September has rolled around and already there are a plethora of
Halloween Decorations and Costumes in stores. There are Goblins, creatures of
the night, Devils, Black Cats...and even “Witches”. With the green old, ugly,
hag like figure, dressed in black stirring a bubbling cauldron.
We know the fairytales by Hans Christian Anderson, and the
Brothers Grimm. We are also very familiar with the Green cackling Old Wicked
Witch of the West in “The Wizard of Oz”. But that is nothing of what a REAL
Witch is like, and is an invention of the imagination. It’s no surprise to know
that not many people know where the stereotype came from.
In medieval Europe, Witchcraft was practiced before and
alongside with Christianity. There were Norse Odinists, Druids, Celts, Wicca
(Witches) whom were both men and women that have helped both villagers and
Royalty and were healers, Priestesses, Witan, and Wise Elders in many country
villages. When the Church came into power, there started “The Burning Times” a
time of which the King James Bible was written during the reign of King James I
of England and VI of Scotland, and the start of the Inquisition by the Pope
himself. When this all happened, and these groups came under attack, the
inquisition (and the Church) had painted an image of Witches as evil, ugly
devil worshippers to feed the Witch-craze; and it was all used as propaganda in
a religious hate war to exterminate all non-believers of the Christian Church.
Over the past several centuries,
Millions of innocent Men, Women, and Children were accused of Witchcraft and
killed. The majority of these people were no real Witches, but were of an
individual mind. We can also never forget the famous Salem Witch trials of
1692, where Nineteen people were executed on Witchcraft charges; this included
many Women whom were either hanged or drowned and one man was accused and
crushed to death, and hundreds more people were jailed. None of these people
were real Witches, but elderly eccentrics or wealthy or attractive people with
jealous neighbors. Not to mention that the trials was presided over by Rev.
Judge Cotton Mather (Founder of Yale University). He had written many
theological works that encouraged the belief in Witchcraft, and yet never once
lifted a finger to help the accused, even though he knew they were innocent.
One man that was executed was George Burrough, he recited the “Our Father”
prayer and Mather urged that his execution continue.
The Witch stereotype was false when
it was started centuries ago, and false even to this day. It promotes a hateful
image that connects women, old age, and Magick with a shroud of darkness,
ugliness and evil. It is completely disrespectful to elderly women, especially
strong, elderly women. This is also a slander on a beautiful living religion, called
Wicca.
Wicca exists today. It is an
Earth-based Religion goaled on the revival of ancient Pagan practices and
Witchcraft Traditions. It is a harmless religion that teaches respect for
Mother Earth, each other, and the community. We worship the Divine as both Male
and Female (God and Goddess), and work towards the many aspects of the Divine.
It has nothing to do with Satanism of any kind, warts, ritual sacrifice (of any
kind) of children or virgins, or hexes.
I know, because I am a Wiccan High Priest—―a REAL Witch. Live in
the Flesh. I don’t have Green skin, or warts, nor do I fatten up children to
eat them. Real Witches do nothing of the sort found in fairytales. It saddens
me that the Costume companies would contribute to the old stereotype about
Witches, post the pictures on their store windows and advertising as part of
the Halloween “Fun.” Degrading any group of people whether it be based on
their: Age, Race, Religion, Gender, income, or handicap is a poor way to
celebrate a Holiday.
So here’s a request from a friendly neighbor. Decorate your home
or store with spooks, ghouls, and creatures of the night if you’d like –
they’re not real. If you wish, add some black cats and pumpkins to your décor –
they will not care. But please skip the Witch decorations and ugly images,
because I am real, and I do care.
Have a Blessed Samhain!
Blessed Be,
Rev. Mirado Crow, D.D.
Founder and Tradition Head of
The Black Rose Tradition
President/Publisher and Editor in Chief of
The Enchanted Garden Press
That was a very thoughtful post.
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