Famous Witches in History

Before we take a look at some of the most famous witches in history, let's examine the real definition of a "witch". The general and misunderstood definition of the term witch (according to dictionary.com) is: A woman thought to have evil magic powers. Witches are popularly depicted as wearing a black cloak and pointed hat, and flying on a broomstick. Though this is the general population's image and idea of what a witch is, it is incorrect and utterly misconstrued. While the true translation of the word witch varies and has been debated by many, it can simply be exposed to mean "wise woman".

In this hub, I don't plan on introducing accused famous "witches" in the idea of women who were accused of the ill-conceived idea of a witch as one who flew on a broomstick and consorted with the devil. I actually plan on sharing some historical and modern day accounts of wise women who, in reality, can be called famous witches by the true meaning of the word "witch".

Morgan Le Fey is a famous witch in history and has been depicted as an evil nemesis to King Arthur of Camelot; however, this depiction has been widely misconstrued, like many other famous witches' stories. While Morgan Le Fey's existence cannot be proven, those who believe in King Arthur's legend as a true story believe in the existence of Morgan Le Fey, as well as the Merlin. Morgan Le Fey, also called Morgaine by modern-day novelists like Marion Zimmer Bradley, was said to be King Arthur's half-sister and would eventually unknowingly bear King Arthur a son. She became a famous witch in history because of her direct association with the Isle of Avalon and with England's ancient Pagans known as the Druids. Much of the stories of this famous witch denounce her allegiance to her brother and her people, making her into an evil, vengeful witch who wants nothing more than to destroy and/or rule her brother's kingdom of Camelot; however, the true legend before the twisting occurred was that Morgan Le Fey actually aided King Arthur in his dying hour by leading him through the mists to the Isle of Avalon to be healed. We will probably never know the real story, or if it truly happened, but witches to this day do believe in Morgan Le Fey...and that she was indeed a famous witch in history who should not be feared but studied and revered.

Anne Boleyn was the second wife of the infamous King Henry VIII of England in the sixteenth century, and she is also one of the most famous witches in history. There are many scholars and non-believers who say that Anne Boleyn was not a witch, but if we are talking about whether Anne Boleyn was a famous witch in history because of her wisdom...well then, I have to disagree with the non-believers. Throughout her years as a queen of England, Anne Boleyn became a very educated, extremely intelligent woman and consort to the country of England. Despite the rumors and her later accusations of treason, adultery, incest, and eventually witchcraft which led to her beheading, Anne Boleyn has now become known as one of the most influential queens of England in history. Was Anne Boleyn a witch or wasn't she? That is the question. I call her a famous witch in history because of her incredible strength and wisdom during her life and her desire to appease her husband and country, others may call her a famous witch in history because they focus on the lies and accusations...either way, Anne Boleyn is a famous witch in history worthy of respect and study, too.

Aradia is a famous witch in history whose story originates in the country of Italy. Aradia is the main character in the book written by Charles Leland in the late nineteenth century, "Aradia or the Gospel of the Witches". The authenticity of this book is debated to this day, but the book has actually aided in the resurgence of Paganism in the twentieth century. Supposedly, Charles Leland was handed a book by a woman who lived in the Tuscany region of Italy named Maddelena and it was with this book that the Aradia or the Gospel of the Witches was composed. If one is to look at Aradia as she is presented in Charles Leland's Gospel of the Witches, one would believe in Aradia as a goddess of witches, of sorts. The actual basis of Aradia's story in Leland's book is based upon her birth to the goddess Diana and the god Lucifer. The followers of Aradia were supposedly a group of witches that have survived since the 12th century by using Aradia's knowledge of witchcraft to fend off the Roman Catholic church's advances to wipe out Paganism from the Tuscany region of Italy. Was Aradia a goddess of Italian witches or merely a powerful famous witch from the fourteenth century, according to the modern author Raven Grimassi? You must do the research on your own, as the story of the famous witch in history Aradia can be convincing either way. For me, I believe she was a famous witch who has had a strong following since her life in the fourteenth century, but others still believe Aradia was more of a goddess and much more than a mere famous witch.

The most famous Voodoo Queen of all time is Marie Laveau. Marie was born a free black woman in New Orleans in the mid-1700s and became the most well-known voodoo priestess in eighteenth and nineteenth century Louisiana. White and black folks alike would come to Marie Laveau for ailments in the areas of healing and love. It was said that Marie Laveau was a devout Catholic and would attend mass religiously; however, she was also an advocate for the Voodoo religion, believing and practicing Voodoo with the aid of the loas and being well-versed in the arts of intuition and seership. All three classes of New Orleans society would call on Marie Laveau, the famous witch, in order to acquire unknown information or will into being some desire such as health or beauty. Marie Laveau lived to be in her nineties, though some claim she died earlier than this. Her supposed grave in New Orleans' Saint Louis Cemetery #1 gets more visitors on Halloween than Elvis Presley's grave. This famous witch in history may have been a voodoo queen or priestess, but she was a wise woman and knew her craft well.

Since the likes of the famous witches in history such as Anne Boleyn and Aradia, many witches have emerged from the shadows (or have "come out of the broom closet") in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries because of a man named Gerald Gardner. Gerald Gardner is called the father of modern witchcraft, as he is the founder of the Wiccan religion. The story goes that he was shown an old way of beliefs, known as witchcraft, and then decided to try and keep the religion and beliefs alive by making them public knowledge. Thanks to Gerald Gardner, many Wiccans and Pagans alike are able to come out of the broom closet today, without fear of being hung from the nearest tree or persecuted physically for their beliefs (though there is still much mental and emotional persecution for those who consider themselves witches or Pagans).

Sybil Leek was taught the ways of witchcraft from a young age, and was around during Gerald Gardner's time. Sybil Leek is one of the most famous witches in modern history, and has written about sixty well-known pagan and occult books such as: Diary of a Witch, Sybil Leek's Book of Herbs, and Star Speak - Your Body Language from the Stars. Sybil claims that she was taught much of her knowledge on witchcraft by Aleister Crowley himself and that she was supposed to be his successor. Sybil Leek died in the 1980's as "Britain's most famous witch".

Laurie Cabot is the "official witch of Salem" and modern times' most famous witch alive today (in my opinion). She is also an author and a wise woman, owns her own witchcraft shop in Salem, and even records videos on her own youtube channel! I am subscribed to her channel and if you're interested, you should subscribe, too!

Scott Cunningham was a famous witch, as well, but more or less called himself a Wiccan above a "witch" for personal spiritual reasons. He has written many books that are read all over the world on topics of Wicca, such as books on topics of Kitchen Witchcraft, magical herbs, magical stones, earth power, and practicing solitary Wicca. Unfortunately there will be no more wonderful Wiccan books published by Scott Cunningham because he passed in 1993 from a long-term illness. He continues to be one of the most famous witches and one of the most loved Wiccan authors in the Wiccan and Witchcraft world today.

Another famous witch that is alive today is Silver RavenWolf. She is also an author if books on witchcraft and her name is very well-known among Wiccans and Witches all over the world. She has a background in PowWow magic, from ancestral lineage and also is highly intelligent in different traditions of Wicca. Buy her books on Amazon or read more about her on the internet. She is a famous witch that you won't want to pass up!

"Witchcraft ... is a spiritual path. You walk it for nourishment of the soul, to commune with the life force of the universe, and to thereby better know your own life." - CHRISTOPHER PENCZAK, The Inner Temple of Witchcraft