Vermont Dead Line: witch

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Saturday, October 29, 2016

The Feast of All Hallow's Eve

Across the fen and moors,

and far from the crashing shores;

The Witching Hour approacheth,

deep in the woodland forest.

And, as all of the land has numbly nodded,

Tall trees stand watch over a little stone cottage,

and, greet the grey smoke rising

from a brick and mortar chimney.

Inside, from the ceiling's wooden rafters,

Herbs hang from gnarled hooks and antlers.

On the hearth is a bubbling cauldron,

that is black and tarnished with soot.

Suspended above a roaring flame,

is a gurgling, boiling toadstool soup;

to which the wise old woman,

adds mermaid tears,

lizard teeth, and Eye of Newt.

The cat of black is silent and sleek,

and moves on padded feet,

'round her ankles,

though it never tangles,

as she works her sorcery.

While the cat is content and purring;

The creatures out of doors are roused and stirring.

She reaches for a key from an ancient cupboard drawer,

Then opening the creaking, arched wooden door,

She exclaims words of alerting;

"Arise!"

"Arise!"

Into the night, she cries,

to all the living beings who are now emerging.

The elves appear from under mushroom caps,

Fairies leave their beds from dragon-snaps;

And, a cluster of stars begin their tune.

They nudge and whisper to the sleepy moon,

to ignite its glow upon their dances.

The stars advise the moon,

" 'Tis time to climb,

and levitate to the farthest reaches!

Come! Convene with the forest creatures!"

Silently, a great white stag advances,

stepping over mossy rocks and fallen branches.

From scaled eggs, baby dragons are hatched,

Splaying wings and breathing fire;

And, as the sirens begin their midnight choir,

a raven appears, landing on the roof of thatch.

They spy upon the wisp-o-willow,

pondering its reflection in a watery pillow,

and waking from its nap.

The wolf watches the raven,

parlay with the owl;

so the wolf follows the siren's song,

and begins to howl.

Fairy wings illuminate the air,

as they rise, like fireflies,

flying far into the sky,

and shaking glitter from their hair.

They dance over ivy, myrtle and weeds;

like summer winds that blow dandelion seeds,

sprinkling light across the blackest night.

And as the clock strikes twelve,

so appears the elves,

who were busy gathering herbs and flowers;

to bring to the wise old wench,

who is now aware of the hour.

She takes their goods to add to the soup;

and the other creatures decorate the Great forest table.

The feast has begun, as the goblins strike their drums,

and mischievous imps light an array of candles.

With a sudden commotion, arrived the Fairy Queen;

(Who stood much taller than others of her breed)

on the back of a horned beast with cloven feet.

They all gather 'round, to revel the night,

and partake in the heady staple.

Though, no human has witnessed,

or has ever seen,

celebrations or events such as these;

In my imagination,

this is a fabrication,

of the All Hallow's Eve.

© Denise Goodwin, All Rights Reserved

Monday, October 17, 2016

The Crone

October is the month when we fully welcome the season of autumn, as this month is associated with vibrant colors such as red, yellow and orange which seem to remind us in some spectacular fashion, of the beginning of the end. Of finality, or the proverbial "calm before the storm". The final cutting of hay in our local fields have been completed, and bales are tucked away in the farmer's barns. The wonderful yield of our gardens have been canned and stored. We begin to light the fires in the hearth, and spend less time out of doors.

As the last leaves fall from the trees, we realize that the cold months of winter lie ahead. Yet, before the month ends, our imagination is set on fire as we begin to plan for our costumes and parties for Halloween.

Folklore and superstitions may be most popular in October, especially as Halloween nears; and, what could be more representative of this holiday, then the old witch, also known as the crone or crone goddess?

The crone is frequently depicted as an old woman, whose reproductive years have passed, hence giving her a supernatural quality. She is often venerated for having deep wisdom and knowledge. She stands for dichotomy, as it is unclear whether her intentions are for good or ill, as her character can be both accommodating and obstructive.

She is the Dark Mother Goddess, and the last aspect of the Triple Goddess of Maiden, Mother, Crone; and as such, represents winter, the waning of the moon, the direction of north, death and ultimately, the promise of rebirth. Some love and revere her, others fear her. The Crone is frequently perverted into the quintessence of evil, the Underworld and the color black, as story-tellers often use this figure to portray a villain.

Typically, she is illustrated as the old woman stirring a steamy cauldron, and wearing a tall or pointed hat. Common descriptions of a crone are frequently negative, and may include words such as ugly, ill-tempered old woman, user of magic or sorcery, spiteful or one who casts spells. The opposite descriptions may include words such as powerful, wisdom, wonderful, mystical, and astrologically important.

Nothing is more apparent, then the crone's evil depiction than in fiction, movies and television. The hag, or crone has many faces. She is the old woman holding the big red apple before Snow White. She is the Sea Hag in the old cartoon Popeye; or the Three Witches (or Weird Sisters or Wayward Sisters) are characters in William Shakespeare's play Macbeth. The Crone is amusingly Grandmama of The Addams Family, Samantha of Bewitched and the Wicked Witch of the West....and no, I didn't forget you Harry Potter fans, she is also Bellatrix Lestrange. And the list goes on and on.

In Somerset, England, local folklore describe "The Woman of the Mist" appears sometimes as a crone gathering sticks; and there were reports of sightings of her as late as the 1950s. In Ireland, she is portrayed among stacks of bones, and now the crone associated with the Wiccan Samhain.

"An aspect of the nocturnal activity of the hag is that they are reputed to ‘ride people’ at night. The term ‘hag ridden’ is derived from the belief that the hag visits at night and sits upon the victim’s chest to produce a sensation of distress and discomfort called a nightmare. The term ‘hag’ and Old Hag’ has come to mean, in both British and north American folklore, a nightmare spirit causing in modern terms a sleep paralysis. In Persia the hag called Bakhtak (which means nightmare) also sits on upon a sleeper’s chest making them waken unable to move or breathe.There exist many tales of hags being a type of nursery bogeyman. Reference to hags is used to frighten children into being well behaved and going to sleep on time." - Source: ericwedwards.wordpress.com

During the Elizabethan Era, and up to the Renaissance, Wise Women were separated by "Black" and "White". White Witches were those women who had an understanding of the medicinal value of plants and herbs, and were known as healers. "Black" Witches were thought to have practiced dark magic in an effort to cause physical harm to others.

The Crone, also called "The Queen of the Night" is also associated with spiders and spider webs. She may be affiliated with familiars such as [black] cats, owls, crows, vultures and ravens, and with divination such as clairvoyance and "scrying". See Vermont Deadline post "Familiars and Animal Spirits":

In the New Age circles, the word "crone" is said to have derived from the old word for "crown", which has been suggested that "wisdom that emanates from the head like a halo." Wikipedia disputes this by indicating that the word "crone" entered "the English language around the year 1390, deriving from the Anglo-French word carogne (an insult), itself deriving from the Old North French charogne, caroigne, meaning a disagreeable woman (literally meaning "carrion"). "

Today, while there has been a resurgence of earth-based religions, such as Wicca and Paganism, (and one may add, the fact that women live longer) the Crone is revered for being a healer and a mid-wife, and is also referred to a a "Wise Woman". New Age and other spiritual circles conduct ceremonies, referred to as "Cronings" or "Croning Rituals", as a means of acknowledging and celebrating a milestone birthday, (usually after one has gone through menopause).

Denise Goodwin

Sunday, October 11, 2015

The Bad Rap of the Black Cat

When I was a child, I had several bad dreams that involved having a large black panther under my bed. During those dreams, I recall that I could only see its hind quarters and a long black tale that twitched.

I was frozen with fear, thinking that if I moved, it may advance, pounce and tear me, limb from limb. Waking from my dream, I would slowly look down to the floor beside me to discover that it was only a dream.

Attributes of the cat include their ability to see at night, unpredictability and their silent approach. Sleekly perched on their haunches, they stealthily hunt with lethal accuracy snatching its food with intense precision.

In defense, they bristle, snarl, bite and claw, if cornered.

Endlessly curious, they are nocturnal creatures that personify mystery and supernatural powers, which feeds the belief that they were servants of evil. The cat often appears wise and indifferent. Perhaps the latter is its greatest characteristic.

Superstition surrounding the black cat arrived in America with the Puritans, (referring to themselves as "the godly") were essentially Protestant extremists who were dissatisfied mainly with the Catholic and the Church of England. They broke off, in an attempt to reform or "purify" the established churches of that time. Arriving at Plymouth Rock, the Puritans were profoundly suspicious, and believed in Demonology.

They sought to exorcise those who were possessed. Such public and moral panic was most apparent during the Salem Witch Trials. This radical group associated the black cat with evil and dark witchcraft, punishing and condemning those who owned such a creature. This hysteria had begun in England and was carried across the sea with the Pilgrims, to their new homeland.

So, our friend the black cat, has been since, associated with sorcery and the dark arts. It was considered a "companion" or "familiar", and because some land owners believed that the cat had changed from from witch to cat. Guilty by association, some cats met their demise after suspicion was laid on them for casting spells or cursing farm land or properties.

"One popular tale from British feline lore illustrates the thinking of the day. In Lincolnshire in the 1560s, a father and his son were frightened one moonless night when a small creature darted across their path into a crawl space. Hurling stones into the opening, they saw an injured black cat scurry out and limp into the adjacent home of a woman suspected by the town of being a witch.

The next day, the father and son encountered the woman on the street. Her face was bruised, her arm bandaged. And she now walked with a limp. From that day on in Lincolnshire, all black cats were suspected of being witches in night disguise. The lore persisted. The notion of witches transforming themselves into black cats in order to prowl streets unobserved became a central belief in America during the Salem witch hunts. Thus, an animal once looked on with approbation became a creature dreaded and despised." -kinrossfolds.com

Nine Lives?

"Morris"

You remember "Morris the Cat", known for his serious sarcasm, finicky taste and was the mascot for Nine Lives cat food? The cat food was a brilliant marketing plan under the name-brand, Nine Lives. Incidentally, Morris was actually "played" by 3 different cats during the time the commercials aired.

Illustration from a page of the book "Nine Lives of a Cat" by Charles Bennett

But, HOW did a cat become associated with having NINE LIVES?

Witches were said to take the form of a cat nine times (a reflection of the traditional nine lives of a cat):

"A cat has nine lives. For three he plays, for three he strays, and for the last three he stays".

We are all familiar with this tale, as cats seem to have the uncanny ability to escape death. It seems as though they could face death nine times and survive. It is believed that the origin of a cat having nine lives stems from their witch owners. Apparently, a witch could take on the body of a cat nine times, hence the folklore was transferred to the cat, itself.

Another possibility of the origin of cat's having nine lives is thought to be derived from the number 9 itself. The number 9 is the "trinity of trinities" which could be construed as lucky.

The Trinity of Trinities defined: "Nine, five, and three are mystical numbers- the diapason, diapente, and diatrion of the Greeks. Nine consists of a trinity of trinities. According to the Pythagorean numbers, man is a full chord, or eight notes, and deity comes next. Three, being the trinity, represents a perfect unity, twice three is the perfect dual, and thrice three is the perfect plural. This explains the use of nine as a mystical number, and also as an exhaustive plural, and consequently no definite number, but a simple representative of plural perfection." - Source: infoplease

Luck and Superstition

One of the most common myths of the black cat is that it is unlucky to have this animal "cross your path".

But WHY is often thought of as an omen or very bad luck?

Supposedly, the black cat is a disguised demon who is attempting to block a person's passage into Heaven.

The misconception of black cat's supernatural powers has lead to many a superstition....

"A black cat crossing one’s path by moonlight means death in an epidemic." ~Irish superstition

"If cats desert a house, illness will always reign there." ~English superstition

If a cat's pupils become enlarged, surely rain will come. ~Welsh superstition

"To find a strange black cat on your porch brings prosperity." ~Scottish superstition

"If you find one white hair on a black cat, Lady Luck will smile upon you." ~French superstition

"It was believed that if a black cat lived in the house, the young lass would have plenty of suitors." ~English superstition

Bring a cat to an intersection where 5 roads meet. Let the cat loose and follow it. It will bring you to treasure. -French superstition

A cat sneezing is a good omen for everyone who hears it. ~Italian superstition

If a cat washes behind its ears, rain is coming. ~English superstition

"A cat sleeping with all four paws tucked under means cold weather is ahead." ~English superstition

"While it is lucky to own a black cat, it is extremely unlucky to come across one accidentally." ~English superstition

If you are moving into a new home, always put your cat through the window first, before allowing it through a door, or it may leave. ~American superstition

It’s bad luck if a black cat crosses your path and good luck if a white cat crosses your path.

Folklore tells us that if a witch becomes human, her black cat will no longer live in that home.

Do you believe that black cats are evil witches in disguise?

If a black cat walked into the room of a person who is sick, and that person dies, it can be blamed on the cat.

You may have bad luck if you meet a cat at the crack of dawn, or past 9 o'clock at night.

If a black cat walks towards you, it brings good fortune. It it walks away from you, it will take the good luck with it.

A kitten born in the month of May will be owned by a witch....

And on the other hand, some consider that a kitten born in May is bad luck.

While driving, if a cat crosses in front of you, mark the letter "X" on your windshield so bad luck does not follow you.

It is considered unlucky to have a black cat turn it’s back on you.

It is believed to be lucky to own a black cat, or to be given one as a gift.

It may be bad luck to hear a cat meowing, before you leave on a trip.

Never walk under a ladder after a black cat has passed under it.

Never drive away a black cat, bad luck will follow you.

It may be lucky to have a black cat greet you upon entering a house.

It also may be lucky to see three black cats in succession.

A black cat may have the power to hypnotize you....

If a black cat does cross your path, it may be reversible. Walk in a circle, return to the spot where it crossed and count to 13.

When visiting someone who owns a cat, be sure to give it a kiss, so that the homeowners will enjoy good luck.

Cats at Sea?

I found this information at superstitionsonline.com and copied the content because it was so much fun to read!

Sailors used cats to predict the voyages they were about to embark upon. Loudly mewing cats meant that it would be a difficult voyage. A playful cat meant that it would be a voyage with good and gusty winds.

Throwing a cat overboard will bring a storm at sea.

If a cat meows aboard a ship it will be a difficult trip.

Sailors believed that if a cat licked its fur against the grain it meant a hailstorm was coming; if it sneezed, rain was on the way; and if it was frisky, the wind would soon blow.

It was a popular belief that cats could start storms through magic stored in their tails – so sailors always made sure that they were well-fed and contented.

WWI - Cat on cannons of the HMS Queen Elizabeth!

Sailors believed that the worst possible cat-related act, guaranteed to raise a storm and bring bad luck of all sorts, was to throw the cat overboard.

If a cat was thrown overboard, a storm would rise and very bad luck would follow.

Fishermen’s wives kept a black cat at home to prevent disaster at sea.