In order to understand how witches could fly on broomsticks, or at least believe they were flying, we need to consider the plant that Ron Weasley is holding in this still from a Harry Potter movie.

One of the earliest depictions of flying witches is in a 15th-century text entitled "Le champion des dames," or "The Defender of Ladies." Martin Le Franc/W. Schild. Die Maleficia der Hexenleut' via ...

The image of a witch flying on a broomstick is iconic, but it is not nearly as old as the idea of witchcraft itself, which dates to the earliest days of humankind. Several theologians, church ...

Michael D. Bailey does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond ...