What comes to mind when you hear the word “witch” ? Is it a green-nosed Margaret Hamilton in the Wizard of Oz? Is it a cruel woman cursing those she hates into mice? Is it a flashback to the Salem Witch Trials?
Author and Professor Ronald Hutton wants you to forget all of that for a moment and go back through the history of the witch in popular culture. He explores cultures in Africa where body parts of individuals are considered to be good for different ailments. Hutton looks at Ancient Egypt and Greece to uncover battles between “witchcraft” and “magic.” And of course, he explores witchcraft trials across multiple cultures and the continued belief that witches are women who have sold their souls to the devil.
What was most surprising about The Witch by Ronald Hutton was the fact that there have been so many people before who have studied the concepts of witches and witchcraft, but with relatively faulty practices and none with as much detail as Hutton (or so I’ve seen). He cites an incredible number of sources, historical texts, and previous works. While he can occasionally go on and on about a concept that he has already covered in adequate detail, it is hard not to be fascinated with the information he has explored and his explanations.
If you’re looking for a scholarly take on the concept of witches and witchcraft, or even want to explore aspects of early “magical” studies and how they may have affected future religions, Hutton’s book is an excellent place to look.
The Witch is now available.
