The Scottish Witch Trials - Ashes in the Archive

In this episode of Hex & Muse, we step into the Scottish witch trials — where thousands, most of them women, were accused and executed under the Witchcraft Act of 1563.Through historical research and recorded testimony, we explore how fear became law, and how ordinary lives were transformed into accusation.This episode was inspired in part by the work of the Witches of Scotland podcast: https://www.witchesofscotland.com/podcastReferences & Further ReadingGoodare, Julian. The Scottish Witch-Hunt in Context. Manchester University Press, 2002.University of Edinburgh. Survey of Scottish Witchcraft Database. https://www.shc.ed.ac.uk/Research/witches/Larner, Christina. Enemies of God: The Witch-Hunt in Scotland. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1981.Roper, Lyndal. Witch Craze: Terror and Fantasy in Baroque Germany. Yale University Press, 2004.Levack, Brian P. The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe. Routledge, 2016.Gaskill, Malcolm. Witchcraft: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2010.James VI of Scotland. Daemonologie. 1597.Sollee, Kristen J. Witches, Sluts, Feminists: Conjuring the Sex Positive. ThreeL Media, 2017.Witches of Scotland Campaign. https://www.witchesofscotland.comWitches of Scotland Podcast. https://www.witchesofscotland.com/podcastScottish Parliament (2022). Statement by Nicola Sturgeon on the Scottish Witch Trials.North Berwick Witch Trials (1590–1592)Lilias Adie (d. 1704)Maggie Wall (c. 1657, memorial)Agnes Sampson (executed 1591)Isobel Gowdie (confessions, 1662)Janet Horne (executed 1727)Hex & Muse is recorded on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. I pay my deepest respects to their Elders past and present - and to all First Nations people, whose stories and spirits continue to shape this land.Follow along for more folklore, magic, and mythic musings:Instagram: @hexandmuse Website: www.hexandmuse.comHex & Muse is a spellbound journal of folklore, magic, art, and the sacred feminine - told through cinematic storytelling and whispered histories.From my altar to yours… thank you for listening.