The Salem witch trials were a series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693. During this time, more than 200 individuals were accused, and 20 were eventually executed. While there are no known photographs from the time of the Salem witch trials, there are a few drawings and illustrations that depict the events. These images were created after the trials took place and are based on descriptions and accounts from that time. One well-known image is the "Witch Hill" woodcut, which shows several women being hanged on Gallows Hill in Salem. This woodcut is believed to have been created in 1693 and is one of the earliest depictions of the executions.
Witches in America: See Stunning Photos of Modern Witchcraft Community
The seed of "Major Arcana: Witches in America" was planted six years ago while I was researching an earlier body of work that examined my family ancestry in New England. I discovered that my 10th great-grandfather presided as one of the central judges in the infamous Salem witch trials. Coincidentally, my eighth great-grandmother, a woman named Mary Bliss Parsons, had been tried for witchcraft in Northampton, Massachusetts, only a few decades prior.
Several years later, I was reminded of this strange ancestral coincidence while reading historian Stacy Schiff's account of the Salem witch trials [The Witches: Suspicion, Betrayal, and Hysteria in 1692 Salem], in which my ancestor, Justice Samuel Sewall, plays a prominent role. I began thinking about the witch as an archetypal figure — one that has persistently captured imaginations (and haunted nightmares) for centuries. From the 17th century witch hunts in Europe, to the Salem trials, to the ways in which the witch seems to populate movies and television decade after decade (like The Wizard of Oz, Bewitched, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), it's clear that the witch evokes a distinctly female power. It wasn't long before I began wondering about the contemporary individuals in the neo-pagan community (and beyond) who have reclaimed the word "witch" for themselves.
I embarked on a three-year portrait project photographing women around the U.S. who identify as witches. And since my longtime focus as an artist examines facets of female selfhood, I limited myself to female-identifying witches (though I also included trans and genderqueer individuals). I began by researching neo-paganism, Wicca and other cultural currents related to modern witchcraft (like tarot, astrology, spell craft, etc.). With the help of a New York Foundation for the Arts fellowship, I travelled around the country to meet, interview and photograph modern witches.
The resulting body of work, "Major Arcana: Witches in America," explores the various ways the notion of witch-ness belongs to those who claim it, representing the witch as a self-sought identity that both empowers and politicizes its bearer. Each person I photographed embodies a different kind of witchcraft, whether aligned with a religion (like Wicca) or a self-defined practice. No two individuals inhabit the term "witch" in quite the same way, but many consider themselves pagan, and engage in a diversity of traditions, including mysticism, the occult, politically-oriented activism, polytheism, ritualized "spell craft," and plant-based healing. Among those included in the series are self-proclaimed green witches, white witches, kitchen witches, hedge witches and sex witches. "Witch" is a mutable term, belonging to a wide spectrum of people. "Major Arcana" reflects that spectrum, re-framing the witch as a feminist archetype and the contemporary embodiment of a defiant, unsanctioned femininity.
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Did you know the Salem Witch Trials started because of two little girls? Well, they did.
Do you believe in witches? What about ghosts? Well, in Salem in the late 1600s these were both real. Real as you and I are today. These beliefs are some of the reasons for these trials.
Exploring Salem and its past is fun any time of the year but in October it’s even more so. Salem puts on quite a party for the whole month. There are many Haunted Happenings for everyone, from magic shows for kids to parades, costume contests, and even Wicked Bloody Mary Sundays, for the adults.
October Happenings around Salem
But no matter when you visit Salem don’t miss the opportunity to learn about the Salem Witch Trials. The parallels with today’s society are very interesting. It really is a great conversation to have with kids about how we view others.
This woodcut is believed to have been created in 1693 and is one of the earliest depictions of the executions. Another notable image is the "Trial of Martha Corey" engraving, which shows Martha Corey being questioned by her accusers during her trial. Corey was one of the accused and was ultimately executed.
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These pictures provide a visual representation of the hysteria and chaos that surrounded the Salem witch trials. They depict the accused individuals, the courtroom scenes, and the executions, giving us an idea of what it may have been like during that time. It is important to note that these images are artistic interpretations and may not be completely accurate. They were created based on accounts and descriptions from witnesses, and as such, they may not capture every detail or aspect of the trials. Nevertheless, these pictures serve as a valuable historical record, helping us to better understand and remember one of the darkest periods in American history. They remind us of the dangers of mass hysteria and the consequences of unjust accusations..
Reviews for "The Witchcraft Trials in Images: Authentic Photographs from Salem"
1. Sarah - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Salem witch trials real pictures". The images in the book were of poor quality and looked like they had been taken from a Google search. I was hoping for more authentic and historically accurate pictures that would bring the Salem witch trials to life. Unfortunately, this book fell short on that aspect. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a visually engaging experience.
2. John - 2 stars
I found "Salem witch trials real pictures" to be quite underwhelming. The book lacked any sort of context or explanations for the images presented. As someone who wanted to learn more about the Salem witch trials, I was hoping for more in-depth descriptions alongside the pictures to help me understand the events better. It felt like a missed opportunity to provide a comprehensive educational experience.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I was really looking forward to flipping through the pages of "Salem witch trials real pictures" and getting a glimpse into the dark history of the trials. However, the book was surprisingly short and the pictures were repetitive. It seemed like the author just found a handful of images and repeated them throughout the book. I was left feeling unsatisfied and wanting more substance from this publication.
4. David - 1 star
"Salem witch trials real pictures" was a complete waste of my time and money. The pictures included were blurry and pixelated, making it difficult to decipher any details. Additionally, there was very little information or context provided for the pictures, leaving me confused and frustrated. I expected a more comprehensive and accurate depiction of the trials, but this book fell short in every aspect.
5. Jennifer - 2 stars
I was excited to delve into the world of the Salem witch trials with "Salem witch trials real pictures", but I ended up feeling disappointed. The book lacked organization and seemed to jump randomly from one picture to another without any coherent flow. It made it difficult to follow the timeline and fully understand the events that unfolded during that period. I would advise others to look for a more well-structured and informative resource on the Salem witch trials.