Real Life Witches and Sorcerers Through History to the Modern Era
Real Life Witches and Sorcerers
If you're interested in magic, you're not alone.
For centuries, people have been fascinated by the idea of witches and sorcerers, both real and fictional. From the witches of Salem to the voodoo queens of New Orleans, the history of witchcraft is rich and varied.
Real-life witches have been part of human history for thousands of years.
In some cultures, witches were revered as healers and wise women; in others, they were feared and persecuted. Some of the most famous witches in history include Catherine Montvoisin, who led a secret network of criminals in 17th-century France, and Marie Laveau, the voodoo queen of New Orleans.
Whether you believe in the power of witchcraft or not, there's no denying the impact that witches and sorcerers have had on human history. From the ancient pagan religions to modern-day neo-paganism, witchcraft has been a part of human culture for as long as we've been telling stories.
In this article, we'll explore the world of real-life witches and famous sorcerers throughout history, delving into the myths, legends, and facts that have made them an enduring part of our culture.
Table of Contents:
Witchcraft and Sorcery: Mythological Figures
Starting from the earliest.
Witchcraft has been a part of human history for centuries and has been associated with many mythological figures. These figures have been portrayed in various ways, some as evil and others as benevolent.
Here are some of the most famous mythological figures associated with witchcraft and sorcery:
(I'm going to try to stay away from figures considered gods or deities.)
Circe
In Greek mythology, Circe was a powerful sorceress and enchantress who resided on the island of Aeaea.
Known for her mastery of magic, she transformed Odysseus' men into animals in Homer's Odyssey. Despite her enchantments, Odysseus eventually outwitted her, leading to his release and her help on his journey.
Medea
Medea, in Greek mythology, was a sorceress and princess of Colchis.
She helped Jason obtain the Golden Fleece but later faced betrayal. Her dark magic enabled her to manipulate events and exact revenge on her enemies, including killing her own children to punish Jason for his infidelity.
Morgan le Fay
Morgan le Fay, in Arthurian legends, is a powerful enchantress and half-sister to King Arthur.
Often depicted as both a healer and a sorceress, she alternates between benevolence and antagonism. She plays a complex role in Arthurian tales, sometimes aiding Arthur and his knights but also causing strife within the kingdom.
Baba Yaga
Baba Yaga is a prominent figure in Russian folklore, a witch-like character who lives in a hut that stands on chicken legs and can move through the forest. She is both feared and respected, known for her magical powers, ambiguous nature, and role as a helper or antagonist in various tales.
La Llorona
La Llorona, meaning "The Weeping Woman" in Spanish, is a popular legend in Latin American folklore. She is a ghostly figure who wanders near bodies of water, mourning the loss of her children, whom she is said to have drowned.
Her legend serves as a cautionary tale for children. I mention her only because she is often depicted as a vengeful witch.
Merlin
Merlin is a legendary figure from Arthurian tale.
Often depicted as a wise and powerful wizard, he served as an advisor to King Arthur, guiding his rise to power. Gifted with prophecy and magic, Merlin played a crucial role in shaping Camelot's fate but eventually faced a tragic end due to a love affair.
The Magi
The Magi, ancient astrologer-priests from Persia and Babylon, are prominent figures in the Zoroastrian and Christian traditions.
Guided by a star, they visited the infant Jesus, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The Magi were wise men and astrologers who possessed mystical knowledge but were not gods.
Faust
Faust is a legendary German figure who makes a pact with the devil, trading his soul for knowledge and magical powers.
Featured in various literary works, notably in Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's play "Faust," he epitomizes the timeless theme of the human desire for knowledge and the consequences of dealing with dark forces.
Abaris the Hyperborean
Abaris the Hyperborean was a legendary figure in Greek mythology known for his magical abilities. He was said to have possessed a golden arrow that granted him the power of flight.
Abaris was regarded as a wise and skilled sorcerer.
Zhang Guolao
Zhang Guolao is a legendary figure from Chinese mythology and one of the Eight Immortals in Taoist tradition.
He is depicted as an old man riding a white donkey backward. Zhang is known for his magical powers, wisdom, and association with longevity and healing abilities. Though revered in a mythological sense, we also know that he was probably a real person living some time in the 7th or 8th century.
Asclepius
Asclepius, a figure in Greek mythology, was the son of Apollo (though not considered a god in his own right) and a renowned healer and physician. Revered for his exceptional medical skills, he could even bring the dead back to life.
His symbol, the rod with a snake wrapped around it, remains a symbol of medicine today.
Of course, this is only a small portion of witches and sorcerers from mythology. An complete would be unbelievably long. It doesn't really matter how much truth you think lies in myth; it's possible the stories were originally based on real people and have been inflated over thousands of years.
Who knows?
What is clear is the topics of witchcraft and sorcery have captivated humans from the very beginning. It is obviously something important to the human animal.
But let's move on to the historical figures we at least know existed; whether the rumors of their power are true or not, you will have to decide.
Famous Historical Real Life Witches
Throughout history, witches have been both feared and revered. Some were known for their healing powers, while others were accused of dark magic and curses. Here are a few of the most famous witches in history.
I'll try to avoid women who were accused and burned at the stake, but who maintained their innocence because, let's face it, most of those women probably did not practice witchcraft of any sort.
Catherine Montvoisin
Catherine Montvoisin, known as "La Voisin," was a notorious French poisoner and occultist in the 17th century. As a key figure in the Affair of the Poisons, she supplied poison to nobles and was involved in dark rituals.
Eventually, she was arrested and executed in 1680 for her crimes and association with witchcraft.
Tituba
Tituba was a slave who lived in Salem, Massachusetts, during the infamous Salem Witch Trials in the late 1600s.
She was accused of practicing witchcraft and was one of the first people to confess to being a witch. Tituba's confession and accusations of other young girls led to the execution of 20 people for witchcraft.
While it is unclear whether Tituba was actually a witch or if she was coerced into confessing, her story has become a symbol of the hysteria and injustice of the Salem Witch Trials.
Marie Laveau
Marie Laveau was a famous voodoo queen who lived in New Orleans in the 19th century. She was known for her healing powers and ability to communicate with the dead.
Many people sought out Marie Laveau for her spiritual guidance and her spells.
Her legacy lives on in New Orleans, where she is still revered as a powerful figure in the city's history.
Moll Dyer
Moll Dyer was a woman who lived in Leonardtown, Maryland, in the 1600s.
She was accused of being a witch and was chased into the woods by a mob. Legend has it that she froze to death in the woods while cursing the town. To this day, people claim to see her ghost wandering the woods around Leonardtown.
![English witch Mother Shipton by Photo[dot]com from Photo Images](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/886a27_470bc407ae9441bb8b7e5d506819e2e1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_980,h_651,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/886a27_470bc407ae9441bb8b7e5d506819e2e1~mv2.jpg)
Mother Shipton
Mother Shipton, also known as Ursula Southeil, was an English prophetess born in the early 16th century.
Written in verse, her prophecies foretold various events, gaining fame posthumously. Her predictions covered natural disasters, political changes, and technological advancements, although some were likely embellished or written after her death.
Isobel Gowdie
Isobel Gowdie was a Scottish woman accused of witchcraft in the 17th century.
During her trial, she confessed to practicing witchcraft and provided detailed accounts of her supposed activities, including attending sabbats and making pacts with the devil. Her confessions remain a notable historical record of alleged witchcraft practices.
These are just a few examples of famous witches throughout history. While their stories vary, they all share a common thread of being powerful women who were feared and misunderstood by their communities.
Famous Historical Real Life Sorcerers
Throughout history, many famous sorcerers have captured the imagination of people around the world.
Here are some of the most well-known sorcerers in history:
Michael Scot
Michael Scot was a Scottish magician and astrologer who lived in the 12th century.
He was known for his knowledge of alchemy, astrology, and natural philosophy and was regarded as one of the most learned men of his time. Michael Scot was also a translator, and his translations of Aristotle's works into Latin were highly influential in medieval Europe.
Michael Scot is even in Dantes Inferno, occupying a place in the 8th ring of hell specifically for sorcerers, witches, and astrologists.
John Dee
John Dee was an English mathematician, astronomer, and astrologer who lived in the 16th century. He was also a skilled magician known for working with Edward Kelley in developing the Enochian magic system.
John Dee was a trusted advisor to Queen Elizabeth I and was highly respected for his knowledge of mathematics and astronomy.
Paracelsus
Paracelsus was a Swiss physician, alchemist, and astrologer from the late 15th and early 16th century. His real name was Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim. If you tried to say that name out loud, it';; make more sense why decided a pseudonym was best.
A pioneering figure in medicine, he rejected traditional beliefs, focusing instead on chemical remedies and holistic approaches. He is considered "the father of toxicology" and integrated alchemy and astrology into his medical practices, significantly influencing later occult and medical traditions.
Eliphas Levi
Eliphas Levi, born Alphonse Louis Constant (1810-1875), was a French occult author and ceremonial magician. His influential writings explored various esoteric subjects, including Hermeticism, Kabbalah, and tarot.
Levi's work significantly influenced later occultists, contributing to the development of modern Western mystical traditions.
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa
Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa was a 16th century German Renaissance philosopher, theologian, and occultist. His most famous work, Three Books of Occult Philosophy, explored magic, astrology, and the occult sciences.
Despite controversy, his writings influenced later esoteric traditions and modern occultism.
Giordano Bruno
Giordano Bruno (1548-1600) was an Italian philosopher, astronomer, and occultist. He advocated for an infinite universe with multiple worlds and supported the Copernican model.
Bruno's pantheistic beliefs and unorthodox ideas brought him into conflict with the Roman Catholic Church, leading to his trial and execution for heresy in 1600.
Witchcraft and Sorcery: Modern-Era Practitioners You Should Know
From influential Wiccan pioneers like Doreen Valiente to contemporary practitioners like Starhawk, many modern witches and sorcerers have made or are still making a mark on the occult space.
Here is a short list of some of these practitioners who you should probably become familiar if you are interested in this stuff:
Doreen Valiente
Doreen Valiente (1922-1999) was an influential English Wiccan and author, often called the "Mother of Modern Witchcraft." She played a crucial role in shaping modern Wicca, coining key rituals and verses, and helped bring the craft to wider audiences. Her books and teachings continue to inspire contemporary practitioners.
Gerald Gardner
Gerald Gardner (1884-1964) was a prominent English Wiccan and the "Father of Modern Witchcraft." Influential in reviving pagan practices, he played a key role in popularizing modern Wicca. Gardner's writings, rituals, and initiation systems laid the foundation for the contemporary witchcraft movement, shaping its beliefs and practices.
Starhawk (born 1951)
Starhawk is an American author, activist, and influential modern witch. Renowned for her book "The Spiral Dance," she shaped feminist spirituality and contemporary paganism. Her teachings emphasize ecofeminism, Earth-based spirituality, and social justice, making her a prominent figure in the modern Wiccan and pagan movements.
Margot Adler
Margot Adler (1946-2014) was an American journalist, author, and influential Wiccan practitioner. Best known for her book "Drawing Down the Moon," she explored contemporary pagan and witchcraft movements. As a respected radio journalist, she contributed to NPR and covered various cultural and spiritual topics, leaving a lasting impact on modern witchcraft.
Raymond Buckland
Raymond Buckland (1934-2017) was an English-American writer, Wiccan practitioner, and one of the key figures in bringing Gardnerian Wicca to the United States. A prolific author, he wrote numerous books on witchcraft and occultism, sharing his knowledge and contributing to the growth of modern pagan and Wiccan traditions worldwide.
Aleister Crowley
Controversial figure, Aleister Crowley (1875-1947) was a British occultist, ceremonial magician, and writer. He founded the religion of Thelema and authored influential occult texts. His provocative and controversial lifestyle and his esoteric teachings left a lasting impact on modern Western esotericism and alternative spirituality.
Laurie Cabot
Laurie Cabot, born in 1933, is an influential American witch and author. Known as the "Salem's Official Witch," she significantly popularized modern witchcraft and Wicca. Through her books and teachings, she has contributed to the understanding and acceptance of contemporary pagan traditions, particularly in the United States.
Israel Regardie
Israel Regardie (1907-1985) was a prominent English occultist and author. He gained recognition for his involvement in the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, where he studied under Aleister Crowley. Regardie's writings on magic, Kabbalah, and Hermeticism significantly influenced modern Western esoteric traditions, making him a key figure in occult literature.
Silver RavenWolf
Silver RavenWolf is an American author and practitioner of Wicca. Known for her popular books on witchcraft and spirituality, she has contributed to the modern understanding of pagan traditions. Her works emphasize practical magic, rituals, and empowering spiritual practices, making her a significant figure in the contemporary witchcraft community.
Janet and Stewart Farrar
Janet Farrar (1950-2018) and Stewart Farrar (1916-2000) were influential figures in modern witchcraft and Wicca. Renowned authors and practitioners, they co-wrote several books on Wiccan practices and rituals, expanding the movement's understanding. Their dedication to the craft and contributions to contemporary paganism earned them recognition as trailblazers in the Wiccan community.
Of course, this is just a small snippet of the most influential modern-era practitioners list.
There are so many people out there writing books and doing good work. Llewellyn Publications is a well-known publisher where you can find books, news, and further information on historical and contemporary witches and sorcerers and their works.
Summary
Throughout history, witches and sorcerers have been both feared and revered. They have been portrayed in various forms, from evil beings to wise healers, and their practices have been both condemned and celebrated.
Witches are people who practice magic, and their practices can vary widely. Some witches follow Wicca, a modern pagan religion focusing on nature and the elements. Others practice traditional witchcraft, which involves spells and rituals passed down through generations. Sorcerers, on the other hand, usually attempt to influence the surrounding world through ceremonial, ritualistic occult means.
But it is not all roses here. The practice of malevolent magic has also been a part of history. Not all stories of witchcraft and sorcery are happy ones, and this topic can strike a lot of needless fear because of it.
Overall, the history of witches and sorcerers is fascinating and complex.
If you are starting your own practice or just exploring for the fun of it, there are plenty of interesting characters to discover, from ancient myths to historical figures and modern practitioners; you will be able to dive down this rabbit hole for a very long time.
The Oldest Occult Books
The occult world is not only filled with interesting people, but fascinating texts like the The Picatrix, The Book of the Dead, and much more. Dive into an introduction to some of the oldest occult books. Our guide to the most influential ancient occult texts.
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