Witchcraft. The subject evokes curiosity, fascination, and, sometimes, abhorrence. In the Maritimes, a region distinct both geographically and culturally and with a rich tradition of storytelling, accounts of witchcraft are abundant.
In Witchcraft, folklorist Clary Croft explores the many examples of witchcraft identified in the historical record and explains their cultural origins-Scottish, Mi’kmaq, Acadian, German, and others. He finds examples of spells, charms, and superstitions involving everything from animal horns and blood to
salt and milk. A fascinating description of the region’s first witchcraft trial in 1684 is also included
here, as are subsequent trials throughout the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries. An
expertly researched history, Witchcraft is full of the peculiar beliefs that made the Maritimes such a
rich source of folklore.
Clary Croft is a folklorist, writer, and entertainer. He is the author of several books, including Helen Creighton: Canada’s First Lady of Folklore, A Maritimer’s Miscellany, and Celebrate: The History and Folklore of Holidays in Nova Scotia. Clary lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia.