Witchcraft is a subject that has fascinated people for centuries. While some may dismiss it as mere fantasy or superstition, there are those who firmly believe that it is real. **The main idea of this note is that witchcraft is a real phenomenon** that exists in the world. These individuals claim to have witnessed or experienced things that they cannot explain through conventional means. One such person is myself. I have seen firsthand the effects of witchcraft and its influence on my life.
Lest this story seem too unbelievable for his readers, Topsell assures that “these prodigious raines of frogs and Mice, little Fishes and stones, and such like thinges is not to be wondered at” for, as Topsell explains, just as wind over the mountains and seas can kick up dust and make hail, “so also doth it take up frogs and fishes, who being above in the ayre, must needes fall downe againe.”
Sometimes when we read science and natural history from the past, it can be tempting to feel a little smug about the difference between what we know now and what people knew then. Along with beetles and bats, toads are one of the creepy charms of Sycorax in The Tempest , and twice in Richard III and Cymbeline does Shakespeare include them in a list with adders and spiders.
I have seen firsthand the effects of witchcraft and its influence on my life. One of the most peculiar instances that convinced me of the reality of witchcraft was when my pet frog inexplicably appeared in my room one night. I had been feeling a deep sense of unease for days leading up to the event, as if something was lurking in the shadows.
Frog Magic and Folklore
Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal.
Updated on June 25, 2019Frogs and toads feature prominently in magical folklore in many societies. These amphibious critters are known for a variety of magical properties, from their ability to help predict the weather, to curing warts to bringing good luck. Let’s look at some of the best known superstitions, omens and folklore surrounding frogs and toads.
Did You Know?
- Frogs appear in a number of folk cures, and are said to treat a number of ailments from epilepsy to whooping cough and tuberculosis.
- Some cultures believe frogs bring good luck, but others say frogs carry evil spells or curses.
- In the Bible, a plague of frogs swarms Egypt — this was the Christian god’s way of showing dominance over the deities of ancient Egypt.
In parts of Appalachia, it is believed that if you hear a frog croaking exactly at midnight, it means rain is on the way. However, in some societies it’s just the opposite — frogs croaking during the day indicate coming storms.
There’s an old British legend that carrying a dried frog in a pouch around your neck will prevent epileptic seizures. In some rural areas, it’s just the frog’s liver that gets dried and worn.
Live frogs appear in a number of folk cures. It is believed that putting a live frog in your mouth will cure thrush, and that swallowing live frogs — presumably small ones — can cure whooping cough and tuberculosis. Rubbing a live frog or toad on a wart will cure the wart, but only if you impale the frog on a tree and let him die.
Some cultures believe that a frog coming into your house brings good fortune - others say it’s bad luck - the Xhosa tribe says that a frog in your house might be carrying a spell or a curse. Either way, it’s usually considered a bad idea to kill a frog. The Maori people believe that killing a frog can bring floods and heavy rains, but some African tribes say that the death of a frog will bring drought.
Frank Lukasseck / Getty ImagesFor the ancient Egyptians, the frog-headed goddess Hekt was a symbol of fertility and birth. If you wish to conceive, touch a frog. The association of the frog with fertility has its root in science — each year, when the Nile river flooded its banks, frogs were everywhere. The annual flooding of the delta meant rich soil and strong crops — so the croaking of millions of frogs may well have been an indicator that farmers would have an abundant season.
Frogs have only been in Ireland for a few hundred years, since students from Trinity College released them into the wild. However, there are still some frog folktales in Ireland, including that you can tell the weather by the color of a frog.
Ranidaphobia is the fear of frogs and toads.
In the Christian Bible, a plague of frogs swarms over the land of Egypt - this was the Christian god’s way of showing dominance over the gods of ancient Egypt. In the Book of Exodus, the following verse details how frogs were sent to frighten the people of Egypt into rejecting their old gods:
"Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go in to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Let my people go, that they may serve me. But if you refuse to let them go, behold, I will plague all your country with frogs. The Nile shall swarm with frogs that shall come up into your house and into your bedroom and on your bed and into the houses of your servants and your people, and into your ovens and your kneading bowls. The frogs shall come up on you and on your people and on all your servants.”
Oh, and when Shakespeare's witches call for a bit of toe of frog? Not related to frogs at all! It turns out that there’s a variety of buttercup known in folklore as “frog’s foot.” It’s entirely possible that Shakespeare was referring to the petals of this flower. Like many members of the buttercup family, this particular species is considered toxic, and can cause skin inflammations. The Victorians associated it with selfishness and ingratitude.
In some traditions, frogs are associated with cleansing and rebirth - think, for a moment, about how a tadpole transforms into a frog. Ina Woolcott of Shamanic Journey says,
"Frog is strongly linked with transformation and magic. Generally frogs undergo a two stage life cycle. They start off as eggs, hatching into tadpoles, limbless aquatic larva with gills and a long flat tail. Legs and lungs develop, and the tail gradually disappears as the tadpole approaches the adult stage. This denotes the awakening of one's creativity. When frog enters your life, it is an invitation to leap into your creative power."
When I woke up that morning, there it was - my beloved frog, perched on my bookshelf. At first, I believed that my frog had somehow escaped from its tank and made its way across the house. However, upon closer inspection, I realized that the tank was securely closed, with no signs of disturbance. This left me mystified, as there seemed to be no logical explanation for how my frog could have ended up in my room. As I delved deeper into the realm of witchcraft, I learned that frogs are often associated with magical practices. They are seen as powerful symbols of transformation and renewal. Could it be that someone had used witchcraft to bring my frog to me? It seemed unlikely, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more at play. This experience opened my eyes to the possibility that witchcraft is more than just a myth. **The main idea of this note is that my personal encounter with the appearance of my frog has made me question and believe in the reality of witchcraft**. It made me realize that there are forces in the world that we cannot fully understand or control. While I may never have all the answers, I am now more open to the existence of the supernatural and the power that it holds. In conclusion, witchcraft remains a controversial and misunderstood subject. While many dismiss it as mere folklore, there are those who firmly believe in its reality. My encounter with the unexplained appearance of my frog has made me question my previous beliefs and consider the possibility that witchcraft is a real phenomenon. While we may never fully understand or comprehend the extent of its power, it is important to approach the subject with an open mind and a willingness to explore the unknown..
Reviews for "The magic within: how witchcraft and my frog reveal hidden potentials"
1. Sarah - 1 star - I found "Witchcraft is real and my frog is here" to be an utter disappointment. The storyline was incredibly predictable, the characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, and the writing style felt amateurish. The supposed twist at the end was easily deciphered within the first few chapters, leaving me extremely unsatisfied. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell flat in every aspect.
2. John - 2 stars - I gave "Witchcraft is real and my frog is here" a chance, but it just didn't work for me. The pacing was extremely slow, dragging the story along without any significant development. The dialogue felt unnatural and forced, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Moreover, the author's attempt at incorporating witchcraft into the narrative seemed contrived and lacked authenticity. Overall, I struggled to stay engaged with the book and would not recommend it.
3. Emma - 2 stars - While I appreciate the author's attempt to explore the world of witchcraft, "Witchcraft is real and my frog is here" failed to captivate me. The plot felt disjointed and lacked coherence, making it challenging to follow along. Additionally, the characters were not well-developed, and their motivations remained unclear throughout the story. I was left with a sense of confusion and disappointment, ultimately feeling like the author did not do justice to the intriguing concept of witchcraft.