Magical Meredith

As I reflect upon our teachings this semester, I can’t help but draw stark parallels to the content discussed in last semester’s class of Treks and Texts. The importance and usage of the natural world is extremely prevalent when talking about witchcraft and occult practices and has transitioned seamlessly into the course material for this semester. As discussed in class, witches have long been associated with nature in various cultural and historical contexts. In many traditions, witches are depicted as having a deep connection to the natural world, often portrayed as herbalists, healers, and guardians of the environment. This connection to nature is symbolic of their spiritual practices and beliefs, which often revolve around the cycles of life, the elements, and the balance of energies. In folklore and mythology contexts, witches are often portrayed as living in harmony with nature, possessing knowledge of plants, animals, and natural forces. They are seen as attuned to the rhythms o...

Our conversation about the subsequent waves of 'witch trials,' marked by mass hysteria following the events of the Salem witch trials, inspired me to delve deeper into the historical significance of these trials. The one that particularly caught my attention was that of the McCarthy Hearings. Similar to the Salem witch trials, during the Cold War era in the 20th century, the United States experienced a different kind of paranoia, fueled by fears of communist infiltration and espionage. The Soviet Union's development of nuclear weapons and the subsequent escalation of tensions led to a heightened sense of national security and suspicion of anyone with perceived communist sympathies. The government's response included loyalty programs and investigations, such as those conducted by the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) and Senator Joseph McCarthy. These initiatives targeted individuals suspected of communist ties, often leading to unjust accusations, blacklisti...

This past weekend, I had the pleasure of traveling to New Orleans, Louisiana with some fellow frogs. Immediately upon arrival, we were greeted with a myriad of smells on Bourbon Street, both pleasant and unpleasant. I found intriguing parallels between the vibrant culture of the city and the captivating topics explored in class on voodoo and hoodoo, as learned in our reading of A History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult. The voodoo shops and palm reading parlors drew tangible connections to the fascinating discussions we’ve had in class. While touring the French Quarter, a classmate of mine, Jaci decided to get a professional psychic reading for $50. She entered a place called Medusa’s Lair, where a man named Dean greeted her as the psychic. Jaci’s description of Dean is as follows: “He had feathers in his ears and was wearing clogs and a long coat.” The psychic reading began with Jaci pulling three tarot cards: Reverse Rock Bottom, Reverse Encouragement, and Ride the Wave. Jaci to...

Our classroom discussions regarding modern-day witchcraft encouraged me to delve further into the current lived experiences of individuals who embrace witchcraft wholeheartedly. I wanted to learn more about the thought-processes of these individuals and what led them to Wicca, hoping to gain deeper insights into their journeys and motivations. One NPR article, written by Mallory Yu, stuck out to me: “'I was tired of God being dead': How one woman was drawn to witchcraft"  https://www.npr.org/2023/11/01/1209962039/witchcraft-wicca-wiccans-witches A summary is as follows: Diana Helmuth's journey into modern witchcraft, documented in her book "The Witching Year: A Memoir of Earnest Fumbling Through Modern Witchcraft," reflects a significant evolution from skepticism to personal discovery. Growing up in Oakland, California, Helmuth initially encountered witchcraft through a friend who practiced Wicca. However, as someone shaped by a philosophy that valued intelli...

As I dive deeper into The Salem Witch Hunt , I noticed that the treatment of witches, particularly during the Salem Witch Trials, mirrors the themes discussed in Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow . Just as the criminal justice system has been used to oppress and control African Americans through mass incarceration, historical events like the Salem Witch Trials highlight how societal fears and prejudices can lead to the systematic targeting and persecution of marginalized groups. In The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness , Michelle Alexander reveals that the old Jim Crow laws that had relentlessly enforced racial oppression and segregation have been supplanted in modern times by the criminal justice system. Despite the sale and usage of illegal drugs occurring at similar rates across all racial groups, African American males are incarcerated on drug charges at rates 20-50% higher than their white counterparts. Once released from prison, convicted felon...

One of my most cherished children’s books growing up was the tale of Strega Nona , written and illustrated by Tomie dePaola. This folktale tells the story of Strega Nona, alluding to what would be “Grandma Witch” in Italian. However, upon further investigation, the direct translation would actually be “ Nonna Strega ”. Having the protagonist be named Strega Nona with an emphasis on the single “n” implies that her name means “Ninth Witch” in Italian. Moreover, this was an intentional choice placed by the author, and something that went unnoticed as a child but greatly plays a part in the witchcraft movement. The book takes place in Southern Italy in the town of Calabria. It follows Strega Nona who serves as the town’s witch doctor through curing fellow townspeople of their troubles with conjuring successful remedies, aids single women in finding husbands, and clears people of their warts. Strega Nona begins to grow old, so she enlists in the help of a young man named Big Anthony to assi...