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Books > Religion & Spirituality > Alternative belief systems > Occult studies > Witchcraft
Part of the enduring fascination of the Salem witch trials is the
fact that, to date, no one theory has been able to fully explain
the events that ravaged Salem in 1692. Countless causes, from
ergot-infected rye to actual demonic posession, have been offered
to explain why the accusations and erratic behavior of seven
village girls left hundreds accused, over 20 dead, and the
townspeople of eastern Massachusetts shaken. Through a multitude of
resources, this authoritative source explores this tumultuous
episode in early American history, including the religious and
political climate of Puritan New England; the testimony and
examinations given at the trials; the accusers and their
relationships to the accused; major interpretations of the events,
from the 17th century to the present day; and the aftermath of the
trials and their impact on later generations. This jam-packed
documentary and reference guide includes: Five thematic essays
exploring the event, including historical background,
interpretations, and aftermath biographical sketches of every major
player involved in the trials, from ministers to afflicted girls
fifty primary document excerpts, including petitions, letters, and
revealing trial testimony a chronology of events an annotated
bibliography of print and nonprint sources for further research a
glossary of key names, terms, and language used at the trials over
25 photos of depictions and historical sites A must-have for any
student of American history, this resource gives a unique glimpse
into the 17th century politics, religious culture, and gender
issues that created the Salem witchcraft episode, and gives context
to an impact that still resonates today, in everythingfrom modern
political life to popular culture.
Recent witchcraft historiography, particularly where it concerns
the gender of the witch-suspect, has been dominated by theories of
social conflict in which ordinary people colluded in the
persecution of the witch sect. The reconstruction of the Eichstatt
persecutions (1590-1631) in this book shows that many witchcraft
episodes were imposed exclusively 'from above' as part of a
programme of Catholic reform. The high proportion of female
suspects in these cases resulted from the persecutors' demonology
and their interrogation procedures. The confession narratives
forced from the suspects reveal a socially integrated, if gendered,
community rather than one in crisis. The book is a reminder that an
overemphasis on one interpretation cannot adequately account for
the many contexts in which witchcraft episodes occurred.
This comprehensive resource explores the intersection of
religion, politics, and the supernatural that spawned the notorious
witch hunts in Europe and the New World. "Witch Hunts in the
Western World: Persecution and Punishment from the Inquisition
through the Salem Trials" traces the evolution of western attitudes
towards magic, demons, and religious nonconformity from the Roman
Empire through the Age of Enlightenment, placing these chilling
events into a wider social and historical context. Witch hunts are
discussed in eight narrative chapters by region, highlighting the
cultural differences of the people who incited them as well as the
key reforms, social upheavals, and intellectual debates that shaped
European thought. Vivid accounts of trials and excerpts from the
writings of both witch hunters and defenders throughout the Holy
Roman Empire, France, the British Isles and colonies, Southern
Europe, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe bring to life one of the
most intriguing and shocking periods in Western history.
This in-depth and comprehensive resource explores the
intersection of religion, politics, and the supernatural that
spawned the notorious witch hunts in Europe and the New World.
"Witch Hunts in the Western World" traces the evolution of western
attitudes towards magic, demons, and religious nonconformity from
the Roman Empire through the Age of Enlightenment, placing these
chilling events into a wider social and historical context. Witch
hunts are discussed in fascinating detail by region, highlighting
the cultural differences of the people who incited them as well as
the key reforms, social upheavals, and intellectual debates that
shaped European thought. Vivid accounts of trials and excerpts from
the writings of both witch hunters and defenders throughout the
Holy Roman Empire, France, the British Isles and colonies, Southern
Europe, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe bring to life one of the
most intriguing and shocking periods in Western history.
Accessible narrative chapters make this a fascinating volume for
general readers while offering a wealth of historic information for
students and scholars. Features include a complete glossary of
terms, timeline of major events, recommended reading selections,
index, and black and white illustrations.
Faunalia is a controversial Pagan festival with a reputation for
being wild and emotionally intense. It lasts five days, 80 people
attend, and the two main rituals run most of the night. In the
tantalisingly erotic Baphomet rite, participants encounter a
hermaphroditic deity, enter a state of trance and dance naked
around a bonfire. In the Underworld rite participants role play
their own death, confronting grief and suffering. These rituals are
understood as "shadow work" - a Jungian term that refers to
practices that creatively engage repressed or hidden aspects of the
self. Sex, Death and Witchcraft is a powerful application of
relational theory to the study of religion and contemporary
culture. It analyses Faunalia's rituals in terms of recent
innovations in the sociology of religion and religious studies that
focus on relational etiquette, lived religion, embodiment and
performance. The sensuous and emotionally intense ritual
performances at Faunalia transform both moral orientations and
self-understandings. Participants develop an ethical practice that
is individualistic, but also relational, and aesthetically
mediated. Extensive extracts from interviews describe the rituals
in participants' own words. The book combines rich and evocative
description of the rituals with careful analysis of the social
processes that shape people's experiences at this controversial
Pagan festival.
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