Witch-Hunt

I dreamt that I was being hunted last night. It was a witch-hunt, you know? People used to hunt witches down and burn them at the stake. It always makes me so upset, because the "witches" who were executed were usually "portrayed as being worshippers of the Devil, who engaged in such acts as malevolent sorcery, and orgies at meetings known as Witches' Sabbaths".

Wanna know the truth?

 These "witches" were usually young freethinking women who were guilty of nothing more than a great love of nature and its wonders. Some of these "witches" were midwives who were executed because apparently, feeling the pain of childbirth was God's gift, and attempting to ease the pain with herbs was considered Satanic.

Most of these women were like me.

What has always scared me about the witch-hunts was the fact that had I been living in those times, I would most definitely have been one of those women who had been tied to the stake and burnt. Can you imagine dying in such a manner? With flames eating you alive and the cry of "Witch! Witch!" coming from a hundred throats?

I dreamt I was in such a witch-hunt last night, with torches and smoke and the ever-present fear of getting caught. I hid and ran and prayed that I wouldn't be caught, but that didn't work.

Even in my dream I felt those rough hands, gripping me tightly as I struggled and cried for them to let me go. People laughed at me as I begged them to listen to reason, that I wasn't a witch like they believed I was. All around me, I saw only fire as faceless shadows pushed their burning torches into my face, hoping for a reaction to further prove my guilt.

All around me was just madness and confusion, and the screaming that wouldn't stop.

This was one of my fears. Ever since reading up on the history of witch-hunting, a part of me has always been afraid that the people I know, my friends and family, will turn to me, point and cry, "witch!" And the hunt will begin. This was one of my fears, and I lived it last night. I woke up with the cries of "Witch! Kill the witch! Burn her!" in my ears, and for half a second I was mad with fear.

In a way, these women were like my "ancestors" because I am like them. And I will never forgive those who murdered these women for their paranoia and mindless hatred.

"Confess you're a witch!"
"Kill the witch!"
"Burn her! Tie her to the stake and burn her!"
"Witch!"
"Witch!"
"Witch!"

If I really were a witch, I'd kill you all as I stood burning at the stake.

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