The hexing and cursing of Salem Village occurred during the infamous Salem witch trials in the late 17th century. The small village in Massachusetts became the center of a hysteria that resulted in the execution of 20 people accused of witchcraft. The main idea behind this phenomenon was the belief in the power of hexes and curses. The village was plagued by widespread superstitions and fears of witchcraft. The Puritanical society was deeply religious and believed in the existence of the Devil and his witches. Their strong religious beliefs and societal norms played a significant role in fueling the panic and accusations.
(Jorge Barriga Tuñón 1962-2004)
In his college days, when Matias was pursuing his Business and Marketing Degree, a terrible family accident took place and his uncle, Jorge Barriga photo on the left , who was a great magician on his twenties, died. You can tell that he has a lot of experience with kids because he kept them laughing and engaged the entire time, not an easy job with 4-5 year olds.
Their strong religious beliefs and societal norms played a significant role in fueling the panic and accusations. The witch trials began when a group of girls claimed they were being tormented by witches. These accusations sparked a chain reaction of accusations and trials that gripped the village for months.
Uncle magic promotional video
Every love has its beginning, and Matias Letelier’s began in early 2005—perhaps almost a decade earlier when he discovered for the first time the mind twister games (like separate two nails!). He immediately fell for this ingenious apparatus.
The first magic box Matias encountered belonged to his older brother, Julio—who said “Thanks” but looked elsewhere for adventure. Matias could not resist, and this is how everything started. Very fast he learned how to manipulate the basic elements of a good trick: cards, bills and other illusions. At a young age, he discovered a talent for amazing people.
In his college days, when Matias was pursuing his Business and Marketing Degree, a terrible family accident took place and his uncle, Jorge Barriga (photo on the left), who was a great magician on his twenties, died. Matias inherited part of his uncle’s magic library. That was the moment he decided to take his hobbyist’s interest in magic to the professional level fusing it with his knowledge of business and marketing.
So he studied his Uncle Jorge’s books and learned the arts of Theory, Promotional Magic, Corporate Magic, Theatrical Magic, Psychology in Magic, Kids Magic and Communication Skills. Then he developed his show, an immersive experience in which guests become part of the magic. Why? Because magic is not about the magician. it is about performer and audience together letting their imaginations flow with one astonishing effect after the next.
(Jorge Barriga Tuñón 1962-2004)
With everything Matias learned in business school, he started his entertainment business in Chile where he performed for thousands of people at private parties, clubs, schools and corporate events. At a young age, he became one of that nation’s most popular magicians. He joined the Chilean Magic Circle, an association of professionals, and rapidly became an influential magician who gave lectures both in marketing and in children’s magic.
His uncle's magic lives in him
In his shows there is always one trick magician Matias will do to honor the memory of his uncle! This is his way of saying "thank you Uncle George, wherever you are". Check it out on your show!
The girls would have fits, claiming to be possessed by witches, and would name individuals they believed were responsible for their afflictions. The main idea behind the hexing and cursing was that individuals believed in the power of witches to cause harm through supernatural means. People feared that they could become victims of these curses and hexes, leading to physical and mental ailments. This fear fueled the accusations and trials, as people desperately tried to rid the village of these supposed witches and their curses. The trials were marked by hysteria and mass paranoia. Many innocent people were accused and convicted based on flimsy evidence and hearsay. The trials ended with the execution of 20 people and the imprisonment of many others. It was only after the governor dissolved the court and skepticism grew that the trials finally came to an end. Looking back, the hexing and cursing of Salem Village serves as a dark reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the power of fear and superstition. It was a time when innocent lives were destroyed based on unfounded accusations and a belief in supernatural powers. The events of the Salem witch trials continue to be studied and analyzed as a cautionary tale in history..
Reviews for "Witchcraft, Hexes, and Curses: Examining the Dark Past of Salem Village"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "The Hexing and Cursing of Salem Village" as I am a fan of historical fiction, but I found this book to be incredibly disappointing. The plot was convoluted and lacked depth, and I had a hard time connecting with the characters. Additionally, I felt like the writing style was lackluster, with excessive use of clichés and repetitive phrases. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not recommend this book to others.
2. Michael - 2 stars - "The Hexing and Cursing of Salem Village" had the potential to be a captivating story, but it fell flat for me. The pacing was uneven, and I found myself losing interest in the plot multiple times. The author's attempt to incorporate supernatural elements into the historical setting felt forced and unrealistic. I also found the dialogue to be unnatural and the character development lacking. While the concept had promise, the execution left much to be desired.
3. Sarah - 1 star - I cannot express how disappointed I am with "The Hexing and Cursing of Salem Village". The historical inaccuracies in this book were glaring and made it nearly unbearable to read. From incorrect portrayals of the Salem witch trials to the anachronistic language used by the characters, it was clear that the author did not thoroughly research the time period. Furthermore, the plot was predictable and lacked originality. I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction as it fails to accurately capture the essence of the time period.