ponie wrote:
USwede16 wrote:Given that the book is about witchcraft I couldn't help but think about differences/similarities in the views of Wicca and New Age practices between then and now. While today such practices are much more accepted they are still seen by some as being "evil" and as true "witchcraft."
Anyone willing to share their opinions on this matter???
USwede16, a good and brave question! I've cut and pasted below an earlier post of mine from The Crucible thread. I too have questions about this. How are we defining these terms? What do we mean when we use the words/labels? [I've bolded that part in the post below.] What meaning/definition does Ms. Howe work from? Do healers, homeopathic approaches, those seeking more natural ways to address issues, etc - anything outside the medical model fall under the category of witch/witchcraft? (Perhaps a bit extreme, I am just trying to make a point.)
And I think it does fit here in the Living in Two Times. You bring up the then and now. There is also an "us" and "them" dynamic in the now as there was in the then.
[my post from The Crucible thread]
I read The Crucible (and my 6 chapters of TPBODD) over the weekend for the first time. I knew little about the Salem Witch trials but now I know much more. But I have lots of questions. I brought it up at my knitting group today and a lively session it was!
OK. So those women - and men - back then in Salem were not witches. It seems it became more about the court saving face (after falling for the "pretense" of the girls) and not looking bad. Had Tituba brought some Barbados island magic with her? Were the young girls involved out of curiosity? Was Abigail manipulative or mentally ill? She was so powerful...or were the others weak followers, caught up in the hysteria? Able to work themselves up into a frenzy?
In the Introduction to The Crucible it referred to the McCarthy/House Un-American Activities Committee stuff in the 50s. An older women (at knitting) said she remembers that McCarthy stuff (pressuring people to name names etc) and how it about destroyed Hollywood. My my my where was I???
So here's more questions: what is a witch? Are there witches? What makes one a witch today? Is it OK today to be a witch? Are there good witches? Bad witches? Want to known as witches? All Satan worshipping? Have they all "seen the Devil and binding themselves to his service said yes to doing his bidding here upon the earth..." (taken from The Crucible) ?
I notice on the Major Marketing Campaign flap Wicca groups are targeted along with reading groups and Salem interest groups. How is this being received in those groups?
I'll check out the links and read on. I just want to hear from others as I think and process through this. [end of cut and pasted post]
I'm glad you've both brought this up. I posted the following on the Chapter's thread yesterday (I wasn't quite certain where to post it, but now see where it's really more appropriate here).
januttall wrote:
I find that my thoughts are drawn to this book (and piece of history) during many waking moments (I think that's a sign I'm enjoying the book 
). I'm still trying to figure Chilton out. I'm drawn back to his question, "Have you not considered the distinct possibility that the accuse were simply guilty of witchcraft?" I would like to pose the question what is your definition of witchcraft? (I suppose that wouldn't have gone over well during orals, though.)
I think most midwives and herbalists (early "pharmacists" of sorts) in the 17th century, while held in high esteem by those they successfully treated, were believed to be witches and charlatans by those in authority.
To that end, I think the answer to your question USwede16, lies on ones perspective 
I'll go on to say that there was a lot of mystique surrounding the treatments these women administered, as well as the "ailments" they treated. There was a lot of fear back then surrounding blood and childbirth (something that midwives "controlled" so to speak). Also, women were banned from books and education, so there was speculation on how they acquired the knowledge to treat various conditions.
As a result, I think men in general (who were those in authority) viewed these women as a threat and felt the need to suppress them. When you think about it, how much different are things today? The majority of physicians are men and nurses (perhaps to a lessor degree than yesteryear, but still to a degree) are taught not to question them.
As for your questions, Ponie. If you read the following Wikipedia page, I think it will answer a lot of your questions - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicca. Another great site with modern info on witches is - http://www.lauriecabot.com/index.html.
