Witchcraft & Heresy Lesson 8

Lesson and description here, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7.

Original: Scandinavian magic and witchcraft that existed before and during the Christianization period was considered a pagan practice. This paganism involved the belief of multiple gods or divine beings as well as other such things that did not follow under the same set as beliefs shared amongst Christians. The Church, without a question, viewed Scandinavian practices as magic. Interestingly enough, the Church did not deny the existence of these evil entities that were involved specifically in Norse beliefs, however the Church viewed all Norse gods as demonic. Although these practices were condemned, the process of Christianization still incorporated some of these stories into their own literature. As Kieckhefer describes the use of story of Woden riding on a horse through the woods being used in Christian literature but with the name of Christ. Christianization did not want to wipe out paganism but use it to gain a larger audience.
Celtic magic and witchcraft was not viewed much differently than was Scandinavian magic. Celtic paganism was also incorporated into Christianity as Irish expressionism of the religion. The Church only began to much strongly view witchcraft as a very real interaction with demons. Also, pishogue or the spell that bemused people was in early Irish writings and later associated with Christian saints.
Cunning folk practices are very interesting because it causes a lot of ambiguity to those who study and experience it. To define the lines between Cunning woman and men from witches is very difficult. It is more difficult due to the fact that some Cunning folk made it their duty to identify other witches and also to undo the bewitching of others. This may make them “good witches” in some people’s minds, but yet they still practice magic. This case only further complicates the definition of magic as well as who the practitioners are and who shall be punished and to what degree.
Student response #1: I liked the way in which you described a majority of the issues in your response. You, in fact, explained some aspects of it more clearly than in the lectures, at least for me. However I don’t entirely agree that the Cunning folk were exempt of any condemnation or punishments. It is true that there some cases in which Cunning folk’s practices were condemned although there were no records of executions in connection with these acts. Some were tried as witches in Europe however not often targeted for persecution and execution. It is known that their practices were still considered magic and thus were prohibited by the royalty.
Student response #2: You have very fascinating points here. As well as I agree with your post and response to my post in which you described the exceeding difficulty of defining the line between magic and religion. I particularly enjoy that you brought up the fact that fear is a powerful tool. Which indeed gives power to religions that condemn magic practices and thus invoke fears in the people as well as giving them a chance to be pure and to be safe. But also to control them and to gain a larger audience. Fear and education can be used as a weapon over the weak and the uneducated. Great post!