34 Comments
User's avatar
Genghis Galahad's avatar

The rigorous historical case research here has rightly humbled and properly tempered my sweeping firebrand blanket protest of the modern day "pardons" of women (and men) accused of witchcraft and then murdered by the state when witchcraft, as far as I know, isn't in the current law books as a prosecutable crime punishable by death. Had I bothered to look at each individual case, or as many as eloquently laid out here, I would have had a more even keeled perspective, notwithstanding injustice of pardoning murder victims, essentially. The immense value of learning.

Expand full comment
yuki 🍓's avatar

i love how this is designed to be fun and engaging but has such a sinister undertone. thank you for writing and sharing this amazing article! ps im team pretty, hashtag lucky girl syndrome

Expand full comment
Rebekah King's avatar

Nice! I might choose Pretty too, she seems cool. Glad you enjoyed it, Sakai!

Expand full comment
Randall Hayes's avatar

I also chose Boy the poodle, mostly because of the "catching bullets" trick.

I survived (for a while). An extra 40 years doesn't seem like that much in comparison to our often-immortal Hollywood witches.

Expand full comment
Ronald Turnbull's avatar

I chose Boy and Boy I sure do fancy myself as Prince Rupert.

Expand full comment
Rebekah King's avatar

A very wise decision, and such fabulous hair!

Expand full comment
Jee Young Park's avatar

Could be Bess or Joan. Probably Bess. I’m already tortured by sleep deprivation.

Expand full comment
Edward.Marlo.Ruiz's avatar

Babe the pig mentioned! 🗣️ I was unlucky with Sacke & Sugar.

Expand full comment
Rebekah King's avatar

A cute choice, though!

Expand full comment
Donna Druchunas's avatar

I definitely would not survive. This post is terrific, thank you.

Expand full comment
Rebekah King's avatar

Thanks so much Donna, me neither ;)

Expand full comment
jtnpa's avatar

Pig for me so into the pond!

Expand full comment
Rebekah King's avatar

But think how fun it’d be while it lasted!

Expand full comment
Sheila (of Ephemera)'s avatar

That was so fun thank you, Rebekah! I got Joan Willimot, I’ll take it.💕

Expand full comment
Rebekah King's avatar

Not the worst outcome!

Expand full comment
Whiskey, Blood and Dust's avatar

Sacke & Sugar.

I've had several house rabbits, so I thought that would be best. Wrong, I'm dead.

My previous rabbit familiars mostly had the special magical powers of being able to (a) gnaw the spines off any books at floor level, (b) dig holes in the carpet down to the wood, (c) drop pellets a will, and (d) sprint towards the sound of rustling bags of vegetables at the speed of light.

Expand full comment
Rebekah King's avatar

We had a hamster with the power to teleport behind bookshelves. Tricksy little things!

Expand full comment
Jonathon GREEN's avatar

Given my occupation I accept that it has to be Tom. Catching me _not_ cursing would be more of challenge.

Expand full comment
Lewis Holmes's avatar

Saw Vinegar Tom and was straight away "That's the one for me!" Of course I end up with death. Of course.

Expand full comment
Rebekah King's avatar

I do love his vacant stare…

Expand full comment
Matt Kelland's avatar

I've surrounded myself with black cats for the last 40-odd years, so of course I chose Pusse. I'm pretty sure I'm doomed if they ever restart witch trials in New England - I mean, my current familiar is called Samhain, because I rescued her on Halloween. Might as well put a big sign on my house saying I'm in league with Lucifer.

Expand full comment
Rebekah King's avatar

Lots of people picked her so you’re in good company! I always wanted to call a cat Salem like Sabrina

Expand full comment
Kerry Sutherland's avatar

I chose Sacke & Sugar so I'm dead, the torture is real.

Expand full comment
Rebekah King's avatar

Aww he’s so little though!!

Expand full comment
Lou Tilsley's avatar

I went with Boy which was lucky. I might’ve gone for Pusse were it not for the unappealing mole-suckling!

Expand full comment
Rebekah King's avatar

Yes that is a little off-putting

Expand full comment
Ken Miura's avatar

I really liked the essay, and intend to read further into these stories. Thank you! I chose Pusse, because I love cats.

Expand full comment
Rebekah King's avatar

Definitely a cute choice

Expand full comment