The idea of organized satanic witchcraft was invented in 15th-century Europe by church and state authorities, who at first had a hard time convincing regular folks it was real.

Welsh women in traditional dress in the early 20th century. Heritage Image Partnership Ltd/Alamy. Women in Wales even looked like witches. They tended to dress in long, heavy woollen skirts ...

Whether you imagine a witch as a monstrous Macbeth conjuror, or a more innocuous pointy-hatted character riding a broomstick, it's likely the visuals of art have something to do with it. Close Sign In ...

Some reports have suggested the symbols were drawn by witches — perhaps unsurprising given the announcement’s proximity to Halloween — but Mr. Berry believes that to be a misinterpretation.