There are witches who do not live in Salem. These witches are not the stereotypical image we have of witches, with pointy hats and broomsticks. They are not out to brew potions or cast spells. Instead, they are everyday people who practice witchcraft as a spiritual belief or as a way of connecting with nature. Witchcraft, also known as Wicca, is a modern pagan, witchcraft religion. Its practitioners, called witches, follow a spiritual belief system that combines elements of nature worship, spellcasting, and divination.
A: Magistrate John Hathorne: interrogator and member or the Court of Oyer and Terminer, and great-great-grandfather to Nathaniel Hawthorne (who added the “W” to his last name).
A Under British law, the basis for Massachusetts Bay Colony legal structure in the 17th century, those who were accused of consorting with the devil were considered felons, having committed a crime against their government. According to Mark Podvia see Timeline, PDF , the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony adopted the following statute in 1641 If any man or woman be a WITCH, that is, hath or consulteth with a familiar spirit, they shall be put to death.
Its practitioners, called witches, follow a spiritual belief system that combines elements of nature worship, spellcasting, and divination. Witches believe in the power of nature and the interconnectedness of all living things. While witchcraft has its roots in ancient traditions and folklore, it has evolved over time, and witches today come from all walks of life.
The Salem Witch Trials: Legal Resources
The law of the Salem Witch Trials is a fascinating mix of biblical passages and colonial statutes. According to Mark Podvia (see Timeline, PDF), the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony adopted the following statute in 1641: “If any man or woman be a WITCH, that is, hath or consulteth with a familiar spirit, they shall be put to death. Exod. 22. 18. Levit. 20. 27. Deut. 18. 10. 11.” The statute encompasses passages from the Bible written circa 700 B.C. Exodus states: “Thou shall not suffer a witch to live.” Leviticus prescribes the punishment. Witches and wizards “shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.” And Deuteronomy states: “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.”
In Salem, the accusers and alleged victims came from a small group of girls aged nine to 19, including Betty Parris and Abigail Williams. In January 1692, Betty and Abigail had strange fits. Rumors spread through the village attributing the fits to the devil and the work of his evil hands. The accusers claimed the witchcraft came mostly from women, with the notable exception of four-year old Dorcas Good.
The colony created the Court of Oyer and Terminer especially for the witchcraft trials. The law did not then use the principle of “innocent until proven guilty” – if you made it to trial, the law presumed guilt. If the colony imprisoned you, you had to pay for your stay. Courts relied on three kinds of evidence: 1) confession, 2) testimony of two eyewitnesses to acts of witchcraft, or 3) spectral evidence (when the afflicted girls were having their fits, they would interact with an unseen assailant – the apparition of the witch tormenting them). According to Wendel Craker, no court ever convicted an accused of witchcraft on the basis of spectral evidence alone, but other forms of evidence were needed to corroborate the charge of witchcraft. Courts allowed “causal relationship” evidence, for example, to prove that the accused possessed or controlled an afflicted girl. Prior conflicts, bad acts by the accused, possession of materials used in spells, greater than average strength, and witch’s marks also counted as evidence of witchcraft. If the accused was female, a jury of women examined her body for “witch’s marks” which supposedly showed that a familiar had bitten or fed on the accused. Other evidence included the “touching test” (afficted girls tortured by fits became calm after touching the accused). Courts could not base convictions on confessions obtained through torture unless the accused reaffirmed the confession afterward, but if the accused recanted the confession, authorities usually tortured the accused further to obtain the confession again. If you recited the Lord’s Prayer, you were not a witch. The colony did not burn witches, it hanged them.
Examination of a Witch
Thompkins H. Matteson, 1853
The Salem Witch Trials divided the community. Neighbor testified against neighbor. Children against parents. Husband against wife. Children died in prisons. Familes were destroyed. Churches removed from their congregations some of the persons accused of witchcraft. After the Court of Oyer and Terminer was dissolved, the Superior Court of Judicature took over the witchcraft cases. They disallowed spectral evidence. Most accusations of witchcraft then resulted in acquittals. An essay by Increase Mather, a prominent minister, may have helped stop the witch trials craze in Salem.
The Salem Witch Trials divided the community. Neighbor testified against neighbor. Children against parents. Husband against wife. Children died in prisons. Familes were destroyed. Churches removed from their congregations some of the persons accused of witchcraft. After the Court of Oyer and Terminer was dissolved, the Superior Court of Judicature took over the witchcraft cases. They disallowed spectral evidence. Most accusations of witchcraft then resulted in acquittals. An essay by Increase Mather, a prominent minister, may have helped stop the witch trials craze in Salem.
In Salem, the accusers and alleged victims came from a small group of girls aged nine to 19, including Betty Parris and Abigail Williams. In January 1692, Betty and Abigail had strange fits. Rumors spread through the village attributing the fits to the devil and the work of his evil hands. The accusers claimed the witchcraft came mostly from women, with the notable exception of four-year old Dorcas Good.
They may be your neighbor, your coworker, or your friend. They do not conform to the popular image of witches, and they do not engage in any harmful or malicious activities. Witches who do not live in Salem may practice their craft in private or in small groups called covens. They may perform rituals, meditate, and use herbs and crystals to promote healing or spiritual growth. For them, witchcraft is a way to connect with their spirituality and find balance and harmony in their lives. It is important to note that witchcraft is not synonymous with Satanism or evil. Witches do not worship the devil, and they do not aim to cause harm or manipulate others. Instead, they strive to work with the natural energies of the universe for positive purposes. In conclusion, there are witches who do not live in Salem. They are everyday people who practice witchcraft as a spiritual belief or as a way of connecting with nature. These witches do not conform to the popular image of witches and do not engage in any harmful or malicious activities. Instead, they use their craft to find balance, harmony, and spiritual growth..
Reviews for "Witchcraft and Wellness: How Witches Incorporate Self-Care and Healing into their Practices"
1. Sarah - 1 out of 5 stars
I found "There are witches who do not live in Salem" to be incredibly boring. The storyline was weak and the characters were underdeveloped. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself constantly struggling to stay engaged. The writing style was also quite dull and lacked any sort of excitement. Overall, I was extremely disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. John - 2 out of 5 stars
I had high hopes for "There are witches who do not live in Salem" but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The pacing of the story was slow and dragged on for far too long. I also found the plot to be confusing and lacking clarity. The author seemed to jump around without providing proper explanations or background information, which made it difficult for me to follow along. While there were some interesting elements to the book, it ultimately fell short for me.
3. Emily - 2.5 out of 5 stars
"There are witches who do not live in Salem" had potential, but it didn't quite deliver. The concept and setting were intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The writing style was average, and I didn't feel a strong connection to the characters. Additionally, the plot seemed disjointed and didn't flow smoothly. While there were a few suspenseful moments, they were overshadowed by the overall lackluster storytelling. I wouldn't discourage others from giving it a try, but be prepared for a mediocre read.