Description
Witchcraft has long been bound up with fear, power and control. Accusations of witchcraft have been used to police women’s bodies, beliefs and behaviours, particularly those who defied social, religious or patriarchal norms.
From early modern witch trials to modern spiritual practice, the panel asks what the witch represents today and why she continues to challenge systems of power.
Drawing on history, folklore and contemporary culture, the discussion examines how the figure of the witch became a symbol of misogyny and moral panic and why she has since been reclaimed as an icon of feminist resistance.
About the Author
Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi
Human rights lawyer Claire Mitchell KC and writer Zoe Venditozzi founded the Witches of Scotland campaign to expose the historic injustice of Scotland’s Witch Trials. Their campaigning led to a formal state apology on International Women’s Day 2022. Through public appearances and their podcast, they continue to advocate for a memorial and highlight the persecution of women accused of witchcraft today.
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