Beyond the taboos attributed, witchery and the occult have persisted among cultures and religions worldwide, searching for the answers to those things that are hard to explain.
While the occult is the study of diverse knowledge and mysterious practices such as alchemy, astrology or natural magic, the witchcraft or witchery, is the practice of positive, negative or neutral magical skills and spells of modern paganism as divination or spellcraft. Also related to the ability to communicate to spirits, deities and ancestors.
For years they have existed yet are far to be understood. Nevertheless, here are 10 documentaries to watch on Youtube that explained more about the beliefs and practices made around the world.
“Häxan: Witchcraft Through the Ages” (1922)
It’s a Swedish/Danish silent horror film written and directed by Benjamin Christensen. Häxan studies how superstition and the misunderstanding of diseases and mental illness could lead to the hysteria of the witch-hunts.
The film was banned in the United States and heavily censored in other countries for what were considered it very strong.
The documentary was starred by Clara Pontoppidan, Oscar Stribolt, Astrid Holm, Maren Pedersen and Benjamin Christensen himself.
“Legend of the Witches” (1970)
Directed by Malcolm Leigh, the 72-minute documentary is a visual exploration into the origins of witchcraft in the UK. From sharing the secrets of a coven’s initation, divination through animal sacrifice, to casting a ‘death spell’ and everything about a Black Mass.
Originally called “Angeli bianchi… angeli Neri” is a 95-minute documentary filmed in Italy and directed by Luigi Scattini.
It is described as, “A mondo style report of satanic rites from around the world. Includes devil worshipping, voodoo cults, church of satan, black magic, naked exorcism and pagan rituals”.
It was starred by Alberto Bevilacqua, Anton LaVey, Edmund Purdom and Diane LaVey.
“The Power of the Witch” (1971)
A 49-minute documentary directed by Michael Bakewell about practicing witchcraft in the late 60s and early 70s in the UK.
Described it as, “An extremely rare documentary about Witchcraft aired once in the UK in 1971. Featuring contributions from Eleanor Bone, Cecil Williamson, Alex & Maxine Sanders, Doreen Valiente et al. Very much of its time and with some very rare footage, also includes reference to the famously unsolved crime of Charles Walton on Meon Hill”.
“The Occult Experience” (1985)
A 95-minute documentary directed by Frank Heimans and filmed in Australia, England, Switzerland, Ireland and the United States.
It’s an examination of occultism as practiced in different parts of the world. An introduction to Wiccas, Satanism, temples dedicated to different spiritual practices, shamanism and more.
The documentary won a Bronze Award at the 1985 International Film and Television Festival of New York.
“Satanism and Witchcraft” (1986)
Directed by Damon Santostefano, this documentary tracks the rise of devil cults, witches and other elements of the “black arts”. Includes interviews with truly shady personalities such as Paul Douglas Valentine, the founder of the Worlwide Church of Satanic Liberation and paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, who are best known for solving cases like those portrayed in “The Conjuring” or “The Amityville Horror”.
A Canadian documentary, directed by Donna Read. It is part of the National Film Board and tells the story of the witchcraft trials & persecutions that swept through Europe in the 15th-17th centuries. This was a period when those accused of being heretics or witches were condemned to the stake.
“Rasputin: The Devil in the Flesh” (2002)
It is a dark portrait of famous Siberian ‘holy man’, Grigory Rasputin. Directed by Olly Lambert, this documentary was widely praised for combining stylish production values with historical detail, putting him in the context of fin de siècle Russia and its appetite for sects and mysticism.
“Aleister Crowley: The Wickedest Man in the World” (2002)
Directed by Neil Rawles, it tells the story of controversial occultist, Aleister Crowley who is most known for his occult writings and teachings.
Crowley founded the religion of Thelema, which became adopted by the Ordo Templis Orientis (O.T.O.) as well as the magical order Argenteum Astrum, or A:.A:., the Order of the Silver Star.
He was also a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, where he was known as Frater Perdurabo.
“Secrets of the Occult” (2007)
Directed by Dan Burstein, it’s a documentary that explores the world of the occult. From the ancient and modern magicians who practice it, to the scientists that attempts to explain its mysterious claims.
It examines tarot, numerology, divination and other methods for tapping into supernatural as well as it takes a look at innovators like Newton, Galileo, Carl Jung and Einstein who pushed the boundaries of established science.
Would you watch them?