Anthropologists refer to witchcraft as the use of malevolent powers by psychic means without the need for ritual or charm. This is so for the days of the Inquisition but not for the contemporary western world where witches work magic through spells.

Witchcraft involves the use of supernormal powers such as shape-shifting, clairvoyance, invisibility, flying, the ability to kill at a distance and astral projection.

During the middle ages and the renaissance, it was defined as evil magic, heresy and devil-worship. Contemporary witchcraft has redefined it as a reconstructed form of Pagan religion that worships the Goddess and horned god and has no connection with Christianity or the devil. It also only used for good rather than for harmful use.

The inquisition was not a persecution of witches as believed by contemporary popular belief it was actually the persecution of heretics and enemies of the church.