Witch-Cult in Western Europe by Margaret Alice Murray Overview

Wanderer's Wavelength

"The Witch-cult in Western Europe" by Margaret Alice Murray is a study of witchcraft practices in Europe during the Middle Ages. Murray argues that witchcraft was not a form of devil worship but rather a continuation of a pre-Christian religion that had been suppressed by the Church. She claims that this religion had its own hierarchy, rituals, and festivals that survived alongside Christianity and were often mistaken for satanic worship. Murray presents evidence from contemporary trials and historical accounts to support her thesis, examining aspects such as the witches' organization, beliefs, practices, and interactions with fairies. The book presents a controversial perspective on the history of witchcraft and explores the beliefs and practices of the witches in detail.