Sheridan's Witchy Blog

This class we discussed the evil eye in the context of the class reading “The Way of Witches.” After a crushing defeat during the in class activity, I wanted to further investigate the origin and history of the evil eye. I had only previously known this symbol in the modern day effect for use of protection by certain religions. I must admit, however, I have worn the symbol around my own neck without knowing the exact meaning or history behind it. I never knew it had a connection to the occult, so I wanted to read up on this to better understand the witchiness behind the evil eye. As discussed in class, the evil eye is a concept of a glance that is believed to have the power to cause harm or even death to those it targets. Pregnant women, children, and animals are often considered particularly vulnerable. The belief in the evil eye is ancient and widespread, existing in ancient Greece and Rome as well as in various religious and cultural traditions such as Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, and...

Being a Biology major, I am always looking for science in everything. The interconnectedness of science, magic, and witchcraft is something that we have explored in great depth throughout this class. Starting with the creation of alchemy in A History of Magic, Witchcraft, and the Occult and most recently with our discussion of renowned scientist, Ben Franklin, we have investigated the many different aspects of science throughout the history and background of modern science. Therefore, I wanted to further research this connection and, in doing so, I found an interesting article  The article explores the connection between modern science and European magic, emphasizing the significant influence that the tradition of natural magic had on the development of science and medicine. The author, John Henry, asserts that magic was crucial in the origins of modern science, particularly during the late 16th and 17th centuries, known as the Scientific Revolution. Natural magic, which is anothe...

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Mel LeRoy, the Managing Director of the Innocence Project of Texas. She shared with me the story of Anna Vasquez, who after serving thirteen years for a crime she did not commit became exonerated and now serves as the Director of Outreach and Education for the Innocence Project of Texas. Her story inspired me and I wanted to research more about the details of her case, and, upon investigation, I found a documentary relating this false conviction to that of the Salem Witch Trials.  The scenopsis of the documentary reads: After being wrongfully convicted of gang-raping two little girls during the Satanic Panic witchhunt of the 80s and 90s, four Latina lesbians fight against mythology, homophobia, and prosecutorial fervor in this now-classic gay rights  'True Crime' tale that helped exonerate the 'San Antonio Four'. The film received a Peabody Award, a GLAAD award for 'Outstanding Documentary', and a Critic's Choice ...

                  On April 8, 2024, North America will experience the world's longest land-based total solar eclipse in over a decade. With this date quickly approaching, I wanted to investigate if there are any witchy links between the occult and eclipses. I found many articles on the deep connections of witchcraft and eclipses, most notably a scientific piece written by NASA exploring the history of dark lunar eclipses and Witch Aglaonice. It starts by describing witches in general: “One of the most dramatic of their magical claims was the ability to draw down the Moon from its course in the heavens after depriving it of its illumination.” They then mentioned the testimonies of a highly sophisticated witch named Aglaonice: “Agalonice was well informed both as to the cause of total lunar eclipses and the times of their occurrence: ‘Always at the time of an eclipse of the Moon she pretended to bewitch it and draw it down.’” Now that...

As we start our conversations on the Salem Witch Trials, it has led me to ponder on some examples of modern day witch hunts and witch trials. While there aren’t many situations to compare to in the literal sence, with those accused being hanged or murdered for their crimes, there are some that are similar in their core accusations and evidentiary basis. Most notably, I wanted to investigate the similarities and differences of modern “cancel culture” to that of the Salem witch trials; specifically looking at who is accused, why they were accused, and the consequences they face for these accusations.  I found an article that I believe portrays the two phenomena in a very insightful manner, here is my analysis of this article and the concept as a whole:  This article addresses the phenomenon of "cancel culture," which refers to the widespread trend of publicly denouncing and ostracizing individuals or entities deemed to have engaged in offensive behavior or held controversial v...

            Soaring through the skies on a broomstick, the prevalent depiction of a witch has long been ingrained as a predominantly female figure, so much so that it has become the default Halloween costume for women and girls alike. However, delving into the origins of this gendered stereotype unveils a historical narrative shaped by medieval perspectives on magic and the distinct behaviors attributed to men and women accused of engaging in the "crime" of witchcraft.           Examining a specific facet of the witch's portrayal in popular culture, namely her association with flight, reveals a shift in attitudes from the early to the later Middle Ages. In the 11th century, Bishop Burchard of Worms remarked on certain sinful beliefs: "Some wicked women, turning back to Satan and seduced by the illusions and phantasms of demons, believe that in the night hours they ride on certain animals with the pagan goddess Diana and a ...