Witches:
1. Flying on Broomsticks: Witches were often depicted as flying through the air on broomsticks, symbolizing their connection with the spirit world and their ability to transcend ordinary boundaries.
2. Coven Meetings: Witches were believed to gather in secret coven meetings, where they would engage in rituals, cast spells, and worship the devil.
3. Evil and Harmful Powers: Witches were widely feared for their alleged malevolent abilities, such as cursing individuals, causing mischief, and inflicting harm on others.
4. Shapeshifting: Some superstitions suggested that witches could transform into animals, particularly black cats, to conceal their true identities.
5. Protection Charms: To ward off witches and protect against their evil powers, people used various charms and amulets, such as horseshoes, crosses, and garlic.
Fairies:
1. Mischievous Beings: Fairies were often portrayed as mischievous and playful creatures who enjoyed pranks and tricks on humans.
2. Dwelling in Nature: Fairies were commonly believed to inhabit forests, meadows, and other natural settings, and their presence was associated with enchanted realms and hidden treasures.
3. The Faerie Realm: Some cultures held the belief that fairies resided in a separate realm known as the Faerie Realm, which humans could access only through certain rituals or by chance encounters.
4. Good and Bad Fairies: While some fairies were seen as benevolent and helpful, others were feared as malevolent and capable of causing misfortune and harm.
5. Fairy Blessings and Curses: People believed that fairies could bestow blessings or curses upon humans, depending on how they were treated. It was considered unwise to offend fairies, as they might retaliate with mischievous acts or even fatal consequences.
These superstitions and beliefs about witches and fairies originated from folklore, oral traditions, and cultural practices over centuries. While some people continue to hold onto these beliefs today, many modern interpretations approach these figures as mythical or fictional entities rather than actual beings.