Midsummer traditions pagan Midsummer is a celebration that has roots in pagan traditions. It is a time when people come together to celebrate the longest day of the year and the arrival of summer. The origins of Midsummer can be traced back to ancient times, when people worshipped the sun and nature. It was believed that on this day, the powers of nature were at their strongest. In pagan traditions, Midsummer was seen as a time of great power and magic. People would gather in natural outdoor locations such as forests or fields to perform rituals and ceremonies.
The magistrate's John Hathorne and Jonathan Corwin asked her how far she had complied with Satan to which she replied, "Sir, I never complied with Satan but prayed against him all my days, I have no compliance with Satan, in this . I will say it, if it is my last time, I am clear of this sin."
Just as they did in Martha s trial when Easty clasped her hands to make a point, Mercy Lewis imitated the gesture and claimed to be unable to release her hands until Easty released her own. Her examination followed the pattern of most in Salem the girls had fits, and were speechless at times, and the magistrate expostulated with her for not confessing her guilt, which he deemed proven beyond doubt by the sufferings of the afflicted.
People would gather in natural outdoor locations such as forests or fields to perform rituals and ceremonies. These rituals often involved the lighting of bonfires, dancing, and singing. The bonfires were seen as a way to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck for the coming months.
Mary Easty
Image: The Salem Martyr
By Thomas Slatterwhite Noble
Noble gained a reputation for his dramatic paintings of abolitionist subjects, and later turned to the Salem witch trials for another powerful moral theme. The Salem Martyr won a silver medal at the 1869 Cincinnati Industrial Exposition. A tradition in the Noble family holds that the model for this painting was a Cincinnati librarian who was a descendant of a woman who was executed in the Salem witch trials.
Mary Easty was well respected in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. She was a kind religious woman whose dignified demeanor fit the strict Puritan mold. She was about 58 years old at the time, and was married to Isaac Easty, with whom she had seven children. They owned and lived on a large valuable farm.
The Accusation
But even Mary was not safe from the hysteria. In April 1692, she was accused of witchcraft. The accusation shocked the village. Unlike some of the other alleged witches, Mary was not a social outcast or an outspoken woman who may have offended the villagers.
The Trial
Mary was calm and respectful during her trial. Her examination followed the pattern of most in Salem: the afflicted girls had fits in the courtroom, and were speechless at times, and the magistrate advised her to confess her guilt, which he deemed proven beyond doubt by the sufferings of the girls.
“How far have you complied with Satan?” he asked.
“Sir, I never complied with him, but pray against him all my days.”
“Confess if you be guilty.”
“I will say it, if it was my last time, I am clear of this sin.”
During the trial, when Mary Easty clasped her hands together, the hands of Mary Lewis, one of the afflicted girls, were clenched and not released until Easty released her hands. When Easty inclined her head, the afflicted girls cried out that as long as her head was inclined their necks were broken.
Easty was committed to prison after her examination. For a reason not disclosed in any of the remaining records, Mary was discharged on May 18, 1692. She and her family believed she would now be safe from further accusations. They were wrong. The afflicted girls redoubled their eforts to get her back into prison.
On May 20, one of the girls, Mary Lewis, spent the entire day experiencing fits of unprecedented severity, during which time she said she was being strangled, and claimed “they will kill Easty out right.” Several of the other afflicted girls claimed that they could see the apparition of Easty afflicting her, and people came from all around to see the fits.
Second Arrest
That evening a second warrant was issued for Mary Easty’s arrest. At midnight, after experiencing two days of liberty and being reunited with her family, she was rousted from her sleep by the Marshal, torn from her husband and children, and taken back to prison where she was loaded with chains. Once she was back in prison, Mary Lewis’s fits stopped.
Second Trial
Mary Easty was tried and condemned to death on September 9. Her sister, Rebecca Nurse, had been hanged for witchcraft two months earlier. Another sister, Sarah Cloyce, had been tried, but was later released.
Before her execution, Easty wrote a letter to the judges asking that “no more innocent blood be shed.” Her letter raised sympathy and doubt in Salem Village, but could not prevent the last round of hangings. The court had long since ceased to pay any attention to anything that was said by the condemned.
The Execution
Easty and seven others – Martha Corey, Alice Parker, Ann Pudeator, Margaret Scott, Wilmot Reed, Samuel Wardwell and Mary Parker – were carted to Gallows Hill and hanged on September 22, 1692.
According to writer Robert Calef, “when she took her last farewell of her husband, children and friends, was, as is reported by them present, as serious, religious, distinct, and affectionate as could well be expressed, drawing tears from the eyes of almost all present.”
Mary Easty Commemorative Stone
Two months after the hanging, Mary Herrick gave testimony about Easty. Herrick testified that she was visited by Easty, who told her she had been put to death wrongfully and was innocent of witchcraft, and that she had come to vindicate her cause. In 1711, Easty’s family was compensated with 20 pounds from the government for her wrongful execution.
Related Posts:
- Martha Corey
- Mary Ayer Parker
- Susannah Martin
- Salem Witch Trials
- Rebecca Nurse
- Sarah Wildes
Mary Easty was well respected in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. She was a kind religious woman whose dignified demeanor fit the strict Puritan mold. She was about 58 years old at the time, and was married to Isaac Easty, with whom she had seven children. They owned and lived on a large valuable farm.
The Accusation
But even Mary was not safe from the hysteria. In April 1692, she was accused of witchcraft. The accusation shocked the village. Unlike some of the other alleged witches, Mary was not a social outcast or an outspoken woman who may have offended the villagers.
One of the most well-known Midsummer traditions is the maypole dance. A maypole, which is a tall pole decorated with flowers and ribbons, is erected and people dance around it holding ribbons. This dance symbolizes the unity of the community and the interconnectedness of all living things. Another important tradition is the gathering of herbs and flowers. It was believed that the plants collected on Midsummer's Eve had special healing powers and could bring good luck. These herbs were often used in potions and remedies. In modern times, Midsummer is still celebrated in many parts of the world, especially in Europe. The traditions have evolved over time, but the basic elements of bonfires, dancing, and the gathering of herbs and flowers remain. It is a time for people to come together and celebrate the beauty and power of nature. Overall, Midsummer traditions are deeply rooted in pagan beliefs and practices. They are a way to honor the changing seasons and connect with the natural world. It is a time of celebration, magic, and community..
Reviews for "Midsummer Night's Magic: Pagan Lore and Legends of the Solstice"
- Sarah - 1 star
I found "Midsummer traditions pagan" to be a complete waste of time. The storyline was incredibly weak and the characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting. The dialogue was clunky and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the story. The setting wasn't well-described, leaving me with a vague sense of where the events were taking place. Overall, I was extremely disappointed in this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
- David - 2 stars
"Midsummer traditions pagan" had an interesting concept, but it fell short in its execution. The pacing was uneven, with slow and repetitive sections that made me lose interest in the story. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard to care about what happened to them. The writing style was also a bit confusing, with awkward phrasing and unclear sentences. I wouldn't say it was the worst book I've ever read, but I definitely wouldn't recommend it either.
- Emily - 2 stars
I was hoping for a captivating and enchanting read with "Midsummer traditions pagan", but unfortunately, it didn't deliver. The plot was predictable and lacked originality, making it feel like I've read this story many times before. The pacing was also off, with slow build-ups and rushed resolutions. The characters were forgettable, with no real depth or development. Overall, I found myself disengaged and uninterested in this book. I wouldn't bother wasting my time with it.