to the witches of Macbeth, the figure of the witch is embedded in our culture. The problem is that most of what we think we know is wrong.
Professor Diane Purkiss debunks eight of the most common myths about witchcraft.
shared > blocks > AdvancedItemSectionBlock.cshtml -->In England witches were hanged, not burned. This illustration is taken from a 1655 pamphlet by Ralph Gardiner © Bettmann/Getty
1. Witches were burned at the stake
Not in English-speaking countries. Witchcraft was a felony in both England and its American colonies, and therefore witches were hanged, not burned. However, witches’ bodies were burned in Scotland, though they were strangled to death first.
2. Nine million witches died in the years of the witch persecutions
About 30,000–60,000 people were executed in the whole of the main era of witchcraft persecutions, from the 1427–36 witch-hunts in Savoy (in the western Alps) to the execution of Anna Goldi in the Swiss canton of Glarus in 1782. These figures include estimates for cases where no records exist.
3. Once accused, a witch had no chance of proving her innocence
Only 25 per cent of those tried across the period in England were found guilty and executed.
The Spanish Inquisition persecuted those perceived as heretics by the Catholic Church, but witchcraft was largely regarded as a superstition, and wasn’t pursued as a heresy by officials except in rare cases © Prisma/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
4. Millions of innocent people were rounded up on suspicion of witchcraft
The total number of people tried for witchcraft in England throughout the period of persecution was no more than 2,000. Most judges and many jurymen were highly sceptical about the existence of magical powers, seeing the whole thing as a huge con trick by fraudsters. Many others knew that old women could be persecuted by their neighbours for no reason other than that they weren’t very attractive.
5. The Spanish Inquisition and the Catholic Church instigated the witch trials
All four of the major western Christian denominations (the Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Calvinist and Anglican churches) persecuted witches to some degree. Eastern Christian, or Orthodox, churches carried out almost no witch-hunting. In England, Scotland, Scandinavia and Geneva, witch trials were carried out by Protestant states. The Spanish Inquisition executed only two witches in total.
Illustration from the 1591 pamphlet ‘Newes from Scotland’, which reported on the events of the North Berwick witch trials of 1590. The accused women are shown casting spells over a cauldron (top right) and conjuring the Devil (left) © Courtesy of the British Library
6. King James I was terrified of witches and was responsible for their hunting and execution
More accused witches were executed in the last decade of Elizabeth I’s reign (1558–1603) than under her successor, James I (1603–25).
The first Witchcraft Act was passed under Henry VIII, in 1542, and made all pact witchcraft (in which a deal is made with the Devil) or summoning of spirits a capital crime. The 1604 Witchcraft Act under James could be described as a reversion to that status quo rather than an innovation.
In Scotland, where he had ruled as James VI since 1587, James had personally intervened in the 1590 trial of the North Berwick witches, who were accused of attempting to kill him. He wrote the treatise Daemonologie, published in 1597. However, when King of England, James spent some time exposing fraudulent cases of demonic possession, rather than finding and prosecuting witches.
The Elizabethan philosopher and alchemist John Dee faced accusations of witchcraft throughout his life. Other men accused of witchcraft include the healer Dr Fian, who was executed as part of the North Berwick witch trials in 1590 © Hulton Archive/Getty Images
7. Witch-hunting was really women-hunting, since most witches were women
In England the majority of those accused were women. In other countries, including some of the Scandinavian countries, men were in a slight majority. Even in England, the idea of a male witch was perfectly feasible. Across Europe, in the years of witch persecution around 6,000 men – 10 to 15 per cent of the total – were executed for witchcraft.
In England, most of the accusers and those making written complaints against witches were women.
8. Witches were really goddess-worshipping herbalist midwives
Nobody was goddess-worshipping during the period of the witch-hunts, or if they were, they have left no trace in the historical records. Despite the beliefs of lawyers, historians and politicians (such as Karl Ernst Jarcke, Franz-Josef Mone, Jules Michelet, Margaret Murray and Heinrich Himmler among others), there was no ‘real’ pagan witchcraft. There was some residual paganism in a very few trials.
The idea that those accused of witchcraft were midwives or herbalists, and especially that they were midwives possessed of feminine expertise that threatened male authority, is a myth. Midwives were rarely accused. Instead, they were more likely to work side by side with the accusers to help them to identify witch marks. These were marks on the body believed to indicate that an individual was a witch (not to be confused with the marks scratched or carved on buildings to ward off witches).
Diane Purkiss is Professor of English Literature at Keble College, University of Oxford
Top image : Detail from ‘Witches’, a 1508 painting depicting the Witches’ Sabbath
( © Science History Images/Alamy Stock Photo)
6 SIGNS YOU WERE A WITCH IN A PAST LIFE
Witches have been persecuted continually over the past 2,000 years. As a result, the word witch has been given a bad name.
It was very easy to be accused as a witch in the past. You simply had to be a strange woman or man that threatened anybody and you were a called a witch.
The number of witches burnt at the stake or killed in some horrible manner ranges from tens of thousands to millions according to the different sources.
That means if we continually incarnate on Earth there is a good chance you were a witch at one point.
As a psychic medium, it’s not uncommon for me to learn that a client has been a witch in a past life and killed for it. How do you know if you were a witch in a past life? Here are six signs:
2. Unexplained memories or déjà vu: Do you ever experience vivid memories or a sense of déjà vu that you cannot explain? These fleeting moments could be glimpses into your past life as a witch. Pay attention to these experiences and see if they align with any historical periods or events associated with witchcraft.
1. You Do Witchy Things Now
If you are a psychic medium, energy healer, Tarot card reader, sorcerer, magick practitioner, herbalist or something similar, then you were a witch in a past life.
The fact that you are drawn to these subjects, and not even practicing, probably means you were a witch.
3. Natural abilities and talents: Certain talents and abilities may also indicate a past life as a witch. These could include a deep intuition, psychic abilities, knack for divination, or an affinity for herbalism and natural healing. These skills may have carried over from your past life and can be further developed in your present life. 4. Strong connection to nature and the elements: Witches often have a profound bond with nature and the elements. If you find yourself feeling deeply connected to the earth, drawn to moon phases, or have a strong affinity for certain elements like fire, water, air, or earth, it could be a sign of your past life as a witch. 5. Attraction to certain symbols and rituals: Certain symbols, such as the pentagram, moon, or specific rituals like casting circles or using spell jars, may resonate deeply with you. These symbols and rituals are often associated with witchcraft and may indicate a past-life connection to the craft. 6. Feeling misunderstood or persecuted: If you have always felt misunderstood or faced persecution in your present life, it could be a reflection of past-life experiences as a witch. The fear and misunderstanding surrounding witchcraft throughout history often resulted in witch trials and discrimination. These unresolved emotions and traumas may still linger in your present life. 7. Ancestral connections to witchcraft: Exploring your family tree and ancestry might reveal connections to witchcraft or pagan practices. If you have ancestors who were known practitioners of witchcraft or were involved in occult traditions, it could indicate a potential past-life connection to the craft. Remember, these signs are not definitive proof of a past life as a witch, but they can serve as indicators and guide your exploration of your spiritual path. Embrace these signs with curiosity and an open mind, allowing them to guide you on your personal journey of self-discovery and growth..
Reviews for "Spirit of a Witch: Recognizing the Soul of a Past Life Witch"
1. Jake - 2/5
I recently read "Signs you were a witch in a past life" and I must say, I'm not impressed. The book promises to reveal signs and clues about one's past life as a witch, but it falls short on delivery. The content feels repetitive and shallow, with no real substance or depth. The author seems more interested in sensationalism rather than providing factual information. Overall, I found the book to be a disappointment and not worth the time or money.
2. Sarah - 3/5
While "Signs you were a witch in a past life" had an intriguing concept, the execution was lacking. The book felt disjointed and poorly organized, making it difficult to follow the author's train of thought. The writing style was also subpar, with numerous grammatical errors and awkward sentence structures. Additionally, the information provided felt generic and lacked any real insight. Overall, I found it to be an average read at best, leaving me unsatisfied and wanting more substantial content.
3. Emily - 2/5
I had high hopes for "Signs you were a witch in a past life," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The book seemed more like a collection of random anecdotes rather than a well-researched exploration of past lives. The author's claims lacked evidence and were often presented as mere speculation. I was hoping for a more scholarly and informative approach, but I was left feeling disappointed. Overall, I would not recommend this book to those seeking a serious and informative examination of past lives and witchcraft.