Witchcraft is a spiritual practice that has been around for centuries, incorporating various traditions and beliefs. Within witchcraft, there are gods and goddesses that are revered and honored by practitioners. These gods and goddesses often represent different aspects of nature, magic, and the supernatural. They are seen as guides, sources of power, and beings of divine energy. The gods and goddesses worshiped in witchcraft are diverse and can vary depending on the tradition or individual practice. Some of the most well-known deities in witchcraft include: 1.
Some of the most well-known deities in witchcraft include: 1. The Horned God: The Horned God is a prominent figure in witchcraft, often associated with vitality, wilderness, and fertility. He is depicted as a horned man and symbolizes the masculine energy of the natural world.
Q&A with Juliet Mofford on Abigail Accused: A Story of the Salem Witch Hunt
Recently, Juliet Haines Mofford published a historical novel on Abigail (Dane) Faulkner, accused of witchcraft in 1692 in Andover, Massachusetts. I had some questions for the author of The Devil Made Me Do It: Crime and Punishment in Early New England and other non-fiction books.
WitchesMassBay: How did you become interested in the Salem witch trials, and specifically in the witch hunts in Andover, Massachusetts?
Juliet Mofford: I first got hooked on the Salem witch trials when we moved to Andover and I learned that more citizens from here were imprisoned for witchcraft than from any other town in New England. I soon found little in print about Andover’s 1692 experience even though this town had the most persons who confessed to committing the capital crime of witchcraft and the most children arrested.
An assignment to write a local history required research into primary documents at the Andover and North Andover historical societies. In 1992, I presented “The Andover Witch Hunt” at the Tercentenary Conference in Salem. As a lifelong writer and a professional museum educator, I developed and directed such programs as Cry Witch!—The Andovers Remember 1692, a community play I scripted and produced under Massachusetts Cultural Council grants; The Suspicious Season, about the accused women of Reading; and an interactive play entitled The Judgment of Martha Carrier. Later, as Director of Education and Research at Andover Historical Society, I had access to early town, land, and court records. I have lectured and taught classes on the Salem witch trials at Phillips Academy, for Elderhostel, and at Middlesex Community College.
WitchesMassBay: Why did you decide to write a book about Abigail (Dane) Faulkner?
Juliet Mofford: Since every person accused of being a witch in 1692 was different, each witchcraft case is unique. The daughter of Andover’s senior minister Francis Dane who opposed the trials, she was convicted of witchcraft and narrowly escaped the gallows. I wanted to get to know Abigail better so I might understand, for example, why her sister and her own daughters testified against her in court.
I was especially drawn to Abigail because she was a survivor and, obviously, a strong and articulate woman. The petition she wrote Governor William Phips from Salem prison won her early release on bond while another written in 1703 resulted in a Reversal of Attainders that revoked the court ruling and restored legal rights to those convicted.
WitchesMassBay: How does writing historical fiction help tell Abigail Faulkner’s story in ways beyond the basic historical record?
Juliet Mofford: Many myths and misconceptions about Puritans have been perpetuated by Victorian authors like Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and passed down to us. And many historical errors are found among the countless books about Salem witchcraft, including Arthur Miller’s play, The Crucible. Historical documents, and court records in particular, demonstrate that Puritans were not “goody-goodys,” all dressed in black who seldom dared laugh.
I wished to present an actual family whose members were impacted by the horrifying events of 1692, and base the book upon the original documents. I wanted to recreate the realities of their daily life and personal experiences such as courtship, marriage, childbirth, the sin of fornication, poverty, and—in Andover’s case—terrifying attacks by Native Americans and their French allies upon this frontier community.
WitchesMassBay: It’s been more than 300 years since the Salem Witch Trials. Why do you think it’s still relevant today?
Juliet Mofford: Abigail’s personal life has contemporary relevance because PTSD or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is in today’s news. This Colonial goodwife sustained her husband through the “fitts” he suffered as a result of sporadic Indian attacks.
Abigail Accused: A Story of the Salem Witch Hunt is the historical revelation of how one particular wife and mother, alongside her minister father, fought bigotry and religious fanaticism and helped bring an end to the deadly witch hunt. Petitions by both father and daughter represent landmark documents of free speech that serve to remind us of the ongoing struggle for human rights. Lessons hopefully learned from the Salem witch trials remain relevant today because, unfortunately, prejudice, intolerance, and xenophobia have raised their ugly heads throughout history and continue to happen.
WitchesMassBay: Why did you decide to write a book about Abigail (Dane) Faulkner?
2. The Triple Goddess: The Triple Goddess is another essential deity in witchcraft, embodying the three phases of the moon and the stages of a woman's life. She is often represented as a maiden, mother, and crone, symbolizing the cycle of birth, life, and death. 3. Hecate: Hecate is a powerful goddess of witchcraft, magic, and crossroads. She is associated with the night, witches, and the moon. Hecate is often invoked for protection, guidance, and assistance in matters of spirituality and magic. 4. Pan: Pan is a mischievous and playful god of the wild, forests, and shepherds. He represents the untamed and primal forces of nature and is often invoked for creative inspiration and connection to the natural world. 5. Aphrodite: Aphrodite is a goddess of love, beauty, and sensuality. Though not traditionally associated with witchcraft, many practitioners invoke Aphrodite for matters of the heart, self-love, and attracting positive relationships. 6. Odin: Odin is a Norse god often honored in witchcraft for his wisdom, knowledge, and connection to the runes. He is seen as a powerful guide and protector, aiding in magical workings and spiritual development. These gods and goddesses are revered and honored in witchcraft through rituals, offerings, and prayers. They are seen as sources of inspiration, guidance, and support for practitioners. The relationship between witches and their chosen deities is deeply personal and built on trust and mutual respect. In conclusion, gods and goddesses play a significant role in witchcraft, representing different aspects of nature, magic, and spirituality. They are revered and honored by practitioners for their divine energy and guidance in witchcraft practices..
Reviews for "Archetypes and Allies: Understanding Witchcraft Gods and Goddesses"
1. John - 1 out of 5 stars - I was extremely disappointed with "Witchcraft gods and goddesses". The book promised to provide an in-depth exploration of various deities but fell short on delivering any meaningful content. The descriptions were vague and lacked substance, leaving me feeling like I had learned nothing about the gods and goddesses. Additionally, the book seemed poorly researched, as many of the historical and cultural aspects were inaccurate. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive understanding of witchcraft deities.
2. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - "Witchcraft gods and goddesses" left me wanting more. The information provided was basic and lacked depth, making it difficult to truly grasp the nuances of the various deities discussed. The book also seemed to generalize a lot, failing to provide specific examples or anecdotes that could have elevated the content. I found myself searching for additional resources to supplement the shallow analysis offered in this book. While it may serve as a starting point for beginners, it ultimately fell short of my expectations.
3. Michael - 3 out of 5 stars - While "Witchcraft gods and goddesses" had some interesting information, I found it to be quite disorganized and lacking a clear structure. The book jumped from one deity to another without proper transitions, making it difficult to follow along. The writing style was also monotonous, lacking any enthusiasm or passion that could have made the content more engaging. Overall, I think this book has potential, but it needs significant improvements in terms of organization and writing style to truly provide value to its readers.
4. Emily - 2 out of 5 stars - As someone who was hoping to learn more about lesser-known witchcraft deities, "Witchcraft gods and goddesses" was a major letdown. The book primarily focused on well-known figures, barely touching upon the lesser-known deities. I found this lack of diversity disappointing and limiting in terms of expanding my knowledge on the subject matter. Additionally, the book lacked any personal anecdotes or stories that could have made the content more relatable and engaging. Overall, I would classify this book as a missed opportunity to provide a comprehensive exploration of witchcraft gods and goddesses.