I thought it might be fun and interesting to take a look at witchcraft, omens and portends through history, wether it be true or not. Keep in mind that all is not as it seems in many old magickal formulas. Sources are listed at the end of each 'Fact or Fable'.
Shakespeare's Herbal Code
Shakespeare's words in MacBeth are dotted with herbal lore. Here are some of the 'translations' of what the 'witches' might have put in their cauldron:
Eye of Newt - any of the 'eye' flowers such as daisy, horehound, bachelor's buttons, etc.
Toe of Frog - buttercup
Wool of Bat - holly leaves
Tongue of Dog - houndstongue
Lizard's Leg - a creeping plant such as ivy
Scale of Dragon - leaf of dragonwort, tarragon
Tooth of Wolf - leaf of wolfsbane
Gall of Goat - honeysuckle or st. John's wort
Nose of Turtle - turtle's cap
Adder's Fork - bistort
Tiger's Chaundron - lady's mantle
from: The Magical Almanac, 1993, Scott Cunningham
Kitchen Witches
Who would have thought 50 years ago that thousands of American homes would be graced with images of flying Witches. Or that such Witches would be considered to be the bearers of good luck? Within recent times, these images of elderly women astride a broom have become fixtures in many kitchens.
The popularity of such figures does indeed seem surprising, given the 'wicked' image that Witches have suffered for centuries.
Wise woman, who were often midwives, healers, herbalists, psychics and folk magickians were an established part of European culture for centuries. Most of these women knew spells of love, protection and health, and were frequently called upon for their magickal assistance.
In the olden days, the elderly were held in high esteem for their wisdom and experience. Older wise women were naturally thought to possess more knowledge and have access to greater power.
For hundreds of years, wise women were allowed to openly practice their 'arts'. Some called these women Witches, but at the time this was no crime. Female Witches were akin to fairy godmothers: they were respected, not feared.
Soon the great persecution of the heretics began. Wise women were suddenly labeled as enemies of the dominant religion. Many were falsely accused of worshipping the devil and were executed.
And so, the wise women, who were healers and helpers; who cured with spells and herbs; who birthed babies; counselled the depressed and blessed the fields came to be hated and feared through no fault of their own.
Since the Witch wasn't originally seen as evil, it seems likely that the modern day popularity of the Kitchen Witch is based upon the growing knowledge of the true nature of Witches, past and present. Kitchen Witches are depicted as flying as a sigh of their magickal ability. The advanced age of most Kitchen Witches may indicate respect for the accumulated wisdom of the wise woman.
Kitchen Witches seem to be an apology to the wise woman falsely accused of devil-worship. It also may be a yearning for a return to the past, when magick was an accepted practice and when the wise woman helped those who came to her.
from: The Magical Almanac, 1993, Scott Cunningham
Weather Sayings
**No weather is ill, if the wind be still.
**Rain before seven, fine before eleven.
**The louder the frog, the more the rain.
**The last Sunday in the month indicates the weather of the next month.
**When pigs carry straw to their sties, bad weather may be expected.
**If cocks crow during a downpour, it will be fine before night.
from: The Story of Weather, Bill Giles
More Weather Omens
Storms:
Cats sitting with their backs to the hearth.
Clovers contracting their leaves.
Horses standing in a group facing away from a hedge.
Unusually busy ants.
Marigold flowers not opened before 7 AM.
Spiders destroying their webs.
Rain:
Ants hiding themselves,
Cats sneezing.
Bees remaining in their hives.
Smoke refusing to go out the chimney.
Snakes hunting for food.
Good Weather:
Cows lying on high ground.
Bats flying at twilight.
Wind blowing from the west.
Robins singing on a barn.
Spiders creating webs in the morning.
from: The Magical Almanac, 1993, Scott Cunningham
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