The Witch Willkam is a renowned figure in folklore and mythology. This mystical character is said to possess immense power and knowledge of spells and enchantments. The origins of the Witch Willkam are shrouded in mystery, with different tales and legends attributing different backgrounds to this intriguing figure. Some accounts depict the Witch Willkam as a wise and benevolent sorceress, using her magic for the greater good. She is said to have a deep connection with nature and animals, often aiding those in need and offering guidance to lost souls. She is described as having an ethereal beauty, with flowing hair and captivating eyes that seem to see into one's very soul.
She is described as having an ethereal beauty, with flowing hair and captivating eyes that seem to see into one's very soul. However, other stories paint a darker picture of the Witch Willkam. In these tales, she is seen as a malevolent and vengeful being, using her dark magic for her own selfish desires.
Nautical witch book
Today, as part of our Mermaids & Myths event I have the pleasure of sharing with you a fabulous guest post by Kendall Kulper! Kendall wrote such a fascinating post about sea witches, I really hope you guys will take a minute to read it - I absolutely love it and I know you will, too! And if you're just as excited for Salt & Storm as I am, head over to the grand prize / schedule post and enter our giveaway - we have an ARC of Salt & Storm to give away to one lucky winner! :)
Guest Post:
Sea Witches, Sailors, and SALT & STORMI think I'd like to be a witch. I'd churn the sea, I'd tether the winds, As suited my fancy best. I'd wreck great ships, if they crossed my path, With all the souls on board. Old Cornish Song
One of my favorite parts of writing SALT & STORM was researching stories of sea witches and water magic and diving into the world of superstition and legend that surrounds sailing. I was careful to make the details of SALT & STORM as historically accurate as possible, so that my main character, Avery, wears the kinds of things a real girl in 1869 would wear and that the island on which she lives had the look, feel, smells, and sounds of a real New England whaling town, but I also drew on historical research to help build and develop the magical aspects of the book.
In the first chapter, Avery sits down with her grandmother, a famous water witch, and learns the secrets of tying the winds in three knots of a piece of rope. It sounds like pure fantasy, but I actually based it on a real practice described by a sixteenth century Swedish historian:
“The Finlanders … knit three magical knots, … and they gave them to the merchants, observing this rule, that when they unloosed the first, they should have a good gale of wind; when the second, a stronger wind; but when they untied the third, they should have such cruel tempests that they should not be able to look out of the forecastle to avoid the rocks, nor move a foot to pull down the sails, nor stand at the helm to go/ern the ship; and they made an unhappy trial of the truth of it, who denied that there was any such power in the knots”
Sailors have always been extremely superstitious, with a complicated understanding of rules and omens designed to keep them safe at sea (for example: never set sail on Friday). In SALT & STORM, the characters use tattoos to give themselves special abilities and magical powers, which I based on real sailing traditions. You can still see sailors wearing tattoos that are supposed to give them magical protection, like “HOLD FAST” written across the knuckles (meant to keep a sailor secure in the rigging) or images of a rooster and pig (said to protect against drowning).
As the home of the Salem witch trials and the birthplace of the American whaling industry, New England has a complicated history with magic and sailing. Stories of witch trials are full of women accused of cursing ships or raising storms out of retribution, like these examples from seventeenth century Scottish accounts:
Margaret Barclay caused the wreck of a ship by molding a figure of it in wax and casting it into the sea. She sank her husband's brother's ship, in sight of land.
Violet Leys, because of her husband's discharge from a ship, so haunted it with storms that it was near being lost, and much cargo was thrown overboard.
A Dunrosses witch, becoming vexed at a boat's crew, put a wooden cup into a bowl of water, and sang to the devil. The water became agitated, the cup overturned, and the boat never came in.
Many women accused of witchcraft were often just independent or eccentric women, living alone in a time when women were expected to marry, remarry, or live with family. A woman with special knowledge of healing or midwifery might get a reputation as a witch, but she would often be tolerated or even respected for her skills—until a shipwreck or a bad storm hit. These women, already alone and vulnerable, lived at the mercy of the changing opinions of the communities in which they lived, something that the witches in SALT & STORM also have to learn to navigate. Avery’s grandmother often warns her that, despite their importance to the islanders, she has to be careful not to upset them or they’ll turn on the Roes.
In the end, a lot of these stories came back to one thing: the sea is a wild, unpredictable, dangerous place. From the endless lists of sailing superstitions to the witch trials that tried to punish innocent people for devastating storms, people will do anything to believe they have some way to control what happens to them on the ocean—and in their lives. I loved taking those feelings and bringing them into a world where magic exists and where, as Avery learns, not even magic can give you control over your fate.
“The Finlanders … knit three magical knots, … and they gave them to the merchants, observing this rule, that when they unloosed the first, they should have a good gale of wind; when the second, a stronger wind; but when they untied the third, they should have such cruel tempests that they should not be able to look out of the forecastle to avoid the rocks, nor move a foot to pull down the sails, nor stand at the helm to go/ern the ship; and they made an unhappy trial of the truth of it, who denied that there was any such power in the knots”
She is believed to have an army of supernatural creatures at her command, ready to do her bidding at any cost. Legends surrounding the Witch Willkam vary from region to region, but many share common themes. She is often associated with magic potions and curses, capable of both healing and inflicting harm. Some tales depict her living in a secluded forest, protected by powerful enchantments that keep trespassers at bay. Others speak of her inhabiting ancient ruins or hidden caves, where she harnesses the forces of nature to augment her powers. Despite the conflicting narratives, one thing remains constant: the fear and respect surrounding the Witch Willkam. People whisper her name in hushed tones and approach her with caution, aware of the immense power she wields. Some seek her out in times of need, hoping for her magical assistance. Others avoid her at all costs, fearing the potential consequences of crossing her path. Whether a force for good or evil, the Witch Willkam continues to captivate the imaginations of storytellers and individuals alike. Her distinctive presence in folklore serves as a reminder of the vast and mysterious world of magic and the unknown that lies beyond our comprehension..
Reviews for "The Witch Willkam: A Controversial Figure in Witchcraft History"
- John - 1 star
I was really looking forward to reading "The Witch Willkam" based on all the hype, but I found it to be extremely disappointing. The plot was disjointed and confusing, with poorly developed characters that I simply couldn't connect with. The writing style was also quite dull and lackluster, which made it difficult for me to stay engaged. Overall, I found "The Witch Willkam" to be a complete letdown and not worth the time or money.
- Emily - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "The Witch Willkam" after hearing so many great things, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The story started off promising, but quickly became muddled and convoluted. There were so many unnecessary subplots and characters that added nothing to the overall narrative. Additionally, the pacing was extremely slow, which made it difficult to stay interested. While the concept was intriguing, the execution left much to be desired.
- David - 2.5 stars
I'll start by saying that "The Witch Willkam" had potential, but it ultimately failed to deliver. The world-building was interesting, but the story itself lacked depth and originality. The characters felt like cardboard cutouts, with no real development or growth throughout the book. The writing was also quite average, with repetitive phrases and cliched dialogue. Overall, I was left wanting more from "The Witch Willkam" and wouldn't recommend it to others.