Etsy is an online marketplace where people can buy and sell unique handmade items, vintage goods, and craft supplies. With its vast array of shops and products, there is something for everyone on Etsy, including those interested in witchcraft and the occult. One popular item within the Etsy witch community is a witch's gat. A witch's gat is essentially a magical tool or object used in rituals, spells, and other practices associated with witchcraft. These gats can take various forms and may be made from different materials, depending on the practitioner's preference and beliefs. The Etsy platform allows for the creation and sale of these unique and personalized gats.
Raunig, Walter and Prinz Asfa-Wossen Asserate, editors. Ethiopian Art: A Unique Cultural Heritage and Modern Challenge. Lublin: Marie Curie-Skłodowska University Press, 2007.
First developed in the fourth century, the tables were a consistant feature of Christian biblical manuscripts during the medieval and early modern periods crossing borders, languages, and even continental divides. Other prayers in this manuscript, equally concerned with physical well-being, are less consumed by asmāt , sometimes focusing instead on the range of ailments that could be encountered.
The Etsy platform allows for the creation and sale of these unique and personalized gats. Many sellers on Etsy handcraft their witch's gats, using materials such as wood, crystals, feathers, and even animal bones. Each gat is carefully designed and crafted, often with specific intentions or purposes in mind.
Ethiopian magical manuscripts
MS269
Ethiopian manuscripts
The manuscripts included in this collection were donated to Randall Library in September 2004 by Sara Fussell Messer, an alumni of Wilmington College. They were found by a family member behind a heating duct in his New Orleans apartment during the 1960's. No owner could be located and they have been in the family since that time. They are written in Ethopic Ge'ez, a Semitic language that is no longer spoken, but still used in liturgical writing by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. The interpretations of the images were derived from David Appleyard's Ethiopian Manuscripts (London, Jed Press, 1993) and Jacques Mercier's Ethiopian Magic Scrolls (George Braziller,1879). The manuscripts have yet to be fully analyzed.
Manuscripts Collection
William Madison Randall Library
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Inventory
MS/box/file
Click on picture for larger view.
Box 1
Scroll 198 x 9 cm.
Scroll of three vellum panels sewn together, with illustrations of a cherub or angle, a face in an eight-pointed star, and a scribe, interspersed with text in black and red ink, with additional text on verso
Scroll Text Face Scribe Cherub or Angle Fragment
Box 2
Scroll 152 x 8 cm.
Scroll of two vellum panels sewn together, possibly missing a third panel, with illustrations of a face and a processional cross, interspersed with text in black, red and blue ink, with additional text on verso
Scroll Face Text
Box 3
Book 15 cm.
Possibly a New Testament Bible, this book has wooden bindings with parchment leaves. Both the front and back covers have been broken and repaired with thread similar to the bindings. The spine is covered in leather but the binding is visible. The text is in two columns in black and red ink.
Front Text Spine
Box 4
Book 15 cm.
This book is possibly a prayer book. It has tooled leather covered boards on the front and back. Plain leather covers the spine. The leaves are parchment with text in either one or two columns in black and red ink
Front Text Spine
Box 5
Addition One
Book 13 cm.
This book has wooden boards on front and back, the spine is uncovered. It contains parchment leaves with text written in black and red ink in either one or two columns. Some of the ink is faded and appears to be purple and orange. This book was donated to Wilmington College during the late 1960's.
Front Text Spine
Other prayers in this manuscript, equally concerned with physical well-being, are less consumed by asmāt, sometimes focusing instead on the range of ailments that could be encountered. One, entitled “Banisher of demons” says that it “will expel every sickness and disease,” and because of it, “every evil spirit will be removed from the soul and body of your maidservant Śāhla Rufā’ēl [the book’s owner] and from whoever carries around their neck or bears this book.” Partway through, a clearly Christian invocation gives some idea of the range of illnesses in view:
Some common types of witch's gats found on Etsy include wands, athames, brooms, and cauldrons. These tools are often adorned with symbols, gemstones, and intricate designs, adding to their magical aesthetic. Many Etsy sellers also offer custom-made gats, allowing buyers to personalize their item to better suit their spiritual practice. Purchasing a witch's gat from Etsy offers a unique and meaningful experience for both buyers and sellers. Buyers can choose from a wide range of beautifully handcrafted gats, supporting independent artisans and connecting with the growing witchcraft community. On the other hand, sellers have the opportunity to share their unique creations with like-minded individuals and contribute to the resurgence of interest in witchcraft and magic. In conclusion, Etsy is a platform that caters to various interests and hobbies, including those related to witchcraft. The availability of witch's gats on Etsy provides buyers with an opportunity to find and purchase a personalized and magical tool that can enhance their spiritual practice. By supporting independent artisans on Etsy, individuals can not only acquire a unique and meaningful item but also contribute to the thriving witchcraft community..
Reviews for "Etsy Witch Hats: Embracing Your Inner Spellcaster"
1. Jennifer - 2/5
I was really excited to receive my "Etsy witch hat" because I had heard great things about it online. However, when I received it, I was so disappointed. The hat was poorly made and the material felt cheap. The stitching was coming undone in some places and it just looked overall sloppy. It definitely did not live up to the photos on the seller's page. I would not recommend buying this hat, especially considering the price.
2. Mark - 1/5
I regret purchasing the "Etsy witch hat" from this seller. The hat arrived late, which was already a downside. But when it finally came, I was shocked at the poor quality. The fabric was flimsy and the shape of the hat was completely off. It didn't even look like a witch hat, just a pointy mess. The worst part is that the seller was unresponsive when I reached out to complain. Save your money and buy a hat from a different seller, this one is not worth it.
3. Sarah - 2/5
I was really looking forward to wearing the "Etsy witch hat" for a Halloween party, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The sizing was completely off as the hat was way too small and didn't fit properly on my head. The quality was also lacking, with loose threads and the material felt very cheap. I ended up having to buy a different hat last minute. I would not recommend purchasing this item, unless you want to be disappointed and have to spend extra money on a replacement.