Survey the witch In folklore and mythology, witches have long been a source of fascination and intrigue. These mystical figures are often depicted as enigmatic and powerful, possessing supernatural abilities and a deep connection to nature and the spirit world. Throughout history, witches have been both revered and feared, with their practices and beliefs varying greatly across different cultures and time periods. The origins of the witch can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, who believed in the existence of magic and the power of sorcery. However, it was during the Middle Ages in Europe that the concept of the witch as we know it today truly began to take shape. During this time, the Catholic Church became increasingly suspicious of individuals practicing magic or engaging in pagan rituals, leading to the widespread persecution of so-called witches.
Witchcraft was particularly associated with women in the early modern period, and this continued into the modern era. In this resource there are several examples of modern images of witches who were women, often riding on broomsticks with a pointy hat: the image that we most associate with witchcraft today. However, an image of a witch taken from the seventeenth century shows some aspects of this witchcraft stereotype have been around for a long time. Women were more likely to be accused because of the church’s teaching that women were the weaker sex, seen as more vulnerable to the seductive powers of the Devil. Therefore, accusations of witchcraft became another way for women to be oppressed in early modern society. However, men were also suspected and accused of witchcraft, such as the male witches of Edmonton.
When a person was accused of witchcraft an Indictment would be drawn up, then witnesses would be called, an examination of the accused would be carried out and sometimes a confession drawn out, possibly with torture. Through the documents students could explore questions such as how the persecution of witches was instigated, encouraged or enabled by the authorities or communities.
During this time, the Catholic Church became increasingly suspicious of individuals practicing magic or engaging in pagan rituals, leading to the widespread persecution of so-called witches. The witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries, most notably the Salem witch trials in colonial Massachusetts, were a dark period in history, with countless innocent individuals accused of witchcraft and subjected to torture and execution. These trials and the subsequent hysteria surrounding witches solidified the image of the witch as a malevolent and dangerous figure in popular culture.
This Map Shows the Scale of 16th- and 17th-Century Scottish Witch Hunts
In 1629, an elderly Scottish woman named Isobel Young was strangled and burned at the stake on charges of witchcraft. As neighbors and relatives testified, Young—the wife of a tenant farmer based in a small village east of Edinburgh—was prone to “patterns of verbal and sometimes physical aggression,” as well as “odd magical characteristics.” Her husband, George Smith, added fuel to the fire claiming that his wife had attempted “to kill him with magic after quarreling about an unsavory house guest.” In total, court records show, 45 witnesses raised complaints against Young, “telling a story that unfolded over four decades.” The verdict was unanimous: guilty.
Young’s case is one of 3,141 recorded in a new interactive map created by researchers at the University of Edinburgh. Drawing on data collected for an earlier university project titled the Survey of Scottish Witchcraft, the tool visualizes an array of locations linked with Scotland’s 16th- and 17th-century witch hunts: among others, accused individuals’ places of residence; sites of detention, trial and execution; and spots targeted by infamous “witch-pricker” John Kincaid, who traveled the country in search of suspects bearing the "Devil’s mark."
“There is a very strong feeling out there that not enough has been done to inform people about the women who were accused of being witches in Scotland,” Ewan McAndrew, the University of Edinburgh’s Wikimedian in Residence, tells the Scotsman’s Alison Campsie. “… The idea of being able to plot these on a map really brings it home. These places are near everyone.
A group of Scottish witches depicted consorting with the Devil Public domain
As Neil Drysdale of the Press and Journal reports, the map features an array of previously unpublished data, much of which was extracted from historical records by undergraduate Emma Carroll and uploaded to Wikidata, a public database created by the team behind Wikipedia. While some entries remain limited in scope, outlining little beyond the accused’s name and locality, others are replete with information.
Consider, for instance, the case of Janet Boyman, a healer who was charged with sorcery, witchcraft and consorting with fairies. Per the Survey of Scottish Witchcraft, Boyman, who was executed in 1572, predicted the death of the country’s regent, bore “five bairns” allegedly without feeling any pain and appealed to elvish spirits in hopes of curing a sick man. Today, historians consider Boyman’s trial one of the earliest and most comprehensive examples of witchcraft prosecution in Scotland.
This illustration is from King James VI's 1597 treatise on witchcraft Public domain
According to Edinburgh Live’s Hilary Mitchell, Scotland experienced four major witch hunts between roughly 1590 and 1727, when Janet Horne, the last Scot to be executed for witchcraft, was burned at the stake. Much of this ongoing mania can be attributed to the passage of a 1563 act that declared the practice of witchcraft a capital offense. James VI’s notorious witch-hunting fervor also contributed to the movement’s prevalence; in 1597, the king, soon to be crowned James I of England, published a treatise condemning witchcraft and encouraging vigorous prosecution of suspected practitioners.
As h istorian Steven Katz explains , Europe’s witch hunts stemmed from “the enduring grotesque fears [women] generate in respect of their putative abilities to control men and thereby coerce, for their own ends, male-dominated Christian society.” Ultimately that hysteria claimed as many as 4,000 lives in Scotland—double the execution rate seen in neighboring England, as Tracy Borman points out in History Extra . Although the majority of victims were women (per Mitchell, five times as many women were executed for witchcraft in Scotland than in England), men also faced trial and execution.
Speaking with the Scotsman ’s Campsie, McAndrew says, “The map is a really effective way to connect where we are now to these stories of the past.”
He adds, “There does seem to be a growing movement that we need to be remembering these women, remembering what happened and understanding what happened.”
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This document collection includes various documents relating to the witch craze in 17th century England. It allows students and teachers to develop their own questions and lines of historical enquiry on the nature of beliefs and behaviours, the role of the authorities and legal restraint, attitudes of communities or the role of women in society.
Despite the negative connotations associated with witches, there has also been a long-standing tradition of witchcraft as a positive and empowering practice. Witches are often seen as healers, wise women, and protectors of their communities. They are believed to possess knowledge and skills that can be used for good or evil, depending on the intentions of the practitioner. In contemporary society, the image of the witch has undergone a significant transformation. Witches are no longer hidden in the shadows, but rather celebrated for their individuality, independence, and connection to the natural world. They have become symbols of female empowerment and rebellion against societal norms. Today, many people identify as witches and practice various forms of witchcraft, such as Wicca or modern witchcraft. These individuals often embrace the spiritual and mystical aspects of witchcraft, using spells, rituals, and divination to connect with their inner selves and the world around them. In conclusion, the concept of the witch is a complex and multifaceted one that has evolved over centuries of human history. From ancient civilizations to the witch trials of the Middle Ages, witches have captivated our imaginations and sparked debate about the nature of magic and its role in society. Whether seen as malevolent beings or powerful healers, witches continue to hold a prominent place in our collective consciousness..
Reviews for "Witchcraft and Healing: A Survey of Alternative Medicine"
1. Jane - 2/5
I found "Survey the Witch" to be a disappointing read. The plot seemed promising, but the execution fell flat. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with them. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of tedious descriptions followed by rushed action scenes. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and disconnected from the story.
2. John - 1/5
I was highly unimpressed with "Survey the Witch." The writing style was clunky and disjointed, making it a struggle to get through each chapter. The dialogue between characters felt forced and unnatural. Furthermore, the world-building was poorly executed, leaving me with more questions than answers. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written fantasy novel.
3. Sarah - 2/5
I regret wasting my time reading "Survey the Witch." The story lacked originality and seemed like a mere copy of other popular fantasy novels. The protagonist was incredibly predictable, following clichéd character tropes without any unique qualities. The plot twists were underwhelming and could be seen from a mile away. This book failed to live up to the hype and left me feeling unsatisfied with the overall reading experience.
4. Michael - 3/5
Although "Survey the Witch" had an intriguing premise, it failed to deliver on its potential. The pacing was inconsistent, with the story dragging on in some parts and rushing through others. The world-building was lackluster, leaving many unanswered questions about the magical system and society. The writing style was average, lacking the vivid descriptions and poetic language that I look for in fantasy novels. While it had its moments, overall, "Survey the Witch" fell short of my expectations.