The Witchcraft Hysteria of Salem

Salem is synonymous with witches and witchcraft. More than 300 years ago, this small town in South Massachusetts was in the grip of a nine month religious fever. Nineteen men and women were hanged, one man crushed and hundreds of lives irrevocably changed. All were accused of witchcraft and being in league with the devil by a group of Puritan girls over-stimulated by the Voodoo tales of a Caribbean slave called Tituba. 

The real events of Salem were depicted in a tense drama, The Crucible by playwright Arthur Miller. 

Visiting Salem

Today in Salem, witches and witchcraft are a big business. You  can raise the devil in the Witch Dungeon Museum or pick up a Hysteria Pass and scare yourself silly at Witch Village. Even the police cars here have got a witches logo. 

Witches Rights

There are 2,500 modern day witches, or Wiccans, who live around Salem. Witches generally don’t do evil or worship satan. They have regular clothes and look and dress like ordinary people. Modern witches do use spells, but they are a form of prayer and not for harmful purposes. 

Wicca Faith

Wicca is a pre-christian faith based on nature which was resurrected in 1951 by Gerald Dardner after the laws against witchcraft in England were repealed. Wicca is a tolerant religion that pays homage to a God and Goddess and recognises no personification of evil. The Wicca religion was recognised in the US under the Constitution in 1985. The Mabon is a harvest festival held to thank the Goddess for giving us enough produce to feed us through winter. 

MORE INFORMATION

Salem Witchcraft Hysteria
Online ‘blair witch’ style witch hunt game

Salem City Guide
Community site for Salem City – ideal for planning a trip there. 

Witchcraft in Salem
Academic resource site with articles, books and features on the witchcraft trials