The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 have become one of the most recognizable symbols of witchcraft in the modern world, yet the people accused and executed in Salem were not practicing witches. Their stories are instead a powerful lesson in fear, scapegoating, social division, and the consequences of unchecked power. This class explores the historical realities of the Salem Witch Trials and examines how modern witchcraft has reclaimed the word “witch” centuries later. Beginning with an accurate overview of the events of 1692, participants will learn who the accused were, what social and political forces contributed to the crisis, and how Salem became forever linked to witchcraft despite the absence of actual witches in the historical record. The class will then examine the figure of Aradia from Charles Leland's The Gospel of Aradia, exploring her role in folklore as a teacher of witchcraft and a champion of the oppressed. Through Aradia's story, we will discuss the evolution of witch identity and the ways modern practitioners have embraced witchcraft not only as a spiritual path but also as a commitment to challenging injustice. By connecting Salem's history with modern witchcraft traditions, this class asks an important question: What does it mean to call oneself a witch today?
Participants will explore how the lessons of 1692 remain relevant in a world still shaped by fear, prejudice, and the persecution of marginalized communities, and how modern witches can honor the past through advocacy, community building, and the defense of human rights.
