Witchcraft in the PWS Witchcraft, traditionally associated with the supernatural and the occult, has been a topic of intrigue and fascination throughout history. The belief in witches and their ability to perform magic has existed in various cultures and societies for centuries. Likewise, the belief in witchcraft also finds its place within the Pagan, Wiccan, and Shamanic communities. In these belief systems, witchcraft is often seen as a spiritual practice and a way to connect with the natural world and harness its energy. Witches, in this context, are considered wise individuals who possess a deep understanding of herbalism, divination, and the art of casting spells. They are often seen as healers and guides, helping individuals navigate life's challenges and tap into their own inner power.
They are often seen as healers and guides, helping individuals navigate life's challenges and tap into their own inner power. In the Pagan, Wiccan, and Shamanic communities, witchcraft often involves rituals, ceremonies, and the use of various tools such as cauldrons, wands, and crystals. It is believed that through these practices, witches can tap into the unseen energies of the universe and manifest their desires.
USAFA's cadet falconers thrill home crowds with live, flying mascots
A member of the Air Force falconry team holds Ziva above fans during a football game at Falcon Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at the Air Force Academy.
Parker Seibold, The Gazette
Ziva, a 9-year-old falcon, is on a strict diet. She has one meal a day, in the afternoon, and before she eats, she has to stand on a scale. If she’s too heavy, she gets a little less food than the day before. But her weight doesn’t usually fluctuate much; she generally tips the scales at less than 30 ounces.
The raptor is one of the Air Force Academy’s 11 performing birds of prey, handled and trained by a team of 12 cadet falconers. Each afternoon, under the supervision of master falconer Sam Dollar, the cadets weigh each bird, carefully monitoring and charting their respective weights before feeding them their daily ration of quail meat — about 10% of their body weight.
Weight maintenance, Dollar said, is a delicate balance.
“If they’re too fat, they don’t want to fly,” he said. “If they’re too light, then they’re too weak to fly.”
The birds’ diet and exercise regimen is similar to an athlete’s, Dollar said.
A member of the Air Force Falconry team holds Ziva above the heads of cadets in the stands during the first half of a NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at the Air Force Academy.
Parker Seibold, the gazette
“It’s helpful to think of them (like athletes),” he said. “The more they exercise, the more food they need to build muscle.”
The Air Force Academy’s flying mascots have been performing for cheering throngs of Falcons fans since 1956, according to the academy website. Their aerobatic exhibitions are a staple of Air Force home football games, and they appear at various other sporting contests and civic events.
Ziva is a gyr-saker hybrid, carefully bred to combine the intimidating size of the gyrfalcon with the aerobatic ability of the saker. As she awaits her daily training session, she sits on the gloved forearm of her handler, Cadet 3rd Class Skylar Hartley.
“As you work with the falcons, their individual characteristics start to show themselves,” said Hartley, one of two cadets assigned to Team Ziva. “They all have their own personalities. It’s pretty funny.”
For Ace, one of the team’s oldest birds, flying involves an element of play, the cadet falconers said. He seems to take joy in soaring and diving, during training as well as performances.
Skylar Hartley, a second-year cadet at the Air Force Academy, talks to Ziva, a performing falcon, after a recent practice session.
O'Dell Isaac, The Gazette
Or, as Hartley put it, “He can be a bit of a show-off.”
The falcons, which range in age from 2 to 14 years, all have traits and characteristics that make them unique. Nova, a female white-phased gyrfalcon, is the largest of the group. (The gyr is the largest of the falcon species, and females are typically one-third larger than males.) Karena, a gyr-peregrine mix, is one of the more aggressive birds. Odin, whose bloodline can be traced to Norway, is one of the more curious birds.
Many of the cadet handlers had little or no experience with birds before coming to the Academy, they said.
“I’ve had a dog before, and a fish,” said Dej Bukovac, Class of 2025. “But never a bird.”
Most cadets said their first exposure to the world of falconry was during Blue Rush, a kind of fall bazaar that exposes first-year cadets to the academy’s various clubs and organizations.
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“I saw the falcons at Blue Rush, and I thought, ‘This could be interesting and fun,’” said second-year cadet Sara Schofield. “And I was right.”
Falconry candidates undergo a weekslong tryout process that includes a raptor licensing exam on biology, feeding habits and health care of birds of prey. The minimum passing exam score is 80%.
At the end of the academic year, four cadets are chosen to replace the senior falconers who were lost to graduation. The four cadets from Hartley’s class were picked from an initial group of about 50 hopefuls, she said.
Despite the fact that they train year-round, the threat of losing a falcon is real and omnipresent, according to the handlers.
“Even though they’re raised in captivity, they’re still wild animals,” Bukovac said.
During training sessions and performances, the falconers attach three different tracking devices to the raptor: a telemetry device, a GPS and a bell.
“A common hunting tactic for them is to fly toward the sun, and then dive back down, so sometimes we’re a little blinded by the sun and can’t see them coming,” said Elena Castaneda, a senior. “But with the bell, we can hear them.”
Second-year cadets are typically the ones who release the bird from the top of Falcon stadium. They maintain radio contact with their teammates on the ground, and at the moment of the release, they call, “Bird away!”
Nova, the official Air Force mascot, is introduced to fans at an Air Force football game on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, at the Air Force Academy.
Parker Seibold, the gazette
When a Navy fighter jet lands on an aircraft carrier, steel arresting cables are spanned across the landing area to bring the plane to a near-immediate stop. On the rare occasion that a pilot overshoots the landing area, the plane briefly touches down on the flight deck, then takes off again and circles around for another try.
The falcon’s aerial performance operates on a similar principle. A falconry team member stands on the football field, swinging a lure — made to resemble the kind of prey a bird would hunt in the wild — in large circles to attract the bird’s attention. Seeing what it believes to be its next meal, the falcon swoops in after the lure, diving at speeds exceeding 70 mph.
At the last moment, the falconer pulls the bait away from the bird’s grasp. Undaunted and without pause, the falcon climbs back into the sky and circles back for another shot at the “food.” After the bird has made several runs at the prey, the handler releases the lure and the falcon claims its prize. A small parachute, connected to the lure, deploys to slow things down.
The practice sessions are designed to provide consistency for the birds, so their performance doesn’t vary, even when they’re surrounded by thousands of screaming football fans.
The Air Force Academy boasts more than 90 extracurricular clubs, including Broadcast Club, Mock Trial and the parachute jump team Wings of Blue. But the academy falconers said they wouldn’t trade their club experience for any other. Fans go wild when the raptors soar around the stadium. The falcons are an object of awe for children and adults alike. And as conversation starters go, it’s hard to beat a large, razor-taloned bird of prey perched on a gloved forearm.
“There aren’t many places where you’re allowed to handle birds like this,” Bukovac said. “I mean, how many colleges have a Falconry Club?”
At the end of the academic year, four cadets are chosen to replace the senior falconers who were lost to graduation. The four cadets from Hartley’s class were picked from an initial group of about 50 hopefuls, she said.
They may perform spells for healing, protection, love, or abundance, depending on the individual's intentions and needs. One of the core principles of witchcraft in the PWS is the belief in the interconnectedness of all things. Witches view themselves as part of a vast web of life, where everything is connected and influenced by the energies around us. This belief in interconnectivity extends to the natural world, with witches often incorporating elements of nature into their rituals and spellwork. However, it is important to note that witchcraft in the PWS is not synonymous with evil or malevolence. This stereotype stems from historical witch hunts and persecution, where innocent individuals, mostly women, were falsely accused of practicing witchcraft and subjected to unimaginable cruelty. In reality, witchcraft in the PWS is more about connecting with one's inner power, fostering personal growth, and living in harmony with the natural world. In conclusion, witchcraft in the PWS is an ancient spiritual practice that embraces the belief in magic, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of all things. It is a deeply personal and individualistic practice that allows individuals to tap into their innate power and create positive change in their lives. However, it is important to approach witchcraft with respect, understanding, and a willingness to learn, rather than subscribing to harmful stereotypes and misconceptions..
Reviews for "Understanding Witchcraft in the Pews: Folklore, Mythology, and Superstition"
1. John - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Witchcraft in the Woods" based on the intriguing premise, but I was ultimately disappointed. The story seemed promising at first, with a group of friends stumbling upon a mysterious coven in the woods. However, the plot quickly became convoluted and hard to follow. The characters were poorly developed, making it difficult to connect or even care about what happened to them. Overall, "Witchcraft in the Woods" fell short of its potential and left me feeling underwhelmed.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I couldn't even finish "Witchcraft in the Woods" because it was so poorly written. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it hard to engage with the story or believe in the characters' interactions. Additionally, the pacing was all over the place, with moments of intense action followed by long stretches of nothing happening. The lack of a cohesive narrative made it impossible for me to stay invested in the plot. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-crafted and engaging story.
3. Alex - 2 stars - "Witchcraft in the Woods" had all the elements to be a great supernatural thriller, but it failed to deliver on its promises. The writing felt amateurish and the grammar mistakes were distracting. The plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises or twists. The climax felt rushed and underdeveloped, leaving me unsatisfied. I appreciate the effort, but the execution fell short. I would recommend looking for another book in the genre if you're craving a truly gripping and well-written witchcraft story.
4. Emily - 2 stars - As a fan of supernatural fiction, I was excited to dive into "Witchcraft in the Woods", but it didn't live up to my expectations. The story lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. The author skimmed over important details, leaving the reader with more questions than answers. The ending was unsatisfying and left me feeling like I wasted my time. While the premise had potential, the execution fell flat, and I wouldn't recommend this book to fellow fans of the genre.