Magical Thinking

     Throughout the semester, we have discussed witchcraft in primarily the historical setting; from the Salem Witch Trials to witches in the Southwest, we have analyzed their belief systems, practices, and punishments. We have discussed how those who were suspected of witchcraft were ostracized from society, forced to undergo strenuous trials, and slowly die in dismal prison conditions. Those accused of witchcraft were not looked upon as someone's sister, mother, or loved one. They were guilty of the worst possible crime, an agent of Satan, and an enemy to mankind. Martha Corey and her prosecutors      This sparked my interest in how the practice of witchcraft is perceived in today's society. When I think of witchcraft today, I think of middle-aged women gathering in an eclectic boutique shop to pour different ingredients into glass bottles to create a spell. My honest opinion is that most of today's witchcraft is a largely trivial and harmless craft that ...