Today we'll be discussing the Salem Witch Trials, but before getting into that, we'll

look at the origins of witchcraft, learn about the various types of witches, discuss the

powers and practices of the witch, and learn how to identify witches living among us.

Then we'll dive into the hysteria that spread through Salem Village near the end of the

17th century. We'll discuss who was accused, why they were accused, and the seemingly

endless trials that took place. I'm Mike. I'm Ian. And I'm Dave. If you thought the Salem

Witch Trials were just one more example of out of control religious fanaticism, stick

around. You are absolutely correct. This is Necronomopod.

And then came Heinrich Kramer's Witches Hammer, or Malayus Malifakarum in 1487. Kramer

was a Dominican monk whose book became amazingly popular. Like for over a century, it was the

second best-selling book in Europe behind only the Bible. And the book argues that Satan,

due to the fact that the apocalypse is coming, has quote, caused a certain unusual heretical

perversity to grow up in the land of the Lord, a heresy, I say, of sorceresses, since it is

to be designated by the particular gender of which he is known to have power. The book goes

on to describe in detail the many evils of these mostly female practitioners of witchcraft

and to advocate for all outlaw.

I recently decided that being a history buff kind of, I think we've talked about in the show,

I have a background in studying history. Most prominently, I'm very interested in the United

States presidents. I recently set a goal for myself where I'm going to read at least one by

well, one biography on every US president. It's going to be a long-term goal. Wow. Yeah. So

what I'm going to do, I like to read and try to keep myself educated at least and just sit there

and watch pro wrestling and national parks. I'm more than just that folks. I'm a complex individual.

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