Cunning Folk: English Occult Practices in Early America — June 28, 2018

History, occult and The Witch House. What more could you want?

Per the Facebook event:
“From astrology to necromancy and back again, the sixteenth- and seventeenth-century British colonies of New England and elsewhere seemed awash with sorcery. This is a talk about the ideas of magic which early modern English colonists brought with them to the Americas: from their preconceptions about Native ritual and heathenry, to almanacs of star-lore and prognostication, and from common forms of folk magic and divination to high-brow treatises on alchemy and handbooks based on medieval spirit conjuration.

This talk is presented by the historian and diviner Dr Alexander Cummins, himself an English magician now living in these United States. Dr Cummins will lead us on an exploration of what early American magicians did and how they went about doing it. Along the way, we will learn about how shadowy colonialist fears were projected onto indigenous peoples and their cultures, as well as much of the necessary background and context of “everyday practical magic” and arch occult philosophy alike that preceded the Salem witch-trials.

Tickets $10.00″

This event is happening on June 28th, 2018 from 7:00 to 8:00 pm at the Witch House. The Witch House is located at 310 1/2 Essex St. Salem, MA 01970. Enjoy! <3