Exploring the Concept of Witchcraft in 1692 New England

In 1692 New England, the concept of witchcraft was deeply intertwined with the religious beliefs of the Puritans. To them, a witch was someone working for the devil to undermine the Puritan mission of creating a pure society. The Puritans, who settled in New England seeking purity in faith, viewed anyone as a potential witch if they posed a threat to their religious mission. Trappings of witchcraft such as familiars (evil spirits in animal form) and 'witch marks' (supposed indicators of being a witch) were common beliefs. The difficulty lied in defining who was a witch, leading to individuals being accused based on personal grudges or deviating from societal norms. Outsiders like Sarah Osborne, accused of witchcraft for her unconventional living arrangements and failure to conform, were often scapegoats for societal fears and anxieties.