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Witches (General; Compendium)

Look at some older images of "witches" and they're astride a distaff, not a broomstick. (I'm pretty sure I've done entire talks on this in the past but it's not in the current rotation so the facts aren't at my fingertips, here).

Distaff being the long stick thing that held wool or flax to spin; obvious associations with the feminine, eg" "distaff side of the family", etc etc. A huge (but strangely phallic) symbol of femininity from cultures where every female of almost every social class, had to spin yarn for some part of her day, most days. It seems to morph into a broomstick later. Most women would have a distaff (or several) so it was a sort of shorthand for "female".

Distaff spinning implies a more sophisticated technique than the other sort of spinning which didn't require a distaff - and very long fibres like flax or longwools need to be held by something - the distaff acts as a third hand (Longwool = the sort of wool that medieval England was pre-eminent in supplying the rest of Europe with for centuries). End result is either linen or the more expensive types of woollen cloth. ie: it was universal, but a slightly more demanding skill set, to be able to use a distaff.

Medieval marginalia in manuscripts often have little joke illustrations of ridiculous warriors like snails or, shock horror, women - and they are often shown fighting using the distaff as a lance. So the distaff was also seen, culturally, as a sort of symbol of "world turned upside down" - the medieval mindset saying: "Imagine a parallel universe where women can fight. LOL!" or, in the case of witches: "Imagine a parallel universe where women could fly about and have power! LOL!" (Yes, now am thinking I should work up a presentation on this again).

Distaffs have been found across various cultures, always seem to be identified with the feminine.
 
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Which tax band is she on?

Britain’s first official witch claims expenses on spells and potions​


SEC_94540223.jpg

Cassandra Latham-Jones’ witching business offers tarot card readings, rituals, dark arts and wart charming (Picture: SWNS)
Meet Britain’s first official witch, who has been given unique permission to declare the job on her tax forms.
Cassandra Latham-Jones, 71, is the first person allowed to use the term ‘village witch’ when filing her returns with Inland Revenue.
The self-employed sorceress can even write off ingredients for her magical potions as tax deductible.

Cassandra has been a witch and official wise-woman for the village of St Buryan in Cornwall for over 30 years.

She offers traditional witching services such as tarot card reading, rituals, sea magic, dark arts, spells – and wart charming.
But Cassandra, a trained nurse and qualified counsellor, also carries out other ‘witching’ duties such as counselling and community services.


**EMBRAGOED UNTIL 2PM GMT - MARCH 20, 2022** Cassandra and Laetitia Latham Jones at The Merry Maidens Stone Circle in Cornwall. See SWNS story SWBRwitch. Meet Britain's first official WITCH who was given unique permission to declare the job on her TAX forms - even claiming spells and potions on expenses. Cassandra Latham-Jones, 71, was the first person allowed to use the term 'village witch' when she files her returns with the inland revenue. The self-employed witch can even write off certain expenses as tax deductible - including ingredients for her magical brews. Cassandra has been a witch and official wise-woman for the village of St Buryan in Cornwall for over 30 years. She offers traditional witching services such as tarot card reading, rituals, sea magic, Dark Arts, spells - and wart charming. But Ms Latham-Jones, a trained nurse and qualified counsellor, also carries out other 'witching' duties such as counselling and community services.

She’s retired now, but now helps her partner Laetitia, who hosts practical workshops to help people learn folk magic and wisewoman skills (Picture: SWNS)

https://metro.co.uk/2022/03/20/brit...aims-expenses-on-spells-and-potions-16309274/
 
ramonmercado said:
Which tax band is she on?

Britain’s first official witch claims expenses on spells and potions​


SEC_94540223.jpg

Cassandra Latham-Jones’ witching business offers tarot card readings, rituals, dark arts and wart charming (Picture: SWNS)
Meet Britain’s first official witch, who has been given unique permission to declare the job on her tax forms.
Cassandra Latham-Jones, 71, is the first person allowed to use the term ‘village witch’ when filing her returns with Inland Revenue.
The self-employed sorceress can even write off ingredients for her magical potions as tax deductible.

Cassandra has been a witch and official wise-woman for the village of St Buryan in Cornwall for over 30 years.

She offers traditional witching services such as tarot card reading, rituals, sea magic, dark arts, spells – and wart charming.
But Cassandra, a trained nurse and qualified counsellor, also carries out other ‘witching’ duties such as counselling and community services.


**EMBRAGOED UNTIL 2PM GMT - MARCH 20, 2022** Cassandra and Laetitia Latham Jones at The Merry Maidens Stone Circle in Cornwall. See SWNS story SWBRwitch. Meet Britain's first official WITCH who was given unique permission to declare the job on her TAX forms - even claiming spells and potions on expenses. Cassandra Latham-Jones, 71, was the first person allowed to use the term 'village witch' when she files her returns with the inland revenue. The self-employed witch can even write off certain expenses as tax deductible - including ingredients for her magical brews. Cassandra has been a witch and official wise-woman for the village of St Buryan in Cornwall for over 30 years. She offers traditional witching services such as tarot card reading, rituals, sea magic, Dark Arts, spells - and wart charming. But Ms Latham-Jones, a trained nurse and qualified counsellor, also carries out other 'witching' duties such as counselling and community services.'s first official WITCH who was given unique permission to declare the job on her TAX forms - even claiming spells and potions on expenses. Cassandra Latham-Jones, 71, was the first person allowed to use the term 'village witch' when she files her returns with the inland revenue. The self-employed witch can even write off certain expenses as tax deductible - including ingredients for her magical brews. Cassandra has been a witch and official wise-woman for the village of St Buryan in Cornwall for over 30 years. She offers traditional witching services such as tarot card reading, rituals, sea magic, Dark Arts, spells - and wart charming. But Ms Latham-Jones, a trained nurse and qualified counsellor, also carries out other 'witching' duties such as counselling and community services.

She’s retired now, but now helps her partner Laetitia, who hosts practical workshops to help people learn folk magic and wisewoman skills (Picture: SWNS)

https://metro.co.uk/2022/03/20/brit...aims-expenses-on-spells-and-potions-16309274/
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I think in the US there's no approved list of professions. I'm not even sure you have to list on the tax form what it is. You just fill out schedule C and they can audit you if they want.
 
Lb8535 said:
I think in the US there's no approved list of professions. I'm not even sure you have to list on the tax form what it is. You just fill out schedule C and they can audit you if they want.
Click to expand...
If she's writing off her supplies as tax deductible, it also means she can collect taxes on her services. Gov't wins. Lol
 
Lb8535 said:
I think in the US there's no approved list of professions. I'm not even sure you have to list on the tax form what it is. You just fill out schedule C and they can audit you if they want.
Click to expand...

The name and a description of the business is required on each Schedule C you submit. You also need to enter a six-digit code from a standard listing of business / service types to categorize the business.
 
EnolaGaia said:
The name and a description of the business is required on each Schedule C you submit. You also need to enter a six-digit code from a standard listing of business / service types to categorize the business.
Click to expand...
Do they have a code for shamans? Ed: 812190 Other Personal Care Services.
 
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Lb8535 said:
Do they have a code for shamans? Ed: 812190 Other Personal Care Services.
Click to expand...

There are no categories for religious services (other than working for a religious organization such as a charity), so that's out.

I'd consider:

711510 Independent artists, writers, & performers
OR
611000 Educational services (including schools, colleges, & universities)

... simply to avoid questions, liability, and possible documentation or licensing issues applicable to personal / health service provision.
 
An Diabhal Inti - The Devil’s in Her

Writer, Director, Co-Producer

Produced by Ashlene Aylward

Hundreds of thousands of people, mostly women, were persecuted in the witch hunts in Europe and America in the early modern period.

Yet witch trials were rare in Ireland, a culture where ancient beliefs in powerful female archetypes remained. An Diabhal Inti - The Devil’s in Her explores witchcraft accusations in Ireland, the religious beliefs and social conditions that underpinned them, and how a native cosmology may have protected the Irish from the horror of the witch hunts.

Featuring Olwen Fouéré and Aoife McAtamney

DOP: Raja Nundlall, Editor: Jill Beardsworth, Sound recordist: Christine Barker, Costume by Róisín Gartland

A Lagan Media Production for TG4, BAI, ILBF and BBC Northern Ireland.

.I've only watched Episode 5 which mostly deals with the case of Mary Butters* who practiced Folk Magic, should be of interest to those keen on Witchcraft and Folk Magic.. Bilingual with subtitles available. Links to other episodes at end of page at:

https://www.tg4.ie/en/player/play/?...s=An Diabhal Inti&pcode=048363&genre=Faisneis

* MARY BUTTERS, witch, was born in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, the scene of the infamous Magee Island witch trial of the previous century. At an early age she became a practitioner of “white” magic, using herbal and superstitious remedies to cure ailments. Her specialised area was curing cows suspected of being bewitched. ...

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/irishlives-1.644783
 
ramonmercado said:
* MARY BUTTERS, witch, was born in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, the scene of the infamous Magee Island witch trial of the previous century. At an early age she became a practitioner of “white” magic, using herbal and superstitious remedies to cure ailments. Her specialised area was curing cows suspected of being bewitched. ...

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/irishlives-1.644783
Click to expand...
Odd that the four people in the home (mentioned in the Irish Times article) remained in the house, though perhaps it was not just fumes from whatever they were burning that suffocated them, but possibly carbon monoxide poisoning. It's a wonder that anyone survived with everything sealed up.
 
brownmane said:
Odd that the four people in the home (mentioned in the Irish Times article) remained in the house, though perhaps it was not just fumes from whatever they were burning that suffocated them, but possibly carbon monoxide poisoning. It's a wonder that anyone survived with everything sealed up.
Click to expand...

Are you able to access the player?
 
ramonmercado said:
An Diabhal Inti - The Devil’s in Her

Writer, Director, Co-Producer

Produced by Ashlene Aylward

Hundreds of thousands of people, mostly women, were persecuted in the witch hunts in Europe and America in the early modern period.

Yet witch trials were rare in Ireland, a culture where ancient beliefs in powerful female archetypes remained. An Diabhal Inti - The Devil’s in Her explores witchcraft accusations in Ireland, the religious beliefs and social conditions that underpinned them, and how a native cosmology may have protected the Irish from the horror of the witch hunts.

Featuring Olwen Fouéré and Aoife McAtamney

DOP: Raja Nundlall, Editor: Jill Beardsworth, Sound recordist: Christine Barker, Costume by Róisín Gartland

A Lagan Media Production for TG4, BAI, ILBF and BBC Northern Ireland.

.I've only watched Episode 5 which mostly deals with the case of Mary Butters* who practiced Folk Magic, should be of interest to those keen on Witchcraft and Folk Magic.. Bilingual with subtitles available. Links to other episodes at end of page at:

https://www.tg4.ie/en/player/play/?pid=6302845025001&title=Witch Charn Monaidh&series=An Diabhal Inti&pcode=048363&genre=Faisneis

* MARY BUTTERS, witch, was born in Carrickfergus, Co Antrim, the scene of the infamous Magee Island witch trial of the previous century. At an early age she became a practitioner of “white” magic, using herbal and superstitious remedies to cure ailments. Her specialised area was curing cows suspected of being bewitched. ...

https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/people/irishlives-1.644783
Click to expand...

Biddy early was a Traditional healer and a Midwife, she was seen as a threat by the local clergy and doctors. This episode also deals with Goddesses, in particular The Morrigan.

An Diabhal Inti

S1 E6: Biddy Early

Biddy Early, a bean feasa and a healer, is a powerful symbol of resistance against the culture that produced the horror of the European witch hunts.


Duration: 25:33. First Broadcast: 12.04.22

https://www.tg4.ie/en/player/home/?...s=An Diabhal Inti&genre=Faisneis&pcode=048365

Even though she died more than 130 years ago, the name Biddy Early still sends a frisson through certain of the older generations.

I'm sure I wasn't the only child in Munster to have scuttled to bed with the threat of Biddy Early, rather than the bogeyman, snatching any child found staying up too late.

Historian Meda Ryan writes in her biography 'Biddy Early: The Wise Woman of Clare': "During my period of research for this book, I constantly came up against wide-eyed amazement. 'Do you think you should?' 'Do you think it's alright?' 'How well you're not afraid!' were some of the reactions."

Legend would have it that Biddy was an entity worth fearing. She had four husbands and outlived them all. She had a magic glass bottle that she used to foretell deaths and disasters. Her fury could freeze a horse in its tracks; in a good mood she could save you or your prized livestock from death's door.

Most notoriously of all, to her fellow county folk anyway, she allegedly put a curse on the Clare hurling team that stopped them winning the All-Ireland for more than 80 years.

Biddy Early was born in Faha, near Feakle in east Clare, in 1798, the year when British Crown forces violently quashed a rebellion of the United Irishmen, killing up to 30,000 Irish people, to poor smallholders Tom and Ellen Connors. Ellen's maiden name was Early, which Biddy apparently inherited -- along with her mother's talent for concocting herbal remedies for common ailments.

https://www.independent.ie/style/se...itch-or-woman-ahead-of-her-time-26683760.html

 
@ramonmercado, do you know if these episodes are available elsewhere? I could view the Independent trailer, but none of the episode links. It looks interesting.
 
Comfortably Numb said:
... If you ask someone what they think of when they hear the word ‘witch’ most people will come up with a similar image: old, haggard, ugly, bent-nosed, broomstick-laden and, above all, female.

But how accurate is this stereotype? ...

Well, it depends on what country you were in but, on the whole, women made up the vast majority of those accused and executed. ... There are exceptions to this trend. In Iceland, women made up only eight per cent of the accused and low figures can also be seen in Russia (32 per cent) ...
Click to expand...

This new Smithsonian Magazine article provides an overview of the ways the practices and persecutions of "witches" in Russia were largely different from the situations in other European countries.
In Early Modern Russia, the Majority of Accused ‘Witches’ Were Men

Most of Catholic and Protestant Europe embraced the idea of magic as a satanic craft practiced by women, and strong, independent women were kept in line through such accusations. In Orthodox Russia, however, accusers overwhelmingly blamed men for bewitching them, and they held different ideas of where the power of “magic” came from. ...

Three out of four Russians accused of witchcraft were men. Most were accused of acting alone or with one or two associates, and almost all faced charges for everyday, practical kinds of magic.

Whereas trials in Western Europe involved lurid visions of satanic witchcraft—black sabbaths where naked witches flew on brooms to cannibalistic feasts and diabolical orgies—Russian witches were thought to deploy magic toward more immediate, worldly ends, such as healing wounds or hurting a competitor’s business. ...
Click to expand...
FULL STORY: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/hist...ssia-most-accused-witches-were-men-180980256/
 
A hugely poignant, recent local article.

New memorial remembers 27 people executed in Peebles for witchcraft

Border Telegraph
29th October, 2022
By John Hislop

A YEAR-LONG campaign to secure a memorial in Peebles for people accused of and executed for witchcraft has finally come to fruition.

A granite memorial stone – generously donated by William Purves Funeral Directors, and engraved with the names of 27 local women and men from across Peeblesshire who were brutally killed in 1629 – was unveiled on Tweed Green on Saturday morning.

The stone also stands in memory of the many more who were killed during the suspicious and superstitious times of the seventeenth century.

It commemorates those persecuted and, it is hoped, will serve as a modern day reminder of the importance of tolerance, patience, and compassion.
(End of extract)

Personally, I had come across mention of the trials, however, I had no previous knowledge as regards the outcome.

Shocking, isn't it.

Kudos to all who made the memorial a reality.

Outwith same, some thought provoking observations, lamentably still applicable to this century, expressed within a commendable article.

https://www.bordertelegraph.com/new...embers-27-people-executed-peebles-witchcraft/
 
Regarding the idea of witch flight, can I ask has anyone seen Robert Eggers' much-lauded film The VVitch?
In the final scene, the apparent women rise into the air in defiance of gravity as they dance a ring around a large fire.
The style of flight depicted is very similar to my own dream state experiences. I am actually learning to control my dream flight abilities and improving my command with each experience. The main hazard seems to be electricity power lines.

About an hour ago, I dreamed I revealed my capacity to a small, trusted group, some of whom freaked out. One of the group took me to a conference where all had the ability, and I very emotionally greeted a coterie of four with a very strong sense of familial recognition, though they were strangers. We stared in amazement and joy at one another and wept and embraced. It was very sweet, although not everyone at the event was benevolent.

What is happening to me?
 
skinny said:
Regarding the idea of witch flight, can I ask has anyone seen Robert Eggers' much-lauded film The VVitch?
In the final scene, the apparent women rise into the air in defiance of gravity as they dance a ring around a large fire.
The style of flight depicted is very similar to my own dream state experiences. I am actually learning to control my dream flight abilities and improving my command with each experience. The main hazard seems to be electricity power lines.

About an hour ago, I dreamed I revealed my capacity to a small, trusted group, some of whom freaked out. One of the group took me to a conference where all had the ability, and I very emotionally greeted a coterie of four with a very strong sense of familial recognition, though they were strangers. We stared in amazement and joy at one another and wept and embraced. It was very sweet, although not everyone at the event was benevolent.

What is happening to me?
Click to expand...
I envy you. I really enjoy being able to fly in dreams. I haven't done this for quite a while now.

Interesting in that power lines interfere with your flying. Mine is usually tall buildings that I can't rise above, or, suddenly there seems to be an invisible ceiling that I can't fly beyond.

I have also had a dream where a like minded group of people met and we understood each other in the way that you describe. It is wonderful when that happens.

I do think people travel in their dreams. Not always, but in those special ones that stand out as different. Sometimes, there is knowledge gleaned, other times it is camaraderie.

Yes I did see VVitch. Loved it.
 
I used to regularly dream I was flying, sometimes it’d be to escape from somebody (or something) chasing me and other times just for the pure enjoyment or to spy on somebody… Occasionally I’d suffer vertigo when flying around! I very rarely have those dreams these days.

I‘ve always had some sort of fascination with witches from being young. Maybe it was our teacher reading us tales of Meg and Mog at school, who knows. I remember at times like Halloween when classmates were spooked or fearful, I’d sit at night eagerly looking out my bedroom window into the black sky in the hope of catching a glimpse of a witch!

I was in one of those wonderful shops which sells everything from crystals and incense to tarot cards and diving rods once, and a chap came in off the street and up to me (I think I was looking at fossils at the time). He said something like, “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but are you a witch? I don’t mean it as an insult in any way.” I told him I wasn’t, and then the woman working in the shop joined in (I’d got to know her to say hello to through going in the shop regularly) saying she always had the feeling about me that I’d been a witch in a former life. Strange conversation that was.

Oh and I loved The VVitch too.
 
Naturally a Unionist councillor wouldn't accept their innocence.

Keith Turner, a UUP councillor on Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, rejected a proposed line on the plaque declaring the women and man's innocence, the Sunday Life reported. He argued the council had no authority to clear their convictions. The line is not included on the plaque.

A plaque has been unveiled in Islandmagee, County Antrim to commemorate the last witch trial on the island of Ireland.

The trial took place at Carrickfergus courthouse in 1711 when eight women and a man were found guilty of performing witchcraft against a young woman. Mary Dunbar had accused them of bewitching and tormenting her.

Author Martina Devlin had campaigned for the plaque since 2014 to remember the "lingering injustice".

The women and man, who would become known as the Islandmagee witches, were all sentenced to a year in jail and forced to do time in the public stocks, a narrow escape from the death sentence.

Ms Devlin told BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme: "[Mary Dunbar] said they were tormenting her, that they were witches, they wanted to her to join their coven."

Ms Devlin said Dunbar had claimed the witches could make themselves tiny and reach her through her bedroom keyhole.

"This was important because this was spectral evidence, it was accepted at the court. Invisible spirits which the [victim] was the only person who could see and there was no medical evidence entered," she added.
Ms Devlin said the eight women "fitted the template" of witchcraft at the time. The author and journalist, who has written a novel about the trial, said she has never been able to forget the women and the man. Those convicted were from Islandmagee and the surrounding areas.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-65025035
 
It seems a silly thing to fuss about; doubly so when you read what does on in other countries in the present day.
 
Exonerated at last.

Connecticut lawmakers have voted to exonerate 12 people more than 370 years after they were convicted of witchcraft in colonial America.

Eleven of the 12 were hanged after trials that the state Senate now acknowledges were a "miscarriage of justice". It follows a long-running campaign by descendants to clear the names of those wrongfully accused of being witches. Dozens were executed for witchcraft in the US in the 17th Century.

On Thursday, Connecticut's Senate voted 33-1 to exonerate those convicted in trials that took place in the state in the mid-to-late 1600s. The resolution had already passed in Connecticut's House of Representatives, with 121 votes in favour and 30 against.

The resolution follows nearly two decades of lobbying by the CT Witch Trial Exoneration Project, a group set up in 2005 by descendants of the accused. The group said they are "ecstatic, pleased, and appreciative" especially as the decision comes on the eve of the 376th anniversary of the first witch-hanging in New England - that of Alice Young.

"We are grateful to descendants, advocates, historians, legislators of both parties and many others who made this official resolution possible."

They added that they "will continue to advocate for historical education and memorialisation of the witch trial victims".

Some members of the organisation discovered their family links using genealogy tests.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65724066
 
London’s local hero: the witch of Hackney Wick

Introduce yourself...

My name is Semra Haksever, I’m a 45-year-old witch. I have been in London all my life, I now live in Leyton.

What do you do?

I have a little shop in Hackney that’s open by appointment where I make magic candles and potions, hold workshops, full moon rituals and do 1:1 bespoke spell sessions. My whole intention when I started Mama Moon was to create magic and make it something much more accessible because I know there’s quite a lot of mystery surrounding it. I really believe in spreading cosmic vibes around the world. I’m still pinching myself now really, that magic is what I get to do everyday!

When did you first know that you were a witch?

Both my grandmas were incredibly connected to the other side. My Turkish nana was a very infamous coffee cup reader in north London and so I grew up around ritualistic stuff. Then when I was 17, I learned to do Reiki. It really was just like this amazing, light bulb moment of energy. People have a different awareness to magic and energy now but in the 90s, I hadn’t heard of that concept before. I was feeling people’s energy all the time but I didn’t realise it.

What magic do you practise?

I call myself an eclectic witch.

Etc.

https://www.standard.co.uk/esmagazi...ndon-local-hero-summer-solstice-b1089079.html

maximus otter
 
ramonmercado said:
Naturally a Unionist councillor wouldn't accept their innocence.

Keith Turner, a UUP councillor on Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, rejected a proposed line on the plaque declaring the women and man's innocence, the Sunday Life reported. He argued the council had no authority to clear their convictions. The line is not included on the plaque.

A plaque has been unveiled in Islandmagee, County Antrim to commemorate the last witch trial on the island of Ireland.

The trial took place at Carrickfergus courthouse in 1711 when eight women and a man were found guilty of performing witchcraft against a young woman. Mary Dunbar had accused them of bewitching and tormenting her.

Author Martina Devlin had campaigned for the plaque since 2014 to remember the "lingering injustice".

The women and man, who would become known as the Islandmagee witches, were all sentenced to a year in jail and forced to do time in the public stocks, a narrow escape from the death sentence.

Ms Devlin told BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme: "[Mary Dunbar] said they were tormenting her, that they were witches, they wanted to her to join their coven."

Ms Devlin said Dunbar had claimed the witches could make themselves tiny and reach her through her bedroom keyhole.

"This was important because this was spectral evidence, it was accepted at the court. Invisible spirits which the [victim] was the only person who could see and there was no medical evidence entered," she added.
Ms Devlin said the eight women "fitted the template" of witchcraft at the time. The author and journalist, who has written a novel about the trial, said she has never been able to forget the women and the man. Those convicted were from Islandmagee and the surrounding areas.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-65025035
Click to expand...

Experience the Islandmagee witches through VR.

The last witchcraft trial to take place on the island of Ireland is being brought to life in a new virtual reality experience.

In 1711, eight women and a man were found guilty of witchcraft at Carrickfergus courthouse. A young girl new to the area, Mary Dunbar, had accused them of bewitching and tormenting her, culminating in a dramatic trial.

The group would become known as the Islandmagee Witches. The majority were sentenced to a year in jail and forced to do time in the public stocks.

Now people will have the chance to experience the witch trial for themselves.

A screengrab from the virtual reality project shows two hands reaching towards a large rock by the sea on a moonlit light

Image caption, The Demonised: Possessed and Bewitched experience is being launched at Carrickfergus Museum

The Demonised: Possessed and Bewitched experience is being launched at Carrickfergus Museum in September. It is part of a new exhibition on the Islandmagee Witches which runs until mid-November.

The project harnesses cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) technology that has been developed by Belfast tech firm Sentireal on behalf of Ulster University (UU). Research from across the university's north-west campuses was also used to bring the centuries old story to life.

Dr Helen Jackson, a senior lecturer in interactive media at UU, said academics and industry working together made things "more enhanced".

"It has allowed us to bring this important piece of our history to life in a way that will engage people in the 21st century" she said. "We wanted people to give people a sense of what it means to be persecuted and that feeling of being disorientated, confused and alienated and even nervous when you know everyone is against you."

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-66610611
 
ramonmercado said:
Experience the Islandmagee witches through VR.

The last witchcraft trial to take place on the island of Ireland is being brought to life in a new virtual reality experience.

In 1711, eight women and a man were found guilty of witchcraft at Carrickfergus courthouse. A young girl new to the area, Mary Dunbar, had accused them of bewitching and tormenting her, culminating in a dramatic trial.

The group would become known as the Islandmagee Witches. The majority were sentenced to a year in jail and forced to do time in the public stocks.

Now people will have the chance to experience the witch trial for themselves.

A screengrab from the virtual reality project shows two hands reaching towards a large rock by the sea on a moonlit light

Image caption, The Demonised: Possessed and Bewitched experience is being launched at Carrickfergus Museum

The Demonised: Possessed and Bewitched experience is being launched at Carrickfergus Museum in September. It is part of a new exhibition on the Islandmagee Witches which runs until mid-November.

The project harnesses cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) technology that has been developed by Belfast tech firm Sentireal on behalf of Ulster University (UU). Research from across the university's north-west campuses was also used to bring the centuries old story to life.

Dr Helen Jackson, a senior lecturer in interactive media at UU, said academics and industry working together made things "more enhanced".

"It has allowed us to bring this important piece of our history to life in a way that will engage people in the 21st century" she said. "We wanted people to give people a sense of what it means to be persecuted and that feeling of being disorientated, confused and alienated and even nervous when you know everyone is against you."

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-66610611
Click to expand...
You going to check this out @ramonmercado?
 
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