Paganism
The Religion, The Craft.

Witches and Warlocks don't necessary dress in all black and don't necessary have warts and long beards etc. Like they are so often betrayed in the movies/cartoons etc. They could look as normal and beautiful as you and I.

The Times Of The Burning (The History)

During the early centuries' wars, plagues and crusades advanced over Europe. Joan of Arc lead the armies of France to victory. She was popularly bruited as a sorceress and originally alleged a witch, but she was officially condemned as a heretic and was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431, as a relapsed heretic. This fact indicates the starting stages of Witchcraft. The Papal Bull of Innocent the VIII unleashed the inquisition against the Old Religion. Issued on December 5, 1494, it served as justification for pitiless persecution. It instituted the of combating the "Devil" and saving mankind from "his" clutches. (Three earlier Bulls" Sixtus 4th," were the first to equate sorcery and black magic with heresy, thereby facilitating the task of the Witch hunters. 1473, 1478 & 1483).

During this period it is estimated that 9 million men, women and children were tortured, some estimate 85% of those were women and children. They were tortured and killed under this incorrect and convenient (for the Church) definition. Misogyny (hatred of women) is evidenced as a strong element in the medieval Christianity. Because women gave birth they became acutely identified with sexuality, and due to the views at that time regarding sexuality, they were associated with evil. These so called Witches (per Christian definition) were held prisoner, stripped, tortured (at the time it was legal), deprived of sleep, food and much more, all in an effort to obtain a confession to the act of Witchcraft, as the Church defined it.

In 1586 the Archbishop of Treves accused the local Witches of causing severe weather. After torture and confession one hundred and twenty men and women were burned to death for interfering with the elements. Those who could escape did, but those who could not suffered a cruel fate.

By the late 17th century the surviving craft was well underground. During this underground period Christianity published much on its version of Witchcraft. When James the Sixth of Scotland became James the First of Scotland and England in 1603 he brought with him new versions of his "Demonology". In 1604 he convinced Parliament to pass his new act changing the emphasis from the Malleficarum to "a pact with the Devil" type thinking, to heighten the acts against Witches. By the end of his reign even though his attitude had changed, his act remained in effect until 1736. It was then replaced in England with an act from George the Second that stated there was no such thing as Witchcraft and to pretend to have occult powers was fraud.

In February, 1692, three accused women were examined by Magistrates Jonathan Corwin and John Hathorne. By the time the hysteria had spent itself, 24 people had died. Nineteen were hanged on Gallows Hill in Salem Town, but some died in prison. Giles Corey at first pleaded not guilty to charges of witchcraft, but subsequently refused to stand trial. This refusal meant he could not be convicted legally. However, his examiners chose to subject him to interrogation by the placing of stone weights on his body. He survived this brutal torture for two days before dying. Most of the Salem Witch trials were persecuted under the King James the First statute. On December 14, 1692, the Massachusetts General Counsel enacted the 1604 bill to give "more particular direction in the execution of the laws against Witchcraft." It remained Massachusetts Law until 1695.