Magic is a fascinating concept that has captivated human beings for centuries. Throughout history, people have been intrigued by the idea of harnessing supernatural or inexplicable powers to create something out of thin air. This has led to the development of various myths, legends, and folklore surrounding the concept of magic. In popular culture, magic is often associated with fantasy and imagination. It is frequently depicted as a force that can be used to perform extraordinary feats, such as turning objects into gold, conjuring up mythical creatures, or even casting powerful spells. These fantastical elements have ingrained magic into the collective consciousness of society, making it a staple in literature, movies, and other forms of entertainment.
The Salem Witch Trials are America's original home-grown horror. The crisis happened over 300 years ago in a world very different from today's -- and to people seemingly very different from ourselves -- and yet so many of its elements keep cropping up again and again in our public life. A panic that spreads like a virus, intimations of a vile conspiracy, children and young women horribly abused, a fog of accusations, shocking confessions, sensational trials, reputations destroyed, culprits (or scapegoats) located and harshly punished, and an aftermath in which anyone with a conscience looks back and asks, "What just happened? Did we really do that?"
She traces the connections the various participants had to Maine, the location of some especially bloody conflicts with the Wabanaki tribes and their French allies. Norton who writes that she began her history expecting to advance another feminist interpretation offers the theory that the Trials were a displaced response to the trauma of the Indian Wars on the frontiers of the British settlements in New England.
These fantastical elements have ingrained magic into the collective consciousness of society, making it a staple in literature, movies, and other forms of entertainment. However, magic is not confined to the realms of fiction. It can be found in more subtle forms in our everyday lives.
Salem witch hunt in the year 2002
Booth, Sally Smith, The Witches of Early America (1975).
Boyer, Paul and Nissenbaum, Stephen, eds., Salem-Village Witchcraft: A Documentary Record of Local Conflict in Colonial New England (1972).
Boyer, Paul and Nissenbaum, Stephen, eds, The Salem Witchcraft Papers (three volumes)(1976).
Boyer, Paul and Nissenbaum, Stephen, Salem Possessed (Harvard Univ. Press, 1976).Breslaw, Elaine, Tituba, Reluctant Witch of Salem
Burr, George Lincoln, Narratives of the Witchcraft Cases, 1648 -1706. Notable Trials Library (1992).
Coventry, William W., Demonic Possession on Trial: Cases Studies from Modern England and Colonial America, 1593-1692 (2003).
Drake, Samuel G., Annals of Witchcraft in New England (1967).
Hale, John, A Modest Enquiry Into the Nature of Witchcraft (1702).
Hill, Frances, A Delusion of Satan: The Full Story of the Salem Witchcraft Trials (2002). Hill, Frances, Hunting for Witches: A Visitor's Guide to the Salem Witchcraft Trials (2002).Hansen, Chadwick, Witchcraft at Salem (1969).
Hoffer, Peter Charles, The Devil's Disciples: Makers of the Salem Witchcraft Trials (1996).Hoffer, Peter Charles, The Salem Witchcraft Cases: A Legal History. Univ. Press of Kansas (1997)
Karlsen, Carol, The Devil in the Shape of a Woman (1987).Kittredge, George, Witchcraft in Old and New England (1929).
LeBeau, Bryan, The Story of the Salem Witch Trials (1997).
Mather, Cotton, Memorable Providences Relating to Witchcraft and Possessions (1689).
Mather, Cotton, The Wonders of the Invisible World (1693).
Norton, Mary Beth. In the Devil's Snare: The Salem Witchcraft Crisis of 1692 (2002).Reis, Elizabeth, Damned Women: Sinners and Witches in Puritan New England (1997).
Reis, Elizabeth, Spellbound: Women and Witchcraft in America (anthology)(1998).
Rinaldi, Ann, A Break With Charity: A Story About the Salem Witchcraft Trials (historical fiction for young adults).
Roach, Marilynne, The Salem Witchcraft Trials: A Day-to-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege. Schiff, Stacy, The Witches: Salem 1692 (2015).Silverman, Kenneth, The Life and Times of Cotton Mather (1970).
Upham, Charles W., Salem Witchcraft, With an Account of Salem Village and a History of Opinions on Witchcraft and Kindred SubjectsVolumes I-II. Frederick Ungar Publishing Company, New York (1978)(originally published in 1867).
Weisman, Richard, Witchcraft, Magic, and Religion in 17th Century Massachusetts. University of Massachusetts Press, Amherst (1984).
PERIODICALS
Langbein, John, "The Criminal Trial Before Lawyers," Univ. of Chicago Law Review (1978).
Olson, Lynne, "Witch Hunt," Constitution, Spring-Summer, 1992.
VIDEO
Discovery Channel, "The Salem Witchcraft Trials" (50 minutes)
New World Video, "The Witches of Salem: The Horror and the Hope" (35 minutes)(1972).
History Channel, "Salem Witchcraft Trials" (50 minutes)(1998).
PBS Home Video, "Three Sovereigns for Sarah" (180 minutes)(1986).
INTERNET
American Fanatacism: This site contains Mary Easty's petition to the court asking them it please not shed any more innocent blood. The site also contains background historical information on the trials.
The Salem Witchcraft Site: This site, by Professor Richard Latner of Tulane University, examines certain quantitative aspects of the outbreak of witchcraft accusations in Salem.
Salem Witch Museum: This site answers some commonly asked questions about the trials and witchcraft in the seventeenth century.
National Geographic: An interactive trip through the hysteria that caused the witch hunt in Salem, offered from the perspective of one of the accused.
Carey Document: Although over 500 of the original legal documents from the trials still exist, one particular death warrant, known as the Carey Document, has been exposed as a fake. Information on the discovery of the document with pictures.
Reis, Elizabeth, Damned Women: Sinners and Witches in Puritan New England (1997).
For example, the magic of creativity allows artists to transform a blank canvas into a masterpiece or a simple melody into a moving symphony. The magic of innovation enables scientists and inventors to create groundbreaking technologies that were once thought to be impossible. Even the magic of love can turn ordinary moments into something extraordinary. But perhaps the most profound magic lies within us. It is the ability to dream, to imagine, and to believe in something greater than ourselves. It is the spark of inspiration that drives us to pursue our passions and achieve our goals. This inner magic is what enables us to overcome obstacles, to push the boundaries of what is possible, and to create something truly remarkable. In a world that can sometimes seem mundane and predictable, magic offers a sense of wonder and awe. It reminds us that there is more to life than meets the eye and that anything is possible if we dare to believe. Magic is not just a figment of our imagination; it is a force that can inspire, uplift, and transform us. It is the secret ingredient that can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. So, the next time you see a magician perform a seemingly impossible trick or find yourself captivated by a work of art, remember that magic is not just something that exists in fairy tales. It is all around us, waiting to be discovered and harnessed. It is up to us to embrace the magic within ourselves and use it to create a world that is truly made from magic..
Reviews for "Magical Places: Discovering the World's Most Enchanting Destinations"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Made from Magic". The plot was predictable and the characters were one-dimensional. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself wanting to skip over pages just to get to the end. The writing style felt rushed and it seemed like the author didn't put much effort into developing the story. Overall, it was a forgettable read for me.
2. Michael - 1 star - I can't believe how much hype there was around "Made from Magic". It was one of the worst books I've ever read. The dialogue was cheesy and unnatural, the pacing was all over the place, and the plot twists were predictable. The main character was annoying and lacked depth, and I couldn't care less about her journey. Save your time and money and skip this one.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Made from Magic" had so much potential, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The concept was interesting, but the execution was lacking. The pacing was slow and the story dragged on unnecessarily. The writing was mediocre and there were several grammatical errors throughout the book. I wanted to like it, but it just didn't captivate me like I had hoped.
4. Ethan - 2 stars - I found "Made from Magic" to be quite underwhelming. The world-building was shallow and the magic system was poorly explained. The characters felt like caricatures and their actions were unrealistic. The romantic subplot was forced and didn't add anything to the story. Overall, it was a disappointing read that lacked depth and originality.
5. Olivia - 1 star - I struggled to finish "Made from Magic". The writing was overly descriptive and the plot was slow-moving. I didn't feel invested in the characters or their struggles. The dialogue was cheesy and cringe-worthy at times. It felt like a poorly written fan-fiction rather than a published novel. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.