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Autism & Witchcraft

Anthony

For those who don’t know, I’ve quite an interest in history and in particular the historic application of crime and punishment. Recently during research for a project I’m working on it occurred to me that there were a large number (though nowhere near as larger number as many think) of trials for people accused of witchcraft - some were executed, others put in prison. The thing is, the basis for an allegation of witchcraft was so broad - but essentially you could report anyone who didn’t appear normal to authorities as a witch. This got me thinking, I wonder how many people with sensory, personality or behavioural issues we now know to be traits of autism were accused of witchcraft. Things like a meltdown could easily be perceived as such. It’s not as far fetched as you’d imagine - for example, a woman who gave birth to a baby with deformities in the hands and feet was accused of witchcraft and hanged for her ‘crime’ as it was said she cast a spell to turn her baby’s hands and feet into hooves of a horse so as she could ride the child as a horse! Given this as an example, I would hate to think what they made of autistic traits! 

  • in reply to Roswell

    I probably would if I could ever find anyone willing to discuss it. As it is so obviously a taboo subject, I have made almost zero effort to tell anyone local; local family included. And with the very very few I have informed, we will probably never discuss the subject again. I can't even tell you with any assurance why it is taboo, because no one is willing to even take the risk of spelling it out. I can think of two or three possible reasons, in combination. I won't tell you those, because that would easily give my location away. And online surveillance does happen. It's definitely 'political', but 'witch-hunts' are far from unknown here. And I've no intention of becoming their victim.

  • in reply to Roswell

    This is a very valid point though one wonders how those with low functioning autism were perceived back then. 

  • in reply to Senor

    Yeah though the project in on isn’t this (though it may be a future project) just this theme currently taos in to what I’m currently researching) 

  • in reply to mouse2

    It would seem the burden of proof was reasonably low - essentially anything the judge felt was not ‘normal’ could be perceived as witchcraft. It’s worth remembering that back then science was nowhere near as advanced as today, as a result anything which did not make sense was put down to either god and the devil or witchcraft. Essentially witches were feared hence why the death penalty was used. However, contrary to belief we didn’t just burn people at the stake upon the first allegation (usually), in Elizabethan times the death penalty was only for a second offence in most cases, the first got a year in prison and time in the pillory - quite a big jump for the punishment of the second offence. But more to the point, if traits of autism were perceived as witchcraft, as we autistic people cannot switch our traits off it is conceivable that the concept of a second offence through the eyes of authority at the time was probable because said traits would have persisted. 

  • It could have been. Alot of things were classed as witchcraft. I'm pretty sure that if someone just wanted another person out of the way that theyd no doubt be called a witch.

    I've been listening to a few podcasts on witchcraft. Molly Dyer was an example of someone persecuted as a witch who more than likely wasent. 

  • in reply to Senor

    Where you live, do you feel you've faced discrimination for having beliefs or habits that are not what the locals have? 

  • It strikes me that you have all the makings of a lifelong history project here. And you should also be taking a look at contemporary areas such as paganism; and even politics -  when witch-hunts are so obviously still contrived by the machiavellian murdochian media. This is such a huge subject, that I don't even really know where to begin commenting. So frequently, politics has been in full league with the 'devils' of persecution; I'm not even sure you can really even separate the two. Something to bear in mind there: Autistic traits are almost certainly in evidence amongst both victims and their persecutors.

    As an eternal stranger in a very superstitious land, I see both sides of this occurring on a daily basis. That's where my interest comes from, but even in the UK I find this whole subject area endlessly fascinating and thought-provoking.

    I believe there are quite a few academics interested in say autism and 'offending' behaviour, but Luke Beardon at Sheffield Hallam University immediately springs to mind.

  • Apparently there are a higher than average number of Autistic people working in the medical profession compared to other industries. And before science was official; that is, in the time of natural philosophy, it's possible a lot of people interested in remedies had more unusual views and approaches that might have been categorised as witchcraft. 

    A lot of life revolved around the church before the 20th Century so people who were not socially skilled might have faced more bullying and gossip being spread about them too.

  • This is interesting... I am a witch but i'm mainly performing spells for communication, success and inclusivity. But still, it is not meant to replace any medical diagnosis. Meltdowns and so on are a part of normal autistic life, it's not a curse. I have had special ed teachers deny I have learning disabilities and that made me think i had been cursed. Feel free to ask me about spells and rituals if you like. :)