Digest

This episode of Morbid delves into the Salem Witch Trials with astrologer Aliza Kelly, offering a unique perspective on the historical events and individual motivations. Aliza explains the concept of birth charts and how planetary positions influence personality and life experiences. She analyzes the birth chart of the Salem Witch Trials, highlighting key planetary placements and their potential influence on the events. The episode explores the initial accusations, the arrival of Sir William Phipps, the appointment of judges, and the first execution. Aliza discusses the shift in the trials, the end of the arrests, and Ann Putnam's confession. The hosts analyze the birth charts of Ann Putnam and Abigail Williams, exploring the astrological influences that may have contributed to their actions. The conversation then shifts to the key figures involved in the trials, including John Hathorn, Cotton Mather, Bartholomew Gedney, and the Corwin family. The episode concludes with a discussion of the victims of the trials, focusing on Giles Corey, Rebecca Nurse, and John Proctor.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction and Overview: Astrological Perspective on the Salem Witch Trials

This episode of Morbid introduces a special edition featuring Aliza Kelly, an astrologer, to discuss the Salem Witch Trials through an astrological lens. The hosts highlight the unique perspective astrology offers in understanding historical events and individual motivations.

00:01:20

Aliza Kelly's Journey into Astrology: Self-Discovery and Understanding Relationships

Aliza shares her personal journey into astrology, explaining how it helped her find clarity and purpose in her early 20s. She emphasizes the importance of astrology in self-discovery and understanding relationships.

00:11:10

Understanding Birth Charts: Planetary Influences on Personality and Life Experiences

Aliza explains the concept of birth charts, which are snapshots of the sky at the moment of birth. She describes how planets and their positions in zodiac signs influence an individual's personality and life experiences.

00:13:07

The Astrological Context of the Salem Witch Trials: Key Planetary Placements and Their Influence

Aliza analyzes the birth chart of the Salem Witch Trials, highlighting key planetary placements and their potential influence on the events. She emphasizes the role of Jupiter in Taurus, Uranus in Gemini, and Neptune in Pisces.

00:23:07

The Beginning of the Accusations: Astrological Significance of March 1st, 1692

The episode delves into the initial accusations made by Betty Paris and Abigail Williams, focusing on the astrological significance of March 1st, 1692, when the examinations of the accused began.

00:30:41

The Arrival of Sir William Phipps: Astrological Significance of May 14th, 1692

The hosts discuss the arrival of Sir William Phipps as the royal governor on May 14th, 1692, and the astrological significance of this event. They highlight the conjunction of the Sun and Jupiter, suggesting a potential turning point.

00:33:32

The Appointment of Judges: Astrological Significance of May 27th, 1692

The episode focuses on the appointment of seven judges to the court of Oyer and Terminer on May 27th, 1692. Aliza explains the astrological significance of Jupiter entering Gemini, creating a stellium in Gemini.

00:43:21

The First Execution and Excommunication: Astrological Influence of the Jupiter-Uranus Conjunction

The hosts discuss the first execution of Bridget Bishop on June 10th, 1692, and the excommunication of Rebecca Nurse in the same week. They highlight the astrological influence of the Jupiter-Uranus conjunction.

00:46:36

The Shift in the Trials: Astrological Significance of September 1692

The episode explores the shift in the trials in September 1692, when the court of Oyer and Terminer stopped convening. Aliza explains the astrological significance of the dissipation of the stellium in Gemini and the emergence of a Uranus-Saturn opposition.

00:49:58

The End of the Arrests: Astrological Significance of October 29th, 1692

The hosts discuss Governor Phipps's order to stop any further arrests for witchcraft on October 29th, 1692. They highlight the astrological significance of Pluto entering Leo, suggesting a new era and a shift in societal values.

00:55:01

Ann Putnam's Confession: Astrological Significance of Saturn's Position

The episode focuses on Ann Putnam's confession in 1706, acknowledging her role in the accusations. Aliza discusses the astrological significance of Saturn's position, suggesting a period of reflection and maturation.

00:59:18

Analyzing the Accusers' Birth Charts: Astrological Influences on Ann Putnam and Abigail Williams

The hosts analyze the birth charts of Ann Putnam and Abigail Williams, highlighting the astrological influences that may have contributed to their actions.

01:08:28

The Salem Witch Trials: A Byproduct of Injustice and the Role of Key Figures

The conversation begins by discussing the Salem Witch Trials, highlighting the tragedy of losing so many lives and the systemic injustices that contributed to the hysteria. Ann Putnam Jr. is recognized as a key figure who exposed these injustices, leading to the trials. The discussion shifts to the initial accusers, Betty Paris and Abigail Williams. Their astrological charts are analyzed, revealing strong lunar energies and significant nodal oppositions, suggesting a turning point in their destinies.

01:12:56

Examining the Astrological Charts of Key Figures: John Hathorn, Cotton Mather, and Bartholomew Gedney

The focus shifts to John Hathorn, a prominent judge during the trials. His astrological chart reveals a Leo Sun and Moon, indicating a strong ego and a tendency towards stubbornness. His actions, including condemning Reverend George Burroughs to death, are seen as driven by his ego and a desire for power. Cotton Mather, a Puritan minister, is discussed. He studied hysteria and believed Salem was the devil's playground. While he criticized spectral evidence, he also urged the continuation of witch trials. His astrological chart reveals a Steleum in Aquarius, suggesting a strong intellectual drive and a desire to be right. Bartholomew Gedney, a judge who fiercely advocated for spectral evidence, is examined. His astrological chart reveals a Gemini Steleum, suggesting a love for information and a tendency towards fickleness. His actions are seen as driven by a desire for entertainment and a lack of loyalty.

01:27:11

The Corwin Family and the Victims of the Salem Witch Trials: A Legacy of Injustice

The Corwin family, particularly Jonathan and George Corwin, are discussed. They played significant roles in the trials, conducting examinations and confiscating property from accused individuals. Their astrological charts reveal a Scorpio Steleum for Jonathan and a Pisces Sun conjunct Jupiter for George, suggesting a tendency towards perversion and a desire for power. The conversation shifts to the victims of the trials, focusing on Giles Corey, who was pressed to death for refusing to enter a plea. His astrological chart reveals a Leo Sun and a Gemini North Node, suggesting a strong ego and a desire for justice. His curse on George Corwin and Salem is seen as a powerful act of defiance. Rebecca Nurse, a beloved member of the community who was accused of witchcraft, is discussed. Her astrological chart reveals a Gemini Jupiter return, suggesting a turning point in her life. Her execution is seen as a symbol of the trials' excesses and the dangers of mob mentality. The conversation concludes with a discussion of John Proctor, a wealthy farmer and outspoken critic of the trials. His astrological chart reveals a Libra Sun, suggesting a desire for balance and fairness. His actions, including his letter to the Boston clergy, are seen as an attempt to bring logic and justice back to the trials.

Keywords

Q&A

• How did Aliza Kelly become interested in astrology?

  Aliza discovered astrology in her early 20s while feeling lost and confused. She found her birth chart and realized it provided valuable insights into her personality and life path.

• What is a birth chart and how does it work?

  A birth chart is a snapshot of the sky at the moment of birth, showing the positions of planets in different zodiac signs. These positions influence an individual's personality, strengths, weaknesses, and life experiences.

• What are some of the key astrological influences on the Salem Witch Trials?

  The birth chart of the Salem Witch Trials reveals significant planetary placements, including Jupiter in Taurus, Uranus in Gemini, and Neptune in Pisces. These placements suggest a period of societal upheaval, innovation, and delusion.

• How did the astrological events of March 1st, 1692, influence the beginning of the accusations?

  The Sun's conjunction with Neptune in Pisces on March 1st, 1692, suggests a heightened sense of illusion and delusion, potentially contributing to the emergence of spectral evidence and the escalation of accusations.

• What is the astrological significance of Governor Phipps's arrival on May 14th, 1692?

  The conjunction of the Sun and Jupiter on May 14th, 1692, suggests a potential turning point, with a sense of fortune and expansion. However, the simultaneous presence of Pluto and Mars suggests a desire to uncover the truth and address the underlying issues.

• How did the astrological events of May 27th, 1692, influence the appointment of judges and the shift in the trials?

  Jupiter's entry into Gemini on May 27th, 1692, created a stellium in Gemini, suggesting a shift towards a more intellectual and communicative approach. This shift, however, also led to a greater emphasis on rumors and speculation, contributing to the escalation of mass hysteria.

• What is the astrological significance of the first execution and excommunication in June 1692?

  The Jupiter-Uranus conjunction, which was reaching its peak in June 1692, suggests a period of radical change and upheaval. This energy likely contributed to the escalation of the trials, leading to the first execution and the excommunication of Rebecca Nurse.

• How did the astrological events of September 1692 mark a shift in the trials?

  The dissipation of the stellium in Gemini and the emergence of a Uranus-Saturn opposition in September 1692, suggest a shift towards a more grounded and rational approach. This shift likely contributed to the court's decision to stop convening and the eventual end of the arrests.

• What is the astrological significance of Governor Phipps's order to stop arrests on October 29th, 1692?

  Pluto's entry into Leo on October 29th, 1692, suggests a new era and a shift in societal values. This shift likely contributed to Governor Phipps's decision to stop the arrests and eventually pardon those remaining in jail.

Show Notes