Witches mark on arm refers to a belief or superstition that some individuals, particularly women, were believed to have a mark on their arm that indicated their association with witchcraft. In the past, during the time of the witch trials in Europe and America, this mark was seen as proof of a person's involvement in witchcraft, leading to their persecution and execution. The concept of witches marks dates back centuries, with the belief that these marks were left by the Devil himself or were where the Devil placed his mark during initiation into witchcraft. These marks were often thought to be invisible to the naked eye and could only be revealed through a ritual or examination. Witches marks were believed to be areas of the skin that were insensitive to pain, often described as being numb or dead to touch. People would search for these marks by pricking the skin with a needle or pin to see if there was any reaction.

Witches

Many of the women persecuted as witches in the 16th-century “witch craze” were over 50 and exhibited signs of menopause. Helen Foster suggests that the stigma of the wicked witch still affects older women and how they deal with menopause.

Words by Helen Foster East Midlands Oral History Archive artwork by Asma Istwani average reading time 6 minutes 14 September 2023

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W omen are often judged harshly by society. In the past, if they didn’t conform to expected behaviours and attitudes, they might all too easily be married off or run the risk of being labelled hysterics and locked up – or worse.

As they enter middle age and menopause, many women feel increasingly marginalised and unseen, but even if increased invisibility means less scrutiny, as Pippa acknowledges, it takes a conscious effort to free yourself from the constraints of other people’s expectations.

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People would search for these marks by pricking the skin with a needle or pin to see if there was any reaction. If a person did not react to the pain, it was believed that they had a witches mark. In some cases, these marks were thought to be where witches could nurse their familiars, or demonic animals, who were believed to suckle on these marks.

Wicked witches

Throughout history there are stories of older women portrayed as witches with evil intentions to cause harm to others. During the witch trials in 16th-century England, descriptions of the accused recorded features such as fragile bones, wrinkled skin and thinning hair, all physical changes that can be attributed to menopause. In ‘The Discoverie of Witchcraft’ (1584) Reginald Scot, witness to one trial, gives an account of the accused women as “commonly old, lame, bleare-eyed, pale, fowle and full of wrinkles”.

In early modern Europe, women were considered more susceptible to demonic temptations than men, due to the inherent feebleness of their sex. According to ‘Malleus maleficarum’ (‘Hammer of Witches’), the notorious 15th-century treatise on witchcraft, women were weaker in their faith and stronger in their carnal drives, with a “temperament towards flux” and “loose tongues”. Dutchman Johann Weyer’s account of women he saw in the witch trials in the 1560s calls them “pathetic, melancholic, hallucinating old women, whose age and sex made them a prey to diabolical fancies”.

What is a Witches’ Mark?

Witches’ marks were a mark on the skin of a suspected witch that was believed to be evidence that the person had made a pact with the Devil and was therefore a witch.

It was believed that when a pact was made, the Devil would mark the person with his claws or teeth to confirm the deal.

It was also believed that these marks gave witches their power and enabled them to perform acts of witchcraft. The belief in witches marks played a significant role in the persecution of individuals accused of witchcraft. During the witch trials, suspected witches would be subjected to a thorough examination of their bodies, searching for any signs of these marks. This often involved invasive and humiliating procedures, including stripping and physical inspection by others. While the belief in witches marks has largely been debunked today, it serves as a reminder of the hysteria and ignorance that led to the persecution of countless innocent people in the past. The witch trials represent a dark chapter in history, where fear and superstition prevailed over reason and evidence. In conclusion, witches marks on the arm were believed to be a visible sign of a person's involvement in witchcraft during a time of mass hysteria and persecution. These marks were thought to be proof of a person's interaction with the Devil or their power as a witch. However, these beliefs have since been discredited, highlighting the dangers of unfounded superstitions and the devastating consequences they can have on innocent lives..

Reviews for "The Witches Mark on Arm: A Badge of Authenticity"

1. John - 2 stars - I wasn't a fan of "Witches mark on arm". The story felt very predictable and cliché, with no real surprises or originality. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with them. Overall, I found the plot to be underdeveloped and the writing style to be unengaging. I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.

2. Emily - 1 star - "Witches mark on arm" was a complete letdown for me. The story started off promising, but quickly descended into a convoluted mess. The pacing was all over the place, with the plot jumping from one random event to another without any clear direction. The romance aspect was forced and unrealistic, lacking any real chemistry between the characters. I struggled to finish this book and wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Witches mark on arm" based on the intriguing premise, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The writing style was mediocre at best, with awkward dialogue and repetitive descriptions. The world-building was underdeveloped, leaving many unanswered questions and inconsistencies. The main character was also quite bland and lacked any real growth or complexity. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and wouldn't recommend it to others.

4. Alex - 3 stars - "Witches mark on arm" had some interesting ideas, but the execution fell short for me. The pacing was slow, and the story lacked a sense of urgency and tension. It felt like things were dragged out unnecessarily, making the reading experience somewhat tedious. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unresolved, leaving me unsatisfied with the overall story arc. While there were some aspects I enjoyed, I ultimately found this book to be mediocre.

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