Witchcraft in 1800s London: Superstition, Fear, and a Changing World

In 19th-century London, superstition and witchcraft lingered despite the end of the witch trials. Explore how Victorian society balanced ancient beliefs with rapid modernization, from cunning folk in poor districts to occult practices among high society.

Witchcraft in 1800s London: Superstition, Fear, and a Changing World

In the bustling streets of 19th-century London, amidst fog and horse-drawn carriages, whispers of witchcraft still lingered. Although England’s infamous witch trials had ended by the late 17th century, superstition thrived well into the 1800s, evolving with a changing society.

The End of the Witch Trials but Not the Beliefs

By 1736, the Witchcraft Act officially ended the legal persecution of witches in Britain. However, deep-rooted beliefs in magic and malevolent forces persisted. In rural areas and London’s poorer districts, many still believed that illness and misfortune could result from curses or the “evil eye.”
Cunning folk, individuals who claimed magical powers to heal or protect, remained highly sought after.

Despite rapid modernization, London was a place where folk magic thrived. Industrialization had not erased centuries of tradition, and the working classes often trusted charms and spells as much as doctors.

Cunning Folk and Fortune Tellers

Cunning folk occupied a complex role in Victorian London. Though unofficial, they served as healers and advisors. Many citizens sought their help to lift curses, find lost items, or uncover wrongdoers.
While not labeled witches in the traditional sense, these individuals were respected and feared.

Fortune tellers also flourished. Tarot reading, palmistry, and crystal balls gained popularity among the urban poor and the growing middle class.
The rise of Spiritualism in the mid-1800s led to séances becoming fashionable, with rumors suggesting even Queen Victoria showed interest after Prince Albert’s death.

Witchcraft and the Law

Though the 1736 Witchcraft Act decriminalized witchcraft, claiming magical powers for profit became illegal. Fraud charges replaced accusations.
Throughout the 19th century, London courts prosecuted self-proclaimed witches and fortune tellers.
In 1821, Mary Frances was jailed for deceiving a servant girl into buying costly charms to break a supposed curse.

Occult Revival and High Society

The late 1800s witnessed a reimagining of witchcraft among the elite. Occultism became fashionable, blending intellectual curiosity with spiritual exploration.
Groups like the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn emerged, attracting poets, writers, and intellectuals such as W.B. Yeats and Aleister Crowley.
These societies studied ancient rituals, astrology, and alchemy, distancing themselves from traditional village witchcraft through a structured, ritualistic approach.

The Dual Legacy of 1800s Witchcraft

Witchcraft in 1800s London straddled two worlds: rural superstition and intellectual occultism.
An average Londoner might consult a cunning man, while an aristocrat participated in secret rituals.
Though no longer punishable by death, belief in magic persisted, reflecting a society balancing tradition and progress.

Today, this fascinating period highlights how deeply magic and belief remained ingrained, even as London transitioned toward the modern era.

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