Witchcraft: a form of evil or traditional healing?

Do Witches still exist today? Of course, when you think of the stereotypical big nosed woman, swooping down on her broomstick, casting evils spells on the mortals… the answer is no. In reality, the definition of a witch is not as evil as the the stereotype we have created. The most common definition of a Witch is a woman with malignant, supernatural powers, practising black witchcraft/magic. This definition has in turn created the, all too familiar, sinister characters we have come to know in fairytales or films today. But did you ever stop to wonder what their (the Witch’s) side of the story was? These so called Witches were typically women on the fringe of society who’s lives deviated from the norm; so why were they put to the test? These “easy targets” were enigmas to the rest of society and were therefore to blame for the superstitious and unfortunate events which took place.
From traditional medicine to witchcraft; from Healers to Witches; over centuries we have created this negative stigmatisation on Witches. Born from religion and translated into fairytales, the concept of a Witch, in the Western world, derives from Old Testament laws against witchcraft. Then gaining Church’s approval in the Early Modern Period, it flourished and weaved its way into the in the daily lives of civilians. Witches were known to obey the Devil by using magic spells and calling upon spirits for help to bring about change and harm others. These women were in fact natural healers, or so-called “wise women”, whose unique knowledge/understanding of the world was misunderstood by others. Those accused of being Witches were typically the anomalies, the outcasts, the widowers, the single mothers or the old women who never married. The breakout on this hunt for witches led to many years of large scale witch-trials and witch hunts, mainly throughout (Protestant) Europe, before dying down during the European Age of Enlightenment (17-19th century). However, many cultures worldwide continue to have practices and cultural beliefs that are loosely translated into English as “witchcraft”.
One could say that Healers historically accused of witchcraft, were more mediators between the living and spiritual world (similar to shamans). So, do “Witches” still exist today? In a world where we lay our trust in the hands of modern medicine and technological advances, we forget the old ways in which we used to heal our bodies with simple, natural ingredients. A “Witch doctor” was a type of Healer who treated ailments by using witchcraft, now more commonly known as natural healing. This is particularly common in regions which use traditional healing, rather than contemporary medicine (e.g. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders). Doctors may prescribe medicines in order to alleviate, or numb one’s pain. Does modern medicine always get to the root of the pain though?
Traditional healing is seen to be a way to get to the core of one’s suffering, whether it be mental or physical. Using the healing properties of many medicines found in/on land and water, aiding those who are suffering from physical illnesses; along with healing ceremonies to help people with their mental, emotional and spiritual pain. Healers are known to be able to cure a disease or an injury using; plant, animal or mineral-based medicines, energetic therapies or physical/hands on techniques. Methods of traditional healing vary, as this type of healing incorporates many different cultures and traditions, such as; acupuncture, ayurveda, homeopathy, naturopathy and Chinese or Oriental medicine.
Traditional medicine can be documented through records of the theoretical concepts, literature and practical skills, as well as passed down from generation to generation through verbal teaching. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines traditional medicine as “the sum total of the knowledge, skills, and practices based on the theories, beliefs, and experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health as well as in the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness”. With the study of herbs dating back almost 5,000 years ago, to when the ancient Sumerians found well-established medicinal uses for plants, it is no wonder many cultures choose traditional medicine over modern. the many layers of tradition and trust embedded in traditional medicine are a strong core reason for the continuation of this type of healing. By going back to our roots and understanding how we used to heal ourselves, we can gain more knowledge about our bodies, minds and souls. Yet can we know, Is one method more efficient than the other? Is modern medicine harmful to the human body? Can traditional medicine give us physical and mental guidance? The study of traditional medicine is a much neglected aspect of global health as much as a curious one.