#witchcraftmuseum

WITCHTOBER 

DAY 10 «WITCHCRAFT»

"Photographer and model: Psyche Ophiuchus

This photo was taken last summer at Fairy Glen on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. It is a mysterious and enchanting place.In the heart of nature, it is a magical place that moved me and inspired me this image of Sabbath. But this place is not at all natural ... It seems that the "Witch" movement, puts in the spotlight the Nature. Its power and beauty. I see on the social medias, photos of nature, forests, which often seem just to be there to show a pretty person in new clothes. Great ! But in reality, our Nature, our forests in France and in Europe are dying. We have no memory of wild forest. Besides, most of the "natural" places we see, are not natural. Forests are exploited, watercourses are controlled, animals are tamed. Man is everywhere! Forests are huge gardens, built, maintained, tidy, clean? At this time, we learn the management of forests in a maximum productionist perspective! And we eliminate all "pests"! It's a lot less romantic ... I live in the forest and some "magic" practices, that I observe, participate in the destruction of Nature: the pile of stones that destroy the habitats of many animals and insects (see article), the "hugs" to trees that trampling their roots and pushing them little by little towards the grave ... The candle wax is not biodegradable, most of the time they are petroleum derivatives, and the ribbons of the offerings too ... There are so few old trees today, should not we leave them in peace? They are so rare that they seem extraordinary, isn't it unfortunate.

WITCHTOBER 

DAY 12 : "WITCH"

The term "witch" comes from the popular Latin "Sortiearius, strictly speaking "spell-caller ". This word was the worst of infamies! In myths, women are at best reduced to the rank of magician, at worst to witches such as Circe or Morgane. These appellations are always associated with a degradation, with an erotic dimension. It is a word invented by men to harm and enslave the women.

Considering this first point and the suffering and horror experienced by witch-hunt victims, I find it difficult to understand the appropriation of this term by some feminist movements. I also have trouble understanding the modern appropriation of this term. It is certainly surrounded by mystery and magic, but also by so much desolation and hatred.

How to claim to be a witch in the twenty-first century, when we live in completely different living conditions. We are no longer close to nature, most of us even live in the city.

To this first observation is added commercial appropriation going completely against feminism and the notion of free women.

What do you think about it ?

JOUR 12 : “ SORCIERE”

Le terme « sorcière » vient du latin populaire « sortiarius, proprement « diseur de sorts ». Ce mot était la pire des infamies ! Dans les mythes, les femmes sont réduites aux mieux au rang de magicienne, au pire à celui de sorcières telles que Circé ou encore Morgane. Ces appellations sont toujours associés à un mouvement de dégradation, avec une dimension érotique. C’est un mot inventé par les hommes pour nuire et asservir la femme. 

Compte tenu de ce premier point et de la souffrance et l’horreur qu’ont subi les victimes de la chasse aux sorcières, j’ai du mal à comprendre la récupération de ce terme par certains mouvements féministes. J’ai aussi du mal à comprendre la récupération moderne de ce terme. Il est certes entouré de mystère et de magie, mais aussi de tellement de désolation et de haine.

Comment se revendiquer sorcière en vivant au XXIème siècle, quand on pense aux conditions de vie complètement différentes. Nous ne sommes plus du tout proche de la nature, la plupart d’entre nous, même, vivent en ville. A ce premier constat s’ajoute la récupération commerciale allant complètement à l’encontre du féminisme et de la notion de femmes libres.

Witchtober

DAY 4 : "The Persecution"

The witch hunt was practiced mainly between the 15th and 16th centuries.

It was essentially misogynist and many women were persecuted and massacred. They represented on average 80% of the accused and 85% of the convicted.

Here are some images made at the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Boscastle, about the torments they endured.

In the second picture you can see a scale, with a seat on one side and a tray on which the Bible rests. One way to detect a witch would have been to weigh it, if the person weighed heavier than the Bible, the test was positive ...

More on the blog : https://urlz.fr/aHHz

JOUR 4 : "La Persécution"

WITCHTOBER

DAY 7 : "The Devil"

The witches, weak in body and mind and animated by an insatiable desire for lust, were the concubines of the Devil. It was from him that they drew their strength and their powers after signing a pact. The witches were thus at the mercy of the Devil.

Historically speaking, if these women had managed to emancipate themselves or gave the impression of being free from the power of men, the latter enslaved and objectified them, again, placing them under the thumb of another male character : The Devil.

What if the Devil symbolized women's autonomy in this story of domination and power?

More on the blog : https://urlz.fr/aIM8

JOUR 7 : "Le Diable"

Les sorcières, faibles de corps et d’esprit et animées par un insatiable désir de luxure étaient les concubines du Diable. C’est de lui qu’elles tiraient leurs forces et leurs pouvoirs après avoir signé un pacte. Les sorcières étaient ainsi à la merci du Diable.

Si ces femmes, historiquement parlant, avaient réussi à s’émanciper ou donnaient l’impression de s’affranchir du pouvoir de l’homme, ce dernier l’asservissait et l’objectivait, à nouveau, en la plaçant sous la coupe d’un autre personnage masculin : Le Diable.

Et si le Diable symbolisait l’autonomie des femmes dans cette histoire de domination et de pouvoir?