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Archiver > GER-VOLGA > 2011-12 > 1324402600


From: Dona Reeves-Marquardt <>
Subject: Re: [GV] Witchcraft
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:36:40 -0600
References: <B0C16E193D0C4EDCB34C3AAAEB62066A@SHOPPE>
In-Reply-To: <B0C16E193D0C4EDCB34C3AAAEB62066A@SHOPPE>


Dr. Kloberdanz' excellent response on this list demonstrates the wide
range of available scholarship on this subject, much of it dating back
to Germany in the 14th and 15th centuries in particular. I should like
to add that charges of witchcraft or practicing folk medicine were
primarily aimed at women, although some few men also fell under the net
of suspicion. Times of crises brought out rampant accusations, whether
it was the plague or economic ills or even crop failures. It might be as
simple as passing on the "gift" of folk healing from one generation to
another or as serious as casting the evil eye or spells, but it has a
long, long history including our own 16th century Massachusetts hysteria
and is perpetuated in Texas-German folk tradition as well. Women were
particularly vulnerable victims since they were already outside the
power structure of society and generally thought of in somewhat mystic
terms for a number of reasons. It is a fascinating, difficult topic.
Thanks to Bill Pickelhaupt for bring it to our attention.

On 12/20/2011 9:34 AM, Judith wrote:
> Loved all the stories about this. My Grandma used to say that people would
> say that her Grandmother was a Witch. We explained it that she was a Midwife
> and also came up with a lot of medical concoctions that she would give
> people to heal them!!!!
>
>
>
> Maybe there was more to it!!!!
>
>
>
> JMW
>
>
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