Throughout history, beauty has been a source of fascination and power. Different cultures and societies have defined beauty in various ways, often based on physical appearance and societal norms. Unfortunately, this obsession with beauty has led to the persecutions and witch hunts of many women who were deemed too beautiful or accused of using their attractiveness to manipulate others. These so-called witch hunters hunted down these women, accusing them of being witches and sorceresses who used their beauty as a tool for wickedness. The concept of beauty itself has always been subjective and susceptible to societal standards. In ancient times, being beautiful often meant having a voluptuous figure or ideal facial features, which were desired both by men and women.
In ancient times, being beautiful often meant having a voluptuous figure or ideal facial features, which were desired both by men and women. These beauty norms put pressure on women to conform to a certain physical ideal, and those who did not fit the mold were often ostracized or seen as lesser. This idea of beauty as a marker of status and power carried on into the Middle Ages and beyond, becoming even more twisted and warped.
Confronting Appropriation in Witchcraft
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Hello, wonderful witches!
Today I want to start out by discussing a term I absolutely cannot stand: “baby witch.” (It’s relevant to today’s article, I promise.) If you’ve had any personal interactions with me outside this newsletter, you likely already know it makes my skin crawl. But here’s why: Calling yourself a baby witch immediately infantilizes you and dismisses your own innate power. So what if you’ve only been following your path for a few months, a week, or even a day? You’ve decided to dive into your pagan spirituality—that makes you a witch. A novice witch? Sure. A witch-in-training? Why not. But don’t dismiss your own skill—whether it has emerged yet or not—by calling yourself a baby. That being said, there are a couple instances when it’s an appropriate term. One, if it’s a literal baby that’s a witch. Two, if it’s a little critter that looks like the below, which often elicits a squeal of “awwww look at the baby witchie. ”
October 31, 2017Full disclosure, I’m also a Boston terrier owner, so this is likely not the last time you’ll see Bostons in this newsletter. So anyway… please stop saying “baby witch.” Embrace your power!
OK, so here’s how that all relates to today’s article. Some newer witches—or ones that came to witchcraft through the current trendy methods of spiritual wellness—have a tendency to try a boatload of different traditions and tactics to see what works for them. Which is great! As long as you’re being responsible about it. That means researching what you’re about to do to see if it’s appropriate. There’s an unfortunate trend of modern-day white-identifying witches co-opting Indigenous and African spiritualities for their own practices. Writer Lola Méndez explains.
During the notorious witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries, beauty became a dangerous trait for women. Women who were singled out for their beauty were seen as threats to the social order, as they were believed to possess a supernatural ability to seduce and manipulate others. This fear and suspicion surrounding beautiful women led to countless accusations, imprisonments, and executions. The witch hunters, fueled by their own insecurities and prejudices, targeted these women, using their own beauty against them. Some witch hunters believed that beautiful women used their charms to lure men into sinful acts and corruption. They viewed beauty as a weapon that could destroy the moral fabric of society and sought to eradicate it. In their eyes, a beautiful woman was automatically guilty of witchcraft, and any association with her was considered risky and dangerous. These witch hunts were driven by a toxic mix of fear, ignorance, and misogyny in which beautiful women became scapegoats for society's problems and insecurities. The appropriation of beauty by witch hunters highlights the dark side of human nature and the lengths to which society will go to suppress and control those who do not conform. It reminds us of the harmful consequences of defining beauty based solely on physical appearance and the dangers of demonizing those who possess it. The persecution of beautiful women during the witch trials serves as a harrowing reminder of the power dynamics that exist within society and the constant struggle for acceptance and inclusion..
Reviews for "The Intricacies of Beauty: A Closer Look at Witch Hunting's Targets"
1. Sarah - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "Beauty appropriated by witch hunters". The storyline was confusing and the characters lacked depth. The concept had potential, but it fell flat overall. The writing felt rushed and the dialogue was cliché. The author could have done a much better job with this book.
2. John - 1/5
I found "Beauty appropriated by witch hunters" to be a complete waste of time. The plot was predictable and unoriginal, with no originality or surprises. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any development. The writing style was sloppy and full of grammatical errors. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a good read.
3. Lisa - 2/5
"Beauty appropriated by witch hunters" was not what I expected it to be. The pacing was extremely slow and the story lacked any real excitement. The characters felt flat and the dialogue was forced and awkward. The concept had potential, but it was poorly executed. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with this book.