The vine witch is a fascinating character that is often found in literature and folklore. She is typically portrayed as a mysterious woman with a deep connection to nature and the vineyards. She possesses supernatural abilities related to plants and wine-making, which she uses to both heal and harm. The vine witch is often depicted as living in isolation, deep in the woods or in a secluded vineyard. She is believed to have a strong bond with the land and the vines, which she tends to with great care and precision. Her knowledge of plants and herbs is extensive, and she can create potions and elixirs that have powerful effects.
Her knowledge of plants and herbs is extensive, and she can create potions and elixirs that have powerful effects. In folklore, the vine witch is known to have the ability to control the growth and quality of the grapes. She can enhance their flavor and aroma or, if angered, ruin an entire harvest.
An inside look at the Pagans motorcycle club and the threat it poses in N.J.
He was cruising on his motorcycle on Route 1 in Elizabeth when he passed two other drivers on the right of the multi-lane roadway in June 2019.
He didn’t think anything of it when he exited the highway, but soon realized he was being tailed by a motorcycle and a car. He made a series of turns, but couldn’t shake them.
Then they cut him off, blocking his escape. It was at that moment it became clear who the man was dealing with: two members of the Pagan’s Motorcycle Club.
“Do you know who we are?” the Pagans yelled at the man, according to a police report.
The Pagans beat him with a small bat and a wrench, officials said. The victim would file a police report, but quickly rescinded it, fearful of retaliation at the hands of one of the most dangerous outlaw motorcycle gangs in the country.
Seemingly random assaults like these on the citizens of the Garden State have officials at the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation urging law enforcement to take action. A report released Wednesday by the group, an independent state watchdog formed in the late 1960s to investigate public corruption and organized crime, says the Pagans have increased their membership ranks in the past three years and pose a growing threat to the public.
Not only are there violent attacks on rival biker gangs like the Hells Angels and the Warlocks, the report states, but a “newfound level of aggression has led to drive-by shootings, savage beat downs of adversaries and unprovoked physical assaults on members of the public across New Jersey.”
In another incident, a man was in a bar in Elizabeth — a city dominated by the Pagans — when he started talking to a female bartender. A Pagan approached him and threatened him, a police report said. Later, the same Pagan and two of his companions “ambushed” the patron, hitting him twice in the head with an axe handle — a weapon of choice for the Pagans.
The man told police he had never seen his attacker prior to that evening in January 2019.
The 20-page SCI report was issued following a lengthy investigation of the Pagans, identified by the F.B.I. as one of the four major outlaw motorcycle gangs operating in the U.S. That group includes the Hells Angels, the Outlaws and the Bandidos.
In October 2019, the commission held an exhaustive hearing in Trenton detailing how the Pagans are increasing membership in all corners of the state.
The hearing featured testimony from SCI investigators, New Jersey State Police officers and county prosecutors. It included interviews with Pagan members — their voices altered to protect their identities — and video of a brutal attack in 2018 near a Hells Angels clubhouse in Newark.
The most climactic moment came at the hearing’s end when three reputed leaders of the motorcycle club were called to testify. Citing their Fifth Amendment right to remain silent, the alleged leaders declined to answer any of the council’s questions.
Alleged members of the Pagans Motorcycle Club appear with their attorney in an SCI public hearing. From left, attorney Carlos Martir, suspected Pagan Motorcycle Club member James Helveston Jr., suspected Pagan Motorcycle Club National Vice President Hugo Nieves and suspected Pagan Motorcycle Club National Mother/National Club member Luis Arocho. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Hugo “Zorro” Nieves, the alleged vice president of the Pagans, broke his silence to say, “It is not the policy of this club to engage in any criminal activity, and that’s all I will say about that.”
The “Pagan’s Motorcycle Club,” as it’s officially called, formed in Prince George’s County, Maryland, in 1959. The group, which started with just 13 members, evolved into a formal club in the 1960s, spreading to neighboring states. It was around this time it adopted the outlaw motorcycle mentality, collectively known as the “one-percenters.” The theory is most motorcycle riders are law-abiding citizens, except for the 1% who aren’t. Those self-proclaimed members proudly display a “1%” patch on their jackets.
Now there are 900 Pagans spread across 12 states and in Puerto Rico, officials said. In New Jersey, Pagans membership — which has always been strong in South Jersey — has grown at an alarming rate in recent years, with approximately 200 members in 17 chapters. There has been an almost 50% increase in chapters in New Jersey over the past three years, officials said.
“It’s expanding at a rate we’ve never seen before,” Edwin Torres, an SCI investigative agent, said in reference to Pagan membership in New Jersey. “In New Jersey, it’s going to be hard to find a county where there isn’t a Pagan presence.”
The rise in Pagan membership in New Jersey, first reported by NJ Advance Media in May 2018, is indicative of a broader national effort by reputed Pagan President Keith “Conan” Richter to beef up numbers along the East Coast, officials said. Richter, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison in 1998 for attempted murder and racketeering and released in 2012, took control of the Pagans in 2018, according to officials.
Under the control of Richter, the Pagans have been absorbing smaller, local motorcycle groups to increase membership, officials said. The Pagans have also started recruiting light-skinned Latino members from traditional street gangs, like the Latin Kings, though they still prohibit Black people from joining their ranks.
More violent incidents have been committed by the Pagans in a recent 18-month period than in the prior 10 years, according to the SCI report.
“The actual tally was likely higher because many incidents go unreported,” the report said.
Pagan motorcycle club paraphernalia on display at a New Jersey State Commission of Investigation public hearing in Trenton in October 2019. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
The Pagans are run like a business and are organized as such.
The club earns its proceeds from drug trafficking, the commission said. It sells marijuana and cocaine, but a bulk of its business is from methamphetamine, acquired from a Mexican drug cartel. The club also extorts business owners and relies on members to pay monthly dues of $100.
The club is structured with a president, vice president, sergeant at arms, secretary and treasurer. There are also individual chapter presidents, and those members are referred to as the “Mother Club,” responsible for managing Pagans' business and recruitment efforts on a local level. Unlike other motorcycle gangs, the Pagans don’t have a clubhouse, but hold weekly meetings called “church.”
One of the more disturbing elements of the investigation, the commission said, is that sensitive law enforcement information regarding the Pagans has been leaked to members of the club.
“This is a serious matter that requires immediate attention from the larger policing community,” the report said.
The group is also able to thwart law enforcement by utilizing encrypted cellphone apps and counter-surveillance efforts, including flying a drone at a large gathering of Pagans at Wildwood’s “Roar to the Shore” event.
The commission recommended the state Attorney General’s Office create a working group comprised of law enforcement officials at every level devoted to identifying and prosecuting criminal activity conducted by outlaw motorcycle gangs. It should also share information among agencies to identify larger trends, the report said.
The SCI also said every officer in New Jersey should undergo training in case they encounter these gangs in routine crime investigations.
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The SCI also said every officer in New Jersey should undergo training in case they encounter these gangs in routine crime investigations.
Many vineyard owners seek her assistance to ensure a successful grape harvest and to produce exceptional wines. However, her help always comes at a price, as she expects something in return for her services. The vine witch is also said to possess the power of divination. She can read the patterns of the vines and the wine, predicting future events and uncovering hidden truths. Many people seek her advice and guidance, believing that she can offer insights and solutions that are beyond human comprehension. In literature, the vine witch is often portrayed as a complex and enigmatic character. She is often depicted as a powerful and alluring woman, capable of both great good and great evil. Her knowledge and abilities make her a sought-after ally and a feared adversary. Her storylines often revolve around themes of nature, magic, love, and redemption. Overall, the vine witch is a captivating and mysterious character that adds depth and intrigue to stories. Her connection to the land and her supernatural abilities make her a compelling figure in folklore and literature. Whether portrayed as a benevolent healer or a vengeful sorceress, the vine witch continues to captivate our imaginations and offers a unique perspective on the world of wine-making and nature..
Reviews for "The Forbidden Love of The Vine Witch"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "The Vine Witch". The story started off promising with a unique concept of a witch who can control vineyards, but it quickly fell flat. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fates. The plot also felt rushed and underdeveloped, leaving many loose ends and unanswered questions. Overall, I found the book to be lackluster and unsatisfying.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - "The Vine Witch" was a total letdown for me. The writing was dull and lacked any sort of depth or descriptive language. The magic system introduced in the book was poorly explained and never felt believable. Additionally, the pacing was incredibly slow, making it a struggle to get through. I found myself constantly waiting for something interesting to happen, but it never did. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging and well-written fantasy read.
3. Emma - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Vine Witch" as I love books with magical elements, but unfortunately, this one fell short. The main character felt flat and lacked any real development. The romance in the story was weak and lacked chemistry between the characters. The plot dragged on and became predictable halfway through, making it hard to stay engaged. Overall, I found "The Vine Witch" to be a lackluster read that failed to deliver on its intriguing premise.
4. David - 3/5 - While "The Vine Witch" had some interesting moments, I found it to be quite mediocre overall. The story had potential, but it felt underdeveloped and lacked depth. The world-building was weak, with little explanation of the magical elements in the book. The pacing was off, with slow moments interspersed with rushed ones. Though there were hints of a good story, it ultimately fell flat for me.