Monty Python did an excellent job of demonstrating how utterly ridiculous the witch trials were…as reproduced in this excellent mash up meme with Sting. But did you know that ‘magic’ was not only tolerated during the witch trial period, but also actively encouraged certain forms.
This type of ‘magic’ was known alchemy'“ and “astrology” - and tended to be practised by wealthy, learned men in prominent positions in society, such as Queen Elizabeth I’s famous Astrologer John Dee. It was predominantly lower class women from poor, rural backgrounds; women who worked with herbs and plants; who were deemed to be practising ‘bad’ magic, and therefore needed to be punished.
The lower classes have historically always drawn the short straws, and it is telling that we still use the term ‘witch hunt’ to harass, persecute and shame those with ‘unpopular’ views, backgrounds or lifestyles. We can see that happening on our media channels daily. And don’t get me started on what the new government is doing through the guise of ‘policy’…
If you want to learn more about the history behind the witch hunts and witch trials, and understand a bit more about the women at the centre of them, come along to Hex and the City, which is almost sold out out this Halloween, but there are still some limited tickets left. You don’t want to miss out!
If you’ve got your ticket already- yay! we can’t wait to meet you. And if you can’t make it- no hard feelings, we hope you have a blessed Samhain full of wanton witchery and autumnal adventures!
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