Wicca, a modern pagan and witchcraft religious movement, has been a recognized spiritual path for several decades. It emerged in the mid-20th century and has since gained followers and recognition worldwide. Wicca draws inspiration from ancient pagan practices and nature-based spirituality. Its core beliefs are centered around reverence for nature, worship of a god and goddess, and the practice of magic. Wiccans celebrate seasonal festivals, known as Sabbats, and follow a moral code emphasizing harm to none. Despite misconceptions and media portrayals, Wicca is a legitimate spiritual path that continues to attract individuals seeking a connection with the divine and a deeper understanding of the natural world.
When Odysseus visited Aeaea, Circe turned his men into swine, but Odysseus was given a magical plant by the gods that prevented Circe from morphing him. After making Circe swear not to betray him, Odysseus and his men lived under Circe’s protection for a year before attempting to sail back to Ithaca.
When Odysseus visited Aeaea, Circe turned his men into swine, but Odysseus was given a magical plant by the gods that prevented Circe from morphing him. Organized by region, city and town, the book s dozens of stories include the earliest Puritan accounts of 17th century witches, urban legends about desolate locations haunted by ghostly witch hunt victims, tales of Cape Cod sailors battling witches, and other stories of sinister and sometimes sympathetic spellcasters.
Despite misconceptions and media portrayals, Wicca is a legitimate spiritual path that continues to attract individuals seeking a connection with the divine and a deeper understanding of the natural world..
Witches and Warlocks of Massachusetts: Legends, Victims, and Sinister Spellcasters (Paperback)
Witches and Warlocks of Massachusetts is a collection of legends and historical accounts about witches and warlocks from the Bay State. Organized by region, city and town, the book's dozens of stories include the earliest Puritan accounts of 17th century witches, urban legends about desolate locations haunted by ghostly witch hunt victims, tales of Cape Cod sailors battling witches, and other stories of sinister (and sometimes sympathetic) spellcasters.
Massachusetts has a rich history of witchcraft that spans nearly four centuries. Most people are aware of the Salem witch trials but fewer know about the Dogtown witches, the Pepperell farmer who hired a hypnotist to save his bewitched daughter, or Half-Hanged Mary, the witch who died twice and inspired The Handmaid's Tale. These stories are known locally in the towns where they occurred but have never been collected into one book before.
About the Author
Peter Muise is a lifelong resident of New England and holds degrees in anthropology from Bates College and Brandeis University. He has blogged about local folklore since 2008 at newenglandfolklore.blogspot.com and is the author of Legends and Lore of the North Shore (2014). His writing has also appeared in 13 Most Haunted Crime Scenes Beyond Massachusetts (2016) and The Real Witches of New England (2018), among other places. He has appeared on Mysteries at the Museum, podcasts, and radio shows to talk about local legends and folklore.
- United States - State & Local - New England (CT, MA, ME, NH,
- Kobo eBook (August 31st, 2021): $19.00
The Witch of Endor wasn’t necessarily malevolent, but the fate she spoke of was not one to be ignored. As the story goes, King Saul went to the Witch of Endor for answers about how to defeat the Philistines. The Witch then summoned the ghost of the prophet Samuel—who didn’t tell him how to defeat the Philistines—but prophesied that he would be defeated and join his three sons in the afterlife. Saul, who is wounded the next day in the battle, kills himself out of fear. And while the Witch didn’t technically make Saul kill himself, she was certainly an accessory.
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Reviews for "Wicca's Path to Acceptance: Tracing its Recognition as a Spiritual Path"
1. Sarah - 1 star
"How many decades has wicca been a recognized spiritual path was a huge disappointment for me. The information provided in the book was incredibly brief and lacking in depth. It seemed more like a pamphlet rather than a comprehensive guide to Wicca. The author failed to go into detail about the history, practices, and beliefs of Wicca, which left me feeling unsatisfied and uninformed. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a thorough understanding of Wicca."
2. John - 2 stars
While I appreciate the effort put into "How many decades has wicca been a recognized spiritual path," I found it to be a fairly shallow exploration of Wicca. The author briefly touched upon the history of Wicca and its basic principles, without delving into any significant depth. Additionally, the book lacked practical guidance or insights into the practice of Wicca. Overall, I was left feeling unfulfilled and underwhelmed by this book. I would recommend looking for more comprehensive resources on Wicca elsewhere.