Description of the origin and meaning of the term "witch" in our time can be read on almost every fence. In most cases, it is argued that this word is called a woman who possesses some secret knowledge, the ability to magically influence the world around, and it comes from the Old Slavic "vdati" - "know" or "understand". This is the most widespread and perhaps the most plausible version; at what historical moment the Slavic sorceresses began to be called "witches" is difficult to say. It is possible that in the days of paganism, such women were identified with the Magi and they performed the same priestly functions. What term denoted such bearers of knowledge by our distant ancestors, who honored Perun and Svarog, is anyone's guess; one of the relatively plausible options - "veshtica".
There is little documentary evidence of the activities of medieval witches on the territory of Russia; the main information on this topic that has survived to this day is contained in folk legends, fairy tales and epics. Nevertheless, in the hands of modern experts there are a number of surviving chronicles telling about the lifestyle of Slavic sorceresses and the attitude towards them from others. Based on these few testimonies, as well as oral legends, it is possible to draw up the following approximate picture, in general terms, characterizing the Slavic witch.
The activities of the witches in Russia were not welcomed either by the secular authorities, or, moreover, by the clergy. Yet, unlike their European counterparts, the witches of the Slavic lands were able to avoid the massive and brutal persecution that reigned in "enlightened" Europe during the "witch hunt". If in the West, for accusations of witchcraft and collusion with the devil, it was enough to have a non-standard appearance or simply become a victim of denunciation from envious people and ill-wishers, then Slavic witches, in general, were brought to justice for specific facts of sabotage. Most often, Slavic sorceresses were accused of stealing milk from other people's cows (milk mixed with dew collected in the early morning - a favorite delicacy of a real witch), causing damage to people and livestock, caused by spells of a prolonged drought, or, conversely,crop-destroying rainstorms and the like evil deeds.
According to legends, all witches are divided into two types - born and those who have mastered the magical art, thanks to the study of a more experienced sorceress. Traditionally, it is believed that witches with innate abilities are more powerful, they are subject not only to manipulation of people and animals, but also to control the formidable natural elements. In addition, a born witch has the ability to change her appearance, to turn not only into another person (usually a girl of dazzling beauty), but also into various animals. Often, such sorceresses in legends appear as characters who are burdened by this magical gift, but do not have the strength to resist their nature. In most cases, the appearance of a true witch is frightening and repulsive; usually it is a hunched over old woman with a long nose and a sunken mouth.
"Scientists" witches are more vicious and unpredictable in nature. They receive their knowledge either from another, more powerful witch, or from evil spirits, as such. Often out of mischief or to test their skills, "learned" sorceresses inflict serious harm on the people around them, because endlessly able to control the magical gift that awakens in them. The attitude to both types of witches at all times was wary and hostile; there are many cases when women suspected of being interested in the dark arts were executed by their fellow tribesmen. At the same time, the Slavic witches were famous for their healing gift and often turned to them for help in curing various diseases.
In conclusion, I would like to express a few thoughts based on my own experience. There is no doubt that in our time there are women who have a special magical gift, most often innate. They do not participate in fraudulent shows broadcast throughout the country, their activities are hidden from prying eyes and are aimed, first of all, at learning about the world and their place in it. Modern witches, like their distant predecessors, derive their strength not so much from performing dark, sinister rituals as from the forces of nature, living in harmony with it and obeying its eternal laws.