I'm a Child of a Salem Witch

I don't remember if I've explained my user name on my blog before or if I've discussed my ancestry. However I had a question in my email that is actually pretty common. This person wanted to know the best places to visit in Salem, Mass. Because my name is SalemWitchChild people automatically assume I live or have at least visited Salem, Massachusetts. I haven't! Though one of my life goals one day is to visit, I have never had the pleasure of visiting. FYI, if and when I visit Salem, the first place I'm going is the museum there. *wink*

I use to go by the name White Feathers online. It's my tribal name however it was no longer really fitting my spirituality. I was slowly moving away from Native American shamanism and incorporating Wiccan beliefs into my life at the time. I went through a period in my life where I ignored my "white" ancestry and wanted to connect to my native heritage. I realized I was living an unbalanced life and it wasn't healthy to ignore a whole generation of ancestry and tradition.

At the same time I was feeling I needed to delve into another path, I started to research my ancestry. My grandmother had most of my work done for me. My great grandmothers family tree traced back to early 1500's England. In the family tree I recognized that an ancestor had lived close to and died in Salem, Mass during the Salem Witch Trials. I did more digging and sure enough, one of my ancestors was hung as a Salem witch. Therefore, I am a child of a Salem witch and my new Internet ID was born.

 Susannah North Martin lived in Amesbury Mass,. She was married to George Martin. At the time of her death she was a widow and was hanged July 19th, 1692. She is my 10th generation great grandmother. Over the years I would connect with her spirit and research more of her life and death. In a way she helped me embrace the part of me I at one time wanted no part of and ignored completely. 

So, back to my original intent of this post, while I'd love to visit or even live in the New England states for a time, I have never been there. Maybe one day though. ;)

How did you choose the name for your blog?

When I first started my blog I really couldn't come up with anything but "Salem's Creations". I knew it had to have something to do with my username, SalemWitchChild. I've used the name for several years. Just google it and you can find me all over the net. But I didn't want it to just be SWC's blog. I consider myself to be a crafty woman. I just don't feel like I am crafty right now. I want to get back to sewing, I want to make my candles again, and I want to do more writing. And lately I'd love to try to crochet! I just don't have the $ to invest in materials and books on how to do it.

I have been doing some writing (Mostly for this blog) but I know I could be doing more if I had more motivation and time. Having a 5 month old limits what I can do.

I just feel like I haven't lived up to the name of the blog. What do you think? How did you come up with the name of your blog? If your not happy with it, would you ever change it?

A favourite pagan/witchy movie.

I have to admit I am a total witchy movie liker (Yeah I'm making up words). I know they are fake, they give witchcraft and Paganism in general a bad name. But they are so fun!

My all time favorite witchy movie has to be the Harry Potter series. Its so thought out and filled with twists and turns. JK Rowling is one of my most favorite authors. So for a witchy movie, Harry Potter is at the top.

 

And then we have the other movies like Practical Magic, The Craft, and Race to Witch Mountain. All great movies. And who could forget Elphaba! As a kid I was afraid of the Wizard of Oz. I never wanted to watch it. But then the book, Wicked came out, and I fell in love with her. Such a misunderstood character!

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Have a wonderful Mabon!

To all my Pagan, Witchy, and Wiccan friends, have a wonderful Mabon! Last Saturday we celebrated Mabon with Lynn and the members of Innana's Spiritual Center. We had a lovely ceremony at the Yoctangee park in Chillicothe. Then we had a potluck dinner with good friends and camaraderie. I was going to take pictures of our Mabon tree for this post, but alas I was wrestling a 15 lb baby the whole day and forgot.

I've saw a lot of great posts about Mabon cooking lately. From Pumpkin pies to bread, it all sounds wonderful. I think I'm just going to stick with making sloppy joes for dinner and maybe I'll make muffins or a cake today. I know I could get a lot more elaborate, but I think I'll focus on my writing. :)

So again, Happy Mabon!



~Magickal Graphics~

For those who do not know what Mabon is, here are some informational links.

Earth Witchery - Mabon
Joelle Sacred Grove- Mabon

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A photo of a magical place outdoors.

For me a magical place that I want to visit some day is Salem, Massachusetts. I want to visit my ancestors memorial stone, and I want to visit the witch museum. I hear they have some items from Susannah Martins cabin there. Susannah is a 10th great grandmother to me. I feel a connection to her. I think if I could meet her today she would be a very strict woman. One I may not totally get along with. But I think she also had a kind side. Quick to temper and quick to forgive is how I see her. Perhaps I am completely wrong and I'll never know. But that's how I imagine her to be.

Susannah Martin was hung during the Salem Witch Trials on July 19th 1692. I wrote a poem for her several years ago.

Susannah Martin of Amesbury, Mass

They said you were a witch but you saw through their lies. 

Oh the afflicted did cry out, 

but you laughed in their face. 

Oh why dear grandmother did

you not smack them in the face. 

Well I suppose in the end we all must die, 

Your death shall be remembered throughout time and space. 

Blessed be dear grandmother. 

SalemWitchChild

If you've ever wondered why I took the name SalemWitchChild, this is it. I am a child of a Salem witch. Of course she wasn't a true witch. She was a devout Christian. One that took no shit. In her time she was outspoken, and that proved to be deadly. I admire her spunk. So there you have it, this place is very spiritual for me and I'm certain when I visit it will be a very magical experience.

To learn more about Susannah and her ordeal please visit this bloggers post. They've done a wonderful job telling Susannah's tale.