A witches coven is a group of witches who come together for the purpose of practicing and celebrating their craft. The word "coven" is derived from the Old French word "covine" which means "group" or "assembly". Coven meetings are typically held in a specific location, such as a woodland grove, a private home, or a designated sacred space. The coven serves as a support network for its members, providing a sense of community, guidance, and collaboration in their spiritual practices. It is within the coven where witches can share knowledge, exchange ideas, and perform rituals together. Covens are commonly associated with witchcraft traditions such as Wicca, which is a modern pagan religious movement.
George Washington visited Salem in October 1789, and after a day of speeches, dancing and fireworks he stayed in this room at The Merchant. He may have rested his feet on that very hearth, which is original to the building. A creative breakfast selection awaits guests of The Merchant, with a cheery note and a bright bouquet of tulips.
Originally constructed and owned by Joshua Ward, a wealthy Salem sea merchant who imported all manner of items from the Orient, this Federal house is now The Merchant, a boutique hotel in Salem, MA that honors its history while offering modern amenities to its guests. Across town, you ll find the Jonathan Corwin House affectionately known as the Witch House , the only house museum in town that has direct ties to the Witch Trials Mr.
Covens are commonly associated with witchcraft traditions such as Wicca, which is a modern pagan religious movement. However, covens can also exist within other witchcraft traditions or even be eclectic in nature, incorporating various magical practices and beliefs. Membership within a coven is often initiated through a specific process, which may include formal training, initiation rituals, and the acceptance of certain ethical principles.
5 Bewitching Witch-Free Things to Do in Salem, MA
What immediately comes to mind when you think about Salem, MA? My guess is you either think of Halloween, or witches. Am I right? If so, that’s not surprising! Salem has developed a devoted following over the years that centers around the celebration of Halloween, the Salem witch trials, and other supernatural adventures. That reputation has been embraced by the community, with even police cars sporting an emblem declaring Salem as “The Witch City” with a silhouette of a witch on a broom.
While all of that is certainly fun, and worth participating in, Salem gets a bit shortchanged as a result. I visited in the spring and decided to focus on finding things to do in Salem that had nothing to do with witches, hauntings, or the paranormal. With a little help from Destination Salem, what I discovered is a place rich in history, architecture, and art worthy of a visit any time of year, not just in October.
A Greek Revival building constructed in 1838, Salem City Hall was built with surplus funds under the presidency of Andrew Jackson. The facade is made of granite while the remainder of the building is brick.
First things first though! Where did I stay? When I travel I always prefer accommodations in a historic hotel or inn, or a historic home or building that has been repurposed as lodging (that’s adaptive reuse for all of you armchair preservationists out there!) I was fortunate enough to be offered a night’s stay at The Merchant, a Lark Hotels boutique hotel, which is not only architecturally stunning but has loads of interesting history as well.
The Merchant was originally the Joshua Ward house, built in 1784 by the sea merchant who traded in molasses (the critical ingredient for rum!), tea, Sumatran pepper, spices, and other items imported to America from China and India at the time. The home was designed by noted Salem architect and wood carver Samuel McIntire, and its “floating” staircase is considered to be the oldest surviving staircase by him. The house also has some spooky history but I’ll let you research that for yourselves. I can unequivocally say that I experienced nothing out of the ordinary during my stay!
Originally constructed and owned by Joshua Ward, a wealthy Salem sea merchant who imported all manner of items from the Orient, this Federal house is now The Merchant, a boutique hotel in Salem, MA that honors its history while offering modern amenities to its guests. The Merchant has a stunning original staircase carved by noted Salem architect and wood carver Samuel McIntire. It is believed to be his oldest surviving staircase. And can we just talk about that wallpaper? Looks stunning in this space!
While everyone loves to claim that “George Washington slept here!”, The Merchant can actually claim that based on historical research and documentation. I had the honor of sleeping in the George Washington King Deluxe room, and to imagine him resting his boots on the same hearth as me was humbling indeed. The starry ceiling, carved federal eagle above the fireplace, and the George Washington pillow were just a handful of the unique touches that greeted me upon arrival.
Much to my delight, no two rooms are alike at The Merchant. I had the opportunity to see two other rooms (there are 11 in total), each with its own personality and charm. Be sure to check out the various rooms on their site to find the one that suits you best, although none would disappoint. I love the hotel’s colorful decor by Rachel Reider with its playful nods to history, and appreciate that the hotel has such a sense of place while appealing to my need for modern luxuries.
A comfortable night’s sleep and a cheerful morning wake-up in the form of The Merchant’s complimentary breakfast prepared me well for my day about town. Salem is such a walkable city, and even though the weather was chilly I set off with my mobile map and hit list of things to do and places to see!
George Washington visited Salem in October 1789, and after a day of speeches, dancing and fireworks he stayed in this room at The Merchant. He may have rested his feet on that very hearth, which is original to the building. A creative breakfast selection awaits guests of The Merchant, with a cheery note and a bright bouquet of tulips.
People often ask me how I “find” so much beautiful architecture to feature on my social media and blog. Truthfully it is everywhere if you keep your eyes open and focus on your surroundings, but when I go to a new place I want to be sure that I get what I came for. A quick Google for “Salem MA historic district” immediately pointed me to the McIntire Historic District, including the famed Chestnut Street.
Named for the same Samuel McIntire that designed the Joshua Ward house, he is credited with creating the unique look and feel of Salem with its large, square, brick merchant buildings. Though he did not design all of the homes in the district, it was named in his honor and it certainly contains many fine examples of his work, both inside (as a wood carver) and out (as an architect).
One of many brick Federal style houses built for Salem merchants in the 1800s. The entry details are just outstanding! Make special note of the fanlight, which is the window above the door. The right hand side of this Chestnut Street home was occupied by John Stone, a rum distiller who also happened to be a Deacon in the local Unitarian Church. His joint profession became an issue when the temperance movement gained popularity in the early part of the 19th century.
Chestnut Street has been referred to as “one of the most beautiful streets in America” and I would be hard pressed to disagree. While originally 40 feet wide in 1796, it was expanded to 80 feet wide in 1805, creating the feel of a grand boulevard. It was laid out to attract Salem’s wealthiest merchants and members of society, providing them a place to live, worship, and mix with their peers.
Many of the houses on Chestnut and surrounding streets are built in the Federal style popularized by McIntire, giving Salem a recognizable look. A Federal house is typically a simple rectangular box, two or three stories tall, symmetrical, often in brick but sometimes in clapboard, and showing very little embellishment with the notable exception of an ornate entryway. This style of home is not unique to Salem, but having so many three-story examples in one area has a big impact. I was wide-eyed as I strolled the district, gazing at architectural details that are some of the finest I have seen.
An early spring day, the last remaining bits of snow will soon be melting. Bare trees allow for a better view of the incredible Federal architecture on Chestnut Street.
Due to poor planning on my part, I missed the opportunity to visit the Peabody Essex Museum (“PEM”) as it is closed on Mondays (except for some holidays), and the rest of my time was committed. But I would be remiss not to include it as a decidedly non-witch related Salem highlight. The PEM collection of art, textiles, photography, and more includes items connected to Salem, New England, and beyond to items of international interest, including one of America’s most important Asian art collections.
Luckily for me, while I couldn’t enjoy this aspect of the museum, I was able to view some of the museum’s historic houses from the outside. Many of them are part of the McIntire Historic District, including the Cotting-Smith Assembly House where George Washington danced the night away before staying in my his room at The Merchant. Each of the historic houses is just a short stroll from the main museum.
Built in the Federal style, the Cotting-Smith Assembly House was once a clubhouse in which balls, concerts, lectures, and other events were held. It is said that George Washington attended a dance here. See it today via the Peabody Essex Museum.
So much of what makes Salem both beautiful as a getaway and important from a historical perspective is its location on Salem Harbor and its almost 400 year maritime history. This nine acre site was the first National Historic Site established by the National Park Service in 1938 under the National Historic Sites Act of 1935, which should give some perspective on its importance.
The site, which is free to all, includes a number of historic buildings, three different wharves (out of over fifty that once lined Salem Harbor years ago), a replica tall ship, and a light station, all interpreted to tell the stories of the sailors, merchants, and privateers who traveled from Salem to far-flung places all over the world, to return with new and exotic goods to share with America.
I completed a self-guided tour using the wayfinding signs, but guided tours are available, too. They also have a delightful gift shop, Waite & Pierce, that frankly was a highlight for me (I love a good shop!) That is where I learned that the first elephant to come to America, on a ship named America, came through Salem in 1796. Who says you can’t learn anything while shopping?
The Custom House at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site is the last of 13 Custom Houses in the city. This particular Custom House was built in 1819 and was used until the 1930s. Originally constructed in 1770, the Pedrick Store House was acquired in 2003 by Salem Maritime from Marblehead, MA and restored to aid in the museum’s interpretation of maritime history. It sits on Derby Wharf, one of three remaining wharves at the Salem Maritime National Historic Site.
After a full day of walking Salem, my bones were a little chilled and my feet were more than a little sore, so I made my way back to The Merchant to warm myself by the fire and have a cup of coffee. The common area of the hotel has two fireplaces, lots of seating, and a fabulous bar, and the resident caretaker was more than happy to chat and share some of her own knowledge of the Salem area.
I wrapped up my evening across the street at The Adriatic Restaurant & Bar with a delicious meal and glass of wine at the bar, right next to a local couple who moved to Salem just a few years prior from Boston. I was thrilled to hear that they had purchased a historic house in town and were restoring it to its former splendor, and they were thrilled to hear that I was exploring some of Salem’s witch-free gems.
The Merchant has a bold and bright common area for guests to share, whether it be to warm themselves in front of the fire or to enjoy a beverage at the bar. Original moldings and wood floors blend seamlessly with modern patterns and colors to create a welcoming space.
The House of Seven Gables is well-known to many, but it has so much interesting history, all of which was new to me, that I had to include it on my list of things to do in Salem. Other than its connection to Nathaniel Hawthorne’s novel of the same name, the actual owners of the house and the house itself seem to have no connection whatsoever to the Salem witch hysteria or trials.
The history of this 1668 Postmedieval house began as many in Salem did: it was built by wealthy Captain John Turner I, one of the most successful seafaring families in the New England colonies. It stayed in the Turner family for many years, and eventually was purchased in 1782 by Captain Samuel Ingersoll, another wealthy ship captain. I was surprised to learn that Ingersoll removed four of the seven gables to give the home a Federal look, which was fashionable at the time.
The Turner-Ingersoll House, better known as The House of Seven Gables, which inspired Nathaniel Hawthorne’s book of the same name. Hawthorne became enamored of the house and its stories while visiting his cousin Susanna Ingersoll who inherited the property after her father’s death.
Ingersoll’s daughter Susanna inherited the house after his death, and during her years there she often entertained her second cousin, Nathaniel Hawthorne, during his time working at the Custom House in Salem from 1845-1849. She shared stories of the house with him, and he became enamored of the idea of the seven gables (four of which no longer existed). Inspired, he wrote his novel in 1851 on the heels of The Scarlet Letter.
A few decades later the house found itself in need of repair and restoration. In 1908 Salem native Caroline Emmerton, philanthropist and preservationist, worked with architect Joseph Everett Chandler to return the house to its perceived original appearance. However, while the seven gables were restored, and the house retains many of its original architectural features, a few liberties were taken to satisfy the visitors who would expect to find the house as it was in Hawthorne’s novel. Various touches were added (which may or may not include a hidden staircase).
One of the most interesting parts of the tour at The House of Seven Gables was the interior view of one of the gables, along with a discussion of the house model on the lower right that clearly demonstrated the architectural changes that occurred at the house over the years.
Hand in hand with restoring the house, Caroline Emmerton founded The House of Seven Gables Settlement Association which was fully funded by visitors to the new house museum that opened in 1910 in the restored Turner-Ingersoll mansion. The settlement house movement was intended to help immigrant families settle into their new life in America, offering classes, medical services, and more.
After touring the house, I spent time looking at exhibits in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Birthplace, poking through the gift shop, and wandering the property with its beautiful view of Salem Harbor. I hope to return to the museum again sometime during the summer, when the Colonial Revival Seaside Gardens are in full bloom.
Even though it is very early in the gardening season, one can still see the beautiful framework of the Colonial Revival Seaside Garden at The House of Seven Gables. A rose trellis sits at the center, and off to the right is a wisteria arbor.
To throw in the unexpected, the last stop before my Salem departure was a tour of the incredible wall murals in the “El Punto”, or Point, neighborhood of Salem. According to their website, the mission of the open air museum is “to break down the invisible, but undeniable socio-economic barrier between the Point Neighborhood and the rest of Salem and the North Shore”.
Over 50 large-scale murals created by 20 local artists and 18 world-renowned artists, such as Okuda San Miguel of Madrid, Spain, are painted on walls within a three block radius. With the art they hope to attract visitors to the neighborhood, providing economic benefits, as well as instill pride in its residents. While I did a self-guided tour, various walking tours are available as well from time to time. I was in awe of the oversized artworks and the obvious talent that went into creating them.
An eye-catching art installation covering the entire side of a building, the Cat Witch was created by Spain native Okuda San Miguel with spray paint. Okuda’s art can be seen in cities around the globe. Over 50 large-scale murals are featured in the Point Neighborhood of Salem, with the purpose of instilling neighborhood pride in Point residents and encouraging those from other areas to visit the Point.
My two-day visit showed me much of what Salem has to offer, and along with the Halloween happenings and witch-trial history, a visitor could be busy in Salem for days. So many things to do, so little time! If you can’t resist visiting for the witch history, avoid the witchy kitsch and learn the real deal at the Jonathan Corwin House, otherwise known as The Witch House. Corwin was one of the judges in the trials, and the house is the only one still standing with direct ties to the trials.
Also visit the Salem Witch Trials Memorial, a somber monument to the 20 men and women who died during the witch hysteria from 1692-93. The Memorial consists of 20 granite benches, each inscribed with the name of the victim, the date of execution, and the manner of death. All but Giles Corey were hanged. Corey, an accused warlock, was pressed to death due to his refusal to admit his crimes.
If you have visited Salem, I would love to hear about it! And if you haven’t, I hope this post has inspired you to go.
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So much of what makes Salem both beautiful as a getaway and important from a historical perspective is its location on Salem Harbor and its almost 400 year maritime history. This nine acre site was the first National Historic Site established by the National Park Service in 1938 under the National Historic Sites Act of 1935, which should give some perspective on its importance.
Covens usually have a leader or high priest/priestess who oversees the group and guides its members in their magical endeavors. Coven practices can vary widely depending on the tradition and the preferences of its members. They may include ceremonies, spellcasting, divination, meditation, healing, and other magical or spiritual practices. Sabbats, which are seasonal celebrations, and Esbats, which are lunar rites, are often observed by covens as special occasions for coming together and honoring the cycles and energies of the natural world. It is important to note that not all witches participate in covens. Some individuals prefer to practice solitary witchcraft, which involves working alone and following one's own personal path. However, for those who choose to be part of a coven, the experience can offer a deeper sense of connection, community, and shared wisdom..
Reviews for "The Bond and Trust within Witches Covens"
1. John - 1 star - "I found 'Witches coven dennition' to be extremely boring and unimaginative. The plot was predictable and the characters were flat and uninteresting. I felt like I was reading the same tired cliches that have been used in countless other witch-themed books. Overall, I was very disappointed and would not recommend it to anyone."
2. Sarah - 2 stars - "I was really looking forward to reading 'Witches coven dennition' as I am a fan of supernatural and witchcraft-themed novels. However, I found this book to be lacking in creativity and originality. The writing style was mediocre, and the characters lacked depth and development. The storyline felt rushed and poorly planned, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. I had higher expectations for this book, and unfortunately, it did not live up to them."
3. Emma - 2 stars - "I picked up 'Witches coven dennition' hoping for an intriguing and atmospheric read, but I was left disappointed. The pacing was slow, and the plot was full of cliches and predictable twists. The protagonist was unrelatable and the supporting characters were forgettable. I found it difficult to engage with the story and felt no connection to the world the author tried to create. Overall, I was not impressed and would not recommend this book."
4. Michael - 1 star - "I found 'Witches coven dennition' to be poorly written and lacking in substance. The dialogue was forced and unrealistic, and the descriptions were overly simplistic. The book lacked originality and failed to capture my interest. The plot was predictable and the character development was minimal. I felt like I wasted my time reading this book, and I would not recommend it to others."