ABSTRACT
In this chapter, each of the 14 attributes of the ethnological/historical witch is described in detail, with ethnographic examples and psychological/neurobiological data to support the main argument: 1.social subversion, 2.nocturnal activity, 3. transformation, or “shape-shifting,” 4. flight, 5. a “familiar” animal or spirit, 6. the “Sabbat,” the periodic gathering of the community's witches, 7. spread of disease, 8. abduction of children, 9. illicit sexual behavior, and interference in human sexuality, 10. ritual murder, 11. ritual use of blood and/or body parts, 12. cannibalism, 13. vampirism, and 14. association with death. A final section considers the Evil Eye, similar in many ways to witchcraft.
