Cotton Mather was a prominent figure in the late 17th century colonial America and was well-known for his writings and beliefs regarding the practice of witchcraft. He was a Puritan minister, theologian, and author who lived in Massachusetts during the infamous Salem witch trials. Mather was deeply involved in the trials, supporting the prosecution of those accused of witchcraft. Mather believed that witchcraft was a real and legitimate danger to the community and believed in the existence of witches who made pacts with the Devil. He saw it as his duty to protect the Puritan community from the influence and harm caused by witches. He strongly condemned those who practiced witchcraft and believed that those accused should be punished for their crimes.
Folk magick tells us that a Yule log was typically of Ash wood, sacred for its associations with the Norse tree of life, Yggdrasil. However, I think any wood log that is native to your land, or auspicious to your own pagan path, is magick enough. I like the idea of harvesting the fattest part of my Yule Tree stump from the previous year for use as my Yule log the next year. This way it has a whole turning of the wheel to dry out and be perfect for burning. To get started, any log you like will do. The yule log may be prepared early in the season as a centerpiece to your household altar, or perhaps as decoration on the mantel, until winter solstice night when you will burn it. To prepare a yule log, flatten one side enough so that it sits stably upright on a table. Drill three holes in the top, centered on the log, and about 3-4 inches apart. Make the holes with a diameter wide enough to securely hold three 6-12″ taper candles. Personally, I like to have a white one in the center for Spirit, Green for the eternal Earth Mother, and Red for the Solar God, born anew. I love the smells of the winter holidays, so I craft an oil blend to anoint the log and candles. Before beginning the ritual, I will also offer to anoint each celebrant with it on their Crown Chakra – the top of their head. Just be careful to ask if anyone has a cinnamon sensitivity, as it can sometimes irritate the skin. Sojo Circle Yule Log 2013
Decorating evergreen trees, lighting candles, decking the halls with boughs of holly, kissing under the mistletoe, and burning the Yule Log, have always been my favorite parts of the winter season kick-off. Hold a ritual to celebrate the return of the sun, do a home cleansing as you celebrate the season, or even bless donations you re giving away to charity.
He strongly condemned those who practiced witchcraft and believed that those accused should be punished for their crimes. Mather's beliefs about witchcraft were deeply rooted in his religious convictions. He saw witchcraft as a form of Satanic worship and believed that anyone involved in such practices was endangering their own soul, as well as the souls of others.
Yule Log Ritual for Winter Solstice Magick
Yule (pronounced EWE-elle) is celebrated in modern paganism with many folk traditions from northern and western Europe. Decorating evergreen trees, lighting candles, decking the halls with boughs of holly, kissing under the mistletoe, and burning the Yule Log, have always been my favorite parts of the winter season kick-off!
Witches celebrate the Sabbat of Yule at the Winter Solstice, when the Sun enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn. Typically, this occurs around December 20-23 in the northern hemisphere, and is the longest night of the year. For exact dates of sabbats, see archaeoastronomy.com. Capricorn is the cardinal sign, meaning it begins the season of Winter, it also begins the light half of the wheel of the year, because the days will lengthen, and the sun will rise just a little bit higher in the sky every day until its peak at summer solstice. Yule Hearth Fire – CC0 Creative Commons – Pixabay
He believed in the power of prayer and believed that through prayer, one could protect themselves from the influence of witches and the Devil. Mather's writings on witchcraft, particularly his book "Wonders of the Invisible World," helped shape public opinion and fuel the hysteria surrounding the Salem witch trials. These writings were widely read and contributed to the fear and paranoia that gripped the community during that time. While Mather's beliefs and actions may seem extreme by today's standards, it is important to consider the historical context in which he lived. The Puritan colonists faced many hardships and challenges, and the belief in witchcraft was deeply ingrained in their religious beliefs. Mather's views were shared by many in the community and reflected the prevailing attitudes of the time. Overall, Cotton Mather's beliefs and writings about witchcraft were influenced by his religious convictions and played a significant role in the Salem witch trials. While his views may be considered extreme by today's standards, they highlight the fear and paranoia that gripped the community during that time..
Reviews for "The Dark Arts: A Closer Look at Cotton Mather's Witchcraft Practices"
1. Sarah - 1 star - I found "About the Practice of Witchcraft" by Cotton Mather to be incredibly dry and unengaging. The writing was convoluted and difficult to follow, making it hard for me to connect with the content. Additionally, I felt that Mather's arguments were poorly supported and lacked evidence. Overall, I did not enjoy this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. John - 2 stars - While I appreciate the historical significance of "About the Practice of Witchcraft" by Cotton Mather, I was disappointed with the way the author presented his ideas. The writing style was archaic and verbose, making it difficult for me to fully grasp Mather's arguments. Furthermore, I found his views on witchcraft to be narrow-minded and lacking in empathy. I believe there are better resources available on this topic that offer a more balanced and comprehensive perspective.
3. Emily - 1 star - I was highly disappointed with "About the Practice of Witchcraft" by Cotton Mather. The author's extreme bias and staunch belief in witchcraft made it challenging for me to take his work seriously. Additionally, his lack of evidence and reliance on anecdotes made me question the validity of his claims. I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in a comprehensive and objective exploration of witchcraft.