Women’s reproductive rights in the hands of male relugious zealouts - still terrifying. This fantastic piece draws me to think how women have forgotten or deny their body wisdom & power but DEEP down they hear the witch whispering within. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
This was fascinating. I would have never thought to connect the printing press and witchhunts. And I appreciate the way you thread the needle between that and the modern day online echo chambers of toxic masculinity.
I have kids and no cat, but I have some modest herb knowledge and used to be active in the midwifery and doula spaces. There was a magazine called The Compleat Mother that drew a straight line from witches to midwifery and often noted that they were still “burning us.” I loved that little zine!
In Scotland, and likely in other countries as well, some witchcraft accusations explicitly cited 'midwifery' as a valid reason for a woman to be burned at the stake...
Indded a cautionary tale - and all too timely. I didn't know that demonizing "witches" had its root in the Old Testament. Out of curiosity, I searched for translations of that Bible verse (there are both Greek translations from the Hebrew, and subsequent translations, including the King James translation in common use today. Much of the latter would not have considered the context in which Exodus was written. I found this article about the history of the possible mistranslation (and subsequent propagandization) of the Hebrew word "mekhashepha" of interest.
In an excellent 2017 article in Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper, the author offers this speculation: "The Septuagint was written by Jewish scholars in ancient Egypt, who were fluent in both Greek and Hebrew. that lends credence to the theory that the Hebrew word really did refer more to herbalists or poisoners, not maleficent spell-casters."
The root (pardon the pun) of modern pharmaceutical medicine is based on plant medicine, but knowledge of this has been removed from our everday world so that Big Pharma can profit.
I wonder if there is not an equal need for those who practice herbalism and know its ancient roots, like you, to educate us more broadly about what the ancients--including many smart and powerful women across millennia--knew and practiced, to the benefit of the afflicted among them. How could that knowledge transform our view of the wise women among us?
Thank you for writing this! I was reading ‘Witchcraft a history in three trials’ earlier this year and was shocked at how eerily similar it is to modern day misogyny/racism/othering. I would absolutely be burned at the stake in another era
Interesting article! But I take issue with the following claim: "At no other point in history have women faced such a large-scale, legally sanctioned, and religiously endorsed campaign of violent misogyny as during the period of European witch hunts". I would say that violent misogyny is pretty commonplace today within fundamentalist Islam, and I view it as one of the greatest threats to Western civilization, as their actions are not confined to "the manosphere".
Well I suppose it was nice of the troll to illustrate Katie's point about men on the internet, but not really. I thought the first comment was at least as bad as the subsequent ones even though those two were more openly hostile.
"But it also helped to spread something else: prejudice, social polarisation and even violence. In particular, against women."
are somewhat correct, there is an often overlooked consequence to the invention of moveable type.
In the minds of many, the invention of moveable type is the singular greatest event in the history of the universe.
Although a very small point - without moveable type, YOU would not be able to publish. In the grand scheme of life the most important concept was spreading knowledge. People no longer needed to go to a field to see a representation of flowers, it was right there in a book.
Multiple copies of books made it possible for many to learn hymns, poetry, visit foreing lands, if only through the words of others.
Without moveable type, there would be no advanced training in so many fields of endeavor, no programs to run computers and no way for anyone to get the medical help they needed as revolutionary ideas in medicine would never exist outside of small groups.
The technology is not all good nor is it all bad - it just is and as such you should not feel threatened by it.
Uh... buddy? Did you finish reading her article before you commented?
"However, let’s not forget that while technologies can become tools of violence and persecution, they can also spur positive change. The same print technology that helped fuel the witch hunts eventually spread mass literacy and education and, in turn, helped challenge the harmful superstitions around witchcraft and women."
I haven't been a subscriber long enough to know if you're a regular jerk around here or just a one-timer, but you ought to know it's not just women who find your condescension noxious, in the event that makes the least bit of difference. If you don't have something mature to add to the conversation, piss off and go back to your own kind. I would ignore it but men have a responsibility to call out other men for this kind of crap.
Gee, Zach, I’m glad you feel strongly enough about this to actually post an opinion.
Unfortunately for you, I don’t think enough of you to consider your input valid - and find your comment ‘go back to your own kind’ to be the very discriminatory response from a single minded bigot who is not secure in his own manhood.
As for your gatekeeping (men calling out other men), bravo on those heroics, you are certainly a credit to our gender, albeit a small and insignificant one.
Women’s reproductive rights in the hands of male relugious zealouts - still terrifying. This fantastic piece draws me to think how women have forgotten or deny their body wisdom & power but DEEP down they hear the witch whispering within. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Thank you! That deep, instinctual wisdom holds so much power. I hope more women start tuning in and embracing it.
Thanks for this history reminder. We don't seem to evolve much - just rinse & repeat.
Unfortunately, history has a way of repeating itself.
This was fascinating. I would have never thought to connect the printing press and witchhunts. And I appreciate the way you thread the needle between that and the modern day online echo chambers of toxic masculinity.
Brilliant historical commentary - love its multiple context. Will share it with some important friends.
Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed it—and appreciate you sharing it!
Excellent BBC podcast series The Coming Storm starts with the same premise to examine right wing politics in the internet age. Good stuff!
I have kids and no cat, but I have some modest herb knowledge and used to be active in the midwifery and doula spaces. There was a magazine called The Compleat Mother that drew a straight line from witches to midwifery and often noted that they were still “burning us.” I loved that little zine!
In Scotland, and likely in other countries as well, some witchcraft accusations explicitly cited 'midwifery' as a valid reason for a woman to be burned at the stake...
Really fascinating insight- thank you!
Thank you!
Indded a cautionary tale - and all too timely. I didn't know that demonizing "witches" had its root in the Old Testament. Out of curiosity, I searched for translations of that Bible verse (there are both Greek translations from the Hebrew, and subsequent translations, including the King James translation in common use today. Much of the latter would not have considered the context in which Exodus was written. I found this article about the history of the possible mistranslation (and subsequent propagandization) of the Hebrew word "mekhashepha" of interest.
In an excellent 2017 article in Haaretz, an Israeli newspaper, the author offers this speculation: "The Septuagint was written by Jewish scholars in ancient Egypt, who were fluent in both Greek and Hebrew. that lends credence to the theory that the Hebrew word really did refer more to herbalists or poisoners, not maleficent spell-casters."
The root (pardon the pun) of modern pharmaceutical medicine is based on plant medicine, but knowledge of this has been removed from our everday world so that Big Pharma can profit.
I wonder if there is not an equal need for those who practice herbalism and know its ancient roots, like you, to educate us more broadly about what the ancients--including many smart and powerful women across millennia--knew and practiced, to the benefit of the afflicted among them. How could that knowledge transform our view of the wise women among us?
A brilliant article, thank you!
Thank you for reading, glad you enjoyed it!
I love articles that make connections I haven’t come across before <3 Something I aim to do as well :)
Sharing widely. On and off social media. Thank you.
Thank you for reading and sharing!
Thank you for writing this! I was reading ‘Witchcraft a history in three trials’ earlier this year and was shocked at how eerily similar it is to modern day misogyny/racism/othering. I would absolutely be burned at the stake in another era
Interesting article! But I take issue with the following claim: "At no other point in history have women faced such a large-scale, legally sanctioned, and religiously endorsed campaign of violent misogyny as during the period of European witch hunts". I would say that violent misogyny is pretty commonplace today within fundamentalist Islam, and I view it as one of the greatest threats to Western civilization, as their actions are not confined to "the manosphere".
Well I suppose it was nice of the troll to illustrate Katie's point about men on the internet, but not really. I thought the first comment was at least as bad as the subsequent ones even though those two were more openly hostile.
🤡
Zach,
What's the matter little buddy - did your feelings get hurt?
just to show there are no hard feelings I'll buy you a grape nehi soda - that will make it all better.
I would argue that while your words:
"But it also helped to spread something else: prejudice, social polarisation and even violence. In particular, against women."
are somewhat correct, there is an often overlooked consequence to the invention of moveable type.
In the minds of many, the invention of moveable type is the singular greatest event in the history of the universe.
Although a very small point - without moveable type, YOU would not be able to publish. In the grand scheme of life the most important concept was spreading knowledge. People no longer needed to go to a field to see a representation of flowers, it was right there in a book.
Multiple copies of books made it possible for many to learn hymns, poetry, visit foreing lands, if only through the words of others.
Without moveable type, there would be no advanced training in so many fields of endeavor, no programs to run computers and no way for anyone to get the medical help they needed as revolutionary ideas in medicine would never exist outside of small groups.
The technology is not all good nor is it all bad - it just is and as such you should not feel threatened by it.
Uh... buddy? Did you finish reading her article before you commented?
"However, let’s not forget that while technologies can become tools of violence and persecution, they can also spur positive change. The same print technology that helped fuel the witch hunts eventually spread mass literacy and education and, in turn, helped challenge the harmful superstitions around witchcraft and women."
uhm…reinforcement of a positive belief - or are you too stupid to recognize that?
See, I also think you are snarky little bitch for asking -BUT- have a blesses day anyway, Jamie!
I haven't been a subscriber long enough to know if you're a regular jerk around here or just a one-timer, but you ought to know it's not just women who find your condescension noxious, in the event that makes the least bit of difference. If you don't have something mature to add to the conversation, piss off and go back to your own kind. I would ignore it but men have a responsibility to call out other men for this kind of crap.
Gee, Zach, I’m glad you feel strongly enough about this to actually post an opinion.
Unfortunately for you, I don’t think enough of you to consider your input valid - and find your comment ‘go back to your own kind’ to be the very discriminatory response from a single minded bigot who is not secure in his own manhood.
As for your gatekeeping (men calling out other men), bravo on those heroics, you are certainly a credit to our gender, albeit a small and insignificant one.
I’ll be blunt; Fuck off, Zach.
Have a BLESSED day!
Hehe, guilty as charged and proud of it! No need to explain what the lady said my dude; I think we got it the first time round :)
I'll have myself a beautifully hellacious day, and I wish the same to you, sir!
Yuval Noah Harari's latest book has a chapter titled the exact same thing. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tKBqPdIJn20
This was excellent! We have so much to learn from history and unfortunately, so many of the same themes continue centuries later.