An indication of the nation’s continued affection for all things occult is the public fascination with the witch trials that took place in 1692 in an area called Proctor’s Ledge located some 20 miles from Salem, Mass., the town that has been connected to the trial, conviction and hanging of 19 innocent people and the accusing and jailing of six more. One of the accused was crushed to death when stones were placed on his chest in an effort to make him cooperate.

Since 1692 Salem has been identified solely by the Witch Trials, as they came to be known. Seeing money signs before their eyes, the city fathers have utilized the town’s notoriety to lure tourists to the death site in order to bring in retail and tax dollars while solidifying the town’s place in history. While voicing sadness concerning the cause of the area’s reputation, the residents have not been able to hide their ambivalence relative to the atrocities that took place there so long ago. For example, they have embraced the nickname, “Witch City.” They have adorned their police cars with a witch logo and have named their elementary school “Witchcraft Heights.” The high school sports teams are nicknamed the “witches.” Many of the locals practice witchcraft, including business owners. Halloween is the most important day of the year during which thousands of visitors clog the streets.

From this information, taken from CNHI News Service, we can see that fascination with the otherworldly has been around on this continent as long as men have inhabited it, beginning with the American Indians. And if the past is any indication of the future, it will be gaining in popularity in the coming days, especially in Salam, Massachusetts.  L.J.