Ep. 29 Witches: How the Church Twisted Innocent Caretakers Into Evil Devil Worshipers

Think of a witch. You’re likely picturing an old woman, gnarled and stooped with a hooked nose and stringy unkempt hair. Maybe she’s wearing a black robe, a pointy hat. Maybe she’s flying on a broomstick. Does she have a black cat? A cauldron where she mixes up deadly potions? An ancient book of spells she uses to curse people? This witch you’re picturing is evil. She cavorts with the devil and uses black magic to hurt people. She’s no hero. She’s a villian. Now ask yourself, where did this character come from? This witch? Because this cackling hag you’re picturing, she doesn’t exist. That’s not to say witches aren’t real. They’ve always been real. But did you know, they aren’t villainous conjurors of evil spirits, they’re actually healers and caretakers, counselors and therapists, grandmothers tending to the sick, midwives easing babies into the world? Let’s fix that.

Connect with Emma Louise Dyson:

• Facebook group "The Wild Child Crystal Collective" 
• TikTok @thewildanduntamedway

Connect with Ben Stimpson:

• "Essence" podcast
• benstimpson.com
• YouTube @BenStimpsonAuthor

Sources: 

• Malleus Maleficarum (The Hammer of Witches)
• The Hit The Lights Podcast "The History of Witches & Witchcraft"
• History.com "History of Witches"
• Getty "The Real Witches of the Middle Ages" 
• Library of Congress Research Guides "Witch Trials and Witchcraft"
• Quartz (QZ) "Germany was once the witch-burning capital of the world. Here's why"
• Polygon "A history of Harry Potter books being burned - and JK Rowling's perfect responses"
• bigthink.com "How Old Is the Bible?"
• History.com "Why the King James Bible of 1611 Remains the Most Popular Translation in History"
• The Expository Times "An Invitation to Murder? A Re-interpretation of Exodus 22:18"
• Historic UK "Matthew Hopkins, 'Witch Finder General'"

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