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Hannah Balsley Mrs. Laurencot Non-Fiction Essay

I believe that the main reason for Bernice Kohn to write the book __Out Of The Cauldron__, was to educate people on the culture and history of witches. In this book there are many things to learn about witches that readers may not have known. How witchcraft all began is a big part of the history that is still among us today. Salem, MA is notorious for being one of the starting places of witchcraft. Although witchcraft doesn’t have a specific origination date, some believe that it could date back to the stone age. A lot of the earlier sorcery seems to have started in the European area. As time passed on it is said that witchcraft was taught to the younger generations and they would then teach the next generation.. Back then, witches were known for making herbs, brews and remedies that could help cure illnesses for many people. This was found as a talent and the medicines were very affective. In 1641, Massachusetts made a law that said that, "Witchcraft which is fellowship by covenant with familiar spirit to be punished with death"(pg.65) Salem, Massachusetts is now know for the wild witch hunts that occurred there. Most people these days are okay with the cultures of others. Back when the witch trials and hunts were going on, people were not quite as understanding. To some, sorcery is a type of culture or religion. There are different things that they do that help them feel closer to their "god". As we know, some cultures aren’t excepted in certain societies, and this was one of them. When this culture was in an all time hype, the members of the culture would wear capes and walk around with potions. People would walk around saying they had powers and it was hbalsley/page 2 believed that this culture was passed down from generation to generation. As a whirlwind swept around the world, the madness of the Salem Witch Hunt began. It lasted from March to September of 1692, one hundred and fifty people were arrested and twenty one died. During the witch trials it was almost as if "the whole world went mad at once".(pg.17) One explanation for the sudden outburst in hysteria could have been the Black Plague. It killed almost one-fourth of the entire population and most of the deaths were blamed on the witches. During this time mostly all strange things were blamed on witches. Everything from disease to someone tripping could be a sign that a witch was around.. This is what society wanted to happen. Society pushed people more and more to be normal and not have any part of you be different than another. This is what caused so much of a ruckus when some people started acting a little strange. As a young girl growing up in this time period, it would have made me scared and feel troubled They felt that if they were to even go outside that someone might accuse them of being a witch. In this case, there life as they knew it would end. Salem had a very strict policy when people were said to be witches. The severe punishments could end they young girls life and even put her family at risk of being witches too. Most of the judges felt that if you were close to the said to be witch or even around them, that you could potentially be one too. Throughout this essay you have learned the true history and some of the culture of witches. After knowing all of this information I feel saddened by the facts that have happened, but glad that history will most likely not repeat itself.