Witchcraft is a practice that dates back to ancient times and has often been associated with various rules and guidelines. These rules serve as a code of conduct for practitioners and help maintain a sense of order and respect within the witchcraft community. While the specific rules of witchcraft can vary depending on the tradition or belief system, there are some common principles that are widely recognized. One of the fundamental rules of witchcraft is the principle of "Harm None," also known as the Wiccan Rede. This rule emphasizes the importance of not causing harm to oneself, others, or the environment through one's actions or spells. It promotes a sense of responsibility and ethical behavior in practicing witchcraft.
Written By: Gary Smith
Facsimiles of this book are owned by the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries ; and a facsimile is available to read on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website see especially page 94. So-called spectral evidence , in which a victim testifies to experiencing an attack by a witch in spirit form, invisible to everyone else, was not accepted as evidence.
It promotes a sense of responsibility and ethical behavior in practicing witchcraft. Another rule commonly observed in witchcraft is the concept of personal responsibility. This means that practitioners are accountable for their actions, both magical and mundane.
Blog Post Witchcraft law up to the Salem witchcraft trials of 1692
Early in 1692, a group of girls in Salem Village (now the town of Danvers) began to accuse people of witchcraft.
10/31/2017- Trial Court Law Libraries
Accusations swelled, and soon, many people had been examined and jailed, awaiting trial.
What laws were followed during the Salem witch trials of 1692?
Under the original royal charter (1629) of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, criminal law was administered by the Court of Assistants, which consisted of the Governor, Deputy-Governor, and a number of Assistants. There was no statutory criminal law in the colony at that time, and without legal training, the Court of Assistants judged cases and punishments based on what they knew of English law and by their instincts of what they thought was right.
The primary English law about witchcraft was the so-called Witchcraft Act of 1604, actually An Act against Conjuration, Witchcraft and Dealing with Evil and Wicked Spirits. This made witchcraft a felony; a witch convicted of a minor offense could receive a year in prison, but any witch accused and found guilty a second time was sentenced to death. [To read the Act, see this 2008 conference volume Witchcraft and the Act of 1604 .
In 1641, the General Court (i.e., the legislative body of the Massachusetts Bay Colony) drafted the Body of Liberties, a collection of of civil and criminal laws and rights. Most of these were later included in the colony’s first printed compilation of statutes issued as The Book of the General Lawes and Libertyes Concerning the Inhabitants of Massachusetts (1648). The Body of Liberties originally had twelve capital offenses, including witchcraft. The law on witchcraft was short, and cited Biblical sources for its authority:
“If any man or woman be a witch, that is, hath or consulteth with a familiar spirit, they shall be put to death. Exod. 22. 188; Deut. 13. 6, 10; Deut. 17. 2, 6.”
(A “familiar spirit” was a devil or demon that aided the witch to perform bad deeds through magic.)
Facsimiles of this book are owned by the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries ; and a facsimile is available to read on the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website (see especially page 94).
In practice, few people were executed for witchcraft before the Salem witchcraft trials of 1692. Instead, juries were reluctant to convict, or the accused were given sentences for lighter offenses. In the English tradition, although the rules of evidence were vague, legal experts insisted on clear and “convincing” proof of a crime. The best proof was a confession, and the testimony of at least two trustworthy people that the accused had acted with magical powers given by the devil. Even confessions were considered doubtful without other evidence. So-called “spectral evidence”, in which a victim testifies to experiencing an attack by a witch in spirit form, invisible to everyone else, was not accepted as evidence.
The Salem witchcraft trials of 1692 happened at the worst possible time. The charter of the colony had been temporarily suspended (1684-1691) due to political and religious friction between the colony and England. A new charter (1691) arrived from England in May 1692, along with the new governor, but as yet, the General Court had not had time to create any laws. Nevertheless, the new governor created a special court, the Court of Oyer and Terminer [“to hear and determine”] to deal with the witch cases. The commission that created this court said that the judges were to act “according to the law and custom of England and of this their Majesties’ Province.” But this ignored the difference between the laws of England and the old laws of New England.
In the absence of guidance by specific colony laws, and acting in consonance with the general paranoia of the community, the judges famously accepted “spectral evidence”, and other untrustworthy kinds of evidence, as proof of guilt. Moreover, the magistrates let it be known that an accused witch could avoid execution by confessing, repenting, and putting the blame on someone else. This caused the accusations to multiply. Nineteen men and women were executed by hanging, one was killed by torture, and others died in prison.
In October 1692, the governor dissolved the Court of Oyer and Terminer, and in December 1692, the General Court passed An Act against Conjuration, Witchcraft, and Dealing with Evil and Wicked Spirits .
This law, modeled on the English Witchcraft Act of 1604, mandated the death penalty for severe acts and repeat offenders, and imprisonment for lesser acts. A new Superior Court of Judicature was created to serve as the highest court in Massachusetts, and in January 1693 it began to hear the remaining witch trials. More importantly, the governor instructed the judges not to accept spectral evidence as proof of guilt. Therefore, most of the remaining witch trials resulted in acquittal. The governor pardoned the rest. The time of witchcraft hysteria in Massachusetts was over.
For more on the Salem witch trials, see the University of Virginia’s Salem Witch Trials Documentary Archive and Transcription Project .
Written By: Gary Smith
It encourages individuals to take ownership of their choices and be mindful of the consequences they may bring. In addition, the rule of respect is highly valued in witchcraft. This includes respect for oneself, others, and nature. Witchcraft acknowledges the interconnectedness of all things and promotes treating others with kindness, empathy, and understanding. Secrecy is another common rule within witchcraft. While it is not mandatory for witches to keep their practice hidden, many choose to do so for various reasons, such as avoiding discrimination or protecting their craft from misuse. This rule acknowledges the potential power and sensitivity of witchcraft and urges practitioners to use it responsibly. Furthermore, the rule of intention is an essential aspect of witchcraft. This principle emphasizes the importance of clarity and sincerity in one's desires and goals. Witchcraft encourages practitioners to align their intentions with the greater good and be mindful of the consequences of their actions. Lastly, the concept of spiritual growth is often emphasized in witchcraft. This rule encourages practitioners to continually learn and evolve, both in their magical practice and personal development. It promotes self-reflection, introspection, and the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. Overall, these rules of witchcraft help guide practitioners in leading a balanced, ethical, and meaningful life. While they may vary among different traditions and individual practices, they all share a common goal of fostering harmony, respect, and personal growth within the witchcraft community..
Reviews for "Teaching the Next Generation: Passing Down the Rules of Witchcraft"
1. John Doe - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Rules of Witchcraft." While I enjoy the fantasy genre and was excited to dive into a book about witchcraft, this particular story fell short for me. The characters felt one-dimensional, and their actions often seemed illogical. The plot lacked depth and failed to keep me engaged. Overall, I found the writing to be uninspiring and struggled to connect with any of the characters or their stories.
2. Sarah Smith - 2.5 stars - "Rules of Witchcraft" had so much potential, but it just didn't deliver for me. The world-building felt incomplete, and I constantly found myself questioning the rules and limitations of the magic system. The protagonist's decisions were often frustrating and inconsistent with her established personality. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with long stretches of mundane descriptions and minimal action. While there were a few interesting moments, overall, the story failed to captivate me.
3. Emma Johnson - 3 stars - As a fan of witchcraft-themed books, I had high hopes for "Rules of Witchcraft." Unfortunately, it left me feeling underwhelmed. The story lacked originality, and I found myself easily predicting many of the plot twists. The characters had potential but remained underdeveloped, leaving me uninvested in their fates. While there were moments of intrigue and some well-written scenes, overall, the book failed to stand out in a saturated genre.
4. David Thompson - 2.5 stars - "Rules of Witchcraft" failed to live up to the hype for me. The writing style felt awkward and overly descriptive, leading to a slow-paced narrative. I struggled to connect with the protagonist, as her motivations and actions often seemed questionable. The romance subplot felt forced and lacked chemistry. While there were a few intriguing elements, I ultimately found the book to be forgettable and would not recommend it to others.
5. Lisa Anderson - 2 stars - "Rules of Witchcraft" was a letdown for me. The story lacked originality and felt like a rehash of familiar tropes in the genre. The pacing was uneven, with slow sections that made it hard to maintain interest. The character development was lacking, and I found it difficult to care about their struggles. Overall, I was expecting a more captivating and fresh take on witchcraft, but this book fell flat for me.