Witch Way Now?

"Atom-bombed Mary", also known as Our Lady of Nagasaki.

The Fox Spirits (Huli jing)

In ancient China, the most widely known of the seductive spirits were the "Fox Spirits" who were believed to live high in the misty mountains. The Fox Spirits could take on a human form by transforming themselves through the aid of human bones (especially the skull). Foxes are associated with Yin and the Earth Element. They are associated with deceit, trickery, slyness, cunning, and craftiness. Documents dating back to the dawn of China's civilization identify the fox as a demonic creature, upon whose back spirit entities often ride. According to the famous Daoist scholar Ji Yun:

"Humans and things are different species, and foxes lie in-between humans and things; Darkness and light take different paths, and foxes lie in-between darkness and light; Gods and demons follow different ways; and foxes lie in-between gods and demons."

Both anthropologists and historians have emphasized the significance of the betwixt and between for the study of culture. Mary Douglas, for example, gives special importance to boundary-crossing animals and spirits in assuring social and moral order. She argues that in a given society, what is perceived to be ambiguous and marginal tends to be regarded as ritually unclean, hence defiling established principles. The marginality of such beings discharges both danger and power to the dominant patterns of the existing social structure. Victor Turner further elaborates the symbolism of marginality and ritual. He contends that rituals are organized around certain key symbols that simultaneously encompass many different meanings. Only by relating the ritual symbols to social experience can one decipher their multivocality. Turner also develops the concept of liminality:

"Liminal entities are neither here nor there; they are betwixt and between the positions assigned and arrayed by law, custom, convention, and ceremonial. As such, their ambiguous and indeterminate attributes are expressed by a rich variety of symbols in the many societies that ritualize social and cultural transitions. Thus, liminality is frequently likened to death, to being in the womb, to invisibility, to darkness, to bisexuality, to the wilderness, and to an eclipse of the sun or moon."

In other words, the betwixt and between represents a liminal phase, an ambiguous and paradoxical stage of being neither this nor that—or being both. It is a ritual stage that allows people to change from one state to another, and thereby to reorder the world and to gain new power to deal with life. Liminal situations and roles tend to be conceived as “dangerous, inauspicious, or polluting to persons, objects, events, and relationships that have not been incorporated into the liminal context.” In popular culture and folk literature, they are likened to marginal groups, such as shamans, mediums, magicians, and jesters, who usually come from the bottom of society yet are endowed with the ritual power of the weak to reverse established social structures and express cultural oppositions.

An encounter with a Fox Spirit could either be considered positive or deadly, depending on the type of interaction, and temperament of the spirit entity. For example, the victim could end up either having intercourse with a demonic vampire, or having a romantic interlude that ended up in marriage. Because Fox Spirits could either appear as men or women, and transform themselves into the images of individuals who are sometimes young or old, each interaction was uncertain. Historically, Fox Spirits could sometimes act like malevolent ghosts, haunting and bewitching people, causing sickness and even death. Other times, they could assume the positive role of a benevolent loving spouse, or act live a compassionate Ancestral Spirit, granting an individual health, wealth, and fame. Therefore, in relationship to humans, an interaction with a Fox Spirit could either be benevolent or vindictive, according to the treatment that the fox received. For example, one of the positive attributes associated with magical Fox Spirits, is that they retain the knowledge of hidden or buried treasure. They could either use these riches for their own personal gain, or they could reveal these treasures to their human friends.

The Fox Spirit does not have the power to change its tail. This often leads to its discovery. An ancient saying states:

"Talk of demons and they will appear; talk of a Fox Spirit and his tail will be seen."

(Adapted from Orphic Hymn #8 to Helios)

Hear, golden Goddess, whose eternal eye

with broad survey illumines all the sky,

self-born, unweary'd in diffusing light,

and to all eyes the mirror of delight.

Maiden of the seasons, holy star,

from darkness hope comes beaming from afar,

with thy right hand the source of morning light,

and with thy left unconquered queen of night.

Your march agile and vigorous, radiant sun,

round heaven's course with haste and might you run.

Foe to the wicked, but the good soul's guide,

o'er all steps to the good you do preside.

With precious waters, Shining Queen, tis thine,

to gift unto the world healing divine.

Mother of ages, guide of prosperous deeds,

holy seer, from whom clear sight proceeds,

Sulis Invicta, all-seeing, bearing light,

source of existence, pure and fiery bright,

friend of crops, immortal queen of years,

strong and warm, whom ev'ry power reveres.

Great eye of heaven and the starry skies,

fated with eternal flame to set and rise,

dispensing justice, truth from you dost stream,

the world's great star, and o'er all supreme.

Faithful defender, and the eye of right,

of days the ruler, and of life the light.

From sacred springs pour blessings great and pure,

to each soul peace, and for each ill a cure.

Propitious on these humble labours shine,

Holy Mary, Mother of God,

Pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death.

in an alleyway in Naples

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