Margaret Matson was a Swedish settler living in the Ridley Creek area of Pennsylvania. She, along with another woman named Yeshro Hendrickson, was accused of practicing witchcraft by her neighbors. The accusations stemmed from the typical superstitions of the time: farm animals falling ill, crops failing, and other misfortunes, which were often blamed on witchcraft.

In 1683, Margaret was brought before a court led by William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania. During her trial, witnesses claimed that she bewitched cows and performed strange activities in her home. However, Penn’s Quaker beliefs influenced his approach to justice, and he was skeptical of the witchcraft accusations. Famously saying that he knew of no law against flying on a broom. Ultimately, Margaret was found not guilty of witchcraft, though the court believed that she was known to be involved in some "heathenish" activities. She was released, and her case never reached the severity of other witch trials, like those in Salem.

Margaret Matson as a Witch Elder

In contemporary witchcraft, figures like Margaret Matson are often revered as symbols of perseverance and empowerment, particularly for witches in Pennsylvania who connect with their local history. Matson’s case reflects the historical intersection of superstition, folk magic, and justice, but it also showcases how women, often healers or practitioners of folk magic, were marginalized and sometimes persecuted. Despite the accusations against her, Margaret Matson’s acquittal under William Penn’s relatively lenient legal system is a testament to the evolving understanding of witchcraft in early America.

Incorporating Margaret Matson into your magical practice can create a powerful connection between modern witches and the historical roots of magic. As an accused witch who survived one of the first colonial witch trials, she embodies resilience, connection to the land, and the preservation of folk traditions. 

Margaret Matson can be honored as a spiritual ancestor and Witch Elder in Pennsylvania folk magic and witchcraft. Even if she’s not a direct ancestor, you can invoke her as an elder or protector in your magical practice. Folk magic, especially in the Pennsylvania Dutch tradition, often involves honoring those who came before, particularly those with deep ties to the land and folk traditions. Here are ideas and ways you can incorporate The Witch of Ridley Creek in your practice.

Create an Ancestor Altar 

Dedicate a space in your home to Margaret Matson. Decorate it with symbols that represent her life—perhaps items related to farming, traditional Swedish folk items (as she was of Swedish descent), or herbs and plants native to Pennsylvania.

Offerings: Light candles for her, offer fresh herbs (such as sage, lavender, or mugwort), and leave small tokens like seeds, bread, or mead, symbolizing her connection to the land.

Prayer or Invocation: Write or speak a prayer to Margaret, asking for her guidance in your magical work, especially if you’re dealing with unjust accusations or seeking protection.

Hex-Breaking and Protection Work

Given that Matson was accused of witchcraft but acquitted, she is a powerful figure for work related to breaking hexes or curses, especially in Pennsylvania where folk traditions like Powwow and Braucherei (healing magic) are strong. You can invoke Margaret to assist with protection, shielding, and removing harmful influences.

Hex-Breaking Ritual: Craft a ritual where you invoke Margaret’s name to help banish hexes, misunderstandings, or negativity. You could use symbols of purification like salt, water from a local stream, or Pennsylvania-specific herbs such as goldenrod or yarrow.

Protective Charm: Create a protective charm or talisman in her honor. You can use traditional Pennsylvania Dutch hex signs, which are circular geometric patterns believed to protect homes and livestock. Incorporate symbols that resonate with Matson, such as the sun for clarity or a rooster for protection.

Earth-Based and Green Witchcraft

Margaret Matson’s life as a farmer connects her to the land, a central element of Pennsylvania folk magic. Modern witches can incorporate earth-based practices and green witchcraft inspired by her connection to nature. In her time, folk healers were closely tied to the cycles of the seasons and the natural world.

Local Plant Magic: Use herbs and plants native to Pennsylvania, such as witch hazel, black cohosh, stinging nettle, and elderberry, in spells for healing, protection, or prosperity. Connect with the land by foraging for wild herbs, making herbal salves, or crafting sachets.

Seasonal Rituals: Honor Margaret Matson during the seasonal shifts, particularly at harvest time in the fall, as a nod to her farming background. You can perform a harvest blessing ritual, thanking the land for its abundance and invoking Matson’s spirit to protect your home and yield.

Trial and Justice Magic

Because Margaret was able to successfully defend herself in court, working with her in situations related to legal matters, fairness, and justice can be powerful. You can invoke her strength when dealing with situations where you’re facing unfair judgment, legal battles, or need to stand your ground against opposition.

Justice Spell: Write Margaret’s name on a piece of paper and place it under a blue or purple candle (colors associated with justice and wisdom). As the candle burns, visualize her strength and wisdom guiding you to a just outcome.

Defending the Innocent: If you are working magic to defend someone who has been wrongfully accused or treated unjustly, call upon Margaret’s spirit. You can create a small sachet with protective herbs (like clove, rosemary, or rue) to carry as a talisman.

Folk Healing Traditions

Although Margaret Matson herself was not recorded as a powwow practitioner, she is connected to the folk magic traditions of Pennsylvania, which merged with the Pennsylvania Dutch practice of Powwowing. Powwow combines faith-based healing, prayers, and folk remedies.

Healing Magic: Use traditional Powwow charms or prayers alongside modern healing practices. For instance, healing spells might involve reciting protective Bible verses (as done in Powwow) while invoking Margaret as a spirit protector to aid in the healing process.

Herbal Remedies: As part of your folk magic practice, focus on herbal healing using traditional remedies. Margaret’s historical context allows for a deep connection to the plants of the Pennsylvania region, which were commonly used in folk healing.

Storytelling and Historical Memory

Preserving and honoring Margaret Matson’s story can be an important part of working with her spirit. Modern witches can act as keepers of her legacy, ensuring that her story of resilience is not forgotten.

Storytelling Ritual: Host a ritual where you and others share her story and discuss how her experiences reflect the struggles of misunderstood women, healers, and practitioners throughout history. This can be a part of community gatherings, seasonal celebrations, or private reflection.

Writing Her Story: Incorporate Margaret into your grimoire as a symbolic elder or guide, writing down her story and how she inspires your craft. This way, you’re building a personal and historical connection to the land and its magical heritage.

Hexology and Crafting with Pennsylvania Traditions

Margaret Matson lived in a time when hexes (both as protective symbols and curses) were a part of the Pennsylvania folk magic tradition. You can invoke her guidance in crafting or using traditional hex symbols for protection or attraction.

Hex Craft: Paint or carve hex signs in her honor, using traditional designs such as stars, rosettes, or hearts. These symbols were often used in barn paintings to protect livestock and property, and you can adapt these designs into talismans or amulets.

Curse Work and Binding: If you’re performing baneful magic or binding work, Margaret’s resilience and connection to survival through adversity can empower your spells. Use traditional materials like wax, thorns, or threads to bind negative influences.

Margaret Matson’s legacy as the "Witch of Ridley Creek" gives her a profound connection to folk magic and provides modern witches with a powerful ancestral figure. Her spirit can guide and protect those who work with her, especially when engaging in practices that involve resilience, justice, protection, and a connection to the land. Through veneration, herbal magic, and folk traditions, you can integrate her energy into your magical workings, drawing on the history and power of Pennsylvania witchcraft.