The spring equinox, also known as Ostara, is a pagan celebration that marks the arrival of spring. Pagan customs associated with this time revolve around renewal, growth, and fertility. Many of these traditions are still practiced today, albeit in a more secular manner. One common custom is the decoration of eggs, which symbolize new life and fertility. This tradition has roots in ancient Pagan cultures, where eggs were seen as a powerful symbol of new beginnings. Today, many people still participate in egg decorating activities during the spring equinox, such as dyeing eggs or creating intricate designs on their shells.

Salem witch trials

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• Bill of Rights Institute - The Salem Witch Trials
• World History Encyclopedia - Salem Witch Trials
• Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University - Salem Witch Trials
• The National Endowment for the Humanities - The Salem Witch Trials According to the Historical Records
• Ancient Origins - Salem Witch Trial hysteria and the courageous stance of Giles Corey
• Famous Trials - Salem Witchcraft Trials

• Salem Witch Trials - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
• Salem witch trials - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

• Bill of Rights Institute - The Salem Witch Trials
• World History Encyclopedia - Salem Witch Trials
• Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University - Salem Witch Trials
• The National Endowment for the Humanities - The Salem Witch Trials According to the Historical Records
• Ancient Origins - Salem Witch Trial hysteria and the courageous stance of Giles Corey
• Famous Trials - Salem Witchcraft Trials

• Salem Witch Trials - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
• Salem witch trials - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

Jeff Wallenfeldt, manager of Geography and History, has worked as an editor at Encyclopaedia Britannica since 1992.

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In the late 1600s the Salem Village community in the Massachusetts Bay Colony (now Danvers, Massachusetts) was fairly small and undergoing a period of turmoil with little political guidance. There was a social divide between the leading families as well as a split between factions that were for and against the village’s new pastor, Samuel Parris. After some young girls of the village (two of them relatives of Parris) started demonstrating strange behaviours and fits, they were urged to identify the person who had bewitched them. Their initial accusations gave way to trials, hysteria, and a frenzy that resulted in further accusations, often between the differing factions.

By the end of the Salem witch trials, 19 people had been hanged and 5 others had died in custody. Additionally, a man was pressed beneath heavy stones until he died.

After weeks of informal hearings, Sir William Phips, governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, interceded to add some formality to the proceedings. Over the following year many trials were held and many people imprisoned. As the trials continued, accusations extended beyond Salem Village to surrounding communities. After Governor Phips’s wife was accused, he again interceded and ordered that a new court be established that would not allow so-called spectral evidence. By May 1693 everyone in custody under conviction or suspicion of witchcraft had been pardoned by Phips.

The haphazard fashion in which the Salem witch trials were conducted contributed to changes in U.S. court procedures, including rights to legal representation and cross-examination of accusers as well as the presumption that one is innocent until proven guilty. The Salem trials also went on to become a powerful metaphor for the anticommunist hearings led by U.S. Sen. Joseph McCarthy during the Red Scare of the 1950s, famously in the form of Arthur Miller’s allegorical play The Crucible (1953).

Salem witch trials, (June 1692–May 1693), in American history, a series of investigations and persecutions that caused 19 convicted “witches” to be hanged and many other suspects to be imprisoned in Salem Village in the Massachusetts Bay Colony (now Danvers, Massachusetts).

Today, many people still participate in egg decorating activities during the spring equinox, such as dyeing eggs or creating intricate designs on their shells. Another pagan custom associated with the spring equinox is the lighting of bonfires. These fires are meant to represent the return of the sun and the warmth it brings.

Witch hunts

The events in Salem in 1692 were but one chapter in a long story of witch hunts that began in Europe between 1300 and 1330 and ended in the late 18th century (with the last known execution for witchcraft taking place in Switzerland in 1782). The Salem trials occurred late in the sequence, after the abatement of the European witch-hunt fervour, which peaked from the 1580s and ’90s to the 1630s and ’40s. Some three-fourths of those European witch hunts took place in western Germany, the Low Countries, France, northern Italy, and Switzerland. The number of trials and executions varied according to time and place, but it is generally believed that some 110,000 persons in total were tried for witchcraft and between 40,000 to 60,000 were executed.

The “hunts” were efforts to identify witches rather than pursuits of individuals who were already thought to be witches. Witches were considered to be followers of Satan who had traded their souls for his assistance. It was believed that they employed demons to accomplish magical deeds, that they changed from human to animal form or from one human form to another, that animals acted as their “familiar spirits,” and that they rode through the air at night to secret meetings and orgies. There is little doubt that some individuals did worship the devil and attempt to practice sorcery with harmful intent. However, no one ever embodied the concept of a “witch” as previously described.

The process of identifying witches began with suspicions or rumours. Accusations followed, often escalating to convictions and executions. The Salem witch trials and executions came about as the result of a combination of church politics, family feuds, and hysterical children, all of which unfolded in a vacuum of political authority.

In ancient times, people would gather around the bonfires and engage in dances and rituals to bring about prosperity and good fortune for the coming year. While the bonfires today may not hold the same spiritual significance, many communities still organize bonfire events as a way to celebrate the arrival of spring and come together as a community. A key aspect of pagan customs during the spring equinox is the focus on nature and the outdoors. Many people take this time to go for nature walks, plant seeds, or engage in other activities that connect them to the natural world. This appreciation for nature stems from the pagan belief that the spring equinox is a time when the earth is awakening from its winter slumber and bursting with new life. By immersing themselves in nature, individuals can connect with this energy and feel a sense of renewal within themselves. Overall, the pagan customs of celebrating the spring equinox are deeply rooted in the belief in the cyclical nature of life and the power of nature. Whether through decorating eggs, lighting bonfires, or simply spending time in nature, these traditions serve as a way to celebrate the renewal and growth that comes with the arrival of spring. While the religious connotations of these customs may have faded over time, the underlying themes of fertility, abundance, and connection to the natural world continue to resonate with many people today..

Reviews for "Celebrating the Wheel of the Year: Honoring the Spring Equinox in Paganism"

1. John - 1 star

I found "Following the pagan customs of celebrating the spring equinox" to be a complete waste of time. As someone who doesn't believe in any sort of spiritual or religious traditions, I felt like I was forced to participate in something that went against my personal beliefs. The whole concept of celebrating an equinox seemed irrational and pointless to me. I would not recommend this event to anyone who shares my opinion.

2. Sarah - 2 stars

While I appreciate the effort put into organizing "Following the pagan customs of celebrating the spring equinox," I didn't personally enjoy the experience. I found the rituals and activities to be overly elaborate and confusing. It felt more like a theatrical performance than a genuine celebration of nature. Additionally, the event lacked clear explanations for the significance of certain actions, leaving me feeling disconnected from the supposed purpose of the gathering.

3. Mark - 1 star

I attended "Following the pagan customs of celebrating the spring equinox" with an open mind, but I was ultimately disappointed by the entire experience. The event was poorly organized, and the lack of proper guidance made it difficult to fully grasp what was happening. I also found the pagan customs to be odd and unrelated to the equinox itself. Overall, it was an underwhelming and confusing celebration that I wouldn't recommend to anyone looking for a more meaningful experience.

The Symbolism of Flowers and Plants in Pagan Spring Equinox Celebrations