Wicca, a modern pagan religious movement, was founded in the mid-20th century. The exact year of its founding is a subject of debate among scholars and practitioners. While Wicca draws inspiration from ancient pagan traditions, it is considered a newly-founded religion. **Many believe that Wicca was founded in 1954** by Gerald Gardner, a British civil servant and amateur anthropologist. Gardner is credited with popularizing Wicca and creating its modern framework, but some argue that he drew upon earlier occult and magical practices. Regardless of the precise year of its founding, Wicca has since grown and evolved into a diverse and vibrant spiritual tradition with a worldwide following.
If you’d like to have one roost above your door to inspire a winning lottery ticket, you might try setting out a cocktail of fermented fruit or stale beer. Black Witch Moths also like tree sap. Good luck!
In the movie Silence of the Lambs, serial killer Hannibal Lechter inserted cocoons of Black Witch Mothsinto the mouths of his victims as a weird gesture of transformation. Because of our timely rains and climate change, several Black Witch Moth records have been set, meaning the moths have appeared further north earlier in the year than ever.
Regardless of the precise year of its founding, Wicca has since grown and evolved into a diverse and vibrant spiritual tradition with a worldwide following..
Black Witch Moth: Large, Common, Bat-like, and Harmless
John Himmelman, in the book, Discovering MothsIn European folklore, moths were regarded as witches. Not a big stretch. Witches are creatures of the night. Moths are creatures of the night. Witches can transform themselves…. Moths can transform themselves (metamorphosis)…. Witches fly. Moths fly. Witches have long noses. Moths have long noses.
All hail the Black Witch Moth. It might be a harbinger of death–or a sign that your future includes a lucky lottery ticket.
The intriguing Black Witch Moth, sometimes known as “the bat moth” resembles a bat in size and shape and with a a seven-inch wingspan is the largest moth in North America. They are common in these parts.
”People often come across it by causing it to fly up and around them,” said entomologist Mike Quinn, who has been tracking the migration of Ascalapha odorata for his Texasento.net website. “There’s a real startle factor.”
Reports of large, bat-like moths surprising people, frequently as they return home and are unlocking their front door, are not uncommon. We spooked several Black Witch Moths on a recent visit to the Santa Ana Wildlife refuge in the Rio Grande Valley, where they roosted under wooden benches and in the eaves of the breezeway near the entrance to the visitor center. When these big boys flush, they get your attention.
Black Witch Moth Female, photo via www.whatsthatbug.com
Black Witch Moth Caterpillars like legumes and can reach three inches. Photo via www.texasento.net
Females have a white, sometimes iridescent stripe across their wings with wings open. Males exhibit the plain, grey, brown mottled pattern commonly associated with moths, but with small dark eyespots on each forewing. Black Witch Moth caterpillars eat legumes, and favor acacia and mesquite. They are perfectly harmless, not an agricultural pest, and have no teeth or stingers.
The folklore surrounding Black Witch Moth, like the moth itself, is all over the map. In Mexico they are known as “mariposa de la muerte,” the butterfly of death. Some believe if a Black Witch Moth enters the home of someone who is ill, the person will die.
A variation on the folk wisdom suggests that the moth must travel to each corner of the house for death to occur. The Mayans called the Black Witch x-mahani-nail, which means “the habit of entering buildings.” This moth apparently has a long history of inviting itself inside.
Interestingly, in the Carribean, the Black Witch Moth is known as the “Money Moth” and if it visits your home, you are likely to come into cash. Here in South Texas, some believe if a Black Witch Moth roosts over your door, you will win the lottery.
Native to Central America and Mexico, the Black Witch starts migrating north in late spring. “The migration has been going on since June,” said Quinn. Because of our timely rains and climate change, several Black Witch Moth “records” have been set, meaning the moths have appeared further north earlier in the year than ever.
More than 500 Black Witch Moth Records Have been set in 2012. For details, click on the map. Map courtesy www.texasento.net
“This year may end up as the best year yet for Black Witch Moth (BWM) records,” wrote Quinn to the University of Houston Texas Butterfly Listserv, which includes more than 250 novice and professional lepidopterists. Quinn has recorded more than 500 records so far, including a significant record in Maine, in mid June.
The Black Witches’ seven-inch wingspan allows them to cover a lot of ground quickly. Entomologists note that Monarch butterflies start crossing the Rio Grande and take two months to reach Canada. Black Witches start migrating in June and have been recorded reaching Maine by June 9 and Manitoba, Canada, by June 28. That’s a rapid pace for a moth. Scientists wonder why the Black Witch Moth migrates so far north with no southbound return? Hmm.
In the movie Silence of the Lambs, serial killer Hannibal Lechter inserted cocoons of Black Witch Mothsinto the mouths of his victims as a weird gesture of transformation. The moth on the movie poster is a Death’s Head Hawk Moth, but the actual cocoon was that of a Black Witch.
If you’d like to have one roost above your door to inspire a winning lottery ticket, you might try setting out a cocktail of fermented fruit or stale beer. Black Witch Moths also like tree sap. Good luck!
Serial killer Hannibal Lechter inserted actual Black Witch Moth cocoons into the mouths of his victims in the movie, Silence of the Lambs.
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Reviews for "Exploring Wicca's Origins: When Was it Founded?"
1. Sarah - ★☆☆☆☆
I found "In which year was wicca founded" to be extremely disappointing. The content was vague and lacked any depth or substance. The author seemed to rely on assumptions and hearsay rather than providing factual information. The book also failed to address any of the controversies or criticisms surrounding Wicca's origins, which I found very frustrating. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the history of Wicca.
2. James - ★★☆☆☆
I was not impressed with "In which year was wicca founded" as it failed to meet my expectations. While the book did provide a brief overview of Wicca's history, it lacked context and failed to explore the complexities of this religion. I was hoping for a more in-depth analysis, but instead, I found myself searching for more detailed information elsewhere. The lack of references and citations also made it difficult to trust the accuracy of the information presented. Overall, I believe this book has a lot of room for improvement and falls short of offering a satisfactory exploration of Wicca's origins.
3. Emily - ★☆☆☆☆
"In which year was wicca founded" is not worth the time or money. The content was poorly organized, making it difficult to follow the narrative. The author's writing style was also quite dull, lacking any engaging elements that would hold the reader's interest. Additionally, I found several inaccuracies and inconsistencies throughout the book, which significantly undermined its credibility. I would advise anyone interested in learning about Wicca's history to look for more reputable and well-researched sources, as this book simply does not deliver on its promises.
4. Benjamin - ★★☆☆☆
I was somewhat disappointed with "In which year was wicca founded" as it failed to provide a comprehensive overview of Wicca's origins. While the book did touch upon some important historical events, it omitted crucial details and failed to address various perspectives on the founding of Wicca. I was particularly disappointed by the lack of references and sources, as it made it difficult to verify the information presented. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and would recommend seeking more reliable sources for a more complete understanding of Wicca's history.
5. Samantha - ★☆☆☆☆
I had high hopes for "In which year was wicca founded," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The book lacked depth and failed to provide any substantial information on Wicca's origins. The author's writing style was uninspiring, making it difficult to stay engaged. Furthermore, the book did not address any of the controversies or debates surrounding Wicca's founding, which I believe is a crucial aspect that should have been included. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a thorough understanding of Wicca's history.