After a woodcut in De Lamiis et pitonicis mulieribus, Germany, 15th Century.
Scholars have been re-examining the history of witchcraft. It appears that the phenomenon is significantly linked with broad based, pre-Christian beliefs and rituals. Inquisitors of the 15th century apparently distorted these myths from their coalesced fears of disasters such as sickness (especially plague and leprosy, the causes of which were unknown and thus subject to paranoia), riots (often originating from religious fervor), and heresy (sometimes prompted by the mere existence of Jews and Muslims).

Limited edition (200) linoleum block print.