Devon Cole's note on Paganism: Paganism is a diverse and ancient spiritual tradition that encompasses a wide range of beliefs and practices. It is often misunderstood and misrepresented, but at its core, Paganism is a deeply personal and nature-based religion that celebrates the cycles of the Earth and the interconnectedness of all living beings. Unlike many organized religions, Paganism does not have a central authority or dogma. Instead, it is a decentralized and individualistic path, where each practitioner is free to interpret and experience their spirituality in their own way. This flexibility allows for a rich tapestry of beliefs and practices within the Pagan community. One of the central tenets of Paganism is reverence for the natural world.
So, what drives a society on a “witch hunt?” The causes can be broken down into two main phycological reasons: (1) religious fear (occult fear) and (2) personal prejudices which encompass the gender biases. Now, identifying the situational prejudice and religious aspects in even witch accusation cases can become overwhelming very quickly. So, a breakdown of a major accusation in the Salem witch trials will be more digestible.
Women criminals would have been a huge taboo in the 1600 s, so instead of trying Brigid for her actual crimes, ones she might not have been executed for she was easily given the punishment of death because of suspected witchcraft. Women criminals would have been a huge taboo in the 1600 s, so instead of trying Brigid for her actual crimes, ones she might not have been executed for she was easily given the punishment of death because of suspected witchcraft.
One of the central tenets of Paganism is reverence for the natural world. Pagans see the Earth as a sacred and living entity, and their rituals often revolve around the changing seasons and the cycles of nature. Many Pagans honor a pantheon of gods and goddesses, each representing different aspects of the natural world or human experience.
Exposed witch illustration
By Chloe Rigg
A term which brings similar images to many peoples’ minds. Usually, it’s the image of a green faced, wart-covered crone who rides a broomstick with a malicious cackle. Other images include colonial witch trials, and a young woman being burned at the stake. The history behind witch trials are certainly dark and full of fear. We can learn astonishing trends in society when one asks the question: “Were the witch trials a form of gender bias?” The perspective I’m going to discuss is that the “witches” in the witch trial were an excuse to execute women for sin.
The Salem Massachusetts witch trials took place between 1692-93. During them, over 200 people were accused and 20 were executed for witchcraft. 20 people might not sound too overwhelming. However, for a village of only 500-600 people, the deaths would have impacted most citizens. This American witch trial mirrors the European “witchcraft craze” driven by Puritans, who for almost 300 years executed over ten thousand people. The majority executed were women for suspected witchcraft.
So, what drives a society on a “witch hunt?” The causes can be broken down into two main phycological reasons: (1) religious fear (occult fear) and (2) personal prejudices which encompass the gender biases. Now, identifying the situational prejudice and religious aspects in even witch accusation cases can become overwhelming very quickly. So, a breakdown of a major accusation in the Salem witch trials will be more digestible.
There were societal tensions in Salem due to the 1689 English war on the French in American colonies. Resources were very strained and quarrels between families were an issue for such a small village. The Puritan villagers preached that these quarrels and tensions were the “Devil’s work.” This “Devil’s work” escalated into serious medical conditions by a Reverend’s daughter and niece. The girls, Elizabeth (age 9) and Abigail (11), were tormented by uncontrollable fits of rage, screaming, and contorting of the body. (After the fact, these fits were proven to be faked by the girls out of boredom). A local doctor could not diagnose these fits medically, so he blamed supernatural forces. Which is where the religious fear came into play. A heavily Puritan village would blame anything unknown as the work of the Devil. Therefore, this instills the fear of being influenced by the Devil or being smitten by God for not resisting the Devil. To calm the village, a solution needed to be introduced. This “solution” came when the girls accused Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne for inducing the fits. When interrogated, both Sarahs pleaded innocent, while Tituba confessed, “‘The Devil came to me and bid me serve him.” She described elaborate images of black dogs, red cats, yellow birds and a “black man” who wanted her to sign his book. She admitted that she signed the book and said “there were several other witches looking to destroy the Puritans.” All three women were held in jail.
Tituba’s testimony instilled deeper religious fear, along with gender biases. Folklore displays women as being more susceptible to the Devil’s will because they are sexually submissive, while Satan is a dominant male. Because of this, the Devil supposedly needs women to get into the minds of men. This plays into the strict Puritan idea of the impurities of sex. It follows, that Salem villagers were continually scared of the Devil. They felt the need to protect the women that hadn’t yet been lured by the Devil’s influence. Racial prejudice was also involved with the accusation of Tituba, because she was a Caribbean slave in the Reverend’s household. Tituba was easy to find guilty considering she had the influence of the Devil. She was an outspoken woman. She was of darker skin color. This begs the question–Was she convicted for witchcraft or for the “undesirable” type of woman she was in the community?
Dozens of accusations started after’s Tituba’s threat of the existence of multiple witches in Salem. Villagers were terrified and were “stepping on eggshells” worried of neighbors or friends accusing them of witchcraft. Many people saw this hysteria as an opportunity to get rid of their enemies and cease ongoing quarrels. Salem’s tensions escaladed to a violent climax…
The first person hanged was Brigid Bishop. She had a notorious reputation for having run-ins with the law and was chosen to be tried first because she was so easily found guilty. In a town frightened by the occult, a connection was easily drawn between petty crime and the influence of the devil. Women criminals would have been a huge taboo in the 1600’s, so instead of trying Brigid for her actual crimes, (ones she might not have been executed for) she was easily given the punishment of death because of “suspected” witchcraft. Sarah Good, one of the initial women accused, was executed also. She was known around Salem for begging door to door to help raise her child. (She was pregnant at the time). A 71-year-old Rebecca Nurse was executed. She was not poor or criminal, but a popular woman with outspoken opinions on the town’s drama. She was heavily accused by her family’s rivals, the Putnams, who were the family of the girls suffering from supernatural fits. Nurse was found innocent, but when the verdict was read aloud, the girls protested for another trial. Nurse was then re-tried and found guilty.
All the executed women were condemned for things like poverty, criminal behavior, outspoken opinions, or presumptuous actions. These were all sins that women should not commit in the eyes of the Puritans. Some men were also accused and executed. Men who spoke out against the trials, showed support for accused witches, or killed because of community disputes like land or debts.
Tragically, for a small village without the luxury of a reliable judicial system, the witch trials were a way to rid the Puritan town of “undesirables.” For a time like 1689, women were treated harshly for the smallest of things. So, did Salem villagers truly believe in witches? I think yes. It was a highly religious time and the occult was the pinnacle of evil. Having said that, I also believe that the gender prejudices of women were the root of the witch trial. The supernatural merely amplified these biases and lead to the killing of 20 people. People who might not have been innocent overall, but were certainly not guilty of witchcraft.
There were societal tensions in Salem due to the 1689 English war on the French in American colonies. Resources were very strained and quarrels between families were an issue for such a small village. The Puritan villagers preached that these quarrels and tensions were the “Devil’s work.” This “Devil’s work” escalated into serious medical conditions by a Reverend’s daughter and niece. The girls, Elizabeth (age 9) and Abigail (11), were tormented by uncontrollable fits of rage, screaming, and contorting of the body. (After the fact, these fits were proven to be faked by the girls out of boredom). A local doctor could not diagnose these fits medically, so he blamed supernatural forces. Which is where the religious fear came into play. A heavily Puritan village would blame anything unknown as the work of the Devil. Therefore, this instills the fear of being influenced by the Devil or being smitten by God for not resisting the Devil. To calm the village, a solution needed to be introduced. This “solution” came when the girls accused Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne for inducing the fits. When interrogated, both Sarahs pleaded innocent, while Tituba confessed, “‘The Devil came to me and bid me serve him.” She described elaborate images of black dogs, red cats, yellow birds and a “black man” who wanted her to sign his book. She admitted that she signed the book and said “there were several other witches looking to destroy the Puritans.” All three women were held in jail.
Another key aspect of Paganism is the belief in magic or spellwork. Pagans often work with the energy of the universe to manifest their desires and bring about positive change. This can take the form of casting spells, performing rituals, or working with divination tools such as tarot cards or runes. Paganism also places a strong emphasis on personal responsibility and ethics. Many Pagans follow the belief in the "Law of Threefold Return," which states that any energy or action put out into the world will come back to the sender threefold. This encourages practitioners to live in harmony with others and to consider the consequences of their actions. In recent years, Paganism has experienced a resurgence in popularity, as more individuals seek a spirituality that is in line with their ecological and ethical values. Organizations such as the Pagan Federation and the Covenant of the Goddess work to promote tolerance and understanding of Paganism and to protect the rights of Pagans to freely practice their religion. Overall, Paganism is a diverse and vibrant spiritual tradition that emphasizes personal connection with nature, magic, and personal responsibility. While it may be misunderstood by some, its core values of reverence for the Earth and respect for all living beings resonate deeply with many individuals seeking a spiritual path outside of mainstream religions..
Reviews for "Harnessing Spiritual Energy: Devon Cole's Techniques for Pagan Rituals"
1. Jennifer - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Paganism" by Devon Cole. I found the book to be extremely general and lacking in depth. It felt more like an introduction to Paganism rather than an in-depth exploration of the topic. The author didn't provide enough historical context or delve into the rich traditions and rituals associated with Paganism. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wanting more substance from this book.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - I couldn't finish "Paganism" by Devon Cole. The writing style was overly simplistic and lacked any sort of intellectual depth. It felt like a watered-down version of Paganism, with no real insights or original ideas. I was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of Paganism, but instead, I felt like I was reading a elementary school textbook. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive exploration of Paganism.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "Paganism" by Devon Cole failed to meet my expectations. The book seemed to be more focused on selling a certain version of Paganism rather than providing a comprehensive understanding of the belief system. It felt more like a marketing tool rather than an informative book. The lack of historical context and deep exploration of Paganism left me feeling unsatisfied and wanting more from this book. Overall, I wouldn't recommend it to those seeking a thorough understanding of Paganism.
4. Michael - 2.5/5 stars - I found "Paganism" by Devon Cole to be somewhat mediocre. While it did provide a basic introduction to Paganism, I felt that it lacked depth and failed to explore the complexities of the belief system. The book could have benefited from more personal anecdotes or case studies to truly bring Paganism to life. Additionally, the writing style felt dry and academic, making it difficult to fully engage with the content. Overall, I was left wanting more from this book and wouldn't highly recommend it to others.