The swinging witch spigit Halloween decoration is a popular choice for many people during the spooky season. This unique and enchanting decoration adds a touch of whimsy and mystery to any Halloween-themed setting. The swinging witch spigit typically features a witch figurine attached to a pendulum-like mechanism. When activated, the figure swings back and forth, creating a haunting and mesmerizing effect. The swinging motion adds an interactive element to the decoration, making it more engaging for both children and adults. The witch herself is often portrayed in a classic witch attire, complete with a pointed hat, broomstick, and a flowing robe.
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Our Privacy Policy sets out how Oxford University Press handles your personal information, and your rights to object to your personal information being used for marketing to you or being processed as part of our business activities. Rebecca is a freelance journalist and history lover who got her start in journalism working for small-town newspapers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire after she graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a B.
The witch herself is often portrayed in a classic witch attire, complete with a pointed hat, broomstick, and a flowing robe. Some variations may feature a more modern or whimsical take on the witch character, with colorful outfits and accessories. The witch's face usually exhibits a mischievous or ominous expression, enhancing the spooky atmosphere.
UNH Today
It was 1692. Like the rest of New England, Massachusetts was under British rule. It was against the law not to go to church. Puritan doctrine was suspect of anything that wasn't morally pure. Almost everyone, if not all, believed the devil was real.
The colonists in Salem Village, located about six miles from the more prosperous Salem Town, were struggling farmers whose survival was at the whim of the weather and, some believed, the witches whose black-magic curses were blamed for failed harvests, ailing livestock and even the no-other-explanation-for-them-ailments that any of the villagers suffered.
During that period that came to be known as the Salem witch hunt, 200 people were accused of practicing witchcraft. Twenty were put to death; 15 women and five men; 19 by hanging, and one man was pressed to death when, despite the large stones piled atop his body, he still refused to confess to the crime of conniving with the devil.
All it took was two witnesses—maybe harboring a grudge, maybe loaded with fear—to come forward and state that someone was a witch for the accused to be tried and possibly convicted.
"They relied on spectral evidence—the testimony of ghosts or spirits who 'spoke' to people in the village and informed them someone was practicing witchcraft," says Tricia Peone '15, a Ph.D. candidate who teaches a history course on the Salem Witch Trials. "Then, those people would tell the court and the accused would be brought to trial."
Peone is emerging as an expert on the Salem Witch Trials; her research on that dark period is shaping her dissertation as she explores how beliefs about witches and magic changed in the 17th century. The thesis for the master's degree she received from the State University of New York Brockport also was based on the trials. And she designed the UNH course "The Salem Witch Trials" that she has taught for the last four summers and one January term.
"Salem has become the most famous place associated with witches but the first person tried in New England was in Connecticut," Peone says. That was Alice Young, hanged in 1647 in Windsor. Eleven other "devil worshipers" were killed before the Salem Witch Trials began in early 1692 and ended later the same year.
"Salem's was a short outbreak. It was less than a year between the accusations and the deaths," Peone says.
Bridget Bishop was one of the first three women in Salem Village to be convicted of witchcraft, and the first to be hanged. Another of the three was Sarah Good, who was pregnant when she was jailed.
"They didn't kill her until after she'd given birth. She had the baby in jail and it died and then Sarah was hanged. Her five-year-old daughter Dorcas confessed to being a witch and was jailed but wasn't killed," Peone says.
Later, when it was decided spectral evidence wasn't enough to go on, the trials and hangings stopped. Then, in 1711, the state agreed that errors had been made and began paying restitution to the families of those killed. William Good, Sarah's husband, was able to ask for money, Peone says, for the loss of Sarah, the baby who died in jail and Dorcas, whom he claimed was too damaged from the ordeal to care for herself.
None of those found guilty and sentenced to death for practicing witchcraft were burned at the stake, as some people believe. Peone says that punishment was used in Europe for crimes of heresy and treason but in America and England, witchcraft was considered a crime against the state.
The link between witches and ghouls and ghosts and modern day Halloween comes out of the Celtic holiday Samhain (pronounced Sah-ween) that was likely, Peone says, first celebrated thousands of years ago on the eve of Oct. 31 to mark the end of the harvest season.
"Samhain was their new year," Peone says. "The Celts believed that during this time there was less of a barrier between the living and the dead—they believed people came back from the dead. People would wear masks or some form of disguise so the dead wouldn't recognize them and take them back with them. What we celebrate as Halloween comes from that."
Americans didn't really start celebrating Halloween until the late 19th, early 20th century, according to Peone, who notes that in the 1920s and 1930s, the holiday was associated with vandalism. And it wasn't until the 1950s that it became an occasion for children.
"Before then, Halloween was for adults," Peone says. "After that is when it all changed."
The swinging witch spigit can be easily incorporated into various Halloween-themed displays, both indoors and outdoors. It can be hung from a porch, tree branch, or doorway to greet trick-or-treaters and guests with a touch of magical charm. Alternatively, it can be placed on a table or shelf as a centerpiece, adding a focal point to a Halloween party or gathering. This decoration is not only visually appealing but can also be a source of inspiration for storytelling and imaginative play. Children can get creative and come up with their own tales about the swinging witch spigit, adding an interactive and educational dimension to their Halloween celebrations. In addition to its decorative and entertainment value, the swinging witch spigit can also be considered a collectible item. Many Halloween enthusiasts enjoy building collections of decorations and accessories, and the swinging witch spigit can be a standout addition to their assemblage. Overall, the swinging witch spigit Halloween decoration is a delightful and captivating addition to any Halloween setting. Its swinging motion, charming witch character, and versatility make it a popular choice for those looking to add a touch of enchantment to their spooky celebrations..
Reviews for "Create a Bewitching Atmosphere with a Swinging Witch Spigit this Halloween"
1. Alice - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Swinging witch spigit halloween". The plot was weak and unoriginal, and the characters were one-dimensional. The acting was also quite mediocre, which made it difficult to connect with any of the characters. Additionally, the special effects were poorly executed, making the whole experience rather underwhelming. Overall, I expected more from this film and would not recommend it.
2. Mark - 1 star - "Swinging witch spigit halloween" was a complete waste of time. The story was confusing and disjointed, jumping from one scene to another without any clear direction. The dialogue was cliche and corny, and the acting was downright terrible. I couldn't find anything redeeming about this film. It felt like a cheap Halloween knockoff trying to cash in on the holiday spirit. Save yourself the agony and skip this one.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Swinging witch spigit halloween" based on the intriguing trailer, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was off, with certain scenes dragging on unnecessarily while others felt rushed. The film relied too heavily on jump scares, which quickly became predictable. The plot twist at the end was also disappointing and felt forced. I was left feeling unsatisfied and unimpressed with this Halloween offering.
4. Michael - 2 stars - "Swinging witch spigit halloween" lacked originality and failed to capture the essence of Halloween. The storyline felt like a rehash of countless other supernatural horror films, offering nothing new or exciting. The scares were cheap and relied on excessive gore rather than creating genuine tension. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, making it difficult to root for or relate to them. Overall, this film was a forgettable addition to the genre and not worth the hype.