The concept of a paternal curse of vanishing refers to a belief or superstition that a curse or affliction can be passed down from father to son, leading to a gradual disappearance or erasure of the family line. This idea has been prevalent in various cultures and folklore throughout history, often associated with specific families or bloodlines. The curse of vanishing is often portrayed as a punishment or consequence for past transgressions or sins committed by the ancestor. It is believed that this curse can manifest in different ways, such as a decline in social status, financial difficulties, infertility, or a series of tragic events befalling the male descendants. While the specifics of the curse can vary based on cultural and regional beliefs, the main idea remains the same – the gradual disappearance and decline of the family line. This can create a sense of fear and desperation among those who believe in such curses, as they often feel helpless in breaking free from the cycle of misfortune.
(Phillips’s art may be taken to suggest that you could caption any postcard of a woman—on a train, in a crowd, anywhere—positioned between two men as a “Sand Witch,” since any woman who is “pretty enough to eat may be considered a “witch”—because she is bewitchingly alluring—but the “sand” in “sand witch” makes the beach a necessity for the caption to work.)
In another Kir Brooklyn, NY a young, lithe woman is dressed in tight black jeans and a tank top, her booted feet planted firmly on a city street, a large, inquisitive-looking tabby cat on a leash at her side. They brandish mysterious implements a crystal ball, a bow and arrow, a wooden staff; one woman reclines, entwined with a snake and most are dressed in black.
This can create a sense of fear and desperation among those who believe in such curses, as they often feel helpless in breaking free from the cycle of misfortune. In some cases, individuals who are aware of their family's curse may go to great lengths to try and reverse or break the curse. This can involve visiting spiritual healers, performing rituals or ceremonies, or seeking out talismans or amulets believed to ward off the curse's effects.
The spellbinding history of cheese and witchcraft
Tabitha Stanmore received funding from the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) for her PhD research.
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University of Bristol provides funding as a founding partner of The Conversation UK.
As I was scrolling through Twitter recently, a viral tweet caught my attention. It was an image from a book of spells claiming that: “You may fascinate a woman by giving her a piece of cheese.” The spell comes from Kathryn Paulsen’s 1971 book, The Complete Book of Magic and Witchcraft – and, while proffering a lump of cheddar may seem like an unusual way of attracting a possible mate, Paulsen’s book draws on a long history of magic. It’s a history that has quite a lot of cheese in it.
It’s not entirely clear why cheese is seen to have magical properties. It might be to do with the fact it’s made from milk, a powerful substance in itself, with the ability to give life and strength to the young. It might also be because the process by which cheese is made is a little bit magical. The 12th-century mystic, Hildegard von Bingen, compared cheese making to the miracle of life in the way that it forms curds (or solid matter) from something insubstantial.
In the early modern period (roughly 1450-1750) the creation of the universe was also thought of by some in terms of cheesemaking: “all was chaos, that is, earth, air, water, and fire were mixed together; and out of that bulk a mass formed – just as cheese is made out of milk – and worms appeared in it, and these were the angels.” The connection with life and the mysterious way that cheese is made, therefore, puts it in a good position to claim magical properties.
Cheese magic stretches back long before Hildegard and the medieval period. The 2nd-century diviner, Artemidorus, mentions “tyromancy” – cheese divination – as a method of discovering the future in his treatise Oneirocritica. Ironically, given our later association of cheese with vivid dreams, Artemidorus claims that cheese fortune-telling is among the most unreliable.
This didn’t stop later generations from interpreting cheese dreams, though. The Interpretation of Dreams, a 17th-century English manual, advised that: “[to dream of] cakes without cheese is good; those which have both signifie deceit and treason by a Welshman.”
Unusual advice for the lovelorn. Kathryn Paulsen: The Complete Book of Magic and WitchcraftOne of the most common uses for magic cheese in the medieval and early modern periods was to identify thieves and murderers. The method could be quite simple. First bless cheese with a prayer. For example, you might say:
May his mouth be cursed and full of bitterness, under his tongue pain and labour. If he is guilty, he will eat in the name of the devil. If he is not guilty, he will eat in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Then feed a small piece to each of your suspects. The culprit will be unable to swallow their piece of cheese, thus admitting their guilt.
However, the success of these efforts is often uncertain and depends on individual interpretations and beliefs. The concept of a paternal curse of vanishing speaks to the intricacies of human belief systems and the power that our ancestors and family histories hold over us. It is a reminder of the lasting impact that our actions can have on future generations and the weight of responsibility that comes with being part of a lineage. Whether or not one believes in the existence of such curses, the idea of a paternal curse of vanishing serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us to be mindful of the decisions we make and their potential consequences. It prompts us to reflect on the importance of breaking harmful cycles and working towards positive change, not only for our own wellbeing but also for the generations that will come after us..
Reviews for "The Vanishing Curse: A Father's Tragic Fate"
1. Jane - 2/5 - I was really excited to read "Paternal Curse of Vanishing" after hearing so much hype about it, but I was left extremely disappointed. The writing style was convoluted and hard to follow, making it difficult for me to immerse myself in the story. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with them on any level. Overall, the plot fell flat and failed to keep me engaged. I wouldn't recommend this book to others looking for a gripping and captivating read.
2. Tom - 1/5 - "Paternal Curse of Vanishing" was a complete waste of my time. The story was so predictable and lacked any originality. The pacing was all over the place, with boring and unnecessary scenes dragging on, while important events were rushed through. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard for me to believe in the characters or their interactions. I struggled to finish this book and felt incredibly disappointed by the end. Save your money and find something better to read.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Paternal Curse of Vanishing" based on the intriguing synopsis, but unfortunately, the execution fell flat. The world-building was lacking, leaving me with little understanding of the setting and the rules that governed it. The magic system was never fully explained, which made it hard for me to fully immerse myself in the story. The plot seemed to drag on, with few exciting moments to keep me engaged. Overall, I found the book lacking in depth and substance. Not my cup of tea.
4. David - 2/5 - "Paternal Curse of Vanishing" failed to live up to the hype for me. The writing style was overly verbose and pretentious, making it hard for me to connect with the story. The characters were unlikable and lacked clear motivations, leaving me uninvested in their journey. The plot felt disjointed and lacked cohesiveness, with subplots that added little to the overall story. I struggled to finish this book and wouldn't recommend it to others looking for a captivating read. Disappointing overall.