New England was already struggling with war, anxiety, national insecurity, disease, food, and economic instability: Now that the Witch Trials are well underway, anxiety goes from troubling to crippling. 6 people have been hung to death, and stories of giant witch covens become far more elaborate. Rumors that 300 witches are trying to turn the New World into Satan's kingdom lead to fear and mistrust among even the most stable families, and even worse, a trusted minister in the church just might be leading the entire evil crusade.

Women are experiencing crippling seizures, bite marks, bleeding at the mouth, sickness, possession, and a host of symptoms no one can control or fully explain. What's happening? Most of Salem believes that the only way to secure their future is to find those in the devil’s employ and rid the world of them. But some believe these executions are themselves the work of the devil, who schemes to get citizens to turn on each other and harm one’s neighbor. Who’s right? What is true? How can we trust anyone?

Listen and learn about one of the most important turning points of the Salem Witch Trials.

After the first execution of the Salem Witch Trials, colonialists are pushed into making a choice: Do we turn back and stop making any judgments in the court of Oyer and Terminer until we can understand these strange torments? Or do we press in further, launching a crusade of bloodshed against the whiles of the devil?

The Witch Trials are an incredible case study of how fear can warp the mind. Is anxiety producing hallucinations? Are demons playing games with the lives of the colonists? Perhaps it’s a strange amalgamation between the two. Giant white birds with demon eyes, black cats, murderous raids in the French and Indian Wars, greasy imps, witch coven meetings in Boston, jealousy, bitterness, and tragic loss all swirl into one of the most chaotic and infamous events in Western History. Colony life was incredibly challenging, and pain and suffering surround every accusation and condemnation in the witch courts.

Dive into the heart-wrenching stories that caused the 18th century to rethink its faith and practice, and helped create case laws America is still using today, like presumption of innocence.

The Power of Positive Thinking - Mindcure - Prosperity Theology - Self Care - These ideas have shaped the landscape of America over the last two centuries and caused incredible success and frightening philosophies since their inception. But where did these ideas come from? What caused Americans to be obsessed with self-mastery and human potential? Start Here, with the New Thought Movement!