From Witch to Wicca

The origins of modern witchcraft - Wicca - are shrouded in mystery and controversy. One thing is certain: until the 20th century, "witches" were almost universally viewed as threatening figures whose main aim was to steal fertility, yet modern Wiccans are devoted to respecting the forces of nature and cosmic balance. How did this change take place? "From Witch to Wicca" looks at popular beliefs about witches from classical times to the Enlightenment, drawing on new research on the connections between European witches, shamans and folk ideas about the supernatural world, and shows how modern Wicca's roots may be far different, and far older, than is commonly believed. In doing so, it explains what today's Wicca is all about- a modern religion that many people have seen portrayed on TV and in movies but which few understand.