Description
A witch was portrayed with boils and pimples, short, plump, aged, grey haired, barren, sick and presenting thyself with all sorts of ailments known to humans at that time. For a woman, to the patriarchal society, was nothing but an object that could be owned, showcased and often bedded. We constantly seem to demonize independent women. Nothing threatens the patriarchy more than an independent woman, especially one who has autonomy.
Centuries have passed since the Witch Trials. However, we are still living by the prejudices and beliefs stemming from medieval Europe. In a patriarchal society, a woman is nothing but property. Her only assets are beauty and reproductive ability, tolerated in conditional quantities. For the rising popularity of the Church, free will, education, independence and money with respect to women were not only frowned upon, but those possessing such assets were historically condemned.
The success of the Patriarch, their strong-foothold upon their followers, heavily depended upon the Chambers of Oppression they had erected. A woman’s primordial importance in this society was her role in marriage and motherhood. Any woman who digresses from this idealized concept of “Womanhood”, was often dealt with harshly. The terms Witch, Slut, Feminist and Lesbian are not just historical in their categorization of idealized versions of womanhood, but are prevalent in today’s world.
As we experience Witch Trials today, let’s revisit the past, the politics, the perceptions that played a major role in the loss of lives by these women. Let’s draw parallels between the Witches of yesterday and those of today.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- By the end of the session, attendees will be able to elucidate the intersectionality in the construction of witchy archetypes with other axes of identity, including gender, sexuality, race, class, caste, sexuality, age and religion.
AASECT Individual CE Provider #26-622-NR – You can review my Grievance Policy Here. This course meets the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for 1 CE credit. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification. Completion of this program does not ensure or guarantee AASECT certification. For further information please contact info@aasect.org.
