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Medieval witchcraft
In medieval times witchcraft was a highly punishable crime. It was considered to be on the same level as crimes like murder, theft and poisoning. As the church did not believe in the magical powers, they had nothing to fear and did not hurt witches. However, in the 5th century AD, St. Augustine – a Christian theologian, from Hippo – announced that any belief in pagan magic was the devil’s creation. These beliefs were considered against Christianity and an act in opposition to God. During the 7th-9th century, laws against witchcraft were commonly enforced and highly determined by the Church. Because the church was the main authority at the time, people chose to support the laws.
Superstition
Many superstitions that were believed in medieval times are still around today. One example is seen in the phrase ‘Bless you,’ which is frequently said after a person sneezes. People in medieval times would cover their mouths after sneezing in order to not get the plague, but also not to let their souls go too far. Saying bless you would bring an escaped soul back to their body. (Who would want to lose their souls?)
Another example would be black cats. ‘Witches’ often had black cats as pets. They were avoided because people believed they were demons in cat form. They thought that if they crossed a black cat’s path, their road to God was broken.
Walking under a ladder was also considered sinful and unlucky. This was because a ladder standing against a wall forms the shape of a triangle and triangles are the symbol of the Holy Trinity. Therefore, by walking under as ladder, it was thought that one broke the Holy Trinity.
For more information on this topic you can go to:
http://www.thefinertimes.com/Middle-Ages/witches-and-witchcraft-in-the-middle-ages.html
In medieval times witchcraft was a highly punishable crime. It was considered to be on the same level as crimes like murder, theft and poisoning. As the church did not believe in the magical powers, they had nothing to fear and did not hurt witches. However, in the 5th century AD, St. Augustine – a Christian theologian, from Hippo – announced that any belief in pagan magic was the devil’s creation. These beliefs were considered against Christianity and an act in opposition to God. During the 7th-9th century, laws against witchcraft were commonly enforced and highly determined by the Church. Because the church was the main authority at the time, people chose to support the laws.
Superstition
Many superstitions that were believed in medieval times are still around today. One example is seen in the phrase ‘Bless you,’ which is frequently said after a person sneezes. People in medieval times would cover their mouths after sneezing in order to not get the plague, but also not to let their souls go too far. Saying bless you would bring an escaped soul back to their body. (Who would want to lose their souls?)
Another example would be black cats. ‘Witches’ often had black cats as pets. They were avoided because people believed they were demons in cat form. They thought that if they crossed a black cat’s path, their road to God was broken.
Walking under a ladder was also considered sinful and unlucky. This was because a ladder standing against a wall forms the shape of a triangle and triangles are the symbol of the Holy Trinity. Therefore, by walking under as ladder, it was thought that one broke the Holy Trinity.
For more information on this topic you can go to:
http://www.thefinertimes.com/Middle-Ages/witches-and-witchcraft-in-the-middle-ages.html