One explanation of the witchcraft phenomenon in salem, massachusetts in 1692 was that

For the answer to the question above, I think that the
explanation of the witchcraft phenomenon in Salem, Massachusetts in 1692 was that political and economic turmoil led to fear and a search for a scapegoat.

But in the history, Rev. John Hawthorne, the one who executed the witches. Confirms that one executed is a cult and that they are witches performing rituals.