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About This Quiz
Sure, we all know about broomsticks and cauldrons … Which only has a very small basis in the historical and modern reality of witchcraft. Learn your Wicca from your warlocks and test your knowledge of the culture of witchcraft through history.
What's a witch?
A person who works with the devil.
A person who uses magic and natural forces.
Yeah, what IS a witch?
Listen, there's no definitive witch test so don't bother trying to see if one floats like they tried in Salem.
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The Romans punished those who practiced "magic:"
with crucifixion
only if it was bad magic
After all, who wants to turn away good magic?
They were revered, not punished.
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What changed the reputation for witches as being worshippers of Satan?
the plague
Christianity
As Christianity spread, witches were seen as servants of the devil.
the Salem Witch Trials
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What instigated the Salem Witch Trials?
An old woman was found with various potions in her cottage.
Some girls claimed they saw a witch flying through the air.
Two girls suffered convulsions and claimed they were being bitten or pinched.
It's still unknown what exactly was going on with the two young women.
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In a nine-month period, how many "witches" were executed in the hysteria around Salem?
12
20
More than 100 people were imprisoned.
7
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What is a pagan religion?
a religion based in nature
a religion with magic
a religion that worships multiple deities
Any religion that doesn't worship monotheistically is considered pagan.
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Why is "magick" designated with a k?
to make it sound old-timey
to distinguish it from Penn and Teller-type magic
Magic might include card tricks; magick involves spells, energy and the like.
to distinguish good "magick" from evil "magic"
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In Navajo culture, what does a witch do to disguise him or herself at night?
wears the skin of an animal
Also called "skinwalkers."
wears a pointed hat
grows facial hair
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The Zande tribe in the Congo believe that a witch's power is:
unlimited
the spirit of a dead relative
in her stomach
The magick isn't caused by an external force, in other words, but is just an inherent part of the practitioner.
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Most cultures that believe in witchcraft do NOT blame witchcraft for:
all death
rational accidents or problems with reasonable causes
both
It's important to remember that although some cultures attribute misfortune to witchcraft, they aren't lacking reason.
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In the 15th and 16th century, prominent witch hunts took place in:
Germany
Northern Italy, France and Switzerland also had significant hunts.
Spain
England
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What was one method for determining if a woman was a witch?
pricking them to see if the devil made them impervious to pain
Not a terribly effective method.
seeing if her index toe was longer than her big toe
pushing her from a great height to see if she would fly
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The Bacchanalia -- a Greco-Roman precursor to the Western image of hedonistic underground worship -- was originally attended by:
only men
only women
The festivals (and orgies and animal sacrifices and the like) were later open to men.
only peasants
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Wicca is an extremely ancient religion.
TRUE
FALSE
Wicca was invented in the 20th century and doesn't have roots in any traditional pagan culture.
It's not a religion at all.
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Wiccans worship:
the Goddess
They also recognize other deities, but the Goddess is the main figure in the Wiccan religion.
a goat
no deity
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Wiccans worship in groups called:
klatch
covens
The memberships usually require initiation.
congress
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However, Wiccan witches can also practice in:
circles
solo
both
Circles are more open and fluid than covens, but witches also have individual worship practices.
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The Wiccan Rede states:
If it harm none, do what you will.
Although all of the sentiments are pretty much encompassed in the Rede.
Be kind.
Don't be evil.
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The precursor to Halloween was called:
Samhain
The end of summer marked a time when the spirit world showed up on earth to play tricks.
All Saint's Day
October 30th
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Appalachian folk magic uses:
Native American traditions
Christian beliefs
both
It's also referred to as "hoodoo," or granny magic.
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What does kitchen or cottage witchery entail?
practicing alone
using herbs and edibles in spells
Kitchen and cottage witches use household items for magick that centers around the home.
only using live animals
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Kabbala is a form of:
Jewish witchcraft
Jewish mysticism
While it has roots in earlier traditions, Kabbala mostly developed after the 12th century.
evil worship
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Do Wiccans believe in the devil?
nope
So really: Wiccans aren't worshipping Satan, since they don't believe in the guy in the first place.
yes
They believe in a devil-type figure called Jerome.
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What's a warlock?
a male witch
a witch who betrays another witch
Men and women are both called witches in Wicca, as "warlocks" has a negative connotation traditionally.
a sorcerer
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Wiccans believe that doing harm will come back to them:
in the form of ill health
as a financial blow
threefold
So be good, people.
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The broom (or besom) is used for what in Wiccan culture?
to ride on
to purify a space or direct energy
Nobody is flying on a Wiccan broom, folks.
It isn't used.
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What does the term "skyclad" mean in Wiccan ritual?
nudity
Most covens and circles are going to make skyclad an option when performing rituals, and make sure everyone involved is comfortable with it.
doing spells in nature
using only your breath to cast spells
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Winter solstice is celebrated as:
Yule
It's the symbolic celebration of Goddess giving birth to the God.
Christmas
Xmas
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The Wiccan Great Rite includes a:
dance
(generally symbolic) sexual union
Depending on the relationship of the participants, the union is usually just symbolic. (And private, if it's not.)
airing of grievances
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You Got:
/30
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