Witch Trials, Demons and Whether We’ve Lost Our Connection to Magic

Why did people once believe so deeply in witches, curses and supernatural evil?

And have we really become more rational — or just afraid of different things now?

In this fascinating and unexpectedly philosophical listener questions episode of Mediumship Matters, Hannah explores witch trials, demons, spirituality, supernatural belief, mass hysteria, folk magic, technology, energetic belief systems, social media fear culture and humanity’s complicated relationship with the unknown.

From Salem and Pendle to spirit attachments, hexes and the modern algorithm-driven fear economy, this episode is a thoughtful deep dive into belief, consciousness and whether modern life has disconnected us from nature, spirit and ourselves.

Listen to the Episode

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGJMrwry4pw

Why Did People Believe Witch Trials Were Real?

The episode begins with a brilliant listener question from Kim asking: how could communities genuinely believe bizarre accusations during witch trials?

The episode explores:

• Salem witch trials

• Pendle witch trials

• mass hysteria

• supernatural belief

• religious fear

• folk magic

Accusations included:

• shape shifting

• levitation

• curses

• spirit meetings with the devil

• supernatural attacks

• magical harm

Hannah reflects on how difficult it feels from a modern perspective to understand entire communities accepting these ideas as factual.

But she also points out: people still believe extraordinary things now.

Honestly… fair point.

Fear, Religion and Survival in the Middle Ages

One of the strongest themes throughout the episode is understanding the emotional reality of life during the Middle Ages.

The episode explores:

• fear-based religion

• poverty

• illness

• social control

• survival anxiety

• community paranoia

Hannah explains that during periods where:

• life expectancy was short

• disease was everywhere

• scientific understanding barely existed

• religion dominated society

people desperately searched for explanations and control.

In those environments, blaming:

• witches

• curses

• evil spirits

• supernatural forces

probably felt emotionally safer than accepting chaos and uncertainty.

It’s a really important perspective shift.

Demons, Spirit Attachments and Modern Fear Culture

One particularly interesting section explores how fear-based spirituality still exists today.

Hannah reflects on suddenly seeing social media posts warning people about:

• demons

• spirit attachments

• negative entities

• energetic attacks

• supernatural danger

The episode explores:

• fear marketing

• spiritual influencers

• demon beliefs

• energetic protection

• social media spirituality

• algorithm culture

What really frustrates Hannah is how often these fear-based messages are immediately followed by:

• selling candles

• protection tools

• clearing sessions

• spiritual products

Honestly, it becomes a really interesting conversation about fear, power and spiritual vulnerability online.

Hexes, Energy and the Power of Belief

Another huge theme throughout the episode is Hannah’s changing perspective on hexes and energetic attacks.

The episode explores:

• hexes

• curses

• energetic manifestation

• psychic belief systems

• intention

• consciousness

Hannah explains that when she previously believed in energetic attacks, she genuinely experienced them.

Now, after changing her belief systems, those experiences completely stopped.

Her perspective now is: belief itself creates powerful energetic consequences.

If someone believes they have been hexed:

• fear increases

• anxiety rises

• confidence collapses

• attention becomes hyper-focused on problems

and their reality begins shaping itself around that belief.

It’s a fascinating conversation around consciousness and energetic perception.

Why Cows Don’t Care About Hexes

One of the funniest and most memorable moments in the episode is Hannah discussing historical beliefs about hexed livestock.

Her point is brilliantly simple: cows do not understand the concept of being cursed.

The episode explores:

• projection

• disease and superstition

• energetic belief

• historical interpretation

• fear-based thinking

• consciousness

If livestock died during the Middle Ages, Hannah suggests it was probably:

• disease

• poor hygiene

• environmental conditions

• lack of scientific understanding

rather than supernatural attack.

But when people do not understand bacteria or illness, supernatural explanations naturally fill the gap.

It’s actually a surprisingly intelligent discussion about human psychology.

Nature, Spirit and Losing the Magic

One of the most beautiful parts of the episode centres around Hannah discussing how disconnected modern life has become from nature.

The episode explores:

• spirituality and nature

• energetic connection

• intuition

• technology

• modern distraction

• spirit communication

Hannah explains that the more time she spends:

• outside

• in nature

• away from devices

• disconnected from algorithms

the more connected to spirit she feels.

At one point she reflects:

“The trees had stopped talking to me.”

before realising: the trees had never stopped. She had simply stopped listening.

Honestly, it’s one of the most quietly powerful moments in the episode.

If you enjoy reflective conversations around spirituality, healing and reconnecting with yourself, Hannah also explores many of these themes in her book Spiritual Slaps.

Social Media, Algorithms and Spiritual Burnout

Another major discussion focuses on how social media algorithms are changing spirituality itself.

The episode explores:

• algorithm culture

• spiritual content

• creator burnout

• online spirituality

• performance culture

• energetic overwhelm

Hannah reflects on how many spiritual creators now feel trapped creating:

• dramatic headlines

• fear-based content

• emotionally reactive posts

• algorithm-friendly spirituality

rather than genuinely connecting with spirit.

It’s a refreshingly honest conversation about modern spiritual culture online.

The Doctor Who Told People to Wash Their Hands

One particularly fascinating historical comparison involves Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis.

The episode explores:

• scientific resistance

• belief systems

• medicine and history

• fear of new ideas

• social rejection

• human psychology

Semmelweis realised doctors spreading disease between autopsies and childbirth could be prevented simply by washing their hands.

At the time:

• bacteria had not yet been scientifically understood

• colleagues mocked him

• he was ridiculed publicly

• people thought he was irrational

Hannah uses this example to explore how humans often resist uncomfortable or unfamiliar ideas until society collectively accepts them.

It’s a genuinely fascinating comparison between science, spirituality and belief.

Have We Really Changed?

Towards the end of the episode, Hannah questions whether humanity has evolved as much as we like to think.

The episode explores:

• collective fear

• division

• social conditioning

• belief systems

• spirituality

• human behaviour

Although witch trials now feel horrifying and irrational, Hannah points out that modern society still:

• manipulates through fear

• fights over ideology

• attacks outsiders

• follows emotional narratives

• reacts collectively

just in different ways.

It’s a thoughtful and surprisingly nuanced conclusion.

Key Takeaways From This Episode

• Fear and uncertainty strongly shape collective belief systems

• Humans naturally seek explanations during chaotic periods

• Spiritual fear culture still exists today in different forms

• Belief itself can dramatically influence personal experience

• Nature often deepens spiritual connection and awareness

• Social media algorithms are changing modern spirituality

• Humanity still struggles with fear, certainty and group thinking

• Questioning belief systems is an important part of spiritual growth

Listen to More Mediumship Matters Episodes

Explore more conversations around:

• evidential mediumship

• spirituality

• consciousness

• healing

• intuition

• energetic awareness

• personal growth

And if you’d like to explore your own spiritual development more deeply, Hannah also offers online programmes, workshops and training experiences designed to support developing mediums in a grounded and practical way.