Pagan holidays, also known as pagan festivals or sacred celebrations, are religious or spiritual traditions that have their roots in pre-Christian cultures. These holidays are typically based on nature and the changing of the seasons, and often involve rituals, ceremonies, and gatherings. There are various pagan holidays throughout the year, each with its own significance and customs. Some of the most well-known pagan holidays include: 1. Imbolc (February 1st) - This holiday marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It is a time to celebrate the returning light and the first signs of spring.
About Witches of Scotland
In 1563 in Scotland the Witchcraft Act was brought into law and remained in law till 1736. The vast majority of those accused, some 84%, were women. During this time witchcraft was a capital crime and those convicted of witchcraft were strangled to death and then burned at the stake so as to leave no body to bury.
When accused of witchcraft, people were locked up awaiting trial and tortured to confess. Torture in Scotland was usually by way of sleep deprivation – keeping people awake until they confessed.
We know now of course that sleep deprivation makes people confused and causes them to hallucinate so it is perhaps not surprising that it was a good method of getting “confessions” from people accused of witchcraft. Other methods of torture included “pricking”- the pricking of skin with needles and bodkins to see how the person reacted to the drawing of blood and whether they bled - and the stripping and examination of the body to see if any “witches mark” could be found on them. Often these torture methods were carried out in public. Torture by crushing and pulling out nails was also used.
Women were not even able to be witnesses in
their own right at trial because it was:
“ the uncontroverted lawe and pract’qs of Scotland woman no in civilibus and fare less in criminibus except in the caice of treason and some few excepted caices and occult crymes which are speciallie priviledged and as this is the undoubted law and pract’q.”
Taken from a debate in November 1674 as recorded in the Sourcebook of Scottish Witchcraft – see reading list
The signs associated with witches (broomstick, cauldrons, black cats, black pointed hats) were actually things those of “alewives” – women who brewed weak beer in medieval times, as a method of combatting the poor water quality at the time. The sign above their door was a broomstick to let people know they could buy beer, they used large cauldrons for brewing, cats were kept to keep the mice at bay and the black pointed hats were used to make themselves easily identifiable at market. Brewing was seen as “women’s work” it was not until the craft of brewing became a profitable business that women were ousted from the role. It may have been the very process of removing women from that role by making people suspicious of their “brews” that caused the link to be made with witchcraft and the brewery symbols to become those of witches.
King James the VI of Scotland (1566 – 1625) considered himself an expert in witchcraft
and he attended the North Berwick Witch Trials where one of the complaints was that witchcraft had been used to create storms to cause a bad crossing for James’ ship across the ocean. He was obsessed with witchcraft and wrote the book “Daemonologie” (1597) , which was a book about witchcraft and other occult matters. His obsession helped to fuel the Scottish “satanic panic”.
By 1736 it was recognised that the execution of people for witchcraft was wrong,
as indeed was the crime itself; the law was changed to “pretended witchcraft” and the maximum sentence on conviction was imprisonment for one year.
An estimated 3837 people were accused of witchcraft
and, if the known cases are to be considered a representative sample, two thirds of those were executed, some 2558 people. 84% of those accused were women and if those convicted were approximately the same split, 2148 women were executed and 410 men. Clearly these figures are an estimate, but they give an impression of how many women and men suffered this terrible injustice and lost their lives.
There are small memorials in some places in Scotland which remember those convicted of witchcraft, but like the Witches Well in Edinburgh they remember the witches, rather than represent an apology for those who lost their lives.
The witch trials of Salem are world famous : Approximately 200 people were accused and a small number, 30 were found guilty – of those convicted 14 women and 5 men were hanged. One man was crushed to death for refusing to plead and five people died in jail. Salem has, between 1711 and 2001 “reversed the conviction” of all of those killed as witches. In 1992 a resolution was passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives honouring those who had died. In 1992 a memorial park was created in Salem for those who had died. Stone seats for each of those who were executed were set in the park.
To date, there has been no apology, no pardon and no memorial to those who lost their lives i n Scotland.
It is Witches of Scotland’s campaign aim to bring what posthumous justice we can to those who were so cruelly and unfairly accused and tried as witches.
How to Know if You're a Victim of Witchcraft: Signs & Solutions
This article was reviewed by Stina Garbis and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Reverend Stina Garbis is a Psychic Astrologer and the Owner of Psychic Stina. With over 30 years of experience, she specializes in providing personal and professional advice through astrology and tarot card readings. Reverend Stina has experience working with high-profile celebrities, sports figures, politicians, and CEOs. She has been featured in many publications, including Bustle, Vice, The New York Post, and Readers’ Digest and she also has a 200k+ following on TikTok. Stina holds an Ordained Minister License from The International Metaphysical Ministry University Seminary.
There are 18 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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Some people believe that curses, hexes, and other types of black magic are real, serious threats that can negatively affect their spiritual and physical well-being. Although there’s no hard, conclusive evidence that witchcraft exists, it can still be really scary to think about—especially if you suspect that someone has sent some bad mojo in your direction. To help ease your worries, we’ve outlined some commonly-reported signs of black magic, as well as some alternative explanations for these symptoms. We’ve even outlined a few ways to cleanse and protect yourself, so you can have some peace of mind.
Are you a witch or a fairy? We tell you the signs to spot your inner magical being
Do you ever feel that you experience the same world a little differently than those around you? For instance, you can immediately sense the energy flowing in people around you and your gut instinct hardly ever lets you down. You believe that you have strange healing abilities and an initiative power. It is said that our intuitive sense developed around the same time when the man used to wander in the forests. This innate sense of detecting hidden danger which is faster than rational thought is said to be crucial in human's survival back then.
02 /16 What are you?
Some people boast of a more developed sense of institution and often surprise others with the same. If you relate with most of the examples mentioned above, you may have some hidden abilities that make you a little different from other humans around you. A lot of people believe that the world is full of mythical and magical creatures including witches, fairies, and spirits. Are you one of these fabulous fabled creatures? We have listed down the signs for both a fairy and a witch, so which one are you? Remember, it is all for amusement and fun. Let’s find out:
03 /16 Signs that you are a witch
When we are talking about a witch, we are not talking about the satan-worshipping, stereotypical witches made popular by mainstream movies. Witches are nature-loving and are known to have wisdom beyond time. They are natural healers and drawn towards animals and birds. Here are certain signs that you may be a witch!
10 Ways to Identify a Witch
As we know today, some of the measures taken during the Salem Witch Trials to "prove" whether a person was guilty or innocent were ludicrous. But in case you'd like to employ some of them for yourself, here are 10 ways to identify a witch, according to those running the Salem Witch Trials.
It is a time to celebrate the returning light and the first signs of spring. 2. Ostara (March 21st) - Also known as the spring equinox, Ostara celebrates the arrival of spring.
1. MAKE A WITCH CAKE.
What's a witch cake, you ask? It's not among the best gifts for witches, that's for sure, and it's definitely something you don't want to eat. You take the urine of the people who are thought to be under the spell of the witch in question, mix it with rye meal, and make a little patty. Then you feed the patty to a dog. Because some of the powers the witch used to cast a spell on the afflicted people were in their urine, when the dog eats the cake, it will hurt the witch, and she'll cry out in agony.
It is a time of rebirth, fertility, and new beginnings. 3. Beltane (May 1st) - This holiday marks the beginning of summer and is associated with fertility and the abundance of nature. It is often celebrated with bonfires, dancing, and Maypole ceremonies. 4. Litha (June 21st) - Also known as the summer solstice, Litha is the longest day of the year and a time to honor the sun and its life-giving energy. It is a time of celebration and gratitude for the abundance of the summer season. 5. Lammas (August 1st) - Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh, marks the beginning of the harvest season. It is a time to give thanks for the bountiful crops and to celebrate the first fruits of the harvest. 6. Mabon (September 21st) - Mabon, or the autumn equinox, is a time to celebrate the balance between light and dark. It is a time of reflection, gratitude, and preparation for the coming winter months. 7. Samhain (October 31st) - Samhain, also known as Halloween, is the most well-known pagan holiday. It marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dark half of the year. It is a time to honor ancestors and the thinning of the veil between the living and the dead. 8. Yule (December 21st) - Yule, or the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year and the longest night. It is a time to celebrate the return of the sun and the coming of the light. These pagan holidays have been celebrated for centuries and continue to be observed by modern pagan and Wiccan communities around the world. They serve as a reminder of our connection to nature, the cycles of life, and the importance of honoring the sacred in everyday life..
Reviews for "How Pagan Holidays Can Bring Balance and Harmony into Your Life"
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