Witching Hour at the Watkinson

Bella Chirkis ’27

News Editor

The annual “Witching Hour” took place at the Watkinson Library on Wednesday, Oct. 30. About 30 students and staff had the ability to view a variety of books and materials that were used to interrogate witches during the 15th century. Some of the books were specific to Connecticut and Hartford, educating students about local history. The event included Halloween-themed cocktails and mocktails as well as snacks that were free to enjoy. The books were placed as a walk-around display, opened for anyone to look through, as well as a printed description of the importance of each book and why it was significant to the time period. The event also had displays of medicine cabinets that doctors used to transport their remedies during this time, and we got to see the slots in which each medicine was placed for a specific illness. 

Featured titles included “De Praestigiis Daemonum & Incantationibus” by Johann Weyer (1515-1588). This title featured Weyer’s anti-realist position on the issue of witchcraft during this time. The alleged powers of demons were believed to be tricks and delusions, implying that witches or witchcraft  is based upon a mental state or disability. Weyer was a Dutch physician and he argued that those that believe themselves to be witches or can experience witchcraft should require medical treatment instead of legal prosecution and judgment. When the witch panic experienced its second wave, the works of Weyer’s helped offer a skeptical and humane counterpoint to the works of  “true believers,” an example being Jean Bodin. 

“De Magorum Daemonomania” written by Jean Bodin (1530-1596) was highly influential to society during the second wave of the witch panic. The second wave of the witch panic began in the 16th century, and during this time period Bodin was highly respected as a political thinker. Bodin is alike to other thinkers when it comes to the reality of witchcraft, such as Heinrich Insitoris. Bodin in turn opposed those like Johnann Weyer, who believed that Weyer downplayed the seriousness of witchcraft by considering it to be a form of mental delusion. 

“Saducismus Triumphatus: or the Full and Plain Evidence Concerning Witches and Apparitions” written by John Glanvill (1636-1680) offers a rebuttal to Webster’s previously skeptical attitudes about witches. Glanvill was a follower of the London’s Royal Society which was the first society formed in Britain for the promotion of scientific knowledge. Glanvill’s defense of the reality of what witchcraft truly was in turn was a part of a larger effort to resist skepticism about supernatural phenomenon. 

“The Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft” by John Webster (1611-1682) took a more skeptical and naturalistic stance toward the issue of witchcraft and further argued that witches are the frequent product of delusion. Webster’s work takes a particular aim at contemporary writers such as Meric Casaubon and Joseph Glanvill who attempted to revive belief in the reality of witchcraft. 

Students interested in these titles or learning more about witchcraft and the ideas that circulated behind this historical event can attend the Witching Hour annually for fun snacks and Halloween drinks, and an opportunity to see a piece of our history.