The Girl Phenomen The Salem Witch Trials

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The word witch comes from the Old English word wicca, meaning wise one or a woman who was thought to have evil, magic powers. In 1962, a group of girls claimed to have been possessed by the devil in Salem Village, Massachusetts. They began to display bizarre behaviors, including, seizures, screaming, and trance-like states. Physicians were called in to examine the girls, and could find no natural cause of the disturbing behavior. Soon, the community realized that it must be the work of Satan, and they began praying and fasting in order to rid itself of the devil’s influence. Three women were identified, and the girls’ say they had been controlling their behavior. One of the women, named Tituba, confessed to seeing the devil who appeared to