Committed to a Witch Being committed to a witch is not something that many people would consider willingly. However, in some circumstances, individuals find themselves entangled with a witch and unable to break free from the bond. The concept of being committed to a witch goes beyond a simple romantic relationship. It entails being inextricably connected to someone with supernatural abilities. This connection can be forged through a variety of means, such as a blood pact, a curse, or even a spell. Once committed to a witch, one becomes subject to their whims and desires.
This did little to untangle the situation; within days, the bewitched girls named four more members of the community, including a fine upstanding woman, Rebecca Nurse, and a five-year-old girl named Dorcas Good. (Dorcas was eventually released after four months, but, accordingly to her father, was traumatized into imbecility for the rest of her life.) In March and April, the frenzy of accusation spread through the community like kerosene in a hayloft. Untold locals of Salem Village stepped forward to proclaim that they saw their neighbors flying through the air, or signing the book of Satan, or talking to animals, or wreaking subtle havoc on their property or livestock. Dozens more, including the Proctors, were brought in to be examined by local magistrates—almost always in the presence of the frenzied accusers—sometimes stripped and searched for “witchmarks,” and imprisoned. Amazingly, according to the custom of the time, the accused were billed for their “lodging” in jail.
This opened the door to his own original thinking about the story; he arrived at the subtext through his own life and marriage and he nestled his story in the middle of his own strong feelings about the witch hunt of his own time during the McCarthy era and the House Committee for Un-American Activities. In addition to the Salem Witch Museum great gift shop, by the way , there is the Salem Witch Village, the Salem Witch Wax Museum, and, in a truly breathtaking flight literally of fancy, Count Dracula s Castle.
Once committed to a witch, one becomes subject to their whims and desires. The witch holds immense power over the committed individual, often using their abilities to manipulate and control them. This can lead to a loss of personal autonomy and a sense of being trapped in a never-ending cycle of servitude.
Committed to a witch
Detail from the book, England's grievance discovered, in relation to the coal-trade. by Ralph Gardiner, 1655, "Many poor women imprisoned and hanged for witches" - New York Public Library Digital Collections, Rare Book Division
by Andy Piascik
It was one of the most shameful episodes in the long history of Connecticut. It was a period when superstition, patriarchy, and religion-fueled repression were bedrock features of colonial life. It lasted several decades and preceded the more famous cases in Salem, Massachusetts, by almost fifty years. This was witchcraft and witch-hunting in 17th-century Connecticut.
Witchcraft as a Crime in Connecticut
While witchcraft had been practiced around the world for centuries, there was no formal mention of it in the colony of Connecticut until it became a crime punishable by death in 1642. Historical interpretations and general theories as to why people targeted others as witches tend to focus on the difficulty of life in the New World. Settlers from England had, by 1642, experienced a great deal of hardship that fed feelings of hostility toward the natural world, as well as to anyone within the community who did not strictly conform to harsh social and personal mores. Disease epidemics, starvation, and winters colder and longer than those experienced in England were just some of the problems settlers faced. Perhaps more important, though, were the relations with local indigenous peoples which sometimes fueled violent encounters and promoted fear and anxiety within colonial settlements.
For its part, patriarchal views of women as second-class citizens sometimes manifested itself in accusations of witchcraft. The majority of those executed as witches, both in Connecticut and elsewhere, were poor women, sometimes single mothers, living on the margins of society. Although men committed the overwhelming percentage of crimes (moral and otherwise), legislation pertaining to moral crimes largely directed itself at policing the behavior of women. Legislators and religious figures were, by definition, all men, and it was women who bore the brunt of social and religious intolerance. Female sexuality was especially contested terrain and it was around the expression of any degree of independence and sexual freedom by women that many of the charges of witchcraft arose.
There is some evidence that accusations of witchcraft against women were also, at least in part, founded on greed. In many cases, for example, the women accused were married but did not have male offspring, which meant they were in line to inherit their husband’s estates should they outlive them. In the event a woman died before her husband and without producing a male heir, the man’s property, upon his death, went to the community. Some of these elements factored into the case of Alse Young, purported to be the first person in colonial America executed as a witch.
Detail from Matthew Grant’s diary indicating the date Alse Young was hanged, May 26, 1647 – Connecticut State Library, State Archives, RG 000 Classified Archives, 974.62 W76gra
The Cases of Alse Young and Mary Johnson
Very little is known about Alse Young (she is sometimes referred to as Achsah Young or Alice Young). She was born around 1600 and was a resident of Windsor, Connecticut, married a man named John Young, and gave birth to a daughter Alice. She was accused of witchcraft in 1647 and hanged in Hartford in May of that year, with her husband surviving her. Thirty years later, her daughter, Alice, stood accused of being a witch in Springfield, Massachusetts. Although Alice did not hang, the historical records are sketchy as to what punishment she actually received.
In 1646, a Connecticut servant named Mary Johnson was accused of being a witch. Her period of travail dragged on for years, during which time authorities tortured her by whipping and a local minister tormented her until she finally confessed. Under these circumstances, Johnson admitted to being a witch and, perhaps more importantly, of “uncleanness with men.” Authorities hanged her after a delay during which she gave birth to a child by a man to whom she was not married.
Detail from Cotton Mather’s book Magnalia Christi Americana, Vol. 2, describing the conviction of Mary Johnson.
Though the vast majority of those accused of witchcraft were women, two men in Connecticut also hanged as witches: John Carrington and Nathaniel Greensmith, both of whom died along with their wives. The execution of the Greensmiths came amid the Hartford Witch Panic in which authorities killed three people as witches in a span of a month in the early 1660s. Those three killings brought an end to the disgraceful episode in Connecticut history, as shortly thereafter Governor John Winthrop Jr. established more stringent evidentiary requirements for establishing guilt. After that the executions ceased. The Connecticut residents who died as witches, however, set both a legal and moral precedent that led, in part, to the more famous Salem Witch Trials of 1692-93.
Bridgeport native Andy Piascik is an award-winning author who has written for many publications and websites over the last four decades. He is also the author of two books.
Learn More
Websites
Connecticut Judicial Branch Law Libraries. “Witches and Witchcraft: The First Person Executed in the Colonies,” 2016. Link.
The Court, to Hanna: Who taught you witchcraft?
The consequences of being committed to a witch can be severe, both mentally and physically. The witch may use their powers to harm or torment the committed individual, exploiting their vulnerability and powerlessness. It is not uncommon for committed individuals to suffer from anxiety, depression, and even physical ailments as a result of their connection to the witch. Breaking free from a witch's commitment is a daunting task. It requires great strength and determination, as well as seeking assistance from others who possess the knowledge and expertise to counteract the witch's powers. In some cases, a committed individual may need to engage in complex rituals or undertake arduous journeys to sever the bond completely. Despite the hardships involved, there is hope for those committed to a witch. By reaching out for help and gathering the necessary resources, they can break free from the witch's control and regain their freedom. It is crucial for anyone facing this situation to remember that they are not alone and that there are individuals and communities ready to support them on their journey to liberation. In conclusion, being committed to a witch is a harrowing experience that can result in the loss of personal agency and well-being. However, with determination and support, it is possible for those trapped in such a commitment to break free and reclaim their lives. The process may be challenging, but the rewards of regaining freedom and autonomy are worth the effort..
Reviews for "The Responsibilities of a Committed Witch: Ethical Considerations"
1. John - 2 stars
I found "Committed to a Witch" to be quite disappointing. The plot was predictable and lacked any real depth or originality. The characters were poorly developed and their actions felt completely unrealistic. The dialogue was also cheesy and forced, making it difficult to truly connect with the story. Overall, I was left feeling bored and underwhelmed.
2. Emily - 1 star
I cannot express how much I disliked "Committed to a Witch." Every aspect of this book fell flat for me. The writing style was dull and lacked any sort of flair or creativity. The plot was beyond predictable, and the characters felt like mere caricatures without any real depth. The romance in the story felt forced and completely unrealistic. Overall, I found it to be a complete waste of time and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
"Committed to a Witch" had potential, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver. The story felt rushed and lacked proper development. The main character's decisions often didn't make sense and felt contrived, which made it difficult to fully invest in the plot. The writing style was also flat and lacked any real emotion or depth. It's a shame because the concept of the book had promise, but the execution fell short.