The witchcraft trials in Salem and other territories were a dark and disturbing chapter in American history. These trials took place in the late 17th century and resulted in the execution of twenty people, mostly women, who were accused of practicing witchcraft. The Salem witch trials began in early 1692 in Salem Village, Massachusetts. The first accusations came from a group of young girls who claimed to be possessed by witches. These girls accused several women in the village of bewitching them, which ultimately led to a wave of hysteria and mass accusations. During the trials, the accused were brought before a court and interrogated.
Tylluan Penry is a pagan powerhouse, and her guide to The Magical Properties of Plants is an incredibly helpful, knowledge packed manual on working with a wide range of plants. Having grown in a family that practised Welsh trad witchcraft and with a father who first taught her how to find and identify plants, Penry has been honing this set of skills and knowledge for decades. The Magical Properties of Plants is particularly useful as a practical reference book, not just because of the mixture of occult and botanical knowledge contained within it, but because its organised according to magical purpose and intention rather than species—making it a lot easier to find exactly what you’re looking for.
The Magical Properties of Plants is particularly useful as a practical reference book, not just because of the mixture of occult and botanical knowledge contained within it, but because its organised according to magical purpose and intention rather than species making it a lot easier to find exactly what you re looking for. Whether you re Mexican and looking to practice Brujeria, or non-Mexican and hoping to broaden your understanding of global witchcraft traditions, Mexican Sorcery is a must-read.
During the trials, the accused were brought before a court and interrogated. Their fate often depended on the testimonies of the accusers, who would make dramatic claims of being tormented by invisible forces. Many innocent people were caught up in the hysteria and were convicted and executed based on flimsy evidence.
13 Witch Books That Will Hold You Spellbound
By the pricking of our thumbs, something badass this way comes.
Promoted by Open Road Media | By Olivia Mason | Updated Sep 27, 2019 | Published Apr 24, 2019- Photo Credit: freestocks.org / Unsplash
The witch has alway figured significantly in our lives, from our history classes to the popular culture we consume. Once upon a time, any woman who dared to think or act independently—and thus, "endanger" the patriarchy—was branded a witch, subjected to torture, and killed for her crimes. Luckily, things have changed, and we're no longer gathering in town squares to shout, "Burn the witch!" Instead, we're looking to our magical fore-sisters as symbols of female empowerment. Good or evil, "real" or fictional—they're always pretty badass.
The 13 witch books below draw from age-old lore to tell fantasy stories about human connection, embracing our uniqueness, and tapping into our own inherent power. From a fantasy that exposes the sexism of midcentury America to books inspired by African mythology, they put their own spin on the cauldron-stirring, broomstick-riding women that have held us spellbound for centuries.
Conjure Wife
By Fritz Leiber
Imagine a world in which women practice witchcraft on the sly, and right under their husband’s noses. Sounds pretty great, right? Not to Norman Saylor, a professor of sociology and staunch rationalist. When he discovers that his wife, Tansy—sweet, domestic goddess Tansy!—is waist-deep in some covert abracadabra, he persuades her to stop. But Tansy is just one witch in a badass global coven, and suddenly Norman is plagued by misfortune that turns his life upside down.
Creative and entertaining, Frtiz Leiber’s novel is also a fascinating look at 1940s gender roles, as its male hero acknowledges the very real existence of female power.
With her thirty-year history as a priestess and professional psychic, Lilith Dorsey has plenty of expertise to draw on in their book Orishas, Goddesses, and Voodoo Queens: The Divine Feminine in the African Religious Traditions. This book explores Oshún, Oya, and other goddesses through devotional practices, magic, and more.
The main factor behind the witchcraft trials was a deeply ingrained belief in witchcraft and the supernatural. The people of Salem and other territories believed that witches were real and posed a threat to their community. They were also influenced by religious beliefs and feared that witches were in league with the devil. The trials did not stop at Salem Village; they spread to other parts of New England as well. In total, over 200 people were accused and arrested for witchcraft. However, the trials eventually lost their momentum and the hysteria subsided. The last witchcraft trial took place in 1693, and in the years that followed, the accused were released and the convictions were overturned. The witchcraft trials in Salem and other territories serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the consequences of prejudice and fear. Innocent lives were lost due to the unfounded accusations and the failure of the justice system to protect them. Today, the witchcraft trials of Salem are remembered as a dark period in American history and a cautionary tale about the dangers of groupthink and the power of superstition. It serves as a reminder to uphold the principles of justice and fairness, even in the midst of fear and uncertainty..
Reviews for "The Social and Political Context of the Witchcraft Trials in Salem"
1. John Doe - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with "The Witchcraft Trials in Salem and Other Territories" on CommonLit. The reading was poorly written, with confusing language and convoluted explanations. It was challenging to follow the main arguments and understand the historical context. Additionally, the questions at the end were unclear and did not align well with the content of the reading. Overall, I found this selection to be frustrating and unhelpful for gaining a deeper understanding of the topic.
2. Jane Smith - 2 stars - I found "The Witchcraft Trials in Salem and Other Territories" on CommonLit to be underwhelming. While the reading provided some basic information about the Salem witch trials, it lacked depth and critical analysis. I was expecting a more comprehensive exploration of the events and their significance, but instead, it felt like a mere summary. The questions at the end were also too simplistic and did not encourage critical thinking. I would have liked to see more engaging content and thought-provoking discussion points in this resource.
3. Mark Johnson - 1 star - "The Witchcraft Trials in Salem and Other Territories" on CommonLit fell short of my expectations. The reading felt superficial and failed to provide a nuanced perspective on the Salem witch trials. I was hoping for a more comprehensive analysis of the social, political, and cultural factors that contributed to the hysteria, but the piece barely scratched the surface. Furthermore, the language used was often dense and difficult to understand, making it hard to digest the information. Overall, I found this selection uninspiring and lacking in scholarly depth.
4. Sarah Thompson - 2 stars - I was dissatisfied with "The Witchcraft Trials in Salem and Other Territories" on CommonLit. The reading provided a basic overview of the Salem witch trials, but it lacked engaging storytelling and failed to captivate my interest. The information felt dry and disconnected, making it challenging to stay engaged throughout the piece. Additionally, I felt that the questions at the end were repetitive and did not encourage critical thinking. Overall, I found this resource to be lackluster and would have appreciated a more engaging approach to the topic.