I started creating this short course in 2001, and clearly, things are far different now from when witchcraft originally evolved just after the stone age.

Witchcraft started as folk cures, from very simple plant cures for ailments, similar to what many animals and particularly chimps do now, through observation and experimentation, over hundreds or thousands of years these remedies and their rituals developed. 

To these early people some things were magical, fire, water, the sun, moon and stars, and of course the cycle of nature through the year. By observation, and over time they mastered planting at the right time, the breading of animals the slaughter and storage of food for the winter months and much more. Many of the celebrations or sabbats, developed and many we still have today starting with Halloween, Yule (Christmas) right through to harvest festival. Of course as more people have moved to towns, and the provision of food has over the last 100 years or so,  become less important to many, the cycle of the year is taken more for granted.

Over the last hundred years, science has attempted to explain everything, even to the point that some do not believe anything can exist unless they can see it and science can fully explain it, yet much of the working of the human body is unknown, all the deep water of our planet, which is around 70% of the total, has to be yet explored, and we know very little of what is directly under our feet. 

Medicine has moved forward, but is still more art than science, however in our commercial culture there is a need seen to test at great expense all cures, and to then patent and sell them at high prices. As this cannot be done with simple herbal or plant cures these have been superceded by others, however well over half are still plant based, and many new discoveries are old knowledge being re-discovered and packaged even if the drugs are produced by another method that is patentable, and can be said to get more consistent contents. 

Witchcraft was never a fixed or dead religion, but has evolved, taking in new ideas, discarding some older ones, and keeping the best. Some drifted away into druidism, and when Christianity came, some were easy converts especially when these people built their churches on the early meeting places and put Christian festivals over each of the existing ones. One of the reasons Christianity was so successful was their ability learnt from the Romans, of not fighting but absorbing other beliefs, ceremonies, holly places and tools. Healing wells became holly wells, hence the well dressing replacing earlier ceremonies, and churches being placed on existing sites that are on ley lines. Even the direction churches point being said to be towards the holly land, but in practice being east towards the rising sun, rather than south east. Over the centuries the significance of many of the tools, costumes and architecture etc has been lost.

In later centuries witchcraft became illegal, and there was a lot of persecution, however most of the very large number of people killed for being witches were not. Over the centuries some have continued to hold fast to their beliefs, many in the country, and where family traditions could be followed, often in parallel with a religion that they had to follow or be punished. Writing exists from every section of history that shows traces of the older religion continuing up to the present day. It was only in the 1950's that being a witch ceased to be  illegal in Britain, and there was an attempt by some MP's to re-instate anti witchcraft laws in the 1970's. While in America today witchcraft is a recognized religion, in Britain it is still largely carried on in secret, although some have published books and some try to hold events jointly with other religions.

The public view of the witch has changed in recent years, mainly through TV series and films, away from the old hag, or wicked witch figure to the bewitched, Sabrina, or charmed view, together with a collection of children's series, which is still incorrect, but is far friendlier and seen less as a threat, ranging from cartoons and children's shows to the Harry Potter movies. 

On TV, court cases take place immediately, move fast, and produce just results, while in reality they take years to come about, are slow, and are about as accurate as flipping a coin, likewise the view of witchcraft on TV is dramatic, fictional, female only, and very fast.

Currently alternative religions, eastern, earth beliefs and others are increasing, while Christianity is struggling, however as few of these actively look for converts and many carry on is near secrecy or discourage all but the most committed it is difficult for many to get the full facts. Some have become commercialized, and you can only get involved through expensive courses or residential events. 

Witchcraft, over the centuries has continued to devolve, new groups have been set up, some others have split, and new information has been absorbed, leading to a wide range of traditions, some of which of course have not survived to this day. In the next section we will look at the different main traditions, and the background to each. 

Witchcraft has to answer the same question that every religion has to face today, what is the relevance to life today in our industrial age, and can it continue to evolve?

There are many of the skills of witchcraft being used under other titles herbalism, counseling, healing, hypnosis, aromatherapy, massage, ........ and of course the need we all have to speak directly to the superior power whatever you may call her or him. Over this course I hope to show you many things, some skills you can pick and choose, and in fact the whole belief system is a pick and mix one, you choose the parts that you are happy with and for now, disregard the rest.

What witchcraft should be able to do for you is to improve the quality of your life, partly through skills, partly through knowledge, partly peace of mind and partly through Magic and the manipulation of luck. If you choose to become involved in a coven, then you gain real friends you can rely on, not all as wacky as you may expect, and share and benefit far more.

As to the future, you bring with you your ideas, common sense, and will help to shape the tradition you join, making it relevant to you and the next generation.

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