Women and Healing | The Original Witch Hunt | 2

Feb 3, 2026

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INSIGHT

Healing Knowledge Turned Into Guilt

Afua Hirsch highlights James's framing: "who knows how to heal knows how to destroy," linking healing knowledge to culpability.
The idea made virtually all women vulnerable because female healing equalled potential witchcraft.

INSIGHT

Climate Stress Fueled Persecutions

Peter Frankopan connects the witch hunts to the Little Ice Age and volcanic-driven cold in the 1590s, causing crop failures and social stress.
He argues climate-driven scarcity and fear made societies look for scapegoats like alleged witches.

INSIGHT

Literature Amplified Witch Panic

Afua Hirsch notes witch imagery permeated culture, citing Macbeth's witches as resonant with James-era fears.
Literary portrayals amplified public terror about female supernatural power.

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