Behind The Name

What's in a name? Did someone say hysteria? Guess it runs in the family.


I’ve known for many years that my family history has a bit of a dark side and my dad recently proved it. Flash back to 1692 Salem, MA and you’d find a woman (resembling me with no makeup) on trial for witchcraft.


Um, no, she was not a witch. I doubt any of the 20 executed actually practiced witchcraft as it was a very conservative time in American history.  The Puritans were not known for their religious diversity.  Paganism tends to be one of the most misunderstood of the world religions. It has absolutely nothing to do with The Devil, Devil worship, zapping people with hexes, and/ or unleashing your familiar on the unsuspecting village idiot.  It’s based in nature and love- anyone who can open their mind and read a book may ease up on the Pagans.  Shout out to my misunderstood Wiccan friends out there! 

“Free your mind and the rest will follow.” –En Vogue [Side bar-- this song really gets me jazzed!]

However, the “afflicted” girls who spent their free time accusing their neighbors, were in fact dabbling in voodoo with the housekeeper.  Guilt can make us do irrational things, like claim your mother’s best friend flies in your bedroom window at night to cop a feel.  Those crazy Puritans and their crazy repressions!


Mary Easty is my Great(x9) Grandmother who was accused of sorcery and hanged in September 1692.  Her legacy to the women of my family has been to provide us with a name that personifies strength, courage, humility and goodness.  We joke about “those crazy witches” that run in the family, but the Easty name is something we truly value as a symbol of fortitude and girl power.


So no, my given name is not Easty. But it is my chosen name for when I feel I need that extra push towards courageousness, you know, TAWANDA!-style. Yes, ma'am!


Peace and love (and I really mean that),
~Easty