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During this era, in campaigns exacerbated by social, political and religious unrest, an estimated 60,000 people in Europe and the American colonies were tortured and executed because they were suspected of having ties to witchcraft. Many of those put to death probably did not identify as witches or engage in supernatural practices, as a 2009 BBC report notes. And they certainly weren't all women.
The Halloween season could be an opportunity to spread awareness of the persecution of alleged witches throughout history, most virulently between the 15th and 18th centuries -- a period many now refer to as the burning times. During Samhain, a pagan holiday closely associated with Halloween that also takes place on October 31, the Circle Sanctuary will host a Witches Ball for which many will dress up.
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How Modern Pagans Are Reclaiming The Halloween Witch Costume As An Act Of Power
A black cape, a pointed hat and a broom. There is perhaps no Halloween costume more iconic than a witch. But does it cross a cultural sensitivity line?
The Rev. Selena Fox, senior minister of the Circle Sanctuary, a Wiccan church and nature preserve in Wisconsin, told The Huffington Post that it all depends on "the context and the message."
"As someone who has been politically active for many years, I see that there's some power in taking images and repurposing them," said Fox. "Some in our community have chosen to have some fun with witch costumes."
AdvertisementFox gives public education talks about Samhain, paganism and witch traditions throughout the month of October.
This time of year, costumes depicting all manner of supernatural identities abound -- even within pagan communities. During Samhain, a pagan holiday closely associated with Halloween that also takes place on October 31, the Circle Sanctuary will host a Witches' Ball for which many will dress up.
"Some of the people that get in costumes will wear pointed witch hats, a broom and a cape," said Fox. "We are having fun with witch costumes because of the context."
Sam Webster, who is studying contemporary paganism for his Ph.D. and is himself initiated as a witch in multiple pagan traditions, agreed that context is key when it comes to people dressing up in spiritual garb.
Advertisement"It highly depends on who's doing it," Webster told HuffPost. "If it's a pagan or a witch, they're usually doing it with a bunch of self-referential irony."
In addition to the costume, the word "witch" itself has long carried negative connotations, Webster said. Nonetheless, many pagan groups -- like the Reclaiming tradition founded by the author and activist Starhawk -- embrace the term.
"In the West we've started taking that word and using it as a word of power," Webster said. "We've taken on an insult and reclaimed it."
Webster said it would take a lot for a Halloween witch costume to offend him. On the contrary, he sees America's embrace of Halloween as a sign of paganism's enduring significance in Western culture.
"There is a national holiday that showcases our religion every year!" he said.
But cultural sensitivity can get confusing. In 2004, a Washington state school district banned Halloween celebrations partly out of respect for practitioners of Wicca who might find the symbols offensive. In a Yahoo forum responding to the incident, one user asked Wiccans whether witch costumes and Halloween paraphernalia actually offended them. The overwhelming response was: not really.
Advertisement"Most Wiccans and witches I know love Halloween and literally revel in it," one person wrote.
Another responded: "What irritates me is the fact that non-witches/Wiccans seem to determine what offends us witch/Wiccans. I think they should ask us whether or not witch costumes offend us or not. Personally I like witch costumes. I wear one every Halloween."
Fox noted that although costumes can perpetuate stereotypes about witches, they might also offer an opportunity for discussion.
"Stereotyping can be hurtful to people who are involved in pagan religion," Fox said. "Some of the stereotyping in the past was used to torture and execute people. It was horrific propaganda."
But depictions of the "evil witch," with her hat and broom, can offer an opportunity to talk about the true nature of Wiccan spirituality, Fox said. "It can be a teaching moment."
Take the "Salem witch costume" offered by Party City -- a Pilgrim-style dress with "Salem 1692" written in fake blood on the apron. The costume comes with a vinyl noose for "maximum morbid fun," according to the Party City website, which describes the getup as "the only costume you'll need to hang onto." The costume, of course, is a reference to the 1692 witchcraft trials in Salem, Massachusetts, where 19 people were executed by hanging.
AdvertisementThe Halloween season could be an opportunity to spread awareness of the persecution of alleged witches throughout history, most virulently between the 15th and 18th centuries -- a period many now refer to as "the burning times."
During this era, in campaigns exacerbated by social, political and religious unrest, an estimated 60,000 people in Europe and the American colonies were tortured and executed because they were suspected of having ties to witchcraft. Many of those put to death probably did not identify as witches or engage in supernatural practices, as a 2009 BBC report notes. And they certainly weren't all women.
The witches, of course, were nothing like the stereotype of the carbuncled hags shrieking incantations around a cauldron full of devilish potions. They were ordinary people who were often the convenient scapegoats for anything from a death in the village to the failure of crops. Individuals would often have been branded a witch after falling out with a neighbor.
There was no average witch. Although most would be poor and elderly, this would vary from region to region. The accused were not even all women. Around a quarter of those executed were men.
This is where depicting witches gets tricky, Fox said, as it is unclear where the imagery of the cape and hat costume originally comes from.
"Some say the pointed hat is symbolic of raising the cone of power in a ceremony," said Fox. "And some say the broom was an image of meditative or shamanic traveling."
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Reviews for "Discover a World of Mystery and Intrigue in the Suites at Magic Tree"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I was extremely disappointed with my stay at The Mystical Suites at Magic Tree. The room was dirty and poorly maintained. The walls had stains on them, there were hairs in the bed, and the bathroom had a weird smell. The furniture looked old and worn out. The staff seemed uninterested and unfriendly. Overall, it was a big letdown and I would not recommend staying here.
2. John - 1 star
My experience at The Mystical Suites at Magic Tree was awful. The room was incredibly small and cramped, it felt like I was staying in a closet. The bed was uncomfortable, and the pillows were like rocks. The noise from other guests and the nearby road was unbearable. Additionally, the Wi-Fi connection was slow and unreliable. Save your money and look for better accommodation elsewhere.
3. Mike - 2 stars
I had high expectations for The Mystical Suites at Magic Tree, but unfortunately, it did not live up to them. The room was poorly insulated, so I could hear every noise from the hallway and adjacent rooms. The air conditioning was noisy and didn't cool the room properly. The bathroom was outdated, and the shower had low water pressure. I also found the location to be inconvenient, as it was far from the main attractions. Overall, it was a mediocre experience and I wouldn't choose to stay here again.
4. Emily - 2 stars
I was not impressed with The Mystical Suites at Magic Tree. The room was not properly cleaned, as I found dust and debris under the bed and in the corners. The bed sheets had stains on them, and the towels were old and worn out. The TV reception was poor and the channels were limited. The overall atmosphere of the hotel was lackluster and it lacks attention to detail. I was expecting better for the price I paid.
5. David - 3 stars
My stay at The Mystical Suites at Magic Tree was average at best. The room was decently sized, but the decor was outdated and needed refreshing. The bed was comfortable enough, but the pillows were too soft for my liking. The bathroom was clean, but the water temperature in the shower fluctuated, making it uncomfortable to shower. The staff was polite, but not very attentive to guests' needs. I wouldn't say it was terrible, but there are better options available in the area.