Life during the Salem witch trials is often remembered for fear, accusations, and dramatic events, but the everyday moments that shaped people’s lives are just as important. Amulets for Salem by J. Zdybowicz offers a grounded look at these quieter details through the eyes of Apollina and her family. Their routines, relationships, and struggles reveal a world that was much more complex than a series of witchcraft charges.
Here are five things about daily life during that time that may surprise you.
- Healing Was a Quiet and Careful Practice
Herbal knowledge was a highly valued skill passed down from one generation to the next, yet it had to be used with caution. In Amulets for Salem, Apollina learns how to prepare salves, teas, and tinctures in a hidden shed filled with herbs and oils. These remedies were important for treating common illnesses, but they also posed a health risk. Something as simple as a jar of dried lavender or a mixture of oils could be misunderstood. The family kept their recipe book hidden because any sign of special knowledge might spark suspicion. This everyday secrecy shows how survival often depended on staying unnoticed.
- Church Was More Than a Religious Duty
Attending church was not simply a weekly routine. It was a way to maintain safety. Families were expected to be present, quiet, and well-behaved. Apollina’s family always sat in the back, entered just before the service began, and avoided unnecessary conversation. This careful behavior kept them from drawing attention to themselves. Social expectations were strict, and missing a service or standing out could lead to questions and scrutiny. Even the smallest interaction during church, such as a handshake or a kind word, had social weight.
- Communities Watched Each Other Closely
Daily life often included a sense of being observed. Neighbors paid attention to who bought what, who visited whom, and who seemed out of place. In the novel, Apollina notices this watchfulness whenever her family enters town. People observed clothing, behavior, habits, and even expressions. Community surveillance was not formal, but it was powerful. A simple misunderstanding could become a rumor, and a rumor could become evidence. This quiet tension shaped daily routines and relationships.
- Household Work Was a Full Day’s Labor
Life required constant effort. Cooking, farming, sewing, collecting eggs, and caring for animals filled the hours. Apollina helps her family with chores from morning until night. Every task mattered because a successful harvest or clean water storage could mean the difference between survival and disaster. These responsibilities also kept women busy. Their skills were essential, yet the same skills could place them at risk if others saw them as unusual or advanced. What appeared to be simple household work could be misinterpreted as something more hazardous.
- Small Choices Could Change Everything
Because fear ran so deep, even ordinary decisions carried meaning. Speaking to the wrong person, helping a neighbor too often, or showing too much curiosity could raise suspicion. When Apollina meets Tituba in the store, the moment feels simple, yet it becomes significant. Tituba’s presence highlights how cultural differences and outsider identity shaped interactions. In a community where people judged quickly, small moments carried weight.
Life during the Salem witch trials was shaped by everyday choices, quiet routines, and constant caution. Amulets for Salem brings these details to life in a way that feels honest and human.
As Christmas is coming, consider adding Amulets for Salem to your holiday reading list or gifting it to someone who enjoys thoughtful historical fiction during the winter season.
Pick up a copy of Amulets for Salem by J. Zdybowicz, available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1969868244/.
Stay Tuned! J. Zdybowicz’s Talisman for Andover is also going to live soon.