Elements of Witchcraft: Which Witch is Which Based on Their Spellcasting Style

"Witch Witch is Which" In many imaginations and folklore, witches are depicted as mysterious, powerful beings with supernatural abilities. However, the concept of a witch can take on various forms and interpretations depending on cultural backgrounds and personal beliefs. Throughout history and across different cultures, there have been numerous depictions of witches, each with their own distinct characteristics and magical practices. This diversity can sometimes lead to confusion and the question of which witch is which. One of the most well-known witch figures is the witch of European fairy tales and folklore. This witch is often depicted as an old hag, with a hooked nose, warts, and a black pointy hat.

I wanted to put the laugh on me but everything I came up with seemed to hokey so I moved on to other things. I would be very intrested as to any ideas you have, and I will also be sure to check out that article in the linking ring.

Those of you who are reading this I am in no way upset with Steve he sounds intelligent and humble, I have just had this conversation many times in many years, and not one person has convinced me to leave The Web at home. Police blotters are simply running commentaries of incidents and such that occurred during a particular shift and not all entries make it into the journals.

This witch is often depicted as an old hag, with a hooked nose, warts, and a black pointy hat. She is often associated with dark magic, potions, and casting spells. The European witch holds a prominent place in popular culture and has become a recognizable symbol for witches in general.

The Genii Forum

Just curious. How important do you feel that it is to post every story of a magician accused or convicted of a sex crime?

I received an email challenging me to post a story that I have been aware of for some time, but which I have not made reference to on my site simply because of a lack of a solid story in mainstream news to point to, outside of a short blurb in a police blotter. The email that I received also implied that it wasn't being discussed because of pressure from advertisers, (which is completely untrue BTW). I simply get sick of these stories and keep my reporting on them to bare bones references to online news reporting.

What are your thoughts?

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Raleigh » August 12th, 2010, 11:52 am

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Magic Newswire » August 12th, 2010, 12:13 pm

I understand what you are saying, but there are many stories that I come across daily that have some connection to magic that are not posted simply because they are just not that interesting. In the case of the arrest and conviction of Mr. Pace, there was just nothing to link to reporting on the case.

Typically when I do report on these, it is in the format of "According to The Bummerville Journal, ."

Without that, I'm not just linking to a mug shot or to a prison status search.

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Seuss » August 12th, 2010, 12:38 pm

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by CraigMitchell » August 12th, 2010, 1:14 pm

Dodd . in the case of the Jim Pace story - it should have been reported. The fact that nothing has been mentioned previously is quite bizarre considering how fast news normally travels . the lack of available detail is most peculiar .

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Seuss » August 12th, 2010, 1:31 pm

Genii Lifetime Subscriber

Richard Kaufman Posts: 26917 Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand Location: Washington DC Contact:

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Richard Kaufman » August 12th, 2010, 1:34 pm

My own view, which I have stated in Genii, is that I now only report on criminal activity when the party is convicted. So, the Jim Pace thing should be reported--it's pretty foul:

He's not going to be out of jail for a long time.

Ditto for the Franky Houdini piece. He's been convicted and people in our community should be made aware.

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Seuss » August 12th, 2010, 1:44 pm

Wow. Pace was apparently plead down from the look of the original charges.

Odd that I can't find any reporting on this in the media.

Genii Lifetime Subscriber

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Anthony Vinson » August 12th, 2010, 4:42 pm

Not a terrible policy, Richard, but following that logic we'd never have heard about OJ's little escapade, at least until after the civil trial.

Dodd, I agree with your decision to hold off publishing a story until it has been posted in at least one mainstream publication. Otherwise it would seem to be speculation at best and sensationalism at worst. Police blotters are simply running commentaries of incidents and such that occurred during a particular shift and not all entries make it into the journals. Personally I am not interested in reading the Weekly World Magic Newswire - Maintain your integrity and ignore the detractors!

Funny, my wife and I were discussing a similar topic earlier this week. While on a business trip to Chattanooga, TN she picked up a copy of Just Busted, a weekly newspaper that prints the mugshots, names and charge of everyone arrested in surrounding counties the previous week. Everything from aggravated assault and rape to driving without a license and public intoxication. Page after page of smiling, snarling, scowling, sad faces. While a disclaimer advocating "innocence till proven" is listed on several pages, in the court of public opinion the verdict is in the moment someone recognizes a face. Or a name.

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Tabman » August 12th, 2010, 4:55 pm

Anthoyn Vinson wrote: . she picked up a copy of Just Busted, a weekly newspaper that prints the mugshots, names and charge of everyone arrested in surrounding counties the previous week.

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Brad Henderson » August 12th, 2010, 5:01 pm

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Magic Newswire » August 12th, 2010, 6:03 pm

CraigMitchell wrote: Dodd . in the case of the Jim Pace story - it should have been reported. The fact that nothing has been mentioned previously is quite bizarre considering how fast news normally travels . the lack of available detail is most peculiar .

I simply couldn't find any more info that OI had already posted, a booking photo and a police blotter. There was no news article that I could find. I shared this info with Justin at iTricks by text yesterday who was totally unaware of it before that.

This was the only one of these stories that I had yet to post, simply because of a lack of news coverage to link to.

It has been discussed in Penguins forums as early as June and Jim's wife even entered into the discussion. There was also thread at the Magic Cafe for a bit that was later deleted, so it wasn't as if no one was talking about it.

In fact, I do maintain a Magicians Offenders entry which is updated as convictions occur. It even includes Infantino who was sentenced this year, but I haven't seen it discussed since his arrest was announced. Oh, BTW, the GA magician listed above and in my entry, please guilty and was sentenced to 20 years as well. These stories just make me sick!

The Pace story was added this morning to that same entry.

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Tim Ellis » August 12th, 2010, 6:46 pm

Richard Kaufman wrote: My own view, which I have stated in Genii, is that I now only report on criminal activity when the party is convicted.

I agree with that policy Richard.

A few years ago I was prevented from joining a local magic club because the President (who doesn't like me) circulated rumours that two members had "restraining orders" against me. He refused to present any proof of his allegations (as they were false), but most people simply believed him and didn't want to hear any more about it (like the fact that it wasn't true).

There is way too much gossip in the magic world already, no need to add to it.

Richard Kaufman Posts: 26917 Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand Location: Washington DC Contact:

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Richard Kaufman » August 12th, 2010, 7:32 pm

Tim, if that happened to you in the United States, you would have good grounds for a lawsuit against the president of the local club.

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Tim Ellis » August 12th, 2010, 8:23 pm

I tried to resolve the matter diplomatically, as everyone in the club was feeling "uncomfortable" and just wanted the situation to go away.

Things calmed down, then heated up again and by the time I decided to pursue this guy with a lawyer I discovered I only had a two year window of opportunity within which to sue him and it had already expired.

It's sad to think that some situations in a magic club have to be resolved by lawyers. I'll know to act more swiftly next time instead of assuming common sense will prevail.

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Smurf » August 12th, 2010, 8:45 pm

[size:14pt]"Not a terrible policy, Richard, but following that logic we'd never have heard about OJ's little escapade, at least until after the civil trial ."
[color:#000099]
That is reason enough to apply Richard's policy. This country wasted way too much time on that.[/color][/size]

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Magic Newswire » August 12th, 2010, 9:06 pm

I do agree with Richard for the most part. With rare exception, I report on convictions, not on accusations. JP is a perfect example. You cannot ignore a story getting that much media attention and so . yes.. we reported on it throughout

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by erdnasephile » August 12th, 2010, 9:32 pm

I agree with Dodd--IMHO, if a magician is in legal trouble and the story is picked up on by major newspapers/wire services, then I think it is not unreasonable to report the story, regardless of the status of the trial.

It's part of the deal--if you make yourself a public figure and things go bad, it sometimes comes out publicly. One has no reasonable expectation of privacy in such situations--court records are public and it comes with the territory.

To put a lid on a legitimate story (and RK and DV have NOT done this IMHO) would seem to run counterintuitive to the purpose and nature of the free press.

The only caveat is the press should also be just as quick to report exonerations (e.g., Forte, Copperfield, etc.) as well. In those two cases, I think the magic press behaved very responsibly in this area.

Richard Kaufman Posts: 26917 Joined: July 18th, 2001, 12:00 pm Favorite Magician: Theodore DeLand Location: Washington DC Contact:

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Richard Kaufman » August 12th, 2010, 10:08 pm

I didn't report on Forte's arrest or the allegations against Copperfield, but I did write something when both were cleared of charges. These types of accusations fester in peoples' minds and until the person is found guilty, it's best to avoid being the infection that causes the pus.

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Magic Newswire » August 12th, 2010, 10:23 pm

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Brad Henderson » August 12th, 2010, 10:36 pm

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Magic Newswire » August 12th, 2010, 10:43 pm

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Doc » August 13th, 2010, 2:14 am

Richard Kaufman wrote: I didn't report on Forte's arrest or the allegations against Copperfield, but I did write something when both were cleared of charges. These types of accusations fester in peoples' minds and until the person is found guilty, [color:#FF0000]it's best to avoid being the infection that causes the pus.[img:center]http://i33.tinypic.com/fuaoea.jpg[/img] [/color]

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by 000 » August 13th, 2010, 9:20 am

Scary to think what material Pace could come up with in the slammer over the next dozen years. ( Murphys stocks 11 items of his )

Also, there is no way I will perform his creation, 'The Web' again - it would remind me of the creep too much.

Jonathan Townsend Posts: 8689 Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm Location: Westchester, NY Contact:

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Jonathan Townsend » August 13th, 2010, 9:40 am

Magic Newswire wrote: Just curious. How important do you feel that it is to post every story of a magician accused or convicted of a sex crime?
.

How, specifically, is such posting/discussion useful to our community or advancing the craft of magic?

Joe Mckay Posts: 2024 Joined: April 13th, 2008, 6:56 am Favorite Magician: Lubor Fiedler Location: Durham, England

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Joe Mckay » August 13th, 2010, 9:42 am

What's the big deal with Sodomy? It has being legal here in the Uk for the past 40 years.

Am I missing something?

Jonathan Townsend Posts: 8689 Joined: January 17th, 2008, 12:00 pm Location: Westchester, NY Contact:

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Jonathan Townsend » August 13th, 2010, 10:02 am

Joe Mckay Posts: 2024 Joined: April 13th, 2008, 6:56 am Favorite Magician: Lubor Fiedler Location: Durham, England

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Joe Mckay » August 13th, 2010, 10:21 am

Thanks for clearing that up, Jonathan.

Re: Magicians in Trouble

Post by Gregory Edmonds » August 13th, 2010, 10:48 am

Having been both a journalist and police public information officer, my view on this issue is in keeping with Dodd's and Richard's. Yes, the OJ fiasco was a blot on this country's (the United States) criminal justice history. In my experience, though, people like Mr. Simpson will usually offend again (and he did, and will likely never again see the proverbial light of day outside of prison walls).

Abuse stories of magicians (priests, youth ministers, Scoutmasters, and those of similar ilk) are particularly puerile, and are always "newsworthy." It's a quite sad but undeniable fact that pedophiles are drawn to such positions, as these positions provide them ready access to victims. We are compelled, however, to tread lightly when broaching information about the presumed guilt of another. In my aforementioned role as a public information officer, I have, of course, been responsible to insuring (as the United States Constitution establishes) that the public be informed, by way of its media representatives, when an individual has been charged with a heinous crime. The national registry of sexual offenders also, legally, requires such reporting, where and when applicable.

When such people are arrested, "the media" will naturally exploit the opportunity to sell advertising space (another sad, but true, fact) by reporting the sometimes-sordid details. Should these people be "exposed?" Of course they do, if they did what they're accused of doing. I'll remind those over the age of 40 of a case which set the precedent for the ridiculous "OJ coverage." The case received almost equal exposure in the press, and held captive the collective imagination of the country.

"Imagination" is the key word, in this event. The trial to which I allude is that of the then-infamous "McMartin Preschool" family. "Expert" witnesses daily rendered their captivating "testimony." Each told of how the children involved were maltreated, how "Satanism" (later recognized, along with all of the other allegations, to be absolute fantasy) played a major role in the event, as the nation told of ritualized abuse going on day after day.

In the end, it turned out the first couple of children interviewed, had followed the "coaching" of the adult accusers, and the rest of the children -- in true Salem Witch Trial fashion -- seeing the attention their peers were receiving, joined in. Absolutely every allegation, "fact" presented and story the children (with capable assistance of "professional" counselors) was proven untrue.

Still, the country awaited each day's testimony with baited breath. The trial was televised, and made headlines throughout the Western world, for three years. Some of the trials themselves exceeded six years in length.

When the media circus was over, the McMartin family's reputations, finances and LIVES were irrevocably ruined. All this, because a couple of children in Manhattan Beach, California, had their imaginations stoked by people who should have known better.

Allegations are only allegations, and convictions are final "proof" in the eyes of the law. Even then, of course, as we've discovered through the admission of DNA evidence over the last two decades, is often fantasy as well.

If you elect to spread rumored charges against a fellow magician (or any other human being), and you do so as a media representative (even in the tiny "world" of magic), you expose yourself, your fiduciary associates and your advertisers to potential libel suits, a reputation of being a rumormonger, and a lifetime of knowing (if, in the end, the allegations -- recall Mr. Copperfield and Mr. Forte -- are proven false) that you've injured a fellow person (and in our instance, performer or creator of illusions), quite possibly beyond repair.

Long ago, the fact was established that human beings who "believe" a thing to be true, will continue believing said thing, subsequent facts to the contrary notwithstanding. Throughout the time since, this fact has been maintained in psychological theory, and proven beyond question. We, of all people, should very carefully wrestle "illusion" from the realm of reality, when something as important as another's literal life is possibly at stake.

The attitudes established by Richard and Dodd (only mentioned because of the stance they've taken herein) are the correct attitudes. Rumors are rumors, and always will be. Yes, there are those with evil intend lurking amongst us (probably even now), but as I previously noted, time will tell in the end. I applaud these gentlemen for their respective positions.

I own The Web and I have for years, since Jim first put it on the market. I use it sparingly, but when the time is right, it is, in point of fact, exceptionally strong magic. I have never sent anyone to the hospital, and I have never been accused of having bad taste or an "abuse" act or "insult" act.

However, it is important to note that not all witches fit this stereotypical image. Across the globe, different cultures have their own unique versions of witches. In African folklore, for example, witches are often seen as healers and protectors of their communities. These witches use their powers for the greater good and are highly respected within their societies. Similarly, in Native American cultures, witches are considered as powerful spiritual beings who possess the ability to communicate with nature and the spirit world. They are seen as wise elders who provide guidance and wisdom to their communities. The concept of a witch also extends beyond gender boundaries. While witches are often portrayed as women in popular culture, male witches, known as warlocks or wizards, are also present in various mythologies and traditions. These male witches possess their own unique set of magical abilities and practices. It is crucial to recognize and respect the diversity of witchcraft beliefs and practices. Each culture and tradition has its own interpretation of witches, and no single portrayal can encompass the entirety of this complex phenomenon. By understanding and appreciating the cultural differences surrounding witches, we can gain a more comprehensive and inclusive view of this mystical and enigmatic realm. Whether in fairy tales, folklore, or real-life practices, the question of "which witch is which" will always inspire wonder and curiosity, inviting us to explore the vast and fascinating world of witchcraft..

Reviews for "Witchcraft and Feminism: Which Witch is Which in the Fight for Equality"

1. John - 2 stars - I found "Which witch is which" to be a confusing and uninspiring read. The plot seemed scattered and the characters lacked depth. It felt like the author was trying too hard to be quirky and ended up creating a confusing mess instead. I struggled to stay engaged throughout the book and ended up feeling disappointed in the end. Overall, not a book I would recommend.

2. Sarah - 1 star - I really didn't enjoy "Which witch is which" at all. The writing style was overly simplistic and the dialogue felt forced. The story tried to be whimsical and magical, but it fell flat for me. The humor was forced and I found myself cringing instead of chuckling. I was hoping for a delightful witchy tale but instead was left feeling bored and unimpressed.

3. Ben - 2 stars - "Which witch is which" was a disappointment for me. The characters were one-dimensional and the plot lacked any real substance. The magical elements felt superficial and were not explained well, leaving me feeling confused and disconnected. The pacing was slow, and I struggled to stay engaged. Overall, this book just didn't live up to my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it to others.

4. Emily - 3 stars - I had high hopes for "Which witch is which" but unfortunately, it didn't quite hit the mark for me. While the concept was interesting, the execution fell short. The character development was lacking and the story felt rushed in some places and dragged on in others. The world-building was inconsistent and had many plot holes. Despite the flaws, it was a quick read and had its moments of charm, but overall, it didn't leave a lasting impression.

Witchcraft 101: How to Determine Which Witch is Which in Your Community