Diseases caused by Witches – Views of a Participant in Witch Trials (the Case of the “Czarownica powołana”)

Abstract

Published in 1639, the anonymous “Czarownica powołana” is a work
addressed to judges dealing with proceedings in witchcraft cases. Its author, probably
a clergyman, participated in such trials. Unlike many works of this kind, it did not
encourage the tracking and killing of witches. “Czarownica powołana” belongs to
a different trend and in many places is similar to the treatise of the German Jesuit
Friedrich Spee, who was afraid of the rash condemnation of superstitious people
who had nothing to do with practicing black magic. In “Czarownica powołana” the
existence of witches and sorcery is not questioned, because it is considered to be
a devilish science, which leads to making a pact with the devil with the ability to act
in the world. Illness or death in connection with the accusation of witchcraft had
serious consequences, including establishing who and how the witch had harmed.
In the era of the plague epidemic, fear of strangers led to numerous massacres,
especially in German cities, where the spread of the plague was explained more
often than elsewhere by poisoning the wells by Jews, who were also burdened with
engaging in magic and negotiating with the devil. The author was aware that some
associate every disease with witchcraft. The devil can also cheat, making a person
think that what he dreamed really happened, and people deluded by fantasies are
willing to share these stories also in court during a trial. The author of “Czarownica
powołana” was aware of this mechanism because he was concerned with the accusation itself (“powołanie”). In this context, “Czarownica powołana” – despite the
author’s conviction about the existence of witches and their ability to cause disease
and elementary disasters - is a progressive work, but this is evidenced by the lawyer’s
dilemmas, not the priest’s fears.