Chapter Five : Origins – The Salem Witches 1 

Unless you've been living under a rock, you're likely familiar with the infamous Salem witch trials in Oregon, a dark chapter in witches history. Every witch knows this story, passed down through generations, and I'll continue the tradition by sharing it with you - and perhaps one day, with my own children. This tragic event, which occurred centuries ago, has become an integral part of our collective heritage, serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of fear, intolerance, and hysteria.

The Salem witch trials of the 16th century were a pivotal chapter in the lengthy and dark history of witch hunts, which originated in Europe in the 1300s and spanned over 400 years. This sinister era of persecution finally subsided in the late 18th century, with the last recorded execution for witchcraft occurring in Switzerland in 1782. While this event marked the end of an era, it pales in comparison to the infamous Salem witch hunt, which remains one of the most notorious episodes in the history of witch persecution.

The Salem trials occurred relatively late in the sequence of witch hunts, which had begun to decline in Europe after reaching a peak in the 1580s to 1630s. Notably, western Germany, the low countries, France, northern Italy, and Switzerland were the primary hotbeds of witch-hunt fervor, accounting for approximately 75% of all European witch hunts. While the number of trials and executions varied across regions and time periods, historians estimate that around 110,000 people were tried for witchcraft, with a staggering 40,000 to 60,000 meeting their end at the hands of executioners.

The witch hunts were systematic efforts to identify and root out individuals suspected of practicing witchcraft, rather than targeted pursuits of already-accused witches. During this period, witches were perceived as devotees of Satan, believed to have surrendered their souls in exchange for his dark assistance. People thought we wielded demonic power to perform magical feats, shape-shifted into animals or alternate human forms, and possessed supernatural abilities. I must admit, I've heard whispers of my own untapped potential – the ability to transform into a powerful beast, a form that only reveals itself in times of great need or when one has achieved a high level of mastery. Though I've yet to witness my own transformation, I'm driven to reach that pinnacle, to unlock the secrets of my true nature.

Another misconception about witches was that we supposedly rode through the night to attend secret gatherings and indulge in orgies. While it's true that we possess the ability to fly, even in daylight, the notion of clandestine meetings seems exaggerated. Perhaps they were referring to our joyful celebrations during the Full Moon Fest or other sacred festivals? But orgies? Absolutely not in Queen Jezebel's castles, nor anywhere within the kingdoms! It's actually the vampires and wolves who have been known to indulge in such revelries during the Full Moon Fest, not witches.

The identification of witches typically began with whispers of suspicion or rumor, which quickly snowballed into accusations, and ultimately, convictions and executions. The Salem witch trials, in particular, were a tragic consequence of a toxic mix of family rivalries, hysterical accusations from children, and a power vacuum that allowed fear and misinformation to reign supreme. This combustible environment fueled the trials, leading to the devastating executions that would become a dark stain on history.

How it all began

A wealthy man from Barbados arrived in Salem, purchasing a large tract of land that sparked resentment among the local villagers. He brought with him his family, including his wife, teenage son, daughter, niece, and two enslaved Africans, who were believed by some to be of native Caribbean descent. The presence of this new family, particularly the enslaved Africans, would soon ignite a powder keg of fear, suspicion, and superstition that would contribute to the unfolding witch trial hysteria.

Atika, the enslaved African woman, would often regale the children with tales of voodoo, sparking their imagination and curiosity. The master's daughter, niece, and their friend became increasingly fascinated with fortune-telling and the occult. However, as time passed, the master's daughter began to exhibit strange and escalating behavior, which alarmed her family. She would scream uncontrollably, kick, throw objects, make bizarre sounds, and even complain of experiencing biting and pinching sensations. These inexplicable outbursts puzzled and concerned her family, setting the stage for a descent into chaos and fear.

In hindsight, medical professionals have suggested that the master's daughter's strange behavior could have been caused by a combination of factors such as asthma, Lyme disease, epilepsy, or even child abuse. Interestingly, her symptoms mirrored those of children in Boston who were believed to be bewitched. Despite the efforts of doctors, the master remained baffled by his daughter's illness, and in the absence of a clear diagnosis, they resorted to blaming supernatural forces. At the suggestion of neighbors, Atika baked a "witch cake" (a superstitious ritual aimed at uncovering the identity of the alleged witch responsible for the girl's affliction). However, the master was displeased with this approach, viewing it as a form of witchcraft itself.

Three Witches

The master, driven by desperation and superstition, pressured his daughter to reveal the identity of her tormentor. Under duress, she accused Atika, along with two other community members, of bewitching her. The accused were Atika, the enslaved African woman who had previously shared tales of voodoo; Sarah Good, a short-tempered beggar who was often shunned by the community; and Jane Osborne, an elderly, bedridden woman who was ostracized for her romantic relationship with a servant. Notably, neither Sarah nor Jane attended church regularly, which further fueled the suspicions of the master and the community.

The following month, two detectives from Salem Town arrived in the village to conduct a public inquiry into the allegations of witchcraft. Both Sarah Good and Jane Osborne vehemently protested their innocence, although Good attempted to shift the blame onto Osborne. Atika, initially maintaining her innocence, eventually succumbed to the relentless badgering and threats of being demoted to an unpaid slave. Under duress, she finally gave the detectives the false confession they sought, implicating herself and others in the alleged witchcraft.

"Atika, under coercion, fabricated a story that the devil had visited her at night in the form of a tall, dark man, which conveniently matched the description of a man from Boston. However, she claimed she had resisted the devil's temptation and refused to sign his book. Unbeknownst to her interrogators, she was hiding her true beliefs as a "good witch." She further implicated Sarah Good and Jane Osborne, claiming their names were in the devil's book, although she feigned inability to read the other names listed.

The trials commenced the following week, preceded by weeks of informal hearings and imprisonments. The accused were left to defend themselves without the benefit of legal counsel, a stark disadvantage. The most damaging evidence presented was the testimonies from the alleged victims, who claimed to have been tormented and attacked by the accused. This testimony, though dubious, carried significant weight in the court, further imperiling the already vulnerable defendants.

The most damning moment came when the master's daughter delivered a devastating accusation against Atika.

"Yes... That's the night when everything started happening to me," she began.

"I saw my brother sleepwalking into Atika's bedroom. I wondered what he wanted in there, but now that I know she's a witch, it all makes sense to me. She must have used her voodoo powers to control him." With this statement, the daughter's words sealed Atika's fate, further entwining her in the web of accusations and suspicions that had been spinning out of control.

Prosecutor: "Miss Edwards, what did you do when you saw your brother enter the accused's bedroom?" The little girl's voice trembled as she replied, "I didn't know she was a witch, I thought she was my friend... I considered her family."

A collective gasp filled the courtroom. "I went to my room, intending to ask her in the morning why my brother was in her bed." The courtroom fell silent, like a cemetery, as the weight of her words hung in the air. The audience was stunned, sensing that more shocking revelations were yet to come that day.

Please, explain further, the prosecutor pressed on, his curiosity piqued. "Did you peek into her room? How did you know he was in her bed?" The courtroom was silent, with all eyes fixed on the little girl, eager to hear her response. "I recognized the squeaky sounds coming from Atika's room," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "It was the same sound brother Irvine's old bed used to make, the one that was given to the slave." The prosecutor's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with the implications of her words.

"Thank you, Miss Edwards," the prosecutor said, dismissing the little girl from the witness box. Next, Atika was summoned to testify. As she stood in the witness box, the prosecutor's tone turned accusatory. "Miss Peters, the child testified that Irvine was in your bed. Did you perform any sinister rituals on your master's son?"

Atika's eyes dropped, and she cleared her throat, her voice barely audible. "It was not a ritual, and Irvine was not sleepwalking." She paused, her words hanging in the air. "It was consensual." The courtroom erupted into a mixture of gasps and murmurs, as the weight of Atika's admission sank in. Without a lawyer to defend her, Atika stood alone, her fate precarious.

"In other words, you mean you were indulging in sexual intercourse with a minor?" the prosecutor pressed, his voice firm and accusatory, cornering Atika with his words. This was a tactic often used to extract confessions from defendants, and Atika, without legal counsel, was vulnerable to the prosecutor's aggressive questioning. The courtroom's atmosphere grew more tense, as the gravity of the accusation hung in the air, awaiting Atika's response.