Many European churches tried to demolish the beliefs and practices of witchcraft among their people

 
 

Text Box:   BACK TO MAIN PAGE GO TO STORY \  The History of Halloween                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Twice every year the witches from all over the world would gather on two very important dates, April 30th-May Day and October 31st–All Hallows Eve.  Each year they would join together to have a party which the DEVIL hosted for them.  It is said that on these two days that you can meet a witch.  By wearing your clothes inside out and walking backwards, at midnight you are sure to meet a witch.      It wasn’t until that later that women were being killed for practicing their magic.  The first execution was in the state of Connecticut were the accused witch, Alice Young, was hung.  Many witches were executed after the first execution, and eventually led to the gruesome killings during the Salem Trials.  The Salem Trials was the most notorious killings in history.  Witches were hung, burned at the stake, and even drowned to their deaths.      From the years 1734-1792 over 300,000 women were put to their deaths for practicing witchcraft.  Although many women died, there were still different types of magic that were being practiced.  There was two types of magic, “ white magic” and “black magic.”  Those who practiced “white magic” were only mildly punished. Those who practiced “black magic” were killed from either hanging or burned at the stake.  Many people believed that those people who sold their souls to the devil should be killed.  Do you?  Over half of the world believes that withes influence your life.  Which half are you on? All of the information was found on this website: http://www.holidays.net/halloween/witches.htm  and http://www.witches.net/americanwitchcraft.htm  ENJOY!