Hello everyone, I wanted to bring to your attention an exciting walking excursion that will take place in Salem. As many of you may know, Salem is infamous for the witch trials that occurred in the late 1600s. This excursion aims to provide participants with a unique opportunity to explore the historical sites and learn about the events that shaped this dark period in American history. The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of individuals accused of witchcraft. These trials resulted in the execution of twenty people and the imprisonment of many more. The events were deeply rooted in superstition and religious fervor, with the accused often facing extreme prejudice and hysteria.
Northern Europeans, like Scandinavians and Germanic people, partied during the yule celebration for 12 full days. These midwinter parties included drinking, storytelling, and at times sacrificing animals. The pagan holiday was viewed as a time to say goodbye to the old and embrace the new. To appease the gods, the Vikings held ceremonies that included sacrifices of plants and animals. Huge bonfires were lit during the festival which eventually evolved into the yule log. A log would be hollowed out and burned for at least 12 days to bring light into the darkness. The custom of the yule log eventually spread all over Europe.
It hasn t left much trace in modern Christmas customs, but it has left some most prominently, the 15th century Boar s head carol , though even that isn t exactly well known these days. What he s saying is that modranicht was the New Year; the New Year was reckoned as starting on the winter solstice; and the solstice is 25 December, which also happens to be the date of Christmas.
The events were deeply rooted in superstition and religious fervor, with the accused often facing extreme prejudice and hysteria. During the walking excursion, participants will have the chance to visit the actual locations where the witch trials took place. This includes the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, where a collection of memorial stones pays tribute to the victims.
Kiwi Hellenist
That idea is often motivated by anti-Christian sentiment. If Christmas is derivative, the idea goes, then that licenses a skeptic to treat it, and the people that celebrate it, as dishonest. But you don’t need to be a Christian (or a Neo-pagan, for that matter) to acknowledge that Christmas and Yule are very separate things.
Our earliest evidence on Yule and our evidence on Christmas come from different times and different places. Christmas originated as a Mediterranean festival, first attested in the 4th century but with a backdrop reaching back to the 2nd century. Yule pops up from the 6th century onwards in East Germanic and North Germanic sources as a season of the year. There’s only the faintest trace of Yule in modern Christmas customs.
- Christmas has nothing to do with Mithras. Neither does Christianity in general. The supposed similarities are all imaginary, made up out of thin air, mostly in the 1990s.
- Christmas isn’t based on Saturnalia. Saturnalia is on 17 December, and ancient Christians celebrated it alongside Christmas for a long time. We haven’t inherited any customs from Saturnalia -- it’s just too far in the past.
- Christmas isn’t based on Sol Invictus. We have only one indication of a Sol Invictus festival on 25 December; it dates to 354 (not 274, as often claimed); it was celebrated in only one place (Rome); and it’s no older than Christmas, which is attested in the same document.
- The date of Christmas is linked to the winter solstice, indirectly. Ancient Judaeo-Christian custom reckoned that prophets and saints died on the same date they were born or, in later times, the date they were conceived. Jesus supposedly died at the spring equinox, so by custom, that was also the date of his conception. That put his birth nine months later at the winter solstice. Evidence of Christian interest in the link between Jesus’ death and the equinox goes back to the 150s, so Christmas has its background in that period, even if we can’t be sure it was celebrated at that time.
- The solstice is on 21 or 22 December these days, but in the Julian calendar, it was traditionally reckoned to be 25 December. 1st century pagan sources are very clear on this. That’s in spite of the fact that when the Julian calendar was first instituted, in 46 BCE, the solstice had already drifted a few days out of synch with that date. The solstice was on 25 December in the retrojected Julian calendar in the 4th century BCE, so that’s probably when the traditional date was fixed by Greek astronomers. (See this post, section 4, for more details.)
Walking through this memorial will serve as a poignant reminder of the human cost of this tragic chapter. Another important stop on the excursion is the Witch House, also known as the Jonathan Corwin House. This building was the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, who played a significant role in the witch trials. The Witch House has been preserved and transformed into a museum, allowing visitors to experience what life was like during this tumultuous time. Participants will also have the opportunity to visit the Salem Witch Museum, which provides a comprehensive overview of the trials. Through engaging exhibits and informational presentations, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the events that unfolded in Salem. In addition to these historical sites, the walking excursion will also explore the beautiful and enchanting streets of Salem. The town is known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant witchcraft and occult culture. Participants will have the chance to immerse themselves in the unique atmosphere of Salem and learn about its modern-day interpretation of witchcraft. Overall, the Salem witch trials walking excursion offers a fascinating and thought-provoking experience. By delving into the past, participants will gain a better understanding of the dark forces that can arise from fear, ignorance, and hysteria. It is an opportunity to contemplate the consequences of prejudice and to remember those who suffered during this tragic period. If you are interested in joining this memorable excursion, please sign up at the front desk. We look forward to exploring the haunting history of Salem with you. Thank you, [Your Name].
Reviews for "Uncover the Secrets of the Salem Witch Trials on a Walking Excursion"
1. John Doe - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to this walking excursion in Salem, but I was sorely disappointed. The tour guide seemed unprepared and lacking in knowledge about the Salem witch trials. The information given was very basic and didn't offer anything new or interesting. It felt like a rushed tour with little depth. I would not recommend this excursion to anyone who is genuinely interested in learning more about the history of the witch trials.
2. Jane Smith - 1 star - This walking excursion was a waste of time and money. The tour guide was unenthusiastic and seemed bored. The group was quite large, making it difficult to hear what was being said. The guide didn't bother to check if everyone could hear or understand, which made it very frustrating. The route of the tour was also poorly planned, as we ended up backtracking multiple times. Overall, a very disappointing experience that I wouldn't recommend to anyone.
3. Sarah Johnson - 2 stars - I had high hopes for this walking tour, but unfortunately, it fell short. The guide had a monotone voice and seemed uninterested in the subject matter. There was very little interaction with the group, and it felt like we were just being dragged along from one location to another without any meaningful explanations. The tour lacked depth and didn't delve into the complexities and dynamics of the witch trials. I left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied.
4. Michael Thompson - 1 star - I expected so much more from this walking excursion, but it turned out to be a disappointment. The guide seemed to be more interested in rushing through the tour rather than engaging with the group. The information provided was superficial and lacked any significant insights or analysis. It felt more like a routine walk, rather than an educational and immersive experience. I would recommend looking for alternative tours that offer a more comprehensive and engaging exploration of the Salem witch trials.