Witches, in the mythological sense of the term, are female practitioners of magical arts activated by association with supernatural powers. Their male counterpart would be a warlock. There were two fundamental types of witches. Black witches who dedicate themselves to Satan, and white witches who worship the Supreme Being.

The principal difference between the two is that white witches adhere to some form of religion, often termed paganism. Black witches are bound to the service of Satan and all his host of demonic creatures. Despite the forbidden truths black witches are said to receive, they commonly do very little with the knowledge.

The majority of their magic is spoken. Written magic is said to come from runes, of which knowledge is very scarce nowadays, even within the covens themselves. Acts of witchcraft include brewing potions, prophecy by aid of a familiar, levitation, blights and curses, transmogrification; including therianthropy, mediumship, weather manipulation, necromancy, charms and boons. Witches may also make use of a mannequin gris, better known as a voodoo doll, to harm or heal a subject.

Witches are thought to sell their services as a means of income. It is partly through this that they achieved a sour reputation, for the majority of love potions and hexes are misused by the purchasing human being. Through this mistrust, even white witches may find themselves persecuted by the community, when their only trade is in herbal remedies. This persecution can often provoke a witch into retaliation. Thus resulting in tales of ruined harvests, insect plagues and epidemics.

We learn of social structure from the confessions of Isobel Gowdie, a red-headed Scottish witch from the Seventeenth Century. She claimed that covens of thirteen witches were formed locally. A young witch could become associated with the coven but not a full member until one of the previous thirteen lost membership. Black witches went through the ceremony of standing naked before the coven, with right hand on their head and left hand on raised foot. From there they would vow to surrender to Satan all that lies between those hands.

It was believed covens would meet every year on each Witches' Sabbat. There were four dates in all - Candlemas in February, Walpurgisnacht (30th April), Lammas in August and Halloween (31st October). Halloween being the most notorious of these. Revelries would be open to the public, but only on condition of Satanic worship.

Though a white witch is restricted in her magical applications, she is exempt from the fate that befalls a black witch. The latter carries such a burden in illicit knowledge that she can only fall into Hell upon her demise. It is possible, however, to postpone this verdict by delivering to her master the souls of others. A fact to be weary of whenever doing business with a black witch.

((Disclaimer: Modern day religions; primarily Wicca, can also claim the name of 'witch'. Although it should not be confused with the mythological rendition of the name, as described above. The practice of Wicca is entirely different save for sharing similar terminology (e.g. the Sabbats).))