My favourite argument I have heard a few times over the years on this site is: 'I was researching my family history and I'm related to one of the witches from Salem! She was a Wiccan who was burned for her faith.' I love when people say that, I just chuckle and think 'go on.' Because a quick Google search can prove that statement wrong. It's still fun to see how many people were Wiccan. I suppose Gardner was a time traveler who felt like messing with people.
It's been a while since I brushed up on my Salem trials, but the only 'witch' was a Caribbean slave. In all witch trials [in Europe and Salem] it was based on hearsay and hysterics, not facts and evidence. Got to hand it to the medieval justice system though, they always got their man! [With a little 'persuasion' of course.]
The Crucible is based on the actual events surrounded the Salem witch trials. The names are real as are the accusers and the accused, but that's about it. Yes, Giles Cory was crushed by stones, but the affair was fictional. I enjoy the play, but you might want to read a historical document if you wish to learn about the trials.
I think part of it is that people are confusing witch with Wiccan. Third rate occult writers like Deanna Conway and Silver Ravenwolf are in part to blame for confusing people on this matter.
Just a little history a woman was hung during the mass hysteria at Salem named Rebecca Nurse 71 year old grandma that could barely walk. She was accused of being a witch but honestly it was really about someone wanting their land.
That sums up the trials in a nutshell. It started as little girls not wanting to get in trouble and grew into a means to get land or off people you really didn't like. It finally ended when the girls accused the governors wife of witchcraft and that kind of put an end to it. Age and gender weren't a factor, I think the youngest accused witch was 4, and while more woman were accused there were a number of men accused as well.
