Witches

A witch is a practicioner of magic, a scholar of the occult, or a manipulator of supernatural forces. A witch is usually a gender-specific term referring to a woman. Male witches exist, but are usually referred to as warlocks. Classically, witches are portrayed as wicked women with evil intent, often laboring in the service of some malefic force, such as a demon, or even the Devil himself. A gathering of witches, who combine their efforts towards a common girl are referred to as a coven or a circle.

Other interpretations demonstrate witches as members of any number of pagan religions, which are not necessarily evil in purpose or intent. The most well known of such pagan social groups are Wiccans, who practice Earth elemental magic known as Wicca.

Popular tradition holds that the only absolute way of identifying a witch is by drowning them. This test was widely administered during the 17th century in which a suspected witch was tied to a dunking chair and lowered into a body of water. Witches cannot be drowned, so if she survived, then she was clearly a witch. Unfortunately, if one were innocent then they would certainly die. This theory is taken from traditional lore that originated in Europe.

in film
The first film to feature witchcraft was the French movie Le Manoir du diable, which was directed and produced by Georges Méliès in 1896. In the film, a young woman greets a French soldier before transforming into a witch before his eyes. Several more witches appear and begin running about in a circle, brandishing broom sticks. Another soldier arrives, but soon flees. As the witches continue dancing in a circle, the first soldier grows scared. Simultaneously, they drop to their knees and disappear.