My ancestors, were they witches? This is a question that has often crossed my mind. Growing up, I heard stories from my relatives about strange things happening in our family's history. Whispers of witches and magic surrounded certain individuals. It was a tale that both fascinated and unnerved me. I delved deep into our family tree, tracing back the branches and uncovering forgotten names. As I uncovered each generation, I searched for clues that might lead me to an answer.
Another way of connecting with your ancestors at Samhain is to cleanse and protect your space then set a place for them at your home. Offer a suitable meal or offer cake and tea (which is universally welcomed!) and, while sitting at the table, light a black candle and call out to invite your ancestor to come forward.
Before communicating with your ancestors, make sure you have the skills and experience in the craft, master your tools and protect yourself and your home. Practising ancestral witchcraft involves studying the culture, foods and day-to-day ways of your ancestors and incorporating it into your magickal path.
As I uncovered each generation, I searched for clues that might lead me to an answer. Were any of my ancestors witches? The stories pointed to a particular lineage. It was said that my great-great grandmother possessed an otherworldly power.
Witch ancestry - are you the descendant of a witch?
"We are the daughters of the witches you didn't burn" is the latest popular phrase I've seen casually thrown around on social media - mostly shared on witchy groups in Facebook and emblazoned across T-Shirts and hoodies in sponsored Instagram posts.
Burning witches is not a phrase to be taken lightly. It has been estimated that around 50,000 people were executed as witches in Europe alone during the witch-hunt hysteria of the 15th to 18th centuries, with hundreds of thousands more in the US. Many of these victims were hanged or beheaded, or died in prison cells during the hysteria of the witch trials. Those that survived were horrifically tortured or put on trial only to force an accusation of another neighbour or villager. Many surviving witches and Pagans went into hiding. A lot of innocent people died.
Witchcraft at Salem Village - Image source: WikipediaIf you're new to witchcraft, or curious to find out whether you're related to a witch, exploring your ancestral line is a fascinating place to start but, before delving into your family’s history, it is important to think about whether you believe these men and women were actually practising witches or not. Under conditions of torture, the majority of the accused would confess to being witches to lessen their sentence or to avoid further punishment. Their closest connection to witchcraft simply being the practise of using locally found herbs for healing.
I intentionally wrote 'practising' witches above because everybody has magickal connections in their family tree, if you go back far enough. European ancestors were Pagan before Christianity took over, Ancient Greeks encompassed a collection of beliefs and rituals and Hinduism, the oldest religion in existence and the third largest in the modern world, focuses on practises such as meditation, chants, yoga and burning incense for their deities. Practises may be called different things and techniques may differ slightly, but the magick has always been there. Everyone has at least one connection to a priest, priestesses, druid, shaman or witch doctor throughout ancient history.
Whether it's basic level nature magick or experienced witchcraft, humans have been using magick for as long as we have existed. Some witches are born knowing their abilities or born into a magickal household, while others learn and develop them throughout their life.
Witches harness their powers and practice witchcraft. Some do it openly, some only ever in their private space. You may never know if you have a witchy ancestor but, the first step to finding out is to identify your family tree. Beginning with your last name, write your father last name and mother’s maiden name above it, then branch out to her mother’s maiden name and her father's name (your grandmother and grandfather on your mother's side), and your father’s mother’s maiden name and his father's name (your grandmother and grandfather on your father's side) and so on. Identify as many surnames as you can, then compare those names against recognised witch bloodline names. It also helps if you mark where those family members lived to get an idea of where the names originated from. This will make finding your ancestors slightly easier.
The next step is to research the names. There is an enormous amount of information on the internet and you can use online tools such as Ancestry.com which has an enormous record collection. Some genealogy sites are free, some are pay-per-view and some require a subscription. It's also worthwhile speaking to your family members and visit your local records office if you have one. London's Wellcome Library recently published a seventeenth century manuscript online, available at Ancestry.com, containing the names of over 300 people accused of witchcraft during the Scottish witch panic of 1658-1662.
She could heal ailments, predict the future, and communicate with spirits. Her abilities were both admired and feared by those who knew her. As I dug deeper, I discovered that this gift seemed to run in our bloodline. My great-great-great aunt was known for her ability to cast spells for protection and prosperity. People sought her help during times of need, believing in her powers. But were these tales just folklore, exaggerated over time? Or did my ancestors truly possess a connection to the supernatural? I had no concrete evidence, only family anecdotes and old journals to rely on. While it remains a mystery, I choose to believe that there might be some truth to these stories. There is a part of me that wants to embrace the idea of having a magical heritage. It is a romantic notion, to think that I am connected to a world beyond our own, guided by ancient forces. Even if my ancestors were not witches in the traditional sense, they were undoubtedly women who possessed extraordinary skills and knowledge. They were healers, intuitives, and sources of wisdom in their communities. Their legacy lives on through the stories that have been passed down through generations. Whether they were witches or not, their presence in my family's history has left a profound impact on me. It has sparked an interest in the occult, in the powers that lie within ourselves and the world around us. It is a reminder that there is much more to our existence than what meets the eye. So, were my ancestors witches? Perhaps the answer lies somewhere in between reality and mythology. Regardless, I am proud to carry their bloodline and the stories that come with it. And who knows, maybe a touch of magic runs through my veins after all..
Reviews for "The Witchcraft Whisperers: Tracing My Ancestors' Supernatural Powers"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Were My Ancestors Witches". The book had a promising premise, but it failed to deliver on so many levels. The character development was weak, and I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters. The plot felt scattered and lacked a coherent direction, making it hard to follow the story. Overall, I would not recommend this book to others.
2. Sarah - 3/5 stars - While "Were My Ancestors Witches" had its moments, I couldn't fully enjoy it due to several reasons. The writing style felt disjointed, with abrupt shifts in the narrative that left me confused at times. Additionally, the pacing was off, with long periods of monotony followed by rushed and underdeveloped action sequences. I also found some inconsistencies in the world-building, which made it hard for me to fully immerse myself in the story. Overall, it had potential, but it fell short in execution.
3. Mark - 2/5 stars - "Were My Ancestors Witches" was a major letdown for me. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it challenging to invest emotionally in their journey. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, often stilted and unrealistic. The plot had potential, but it seemed like the author didn't know where to take it, resulting in a convoluted and messy storyline. Unfortunately, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating read.