Scrying is the practice of looking into a reflected surface as a mirror or water to determine one’s future. Although generally associated with the Halloween witch standing over a bubbling cauldron, every female has believed in magic at one time or another. I can remember standing in front of a mirror as a little girl, primping and dreaming of the future. Holding my purple ballerina mirror in one hand, I’d envision what I would be when I grew up. We all remember the whimsical song made famous by Doris Day. I can still recall singing along while gazing at my reflection.
“When I was just a little girl, I asked my mother, what will I be. Will I be pretty? Will I be rich? Here’s what she said to me.”
“Que sare sare. Whatever will be will be. The future’s not ours to see. Que sera sera. What will be will be.”
But despite the catchy lyrics of this tune, females of all ages are true romantics at heart. Whether superstition, magical spell or make believe, the idea of seeing one’s future in a reflection is irresistible. Dreams come true for those who believe. And isn’t that the main reason little girls can’t wait for Halloween each year? To dress up in costumes of their most revered fairy tale character? Eyes twinkle a little brighter when dressing as Cinderella, the Fairy princess or any number of the legendary characters made famous by the infamous Walt Disney. Little girls believe in magic and the magic of Halloween builds sweet and nostalgic memories she can pass on to her own children.
And on that same romantic whim, the practice of scrying possesses an aura of magical enchantment. There are a few variations on the enduring scrying ritual. One is for a young woman to go to her mirror at midnight, light a candle and comb her hair. According to legend, if she concentrated very hard, she would see the image of the man she would marry. Another, my particular favorite, is for a woman to take a stroll to a moonlit pond at midnight, lighting her way with a lamp and gaze into the water. The reflection that would materialize was said to be her future soulmate.
Do you believe in magic? What fantasy character did you portray as a child? What Disney character does your little girl want to be this year for Halloween?
Showing posts with label Magical. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Magical. Show all posts
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Halloween Witch
The Witch of Halloween
What is it about the bewitching witch that makes it the favorite Halloween costume each year for girls and women alike? What is it about the pointed black hat and witch’s broom that females find so intriguing? Is it the notion to cast an evil spell? Turn a handsome prince into a toad? Turn a pumpkin into a horse-driven coach? To find her Glass Slipper and Prince Charming?
The word witch is derived from the old English word “Wicce” meaning wise one. The witch was thought of as a wise woman who lived in harmony with nature and the season. A witch had a vast knowledge of herbs and was often called upon to heal the sick. The witch associated with centuries ago was a homeopathic healer. Being a wise woman and a healer, the witch had a huge assortment of utensils. One such item was her Athame, a double edged witch’s knife with a black handle used in rituals.
We think of the witch’s broom as her mode of transportation, right? This is a myth. The purpose of a real witch’s broom is to cleanse the area where a ritual will be performed. So how did the legend that witches fly through the air on their broomsticks evolve? On All Hallow’s Eve, witches would often anoint themselves with magical oils. These oils would caused the witch’s skin to tingle, making the witch feel light-headed. A real witch would often use her broomstick to help her cross a brook or stream in the woods on her way to the festival, giving the illusion she was flying.
And in the movies, we’ve all seen our favorite witches standing over bubbling cauldrons and drinking out of large silver chalices. The cauldron was a pot used to concoct magical potions and for scrying (the ability to look into the future on the water’s surface). And the chalice was thought to be a reciprocal of magical spirits. These were all rooted from supernatural powers.
The witch’s wand, carved from hazel wood, crystal, ebony, ivory, silver or gold, were thought to be extensions of life forces of the witch. With all these powers that be bestowed on the witch, it didn’t take long for the general populace to stir up a few superstitions of their own. Witches can fly on broomsticks, turn themselves into black cats, and cause a big ugly wort to grow on the tip of the nose.
Halloween is one of the four most celebrated Pagan holidays and was thought to be the greatest of the four, thus earning its name of “The Great Sabbath.” On this day, the Halloween witch observes the supernatural powers of this world and other worlds and takes the time to ponder both. This night is for honoring ancestors, celebrating the harvest and ringing in the New Year.
The Halloween witch is magical, mystical and very powerful. Given all these facts and trivia, is it any wonder she is the most revered of women on Halloween?
What is it about the bewitching witch that makes it the favorite Halloween costume each year for girls and women alike? What is it about the pointed black hat and witch’s broom that females find so intriguing? Is it the notion to cast an evil spell? Turn a handsome prince into a toad? Turn a pumpkin into a horse-driven coach? To find her Glass Slipper and Prince Charming?
The word witch is derived from the old English word “Wicce” meaning wise one. The witch was thought of as a wise woman who lived in harmony with nature and the season. A witch had a vast knowledge of herbs and was often called upon to heal the sick. The witch associated with centuries ago was a homeopathic healer. Being a wise woman and a healer, the witch had a huge assortment of utensils. One such item was her Athame, a double edged witch’s knife with a black handle used in rituals.
We think of the witch’s broom as her mode of transportation, right? This is a myth. The purpose of a real witch’s broom is to cleanse the area where a ritual will be performed. So how did the legend that witches fly through the air on their broomsticks evolve? On All Hallow’s Eve, witches would often anoint themselves with magical oils. These oils would caused the witch’s skin to tingle, making the witch feel light-headed. A real witch would often use her broomstick to help her cross a brook or stream in the woods on her way to the festival, giving the illusion she was flying.
And in the movies, we’ve all seen our favorite witches standing over bubbling cauldrons and drinking out of large silver chalices. The cauldron was a pot used to concoct magical potions and for scrying (the ability to look into the future on the water’s surface). And the chalice was thought to be a reciprocal of magical spirits. These were all rooted from supernatural powers.
The witch’s wand, carved from hazel wood, crystal, ebony, ivory, silver or gold, were thought to be extensions of life forces of the witch. With all these powers that be bestowed on the witch, it didn’t take long for the general populace to stir up a few superstitions of their own. Witches can fly on broomsticks, turn themselves into black cats, and cause a big ugly wort to grow on the tip of the nose.
Halloween is one of the four most celebrated Pagan holidays and was thought to be the greatest of the four, thus earning its name of “The Great Sabbath.” On this day, the Halloween witch observes the supernatural powers of this world and other worlds and takes the time to ponder both. This night is for honoring ancestors, celebrating the harvest and ringing in the New Year.
The Halloween witch is magical, mystical and very powerful. Given all these facts and trivia, is it any wonder she is the most revered of women on Halloween?
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