The Devil Made Me Do It: An Incomplete History of (True) Occult True Crime

For online attendance only. If you are interested in purchasing the In-Person General Admission Ticket click HERE

The Salem witch trials may be the first thing that comes to many peoples’ minds if asked to share their thoughts about the idea of witchcraft and the legal system. Of course, like other popular occult-adjacent legal moments in American history, such the Satanic Panic of the 1980s, and the case of the West Memphis three, the ‘witches’ of Salem, Massachusetts had nearly nothing to do with the actual occult, and everything to do with the prejudices of those in positions of legal power. Much has been done over the past few decades to rectify this history and uplift witchcraft in the popular imagination, up to and including freeing the previously-incarcerated, an incredible feat and one that should be celebrated. By virtue of these actions, however, there’s been an oppositional push to completely separate the occult from legal narratives – a move that is both ahistorical and, frankly, dangerous. This presentation will compile a short, imperfect history of actual occult crimes, covering a range of circumstances, belief systems, motivations and the like, from the sacrificial rites of Adolfo Constanzo to the recent spate of Mormon family annihilations in the American west – along with speculations on their larger implications for our community, as well as culture at large.

About the Presenter:

Meredith Graves (she/they) is a multimedia artist and writer based in Brooklyn, NY. Her work has spanned disciplines and genres ranging from experimental hardcore to material archaeology, broadcast television to occultural economics, all supported by her personal magical practice of over 20 years. Formerly the anchor of MTV News and an Outreach Director at Kickstarter, Graves is currently eschewing corporate employment in favor of a full-time art practice focused on extending her research into the magical orders and fashions of the 1890s, for which she’ll be attending various residencies and retreats in the coming year.

Admission Details:

If you are unable to make the live  streaming of this class, don't worry - the recording will be available for you. The class link will be emailed to you in your registration confirmation. The class recording link will be emailed to you within 3-5 business days of the conclusion of the event. If you are attending as an in-person ticket holder, and are unable to attend this event live, you will also receive the class recording. Class doors are closed after the first 5-minutes of the start of the class.

By purchasing access to this event you agree to the following Non Disclosure:

This Agreement is between The Salem Witchcraft & Folklore Festival (also know as Salem Witch Fest)(“OWNER”); and the Purchaser (“RECIPIENT”). WHEREAS, OWNER has developed through substantial effort, research, time, and expense certain inventions, design concepts, methodologies, technical know-how, copyrightable material and trade secrets directed and related to this class.  (“INFORMATION”); WHEREAS, OWNER desires to disclose the INFORMATION on a confidential basis to RECIPIENT.  The OWNER wishes to maintain the confidentiality of the INFORMATION and the protection of OWNER'S intellectual property rights. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the   mutual promises, covenants, and conditions contained herein, the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows: I. CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION A. OWNER agrees to disclose INFORMATION to RECIPIENT for the purposes of an online class. B. RECIPIENT agrees to receive such INFORMATION and to refrain from copying, disclosing, using, selling, or offering for sale any and all of said INFORMATION. RECIPIENT agrees to keep confidential and refrain from disclosing any and all of the INFORMATION, and to take all necessary and reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized disclosure or use of any and all of the INFORMATION.  Failure to uphold this NDA may result in legal action.