The History & Endurance of Witchcraft

The traditional stereotype of the witch as an ugly old woman who harms others using supernatural means has a strong hold within the popular imagination, but in modern society other types of witches have emerged, including those who use supernatural means to benefit others, those who follow a nature-based neo-pagan religion, and those who resist the imposition of patriarchal structures and hierarchies.

From among this complex environment of different understandings of witchcraft emerged Modern Pagan Witchcraft, also known as Wicca, in the 1950s.

Join Dr Phillips in this enchanting talk to examine beliefs about witchcraft from the witch trials of medieval Europe to its modern expression in the 21st century. Discover the key influencers from 19th century Britain who helped witchcraft endure from its shadowy past to emerge re-born into public awareness in the 1950s.

**Doors open at 7pm, talk starts at 7.30pm - come down early to grab a good seat!**

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*Dr Julia Phillips is Hon Senior Research Associate and lecturer at the University of Bristol. She received her PhD for her research examining how witches and witchcraft were featured in newspapers in Victorian Britain. Her primary research interests are the study of witchcraft in the 19th century and the development of modern Pagan Witchcraft in the 20th/21st centuries.*

Presented by Seed Talks

This is a 16+ event