It's that time of the year again, when witches and goblins invade our streets and beggars ring our door asking the question "Trick or Treat?"
It all seemed to begin around 560 B.C. when witches were condemned by the Old Testament. Witch hunts were at their height in Europe between 1300 and 1330. The last recorded execution for witchcraft took place in Switzerland in 1782.
Witchcraft on this continent culminated with the infamous Salem witch trials in the spring of 1692, after a group of young girls in Salem Village, Mass., claimed they were possessed by the devil and accused several local women of witchcraft.
The concept of costumes came from Europe where the attire would ward off ghosts.
Growing up in Beverly, Mass., the next town over from Salem, Halloween was a major event. It has always been associated with the Salem witch trials. At Gallows Hill, where witches were hung, there was always a big bonfire and bobbing for apples. In recent years the actual spot was found to be Proctor's Ledge.
Halloween was a blast and it was safe. We'd fill our pillowcases to the brim with treats; mostly candy. Every now and then we would get raisins. Most of our parents would take the bulk of our bounty and make it disappear when we weren't looking. I opted out of the candy several times and, instead, collected for St. Jude Children and Research Hospital that Danny Thomas encouraged us to help support sick children. That, somehow, felt better than the candy.
I was very surprised to see the celebration here in P.G. some 19 years ago. My Jo carved out beautiful pumpkins that many parents stopped to marvel at. I fondly remember the adorable Enemark twins stopping by with John. We always had extra goodies of hot chocolate and cupcakes and cookies waiting for them. Things have slowed down on our street quite a bit since then, but the city still goes all out with celebrations.
I have always wondered about the fireworks. That must be a west coast thing. I had never heard of it at Halloween until I got here. I was speaking to a lady from Montreal yesterday who also believes that fire is part of the ritual. I suppose technically fireworks are fire. Our dog Holli hates fireworks as do most pets as well as the wildlife in the surrounding woods. It definitely affects them in a negative way.
There is a direct association between the witch trials of 1692 and a prominent citizen of P.G. Ron Davis is one of the nicest people in PG. Davis is the kind of person that always has his hand out offering to help anyone in need. He is also very big into genealogy. Exploring his ancestors one day, he announced to me that in his search he discovered that he was a descendant of Giles Corey of Salem, Massachusetts. My eyes lit up as I was familiar with that name.
Giles Corey and his wife Martha were accused of witchcraft in the trials of 1692. Martha was convicted of witchcraft and hung. Giles, on the other hand, refused to confess to being a wizard. There were consequences in Salem for refusing to stand trial. He was promised mercy if he just admitted yea or nay. Corey refused.
His punishment was called death by pressing in which a slab was put on his naked body, then stones were added to weigh him down. As more and more stones were pressed he was asked to just admit his guilt, but Corey refused. The reason being that if he did not admit, his estate would go to his heirs and not be confiscated.
Giles Corey's last words: "More weight, more weight!"
That was the one and only time a punishment of pressing ever occurred in Salem.
Folks, enjoy Halloween and please keep your pets inside that night. And, for heaven's sake, keep them away from the candy.
Now, about those goblins....
