Witch Trials Part 1: Europe’s Witch Trials — Catholics, Women & Even Saints Killed | Divine Mysticism Podcast Episode 13

Happy October! 🎃 And of course… what better way to kick off spooky season than talking about witches?

And because apparently we like to be a little too on-the-nose… our 13th episode HAD to be about witches. 🔮

Welcome to Part 1 of our two-part series on witches, where we’re going down the rabbit hole into the European witch trials and the complicated history connecting Catholicism, Pagan traditions, mysticism, magic, and the people accused of witchcraft.

But this isn’t just a story about “witches.”

It’s a story about fear, religion, spirituality, power, persecution, and the people who found themselves caught in the middle.

In this episode, we explore how beliefs about witchcraft developed across medieval and early modern Europe, why certain people became targets, and how Catholicism and Christian beliefs intersected with—and sometimes came into conflict with...older Pagan and folk traditions.

We talk about Catholic mystics, healers, midwives, herbalists, accused witches, and people who were ultimately imprisoned, tortured, or executed. We also dive into some of the fascinating...and sometimes disturbing...stories of individuals caught up in accusations of witchcraft.

And because this is Divine Mysticism, we also explore the spiritual side of the story: the idea of the “witch wound,” past-life connections, mystical experiences, magic, prayer, manifestation, crystals, candles, intention, and why some people feel a deep connection to the history of witchcraft.

🔮 In this episode, we explore:

• The European Witch Trials

• Catholicism and accusations of witchcraft

• Pagan traditions and Christian beliefs

• Catholic mysticism and spiritual experiences

• St. Teresa of Avila and The Interior Castle

• The “witch wound” and healer wound

• Joan of Arc and her visions

• Alice Kyteler and Petronilla de Meath

• Heinrich Kramer and the Malleus Maleficarum

• King James and European witch hunts

• Urbain Grandier and the Ursuline possessions

• Midwives, healers, herbalists, and accusations of witchcraft

• Magic, prayer, manifestation, and intention

• Poppets, candles, crystals, and folk magic

• Why fear and instability helped fuel witch-hunting

• The Black Death, religious conflict, poverty, famine, and social fear

• How European beliefs about witchcraft eventually traveled to the Americas

And, as always, we’re asking the bigger questions:

Were the people accused of witchcraft actually practicing magic?

How much of what we now call “witchcraft” came from Pagan traditions, folk practices, or simply misunderstood spiritual practices?

Why were so many women...and some men...targeted?

And what happens when spirituality, religion, fear, and power collide?

This is only Part 1.

Next, we’ll take the story across the Atlantic and into Colonial America, where the beliefs and fears surrounding witchcraft took on a whole new life.

So grab your coffee(or wine), your crystals, your Catholic rosary, your tarot deck...or whatever makes you feel spiritually protected...and let’s talk about witches. 🔮

Divine Mysticism Podcast with Tasha & Renee

Where Catholicism, Pagan traditions, mysticism, magic, and the unexplained meet.

✨ Part 1: The Witch Trials of Europe

✨ Part 2: Coming next — Witches in Colonial America & Salem

Topics:

Witches • Witchcraft • Witch Trials • Witch Hunt • Catholicism • Catholic Mysticism • Paganism • Pagan Traditions • Magic • Mysticism • Spirituality • Folk Magic • Medieval Magic • European Witch Trials • Spanish Inquisition • St. Teresa of Avila • The Interior Castle • Joan of Arc • Catholic Saints • Visions • Angels • Archangel Michael • St. Catherine • St. Margaret • Malleus Maleficarum • Hammer of Witches • Heinrich Kramer • King James • King James Bible • Denmark Witch Trials • Alice Kyteler • Petronilla de Meath • Urbain Grandier • Catholic Priests • Sorcery • Heresy • Poppets • Wax Dolls • Manifestation • Prayer • Ritual • Crystals • Candles • Energy Work • Witch Wound • Healers • Midwives • Herbalists • Black Death • Medieval Europe • Religious Wars • Puritanism • Colonial America • Salem Witch Trials • Women & Witchcraft • Pagan Magic • Catholic Traditions • Spiritual Practices • Divine Mysticism

Watch the Video Podcast

🎥 YouTube

Divine Mysticism Podcast

Listen Everywhere

🎧 Spotify

🍎 Apple Podcasts

❤️ iHeartRadio

Join Our Patreon Community

✨ Patreon — Divine Mysticism

Patreon members receive:

• Bonus podcast episodes

• Weekly Astrology & Reflections

• Exclusive discussions

• Upcoming book club

Follow Divine Mysticism

📸 Instagram — @divinemysticismpodcast

📘 Facebook — Divine Mysticism Podcast

🎵 TikTok — @divine.mysticism.p