When We Were Witches

When We Were Witches: The Enduring Power of Shamans, Saints, and Seers in Italian, Latinx, and Indigenous Cultures

We may think we are beyond believing in witchcraft, but if we look around today, we see persistent traces of many of the beliefs our ancestors lived by. On Witchtok and Instagram, the ancient stories seem more alive than ever — perhaps they never really went away. As modern takes on ancestral healing practices populate social media squares, scholars are finding commonalities across cultures that are not only surviving, but thriving.

If you have ever worn a charm to ward off the evil eye, used herbal remedies to heal various ailments, or consulted tarot cards or runes for guidance — or been tempted to try these age-old methods — come hear practitioners and researchers discuss the origins of folk practices and why we are still fascinated by them today.

Presented by Professor Gina Miele of the Department of World Languages & Cultures, join us for an important conversation with guest speakers Marybeth Bonfiglio, Frankie Castanea, Lisa Fazio, and Kino Vera. View their biographies here.

This event will be held on Thursday, April 20th from 2:30-4:30pm in the Feliciano School of Business, Room 101. RSVP for this event here.