In anthropological terminology, witches differ from sorcerers in that they do not use physical tools or actions to curse; Her maleficium is perceived as starting from an immaterial inner quality, and one cannot be aware of being a witch or have been convinced of her nature by the suggestion of others. [21] This definition was developed in a study of Central African magical beliefs by E. E. Evans-Pritchard, who warned that it might not correspond to normal usage of English. [22] Historian Ronald Hutton notes the presence of four different meanings of the term witchcraft in the English language. Historically, the term mainly referred to the practice of harming others by supernatural or magical means. This remains, according to Hutton, “the most widespread and common understanding” of the term. [227] In addition, Hutton notes three other definitions currently in use; designate any person who performs magical acts with benevolent or malicious intent; for practitioners of the modern pagan religion Wicca; or as a symbol of women challenging male authority and claiming independent female authority. [228] Belief in witchcraft is often present in societies and groups whose cultural framework includes a magical worldview. [229] Traditional witchcraft is a term for a variety of contemporary forms of witchcraft.

Pagan scholar Ethan Doyle White described it as “a broad movement of allied magical-religious groups that reject any relationship with Gardnerianism and the wider Wicca movement and claim older, more `traditional` roots. Although traditional craftsmanship is generally united by a common aesthetic rooted in European folklore, it contains within its ranks a rich and diverse palette of occult groups, from those who follow a contemporary pagan path eerily similar to Wicca to those who adhere to Luciferianism. [80] According to traditional British witch Michael Howard, the term refers to “any form of non-Gardner, non-Alexandrian, non-Wiccan or pre-modern craft, especially if inspired by historical forms of witchcraft and folk magic.” [81] A different definition was proposed by Daniel A. Saudi authorities also imposed the death penalty on a Lebanese TV presenter, Ali Hussain Sibat, while he was leading the Hajj (Islamic pilgrimage) in the country. [191] In modern occultism and neopagan religions, many self-proclaimed magicians and witches regularly practice ritual magic; [11] Magic is defined as a technique for bringing about change in the physical world through the power of one`s will. This definition was popularized by Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), an influential British occultist, and since then other religions (e.g., Wicca and LaVeyan Satanism) and magical systems (e.g., chaos magic) have adopted it. Many different definitions of magic have been proposed by researchers, although these – according to Hanegraaff – can be understood as variations of a small number of highly influential theories. [164] According to anthropologist Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard, magic formed a rational framework of belief and knowledge in some cultures, such as the Azande people in Africa.

[147] Historian Owen Davies has noted that the word magic is “beyond mere definition”[148] and has “a number of meanings.” [149] The situation is similar with historian Michael D.