A History of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Illinois

(WTVO) — Halloween is Monday, which means many kids will be out for a treat dressed as witches or wizards.

While they may just dress up in those magical outfits, the state of Illinois actually has a long history of witchcraft and witchcraft. From a school of witchcraft to folk tales of witches throughout history, Illinois is no stranger to the weird.

Wicca, a modern pagan religion, was developed in England in the first half of the 20th century. When it was first brought to the public, it was called “witchcraft,” according to Wicca: History, Faith, and Community in Modern Pagan Witchcraft Ethan Doyle White.

About 194,189 people from 193 counties in Illinois have expressed an interest in Wicca. These people registered for classes at International school of witches near Rossville, WKFR reports. The school describes Wicca as “a group of related, nature-based religions that have their origins in ancient practices but took their modern form in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.”

Those who sign up for classes can take part in Intro to Wands 101 and 102, Basic Spellwriting, Advanced Witchcraft and Unicorns to name a few. The school has a total of 138 classes for those interested in witchcraft.

Although the school is relatively new, Illinois has had people accused of witchcraft for hundreds of years. Only in your state. For example, Caroline Barnes was accused of being a witch back in the 1880s in Ashmore. She must have been hanged before being buried alive, for she did not die,

Legend has it that on the day they die, the spirits rise. For this reason, Barnes’ grave is marked with an impossible date: February 31.

Another famous witch from Illinois is Mary Worth, who is believed to be the source of Bloody Mary. One of the most famous witches in the world, she was believed to kidnap and torture runaway slaves. When the locals found out, they burned her to death. Many believe her body was buried on her grounds, which are said to be haunted. The house burned down in 1986, and there have been no other buildings since then.

Another story a little closer to home is the legend of “The Witch of Belouch.” Haunted Rockford. It tells the story of an old witch who lived in a secluded forest on McGregor Road and kidnapped children to use in her satanic practices. Another legend claimed that she was a teacher in a schoolhouse on the road that caught fire and killed two of her students.

This version states that Belois bought the school and turned it into her home, and the attitude of the locals drove her insane. She wandered through the forest, calling for children lost in the fire.

A 1973 article confirmed that Marie Buskey was the woman who lived on McGregor Road. Born in 1907, Buskey was a teacher who worked in many schools in Rockford, including Highland and Kishwaukee. She died in 1986 at the age of 78.

It is not known why Basque became the target of these stories and why they have continued to be told for decades.