Lesson 3: History of Witches - Accusing/Executing

Before we dive into the fun stuff, we should learn about where witches came from and how witchcraft came around. Several images of witches and witchcraft have appeared in numerous forms throughout history as they keep changing over time. They have gone from women who have warts on their pointed noses and stirring mysterious substances in their cauldrons, to women who ride the night on their brooms into the night sky. The real witches from history are, what some might say, more dark and deadly.

Going back thousands of years, there were these witches who are known as the "early witches". These women used certain magik spells and summoned other spirits for guidance or assistance. However, back then, most women were accused of doing the devil works, otherwise known as witches who work with the devil. Although, there were numerous of witches who were known as the "wise women" and were known as "natural-healers" as they were misunderstood about who they were and why they were there.

The witch madness began to arise in Europe during the mid-1400s. Several witches were accused of witchcraft and were tortured, at that moment, they began to confess to their wicked behaviors. During this time, the witch hunts began to arise more and more as they became common and most witches were sentenced to death and execution by burning at the stake or being hung for their practices. Do not let this scare you though. These events took place several years ago, and most people today don't even believe that witches still exist. However, it is recommended that you choose wisely of who you share your practices to or with. 

Between 1500 and 1660, in Europe, up to 80,000 accused witches were executed during those times. Also, around 80% of those witches were accused of helping the Devil. While Germany has had the highest witchcraft death rate, Ireland was proven to have the lowest.

Here is something that I am sure everybody has heard of by now, the Salem Witch Trials. These trials mainly took place in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692. It all began with the execution of two girls who claimed to be witches and as they accused several of their neighbors of witchcraft. With that said, around 150 people were accused and around 18 were executed. However, in Windsor Connecticut, 1647, a woman named Alse Young became the first person in America to be executed for witchcraft purposes this makes  Massachusetts not the first colony out of the 13 to commence with the witch executions. Now, before Connecticut's final and last trial in 1697, roughly 46 people have been accused of practicing witchcraft and 11 were executed because of their practices. 

In Virginia, they didn't become obsessed or interested in witches as much as the other colonies did. Eventually, they put up a new law or rule that says you cannot falsely accuse somebody of something, which includes the practices of witchcraft. I guess the witches got lucked out on this one.

Moving forward in history, the most famous witch know was a woman that goes by the name Grace Sherwood. And since this was in Virginia, and you cannot accuse somebody of being a witch without proof, they subjected her to the water test. She was tied up and thrown in the water. If she sank, she was innocent, and if floated then she was a witch. Overall, Grace didn't sink, therefore she was accused of being a witch. And with that said, she was sent to prison for about 8 years.

Now, moving forward to today's witchcraft and witches. Most witches today practice Wiccan, which is a religion for the United States and Canada as they try to let go of their history. Most witches attempt to avoid everything evil which includes spells and rituals altogether. Their spells today come from the Book of Shadows which is where witches keep or locate certain spells and rituals for them to perform at certain times. 

Whether witches are accused or not, they still face death. There have been cases in the past of women AND men who were accused or suspected of utilizing witchcraft and have been either killed or beaten in Papua New Guinea since 2010. This includes a young mother was burned alive. Similar events were taken against those were accused of witchcraft has occurred in several other countries such as South American. Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and of course the United States. 

Now you have a great understanding of what witchcraft was like back then. Again, don't let this scare you or frighten you away from practicing. People have changed over time and so has the laws.