Pointing

Pointing in many cultures it was believed that a witch or sorcerers had the power to kill someone by pointing at them.

If the Pawang from Malaysia pointed his magical dagger at someone it would trip with blood. Various Native American tribes have legends of pointing at animals in order to kill them.

The thought behind these legends is magicians have the power to use their will like a weapon and directed at others. If the witch wishes that the injury flowing from her fingers attracts the dark forces needed to complete her wish.

**Food for thought does that which truly hex her victim or is the victim’s belief of the witch’s power bringing about their own curse?

Image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Finger_pointing.jpg Public Domain

Types of Witchcraft

I decided to share some of my notes with you about types of witchcraft. I wrote these as I researched a few characters.

African witchcraft: The Azande tribe of Central Africa believes that they’re gifted with a craft call “Mangu”. It’s passed from parent to child. Those with mangu aren’t aware of it. They perform magic unconsciously while they sleep.

Appalachian folk magic: The Appalachian believe good and evil are two distinct forces that are led by the Christian god and Devil. They believe there conditions that their magic can’t cure. They are blessed with paranormal powers.

Green Witchcraft: These witches practice their craft in fields and forests to be closer to The Divine Spirit. They make their tools from accessible materials outdoors. They are similar too Kitchen/Cottage witches.

Hedge Witchcraft: This witch is a solitary (works alone) with green arts, herbal cures, and spells. They were local wise women and men who cured illness, gave advice. These witches can be any religion and are consider traditional.

Hereditary Witchcraft: They believe that the “gifts” of the craft are with someone from birth and are passed from generations before.

Kitchen/Cottage Witches: This path believes that the home is sacred. They use herbs for many reasons including: healing and protection; they practice around the hearth and home.

Pennsylvania Dutch Hexcraft: This craft started when the Germans arrived in America. Native American were already settled they picked up the term “Pow-wowing” which includes charms, incantations that date back to the middle ages with a little of Kabbalah and the Bible mixed in. Pow-wowers consider themselves Christians endowed with supernatural powers.

Traditional Witchcraft: This is considered the oldest form of witchcraft. They don’t worship Gods, they contact spirits that are part of an unseen spirits world during rituals. This craft believes in using Hexes, or curses in self-defense or other types of protection.

Wicca: Wicca religion is 60 years old, it was created by Gerald Gardner in 1940’s or 50’s. It worships the Earth and nature. The Wiccan Rede requires Wiccans to do no harm.

Love this cartoon

I’ll have some more for you next time.

The Belated Witching Hour.

So it’s been called to my attention there wasn’t a Witching Hour post this month.

I’m so sorry for the ooops. I’ll make it up…

Here is an interesting witch myth I just heard for you today…

The Black Walnut Tree

If you suspect a witch is hexing you. You must find a black walnut tree. Draw her picture on it.

Mark her heart with an X. Hammer a nail into the X, just a little every day.

The witch or someone she sends in her place will try to borrow something from you.
Don’t lend it!
Continue to hammer the nail farther into the tree something will happen either the witch will stop hexing you; or she will try to borrow something from you.

You must not lend her anything, the protection will stop if you do or she will die.

All right, now my questions. What if you can’t draw worth squat? Does it work as long as you know who it is? I hope so. What if you can’t find a black walnut tree? Could any tree do or would any nut tree do?

What do you think about this myth? I’m starting to believe that what we’re told in myths to protect ourselves are just silly stories to make us feel safe.