The onset of the witch supporter movement was a significant development in the history of witch trials, as it marked a shift in public perception and support for alleged witches. Historically, witches were feared and seen as agents of evil, often subjected to persecution and execution. However, in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, a movement emerged that sought to challenge this notion and advocate for the rights and fair treatment of those accused of witchcraft. The literacy and intellectual advancements of the Renaissance played a crucial role in the rise of the witch supporter movement. As education became more widespread, individuals began to question traditional beliefs and seek a deeper understanding of the world around them. This led to a growing skepticism towards the existence of witches and the validity of the evidence used to convict them.
As Indigenous people were being executed for devil worship in South and Central America, witch trials arrived in the North American colonies. When the elites of New England wrote Bible-inflected legal codes in the early 1600s, they included witchcraft as a crime punishable by death. The first official trial, in 1647 in Connecticut, was probably influenced by a wave of executions in England. By 1725 more than 300 people had been accused of witchcraft in New England, nearly four fifths of whom were women.
Artwork in Federici s apartment includes Reclaim the Commons left , by Erik Ruin; depictions of struggles, among them Peasant s Revolt by Rachel Hewitt, to the right center ; and a poster right on the International Wages for Housework campaign, which Federici co-founded in 1972. In Kenya, they have planted millions of trees as part of the Greenbelt Movement, an effort for which Wangari Maathai, its founder, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004.
This led to a growing skepticism towards the existence of witches and the validity of the evidence used to convict them. Scholars and intellectuals began to argue that witchcraft was a product of superstition and ignorance, rather than a genuine threat to society. One of the key figures in the witch supporter movement was Reginald Scot, an Englishman who published "The Discoverie of Witchcraft" in 1584.
Feminist witches movement aims to destigmatize the craft
It took shape when Scotland formally apologized for its misogynistic witch trials of more than 500 years ago.
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April 11, 2022, 4:22 PM UTC By Olivia WilsonWhen Scotland became one of the first countries to formally apologize to the nearly 4,000 people accused of witchcraft during witch trials that took place more than 500 years ago, it sparked a feminist movement among present-day witches and their supporters.
The head of the Scottish government, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, announced the apology on March 8, International Women’s Day, as part of a push in Parliament to recognize misogyny as a hate crime at the request of the Witches of Scotland, a campaign that also seeks a formal government pardon for those accused of witchcraft and a national memorial for the lives lost during the trials.
“We want to know our own history, and we’re no longer happy with the one-sided history, the same history that men or scholars have reported,” said Claire Mitchell, a lawyer who started the campaign with Zoe Venditozzi, a teacher. Neither identifies as a witch.
The Scotland witch trials began after the passage of the Witchcraft Act in 1563, which made practicing witchcraft or consulting with witches capital offenses. An estimated 2,500 women were killed for allegedly violating the law, according to the University of Edinburgh. It was repealed in 1736.
None of the accused women were practicing witches, Mitchell said, but the Scottish government used women as scapegoats to explain away the country’s adversities.
“I absolutely believe the accusations of witchcraft are a feminist issue,” she said. “It was always women to a greater degree that were accused of witchcraft.”
Practicing witches are using past mistreatment to inspire a new feminist movement among their ranks globally, with a goal of erasing the stigma surrounding witchcraft. In the U.S., 1 million people are estimated to identify as pagan or Wiccan, according to a 2014 study by the Pew Research Center; not all of those who practice witchcraft are Wiccan. The infamous Salem witch trials in Massachusetts occurred in 1692 and 1693.
An engraving depicts citizens arresting a witch in New England. Salem Witch Trial Archive Project
Pam Grossman, the author of the book “Waking the Witch: Reflections on Women, Magic, and Power,” said the feminist movement has been a long time coming.
“We’re starting to see people re-appropriate ‘the witch’ and redefine the witch as this rebellious, feminist being who is a conductor of feminine power,” she said.
But some have criticized the witch community for racism and appropriation of proper witchcraft techniques.
Aurora Luna, who practices witchcraft in the U.S. and shares their insights on social media, said they have noticed some disturbing trends.
“There are clear divides,” Luna said. “There is extreme racism and blatant negative aspects. Wanting to make the [craft] palatable is the watering down of witchcraft.”
In a report last year, the United Nations said the number of albino people killed because they were suspected of witchcraft has increased during the coronavirus pandemic, as some believe the superstitions that albinos are Covid-19 carriers or that using their body parts in potions can bring good luck and wealth. The U.N. Human Rights Council passed a groundbreaking resolution condemning violations committed through witchcraft accusations and ritual attacks.
Campaigns like the Witches of Scotland face pushback from critics who do not see the point of pardoning convicted witches from centuries ago. Venditozzi said the reaction shows there is more work to be done. Her group is working with members of the Scottish Parliament to ensure that the accused witches of old are formally pardoned and that a national memorial is established.
“We are in no way out of the woods of misogyny,” she said. “Humans always go back to the idea of attacking the vulnerable in society.”
Olivia WilsonOlivia Wilson is a segment producer for NBC News Now.
As fertile fields available to the marginalized become scarce, conflict over even a small plot can indirectly precipitate a “witch” killing. In cultures that fear sorcerers, says Miranda Forsyth, a researcher with Australian National University's Sorcery Accusation Related Violence Project, “if you are in a land dispute already and a misfortune happens to you, then you're far more likely to think, ‘It must have been those people who have caused this.’”
Scot argued that accusations of witchcraft were based on superstition and biased testimony, rather than concrete evidence. His book aimed to debunk popular misconceptions about witches and challenge the legal framework that allowed for their prosecution. Although met with initial resistance from authorities, Scot's work laid the foundation for a more skeptical approach towards witch trials. The rise of the witch supporter movement was also influenced by broader social and political changes occurring during this period. The Reformation had led to religious divisions and conflicts, with different denominations vying for power and influence. In this context, accusations of witchcraft often became weaponized as a means of settling personal and political scores. Some individuals began to question the legitimacy of these accusations and sought to protect those accused of witchcraft from unjust persecution. While the witch supporter movement gained some traction, it ultimately faced significant opposition from religious authorities and conservative elements of society. The belief in witchcraft was deeply entrenched, and many saw the movement as a threat to the established social order. Despite these challenges, the witch supporter movement marked a significant turning point in the history of witch trials. It paved the way for a more critical and rational approach to accusations of witchcraft, and ultimately contributed to the decline of the witch-hunting fervor that had gripped Europe for centuries. In conclusion, the onset of the witch supporter movement marked a significant shift in public perception and support for those accused of witchcraft. It was fueled by the intellectual advancements of the Renaissance, as well as broader social and political changes. While it faced significant opposition, the movement paved the way for a more critical and rational approach to the witch trials, ultimately contributing to their decline..
Reviews for "Breaking the Stigma: Witch Supporters Fight Discrimination"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I found "The Onset of the Witch Supporter Movement" to be lacking in depth and complexity. The characters felt one-dimensional, and the plot seemed predictable and uninspiring. I was hoping for a thought-provoking exploration of the issues surrounding witch supporters, but instead, I was presented with a shallow and superficial story. Overall, it fell short of my expectations and left me feeling unsatisfied.
2. Michael - 1 star - I couldn't make it through more than a few chapters of "The Onset of the Witch Supporter Movement." The writing style was dull and unengaging, and the dialogue felt forced and unrealistic. The author failed to create a believable world or develop engaging characters that I could connect with. I was left feeling bored and uninterested, and I ultimately decided to put the book down and find something else to read.
3. Emma - 2 stars - I was initially intrigued by the concept of the witch supporter movement, but unfortunately, the execution in this book was lacking. The pacing was slow, and the narrative meandered without a clear focus. The author seemed uncertain of what story they wanted to tell and failed to captivate my interest. I was disappointed with the lack of depth and coherence in the book and would not recommend it to others.
4. David - 1 star - "The Onset of the Witch Supporter Movement" was a major letdown for me. The writing was weak, with clumsy descriptions and awkward sentence structures. The characters lacked depth and authenticity, making it difficult for me to invest in their struggles. The plot was also poorly executed, leaving me feeling disconnected and uninterested. I had high hopes for this book, but sadly, it fell far short of my expectations.