Cunning and Witchcraft

[Rachel-K]

How have your thoughts changed about the idea of magic and witchcraft while reading The Physick Book?

Are you surprised to come across religious or spiritual aspects of witchcraft?

How would you describe what "cunning" women did?

[dhaupt]

My thoughts have changed about witch craft since reading the book, it gave me a new perspective on the old big hat, broom riding, ugly hag conception.

The religious aspect of the book wasn't surprising at all, I think a lot of the old religions, some that didn't survive the inquisitions and some that did in secret rely on some form of what we might call witchcraft. 

I would describe a cunning woman as a healer, who in addition to poultices and potions use the every day knowledge of what works and what doesn't when treating illness and diseases. And who relies on the knowledge of their predecessors by referring to their Almanaks etc... 

[CathyB]

My thoughts about witchcraft have not really changed. I always found humor in the big old hat, broom riding, gigantic wart on nose, creepy hackle concept of a witch.

Do I believe in the 'hocus-pocus' idea of witchcraft? No. I believe that 'witches' are those individuals who can be described as:

healers - they have a greater understanding of herbology and are able to apply that knowledge to treat both physical and emotional ailments;

very persuasive - they can influence a person's mind which in turn can influence their body and actions - the mind is a powerful tool;

very perceptive and logical - they can 'read' a situation and 'determine' possible outcomes - leading one to suspect 'seeing the future'.

These descriptions can all apply to a 'cunning' individual.

I was not surprised by the religious aspects of the book. Everything works in concert - religion, nature, and science.

CathyB

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dhaupt wrote:

My thoughts have changed about witch craft since reading the book, it gave me a new perspective on the old big hat, broom riding, ugly hag conception.

The religious aspect of the book wasn't surprising at all, I think a lot of the old religions, some that didn't survive the inquisitions and some that did in secret rely on some form of what we might call witchcraft. 

I would describe a cunning woman as a healer, who in addition to poultices and potions use the every day knowledge of what works and what doesn't when treating illness and diseases. And who relies on the knowledge of their predecessors by referring to their Almanaks etc... 

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[Shadowwolf36]

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rkubie wrote:

How have your thoughts changed about the idea of magic and witchcraft while reading The Physick Book?

Are you surprised to come across religious or spiritual aspects of witchcraft?

How would you describe what "cunning" women did?

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My views on the idea of magic and witchcraft have not changed in the least.  I have always been fascinated by it and have actually studied Wicca when trying to find my path in life spiritually.  I completely believe that there are people out there that have the ability to take the smallest natural item and use it to heal or to bring about change of some form.  Wicca in particular as in most witchcraft believe and work within the "good". Harm None!! I had never heard of them as cunning women but I would describe them as those who were cunning (smart enough) to figure out that certain herbs, certain chants, certain prayers could bring about change or healing in others.....

[booksJT]

Yes. The idea that magic and witchcraft  might exist has changed my thoughts of their existence. It is possible according to what I read that witches did exist and still may exist with limited powers.  I was not surprised to find that religious aspects crossed paths with witchcraft. In some cultures in the book witchcraft might have been  considered some sort of religious belief.

I think there are cultures that secretly use religion and some forms of what might be called witchcraft to save the ill and survive on a everyday basis. I would describe a cunning woman as someone who doesn't have a medical license. She would be someone with the knowledge to heal without using medication from a drugstore. She also would have inherited her families secrets to using  medicinal herbs.

[emmagrace]

This book has certainly opened my eyes to other ideas about witchcraft! I had always heard that witchcraft (in most cases) was associated with evil. The book describes religous women who used their gifts for good. This book gave me a lot of things to think about and an interest in the witch trials of our past!

I am truly surprised to come across the religous and spiritual aspects of witchcraft. From what I have always heard, read, and seen on television, witchcraft was almost always associated with satan/devil worship.

During the  witch trials in the book, cunning women were described as evil ladies who were working for satan.My description of the cunning women would be that they were wise; religous ladies who used their skills and magic to heal the sick.

[Zeal]

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emmagrace wrote:

This book has certainly opened my eyes to other ideas about witchcraft! I had always heard that witchcraft (in most cases) was associated with evil. The book describes religious women who used their gifts for good. This book gave me a lot of things to think about and an interest in the witch trials of our past!

I am truly surprised to come across the religious and spiritual aspects of witchcraft. From what I have always heard, read, and seen on television, witchcraft was almost always associated with Satan/devil worship.

During the  witch trials in the book, cunning women were described as evil ladies who were working for satan.My description of the cunning women would be that they were wise; religious ladies who used their skills and magic to heal the sick.

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The root of the Salem Witch Trials stemmed from the fact that the word, "witch" has always had a negative connotation.  When there is a lack of understanding, people tend to label someone or something in fear, rather than to search for understanding.  Some how it feels safer to some to hold on to what they know instead of change their "knowledge" to fit the reality. 

The religious and spiritual aspects did not surprise me.  I guess I understood the misconceptions surrounding the early "healers."  I think that witchcraft has been sensationalized by the world as "evil" because that's what "sells."  People love to see the horror and gore, and the supernatural fascinates some.  Religious, healing women are not so exciting (sadly).  Think of the news...it is rare to see the "good" side of the world.  Conflict, crime, and misfortune seem to increase the ratings more than a story about a
Good Samaritan (yes, once in a while we do see a positive story, but not often enough in my opinion).

[tabcat]

This book certainly made me think about herbal/folk healing and how society's views have changed.  I took an alternative therapies class a few years ago and learned about a variety of non-traditional healing therapies that are now accepted by many in the health care field.  One of the nursing instructors taught therapeutic touch and demonstrated symptom managment using human energy fields.  I found it very interesting, but during the "practice" session, I could not sense my class partner's energy field at all and I really wanted to be able to do this! I guess it can't be taught.  It must be an extra or heightened sense in some.

I've also know people who could see other people's auras as Grace could.

Witchcraft does have a negative connotation.  So is it how Cunning is used that makes it differ from what we perceive as witchcraft?

Tc

[MSaff]

Hello again all,

  How have your thoughts changed about the idea of magic and witchcraft while reading the Physick Book?  Are you surprised to come across religion or spiritual aspects of witchcraft?

  Prior to reading The Physick Book, I considered all witchcraft to be on the side of evil and wrong doing.  I was completely unaware of the healing aspect, and I still would not consider a "healing woman" a witch.  In the case of Deliverance Dane and the other women mentioned in the novel, they had and used their special powers or talent to heal and they used them in conjunction with a deep religious background and belief in God.  

  I guess I was mildly surprised but also happy that a healing woman would go to God for guidance in the use of her powers.

[kiakar]

As a child of course, I thought of witches as a dark area that didn't really exist but was fun to live in a pretend world of witchcraft.

My horizon of witches changed as a young adult when I watched Elizabeth Montgomery's "Bewitched." 

Katherine Howe's book captured another side of "witchcraft." Alot of times when a person received the title of a witch she was accepted until a disaster such as death surfaced. 

I see witches as people who were born with special gifts just as others are born with certain gifts. In the 1600's when the Christian Church was above all law, to this set of prejudging congregations when they heard these stories especially if a death had occured they considered these women of the devil and condemned them to death.

No matter what they were called, I believe they had special talents of healing and wisdom of what this world provided that would cure the sick if it was God's will for the afflicted  to be saved.

[Jennmarie68]

I think this book shows us the falacies that we all believe about witches, at least at some point in our lives. The things about witches that have lasted through history, in many cases, weren't even related to witches. I found that to be an amazing revalation. I don't know why so much was covered up or changed, other than to spread fear.

One thing I found crazy was when they checked Deliverance for the Devil (or imp) teet. I found it amazing that not only did these women (one of which was supposedly a midwife) not reallize what it really was but that they didn't seem to recognize the fact that they had one also. My how far we've come!

I guess this book is just another example of how history can be distorted to fit a persons, or societies,  beliefs and ideals. 

[Jennmarie68]

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Zeal wrote:

The root of the Salem Witch Trials stemmed from the fact that the word, "witch" has always had a negative connotation.  When there is a lack of understanding, people tend to label someone or something in fear, rather than to search for understanding.  Some how it feels safer to some to hold on to what they know instead of change their "knowledge" to fit the reality. 

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Great post. I don't think I could've said it better myself!

[HannibalCat]

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kiakar wrote:

As a child of course, I thought of witches as a dark area that didn't really exist but was fun to live in a pretend world of witchcraft.

My horizon of witches changed as a young adult when I watched Elizabeth Montgomery's "Bewitched." 

Katherine Howe's book captured another side of "witchcraft." Alot of times when a person received the title of a witch she was accepted until a disaster such as death surfaced. 

I see witches as people who were born with special gifts just as others are born with certain gifts. In the 1600's when the Christian Church was above all law, to this set of prejudging congregations when they heard these stories especially if a death had occured they considered these women of the devil and condemned them to death.

No matter what they were called, I believe they had special talents of healing and wisdom of what this world provided that would cure the sick if it was God's will for the afflicted  to be saved.

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I agree kiakar. The centuries have produced so much knowledge and advancement that it is hard to believe people in the past would put to death fellow human beings that were only trying to help the needy.  But we see so much of it in our past. The superstition, fear and hate of the unknown. It is nice to know that we are learning to put all that behind us.

I hope the art of cunning will take on a new meaning as women use their talents to achieve good. I am a bit tired of women being accused of being evil because they use their brains instead of brawn. 

[fifenhorn]

I know enough about witchcraft that most of this didn't surprise me in this book...but I did find the tie to Christianity quite fascinating. It was an area I wasn't prepared to delve into within this book. An interesting tie, in any case.

[drbjaded]

It's changed in the fact that I associated witchcraft with evil and never thought there was a good side to witchcraft.  Deliverance adding God into her works really surprised me and made me question why people have thought of witchcraft as being something evil.  I guess the Salem Witch trials didn't really help the witch cause and movies and TV haven't earned them any respect today.  It's good to see that their is some goodness in witchcraft be we are often weary about things we do not understand. 

I was quite surprised to have religion come across in respect to witchcraft but I'm still weary of it.

I'm not really sure what "cunning" women do.  I would think healers and people that deal with magic are "cunning" although it would strike me as having something to do with an evil aspect.  I'm not really sure what they meant by that term.

[ponie]

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drbjaded wrote:

It's changed in the fact that I associated witchcraft with evil and never thought there was a good side to witchcraft.  Deliverance adding God into her works really surprised me and made me question why people have thought of witchcraft as being something evil.  I guess the Salem Witch trials didn't really help the witch cause and movies and TV haven't earned them any respect today.  It's good to see that their is some goodness in witchcraft be we are often weary about things we do not understand. 

I was quite surprised to have religion come across in respect to witchcraft but I'm still weary of it.

I'm not really sure what "cunning" women do.  I would think healers and people that deal with magic are "cunning" although it would strike me as having something to do with an evil aspect.  I'm not really sure what they meant by that term.

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I am not really sure what to do with it either.  I mean there is evil in the world.  Is there white magic (good - hurts no one) and black magic (bad - hurts someone)?

[fifenhorn]

Ponie

 

 It's my understanding that there is good (white witchcraft) and bad (black magic/witchcraft).  But...as with everything, what comes around goes around. Think about the pain that Connie had to endure with every spell she uttered...as she practiced...or divined (the whole colander thing). I've been told that whatever you do can come back to you threefold - so if you do something BAD, it can come around to you 3 times as bad.

 

As a Christian, I have a hard time with witchcraft being associated with Christianity, but I can see where they could likely cross paths.

 

Linda

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I am not really sure what to do with it either.  I mean there is evil in the world.  Is there white magic (good - hurts no one) and black magic (bad - hurts someone)?

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