Are witches alive and well in Salem? As Halloween approaches, a busy time in Salem, one begins to wonder if the Wiccans are for real or just a bunch of good marketers. An alleged high priestess of Salem witches and an accommplice were accused of tossing raccoon parts on the doorsteps of a local businesses as part of a Wiccan community feud. Sharon Graham, 46, and Frederick Purtz, 22, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of littering and malicious destruction of property. Graham is also charged with intimidating a witness. They allegedly put a raccoon head on the doorsteps of Angelica of the Angels and the Goddess' Treasure Chest in May.
Salem is famous for holding witch trials in the 17th century. It still has an active Wiccan community and witch-related tourism. David Gavegnano reprensents Graham, and Sean Wynne represents Purtz. They deny that their clients put the raccoon on the victim's property.
Richard Watson, allegedly accompanied Graham, Purtz and other people when they put the raccoon head on the doorsteps. Watson alleges that Graham had a disagreement with the owners of the two targeted businesses over regulations that would limit the number of psychics who come to the city during the Halloween. The Boston Herald reported that there may be "internal issues within the Wiccan community," but the tossing of raccoon entrails may be a "bastardization" of Wiccan practice because the religion doesn't condone harming others.
In the mean time, is it time for a renewal of the 17th Century Salem Witch Trials or just time for a trip to Salem to celebrate Halloween?
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ReplyDeleteI have been accused of being a witch at time, but I assure you, I am not a practicing Wiccan.
Shell
I don't think Wiccans necessarily believe that Graham is a witch.
ReplyDeleteJill
Well, glad you said it and not me, Shell.
ReplyDeleteI think Salem is a great place to spend Halloween. How about a Legal Pub Party?
Joey C.
Graham may be the "Wiccan Witch of the East"
ReplyDeleteWhere is Dorothy when you need her?
Life goes on...
ReplyDeleteDid they kill the raccoon? If not, is this a major crime?
Kyle
No, the Raccoon was apparently already dead. I think it is a crime of alleged intimidation.
ReplyDeleteWitches remind me of a story about our magical system in this country and why I no longer work...
ReplyDeleteOnce upon a time in Texas, there was a little red hen who
uncovered quite a few grains of
wheat. She asked her neighbors, "If we plant
this wheat, we shall have bread to eat. Who will help me plant it?"
"Not I," said the cow.
"Not I," said the duck.
"Not I," said the pig. "Not I," said the goose.
So she did it herself.
After the wheat had grown she asked,"Who will help me reap my wheat?"
"Not I," said the duck.
"Out of my classification," said the pig.
"I'd lose my seniority," said the cow.
"I'd lose my unemployment compensation," said the goose.
So she did it herself.
"Who will help me bake the bread?" asked the little red hen.
"That would be overtime for me," said the cow.
"I'd lose my welfare benefits," said the duck.
"I'm a dropout and never learned how," said the pig.
"If I'm to be the only helper, that's discrimination," said the goose.
Soshe baked five loaves herself. Now her neighbors all demanded a share. But she ate them all herself.
"Excess profits!" cried the cow. ( Nancy Bloaty) "Capitalist leech!"
screamed the duck. (Baa baa Boxer) "I demand equal rights!" yelled the goose. (Jesse J) The pig grunted in disdain. (Jimmeh Cartah)
They all painted "Unfair!" picket signs and marched around shouting obscenities.
A government agent came and said to the little red hen, "You must
not be so greedy."
"But I earned the bread," said the little red hen.
"That is what makes our free enterprise system so wonderful. Anyone in the barnyard can earn as much as he wants. But under our modern government regulations, the productive workers must divide the fruits of their labor with those who are lazy and idle."
And they all lived happily ever after... little red hen now truly understood and therefore never again baked bread. Instead, she joined the "party" and got her bread free. "Fairness" had been established. Individual initiative died, but nobody noticed; so long as there was free bread that "the rich" were paying for why sweat?
Surfer Dude
surfer dude, you are too funny.
ReplyDeleteI would have liked to see the bread you once baked.
Wiccan's rule. A spell may be cast on you if you say something to hurt the Wiccan Witches of Salem's tourism revenue.
ReplyDeleteShe does not look like a witch? Is that good lawyering or is she a witch who does not look like a witch?
ReplyDeleteWhich witch? The Wiccan Witch...
ReplyDeleteOh yes, Judy Garland...
I would say Sharon Graham is a good business woman. Check out her photo and web site:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.psychicsforhire.com/sharongraham
I believe these tactics, places
ReplyDeletea very ugly stain on our entire metaphysic community in whole.
I feel theres a lack of
tolerance from the Salem's Community,but an ample amount
of dictating and demands.
I would like to point out the
WOMEN involved in this feud,aren't doing anyone any good, as they
just sit idly by,POWERLESS to
restore any balance and peace.
I say women, because it isn't
logical enlist our government
and city ordinance, to willingly
allow laws, to reside over our religious practices and magik teachings.
So much for the term enlightenment.
So much for lov & light.
Selfishness is not living as one
wishes to live, it is asking others
to live as one wishes to live.
Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)
The Boston Spiritual Community
is very disappointed with our fellow Brethren.
"Can't we all just get along"
Take care my friends,
Mikal Dmon Spiritual Counselor
Mikal, thanks for your comments and point of view.
ReplyDeleteWonder if Graham does Halloween Parties?
ReplyDeleteHalloween is a special time for all the Wiccan including Sharon Graham.
ReplyDeleteTourism in Salem is always high over the Halloween holiday.
Bet Sharon Graham's business is picking up about now!
ReplyDeleteThe Wiccans survive another Halloween. Photos to follow... maybe...
ReplyDeleteUpdate 11-1 -07
ReplyDeleteDavid Gavegnano is the attorney for Sharon Graham. He apparently was able to get the charges reduced from a charge of malicious destruction down to defacing property. Judge Richard Mori appropriately reduced the charges.
Prosecutor Jane Prince may not be happy with the reduced charges, but it appears to be appropriate.Ms. Prince apparently was concerned over potential biohazards involved with animal parts."This is not a case where you get some Fantastic and wipe it down," she said.
Reduction of the charges appears appropriate!
ReplyDeleteWas it a legit reduction in charges or the product of a spell? Inquiring minds may want to know. Consult the Seeker...
ReplyDeleteSeeker
What is a seeker? I feel like I have stumbled across some mythical culture.
ReplyDeleteAll I know is that every time I see a dead raccoon in the road I think of the Wiccans.
Palos Pete
palos pete, I could tell you what a seeker is but if I did, I would have to cast a spell on you so that you would forget what you just learned.
ReplyDeleteSeems like a waste of effort for all involved.
Seeker
Some one asked what a witch looks like today, well, here is a big clue. Take a look at some of the Hollywood actresses before they put on their makeup!
ReplyDeleteShell
Shell, you are such a card!
ReplyDeleteIt's about that time of year again... Halloween! Come visit the Wiccan Witches!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIf spammers do not stop, we will ask the Wiccan's to put a spell on you!
ReplyDelete