I have to admit this has always fascinated me. Was it simply a matter of mass hysteria where a few people deceived the masses? Is it possible that a few young girls with a family feud to settle started all this? What are your thoughts? Do you think any of the convicted were actually practicing the are of black magic?
Hi greekgoddess31
I'm also fascinated by this topic and have read a couple books on it.
I think there is still some debate on this topic, but perhaps the best measured response on this would be that a few girls were fooling around with divination with the help of the slave Tituba. The fortune-telling involved seeing their future husbands in a glass of water made cloudy with egg white. The girls became quite spooked when one thought she saw a coffin in the water. Next thing you know the girls fell into a fit of convulsions periodically. This phenomenon then spread and before you know it several women in the village started complaing of fits and hysteria. Some I believe might have been sincere, even though It was just psychological. Some girls I believe took full advantage of the situation to get attention.
Add to the mix the tensions between two families: the Putnams and the Porters. There was an issue with the minister's salary and the fact that Salem village had tensions with Salem town.
The people also sincerely believed that the Devil was running about in the form of the Native Americans, who were still a very real threat at the time.
The magistrates allowed spectral evidence into the trial proceedings. This is what clinched it for the accusatory girls: all they had to do was fall on the floor in fits and claim that the defendant was tormenting them in spirit form. Unlike the witch trials in Europe which demanded a confession in order to be executed, the defendant in Salem could save herself/himself if she pleaded guilty. They would then jail you for the time being. If you pleaded innocent, then you were lying and hanged. If you did not plead at all then you were laid down and stones would be put on you until you pleaded. This happened to Giles Cory, who was crushed to death.
It was only when the accusers started claiming that higher members of society were tormenting them, that things were promptly stopped.
By this time 19 people were hanged.
Supposedly one girl admitted later that it was all for a bit of "sport." And Cotton Mather, who spurred on the witch hunt, admitted that maybe mistakes were made.
As far as magic is concerned, if anyone practised anything it was probably some folk magic that we all indulge in to this day from time to time.
There were no pacts with the devil or summoning up demons using complicated book magic alla Faust.
One writer talks of the sieve and scissors technique to help answer questions.
Hope this helped a bit. It is not much but I'm writing off the top of my head.