The witch has departed this world. It is with a mix of relief and sadness that we bid farewell to this enigmatic figure who has captivated our imaginations for so long. The witch, with her broomstick and pointed hat, her potions and spells, has been a central character in countless stories, myths, and legends throughout history. A symbol of both fear and fascination, the witch has been portrayed as both a wicked sorceress and a benevolent healer. She has been persecuted and celebrated, vilified and embraced. But now, we must come to terms with her absence.
But now, we must come to terms with her absence. The witch, with her mysterious powers and otherworldly abilities, has always represented a certain kind of power that remains inaccessible to most. Her departure leaves us with a profound sense of loss, as if a source of magic and wonder has been extinguished.
Did the witch of Endor really summon Samuel from the dead (1 Samuel 28:7-20)?
The account of the witch of Endor summoning Samuel from the dead is recorded in 1 Samuel 28:7–20. It is the only biblical account of a séance. There are differences of opinion regarding the story: did Samuel himself truly appear, was this an illusion perpetrated by the witch, or was it a demonic deception?
King Saul’s encounter with the witch of Endor took place at the very end of his reign as king. The Philistines had arrayed themselves for battle against Israel, and Saul “was afraid; terror filled his heart” (1 Samuel 28:5). Samuel was dead, so Saul sought direction from the Lord through other means, “but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.” God’s silence was a consequence of Saul’s disobedience against God (verse 6).
Having no word from God, Saul sent his servants to find a medium, and they told him of one in the town of Endor (1 Samuel 28:7). Saul had previously expelled all the spiritists and mediums from the land (verse 3), but obviously some remained. By divine law, mediums and spiritists were banned from Israel (Deuteronomy 18:11). That the king, in desperation, would seek wisdom from an occult source that he himself had outlawed shows his hypocrisy and indicates how far he had fallen from God’s grace.
King Saul fasted all day, disguised himself, and visited the witch of Endor with two of his servants. Saul told her, “Consult a spirit for me, . . . and bring up for me the one I name” (1 Samuel 28:8). The woman, wary of a trap, balked at the request. Saul swore an oath that she would not be punished (verse 10), and he indicated that he wished to speak to Samuel. During the séance the prophet appeared: “When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, ‘Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!’” (verse 12).
Saul, who did not see what the woman saw, told her not to be afraid and to describe what she saw (1 Samuel 28:13). The witch said, “I see a ghostly figure a coming up out of the earth,” further describing him as “an old man wearing a robe” (verses 13–14). “Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground” (verse 14).
In the ensuing conversation, “Samuel said to Saul, ‘Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?’” (1 Samuel 28:15). The king explained about the Philistines and how God was no longer answering him (verse 16). Samuel then gave Saul a chilling message:
Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? The Lord has done what he predicted through me. The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—to David. Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today. The Lord will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.
(1 Samuel 28:16–19)
Upon hearing of his fate, Saul was very afraid. The witch prepared a meal for Saul, who had not eaten all day, and she and Saul’s two servants prevailed upon to partake of what was probably his last meal (1 Samuel 28:20–25). The next day, in battle, Saul and his sons died (chapter 31).
The passage does not give any indication that the apparition the witch of Endor saw was anything other than Samuel himself. We know that the medium was not producing an illusion because she screams in surprise when she sees Samuel (1 Samuel 28:12). Also, the spirit rising from the earth is called “Samuel.” The text does not say that the spirit “appeared to be Samuel” or that the medium “thought it was Samuel”; the text directly refers to the spirit as “Samuel.” Further, the spirit spoke the truth; the message Saul received was accurate.
The witch of Endor was likely expecting to hear from her “familiar spirit” (a demon) during the séance, and that explains her startled reaction to seeing Samuel. It seems that, in this case, God allowed Samuel to return in order to give King Saul the news of his coming defeat and death.
The story of the witch of Endor summoning Samuel does not imply that séances are effective in conjuring the dead or that witches or mediums genuinely speak with the spirits of dead individuals. When a person dies, his or her soul is taken to either heaven or hell. There is no wandering the earth, conveying messages to the living, or making return visits (see Luke 16:19–31). Any claim of contact with departed loved ones is a demonic deception (see 2 Corinthians 11:14–15).
God condemned necromancy, channeling, and the work of mediums, and those who practiced such things in ancient Israel were to be put to death (Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:10–12). In Saul’s case, God allowed Samuel to return to pronounce a final judgment on the disobedient king. Saul, who had refused to listen to Samuel when the prophet was alive, sinfully sought a word from Samuel after he was dead. And that was part of why Saul was judged (1 Chronicles 10:13–14).
The passage does not give any indication that the apparition the witch of Endor saw was anything other than Samuel himself. We know that the medium was not producing an illusion because she screams in surprise when she sees Samuel (1 Samuel 28:12). Also, the spirit rising from the earth is called “Samuel.” The text does not say that the spirit “appeared to be Samuel” or that the medium “thought it was Samuel”; the text directly refers to the spirit as “Samuel.” Further, the spirit spoke the truth; the message Saul received was accurate.
And yet, there is an undeniable sense of relief that accompanies the witch's departure. For all her power, the witch has often symbolized fears and anxieties, tapping into our deepest insecurities and darkest desires. Her departure signals the end of her influence, the opportunity to move beyond our fears and embrace a new era. In bidding farewell to the witch, we must also acknowledge the ways in which she has shaped our culture and our understanding of the world. From Shakespeare's Macbeth to J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter, the witch's presence has been a driving force in literature, film, and art. Her departure may signal the end of an era, but it also marks the beginning of a new chapter in our collective imagination. As we mourn the witch's departure, we must also celebrate her legacy. The witch has been a source of inspiration and empowerment for many, a symbol of the resilience and strength that can be found in the face of adversity. Her departure may leave us with a sense of void, but it also invites us to forge our own paths and embrace our own sources of magic and wonder. In the end, the departure of the witch is a reminder that life is a constant cycle of beginnings and endings. We must learn to say goodbye and move forward, continuing to create our own stories and find our own sources of inspiration and enchantment. The witch may have left this world, but her spirit lives on in the stories we tell and the magic we create..
Reviews for "The Witch's Legacy: Passing Down Her Wisdom Through Generations"
1. Sarah - 2/5
I found "The Witch Has Departed This World" to be incredibly dull and lacking in substance. The story seemed to drag on without any clear direction or purpose. The characters were one-dimensional and unrelatable, making it difficult for me to become invested in their journey. Additionally, the writing style felt forced and artificial, making it hard for me to stay engaged with the narrative. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. John - 1/5
I really struggled to finish "The Witch Has Departed This World." The plot was confusing and disjointed, leaving me feeling unsatisfied and frustrated. The writing was pretentious and overly flowery, making it difficult for me to understand what was actually happening. The characters were poorly developed, and their actions often felt forced and unrealistic. I had high hopes for this book, but it ultimately fell flat for me.
3. Emma - 2/5
"The Witch Has Departed This World" had an intriguing premise, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The pacing was slow, and I found myself losing interest in the story. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it hard for me to connect with the characters. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. While there were some interesting ideas explored, they were not executed well. Overall, I was disappointed by this novel and would not recommend it to others.
4. Michael - 2/5
"The Witch Has Departed This World" had potential, but it fell short in many aspects. The writing style was overly complicated and convoluted, making it difficult for me to follow the story. The characters lacked depth and were difficult to connect with. The plot seemed to meander without any clear direction, leaving me feeling confused and unsatisfied. While there were glimpses of creativity, they were overshadowed by the book's overall flaws and lack of cohesion. I wouldn't recommend this read to others.