A word that first shows up in the late 16th century. Its original source is unknown, possibly coming from Thracian, Greek, or Greek modified by Latin. When it first showed up it meant bewitch or enchant. Today it generally means “to hold someone’s attention.” Magickally, it refers to any magickal techniques that in some way control another person’s mind against that person’s will. Most commonly this is done through herbalism or direct psychic control. Generally considered manipulative and negative as well as contrary to the Wiccan Rede.
Readers, please enjoy this guest blog post by Alice Markham-Cantor, author of the new Once & Future Witch Hunt.
My 9x-great-grandmother, Martha Carrier, was hanged in the Salem witch trials. She wasn't a witch. She wasn't an herbalist or a...