The Salem witchcraft papers refer to a collection of documents and records related to the Salem witch trials that took place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony, specifically in Salem Village, in the late 17th century. These papers provide valuable insights into the events that unfolded during this dark period in American history. The Salem witch trials occurred between 1692 and 1693, when many people in the community of Salem Village were accused of practicing witchcraft. These accusations resulted in the imprisonment, trials, and execution of several individuals. The witchcraft papers include various types of documents, such as witness testimonies, court records, confessions, and letters. These papers provide a detailed account of the proceedings, highlighting the accusations made against each accused individual and the evidence presented during the trials.
These papers provide a detailed account of the proceedings, highlighting the accusations made against each accused individual and the evidence presented during the trials. One of the most well-known documents in the collection is the deposition of Ann Putnam Jr., a young girl who was one of the main accusers in the trials.
The Magic Path of Intuition by Florence Scovel Shinn
Florence Shovel Shinn wrote the manuscript for The Magic Path of Intuition sometime before her death in 1940, leaving it undiscovered until 2012. In her heyday, she was a respected New Thought leader and metaphysical writer, better known for The Game of Life and How to Play It.
Louise Hay, a leader of her own generation in New Thought, received the unpublished manuscript by chance and decided to publish it because Shinn’s work was so formative to her own—Hay is known for her own 1984 classic self-help book You Can Heal Your Life. Sadly, Hay passed away in 2017. (I was unaware until just now that Louise Hay was deceased. What a terrible loss for all those Hay has helped over the years…though she was 90.)
Paul and I at galaRE: in front of an award-winning piece from Emiliano Settecasi
Though the verbatim, unedited text from Shinn at least 70 years old, it still holds relevance for today’s challenges—perhaps more than ever before. As our lives have become more virtual, digitally dispersed and curated, and interactions happen both face-to-face and through screens, it’s easy to become overstimulated, overwhelmed, and inadequate.
Defaulting to negativity, fear, anxiety, and resentment is too easy. I struggle with these feelings often, especially over the last twelve months, which has been a rough-and-tumble period on many fronts. A dear friend handed me The Magic Path of Intuition when it was clear to her I needed some spiritual help to settle my conscious mind and help focus and intend on positive things.
Friday afternoon still life: gold MacBook, Paul Smith studded paisley card holder, a wintertime clementine, vintage glass red and gray Oliver Peoples x Alain Mikli sunglasses, and olive pebbled leather Prada tote. At Victory Coffee in Tampa’s Channel District.
If you have ever felt hopeless, the gently authoritative tone of this book will immediately ease your frantic mind. It’s a short read, structured almost as a novelty booklet (brightly illustrated, thick pages, large font text, only 107 pages). I recommend you read it, whether or not you consider yourself a spiritualist.
What’s there to lose, if nothing happens? And if it helps, how worthwhile. For my own purposes and for your convenience, I have copied each of the affirmations into a bullet list, for quick reference.
First I wrote them all out in my journal (pen and paper are so important for absorption and retention), and now here…
Before Bed
- “In the morning, I’ll know just what to do.”
To the (Often Overactive) Conscious Mind
- “Stand still and see the power within me.”
On Injustices
- “My goodwill is a strong tower around me. I now change all enemies into friends. All inharmony into harmony. All injustice into justice.”
On Money
- “God is my supply; big, happy financial surprises now come to me.”
- “I give thanks that the Universe is my supply; and I am now linked with endless streams of steady, ready money, under grace, in perfect ways. I shall not want, for my supply precedes me. Faith must become a habit”
- “Today is the day of my amazing good fortune.”
- “As money goes out, I touch a hidden spring which releases large sums of money to return to me, under grace, in miraculous ways.”
- “What God has done before, he can do for me and more.”
- “The tide has turned to stay, for the universe has a right of way.”
On Intentions and Outcomes
- “The power within sweeps out of my mind, body, and affairs everything not divinely planned, and puts my house in order, now and forevermore!”
- “The sun now comes out in my mind and body, and I see clearly the fulfillment of my heart’s desire.”
- “I am now immune to all hurts and frustrations. The power within is perfect peace and perfect poise.”
- “I see vividly my immediate and endless supply. It all comes from a higher power, and all doors fly open! All channels are free. I see vividly my radiant health, perfect and permanent. I see vividly my heart’s desires come to pass in the twinkling of an eye.”
- “The light of light streams through my mind, body, and affairs, revealing all in divine order. I see clearly there are no obstacles on my pathway. I see clearly the open road to fulfillment.”
- “I am now on the ground that walks, which takes me right to my promised land, in a magical way.”
On Breaking Up Old Thought Forms
- “I give thanks for my whirlwind success. I sweep all before me, for I work with the spirit and follow the divine plan of my life. The decks are cleared for divine action.”
- “I am magnetized by the universe. I have and hold, from this day forth, all that is mine by divine right.”
- “All things are possible here and now. I now attain the seemingly unattainable.”
On Health and Happiness
- “Now is the appointed time. Today is the day of amazing prosperity.”
- “A wonderful joy is on its way, and this wonderful joy comes to stay.”
- “The light of lights streams through my mind, body, and affairs, revealing all in divine order. My heart is a happy heart, a fearless heart, a forgiving heart, a kind heart, in its right place, doing its right work.”
On The Future
- “The tide has turned to stay, for God has a right of way.”
- “Let the divine design of my life flash into my conscious mind. Let me see clearly the perfect plan.”
- “The universal power is in my ship. I now sail fearlessly in unknown seas.”
On Faith
- “I am wide awake to my good. I never miss a trick.”
On Longing/Regret
- “I call on the law of forgiveness. I am free from mistakes. I am under grace and not under karmic law.”
- “The light of infinite intelligence steams through my consciousness, dissolving and dissipating all anger and resentment. I am at peace with myself and with the whole world.”
- “As I am one with the all-powerful spirit, I am one with my good, for spirit is my good in immediate action.”
On Infinite Intelligence
- “Reveal to me the great magician’s storehouse. I now use the field glasses of the spirit.”
- “There is nothing too good for me!”
The Fourth Dimension
- “I desire only the divine ideas that come to pass, under grace and in perfect ways.”
Part of the complex at St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Courts
There is much, much more wisdom and explanation in the full text of The Magic Path of Intuition, but a handy listing of all the affirmations is good for daily recital.
Shinn mixes terms like “the universe” and “God” and “divine plan” to refer to the nebulous influencer of our lives. Peeling back the social construction of church and religion, it’s clear the act of prayer, faith, and trust, whether in a universal force affected by planets, energy fields, and the mind power of humans, or in God are basically the same concept, with plenty of parallels.
While I have always felt fulfilled without an organized faith, these affirmations are a sort of faith I understand and am open to following.
Other mindful habits like yoga, meditation, and practicing gratitude, forgiveness, and kindness are things that make me happier and healthier, and ensure that I am improving the world with my existence rather than spouting anger and aggression, which the world has too much of already. Save Save Save Save
Louise Hay, a leader of her own generation in New Thought, received the unpublished manuscript by chance and decided to publish it because Shinn’s work was so formative to her own—Hay is known for her own 1984 classic self-help book You Can Heal Your Life. Sadly, Hay passed away in 2017. (I was unaware until just now that Louise Hay was deceased. What a terrible loss for all those Hay has helped over the years…though she was 90.)
Her testimonies played a significant role in the conviction of several individuals. These papers shed light on the rampant hysteria and fear that gripped the community during this period. The witchcraft papers also include the confessions of some accused individuals. These confessions are believed to have been obtained through coercive methods, including torture and intimidation. Some historians argue that these confessions were not genuine and were extracted under extreme duress. The Salem witchcraft papers have been a valuable resource for historians and scholars studying this infamous episode in American history. They provide primary source material that helps to understand the motivations, beliefs, and actions of the individuals involved. These documents also reveal the collective mindset and religious fervor that fueled the witch trials. Today, the Salem witchcraft papers are preserved and available for research at various libraries and archives. They continue to be studied and analyzed to gain a deeper understanding of the events and their historical context. The papers serve as a reminder of the dangers of irrationality, superstition, and mass hysteria, and the importance of safeguarding justice and civil liberties..
Reviews for "The Salem Witchcraft Papers: Lessons in Prejudice and Intolerance"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "The Salem Witchcraft Papers" as I have always been fascinated by the Salem Witch Trials. However, I found this book to be extremely dull and dry. The language used in the documents is archaic and difficult to understand, making it a chore to get through. Additionally, the author's commentary was minimal and often didn't provide enough context to fully understand the significance of the documents. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and accessible account of the Salem Witch Trials.
2. John - 1 star - I found "The Salem Witchcraft Papers" to be one of the most tedious reads I have ever encountered. The sheer volume of documents included in this book became overwhelming and made it difficult to keep track of the events and individuals involved in the Salem Witch Trials. Furthermore, the lack of organization and structure made it confusing to follow the progression of the narrative. It felt like a disjointed collection of random documents rather than a cohesive story. I would advise anyone interested in the Salem Witch Trials to look for a more concise and well-organized account of the events.
3. Emily - 2 stars - While I appreciate the effort to compile and present primary sources related to the Salem Witch Trials, I found "The Salem Witchcraft Papers" to be overly academic and inaccessible. The language used in the documents is highly formal and often difficult to comprehend. Additionally, the lack of analysis or interpretation from the author made it challenging to gain a deeper understanding of the events and their significance. This book may be suitable for scholars or individuals with a strong background in the subject, but for the average reader, it is a tedious and frustrating read.