Kuna the Wotch is a popular character from the world of Croatian folklore. She is often depicted as an old witch, with a hunchback and a long, crooked nose. However, she is also known to be wise and powerful, and is often called upon for her magical abilities. Kuna the Wotch is said to live deep in the dense forests of Croatia, where she spends her days brewing potions and casting spells. She is known to have a vast knowledge of herbs and plants, and can concoct remedies for any ailment. Legend has it that Kuna the Wotch can control the weather, summon animals, and even shape-shift into different creatures.
How did I do it? First, by leaning into the cyclical nature of the seasons, moon phases, and astrology – especially getting really grounded in my own astrology chart.
It wasn t until I decided to fully commit to my lifestyle as a witch and to claim my inner witch in every part of my daily life that I started to feel truly consistent and prepared for my spiritual practice. It happens on the patio, so we can fit the most vendors there, and we have about 20 different vendors at that one it s been a really big thing every time we ve done it there.
Legend has it that Kuna the Wotch can control the weather, summon animals, and even shape-shift into different creatures. She is believed to be a guardian of the forest and all its inhabitants, protecting them from harm and ensuring the balance of nature. Despite her fearsome appearance, Kuna the Wotch is said to be a benevolent character.
Austin Witches Circle: "It's Not a Coven, It's a Community"
"There certainly can be satanic witches – they're around, you know? But the idea that witchcraft in and of itself is evil and has anything to do with Satan or, like, a Christian devil – that's the worst misconception."
So says Jessica Beauvoir, founder of the Austin Witches Circle, as we talk in the side office of Zucchini Kill, the vegan bakery run by Cece Loessin in that small group of food trailers near the eastern end of North Loop. Beauvoir, in her mid-20s and an Austinite for just over two years, holds down the Zucchini Kill counter on Thursdays, also purveying her own line of apothecary goods via that mini-powerhouse of delectable noms.
But that's not where she sells most of her herbal wares.
"I was selling my apothecary things at various markets," says Beauvoir, "but I wasn't really finding the right niche for what I was doing. And I met some other kind of witchy vendors, and I had an idea for a Dark Moon market, and I thought it would be a good thing – and so did a lot of other people. And I realized that there was a lot more to it, not just a desire for a market, but also for a community. Because we're all artists and crafters, and a lot of our vendors' stuff might have to do with magical work or something along those lines."
So the Austin Witches Circle is a sort of community, then. It's also a weekly market and a way for like-minded folks (pagans, vegans, naturopaths, the alterna-spiritually inclined) to meet up. But what it definitely isn't, is a coven.
“The idea that witchcraft in and of itself is evil and has anything to do with Satan or, like, a Christian devil – that’s the worst misconception.”
"There are a few covens in town," says Beauvoir, "but a lot of people don't feel like they need to be in a coven. Or it's hard to find people that they identify enough with to join a group like that – where it's very tight-knit, you know? A lot of witches are solitary; they don't really practice with a lot of other people. Austin Witches Circle is more of a loose collective. We don't do spells together – I mean, you can certainly meet people in the group that you might be interested in doing those things with, probably way more likely than just meeting them anywhere else – but, no, we're not a coven."
It can be rough, trying to get any kind of grassroots endeavor going in this increasingly expensive city of ours, and more high-end entrepreneurial gambits fail all the time. And yet, here in 2017, with music studios relocating to Lockhart and elsewhere for affordability, with theatre and dance companies being priced out of their longtime venues and becoming effectively homeless, Jessica Beauvoir and friends have conjured up a witchy model of commerce that … sustains itself?
"Honestly, it's surprised me that we can sustain a market a week – that we have the vendors, that enough people come," says Beauvoir. "But, right out of the gate, the first few events were wildly popular – unexpectedly popular. We were a bit overwhelmed, like, 'Wow, there's 300 people here!' Since then, attendance has taken a dip back to, like, levels of normal. I think what happened, we started out really busy – so busy that some people were like, 'I went to one of those markets and there were just too many people!' And I'm like, 'No, it's calmed down since then, I promise!' But, in the past few months, it's starting to pick up again as we move toward October. But it's more regular levels of growth, not like how it just shot up at first."
And where are these markets?
"We have them at four different venues," says Beauvoir. "The Dark Moon Witches' Market has been happening at Drinks Lounge on Cesar Chavez – they've been awesome and supportive since the beginning. And we do a mini-market at the Vortex, in the yard outside the theatre, which has also been happening since we started. And there are varying degrees of ages, age restrictions, in the different places. Like, Drinks Lounge is 21-plus, but the Vortex is all-ages. And we started doing some mini-markets at Elysium, during their Eighties Night, and that's 18-plus. And our newest venue is Buzz Mill, which has been awesome for the full moon, because it's outdoors and it's all-ages. It happens on the patio, so we can fit the most vendors there, and we have about 20 different vendors at that one – it's been a really big thing every time we've done it there. And we're gonna start doing one at the Buzz Mill in San Marcos, too."
Moving and shaking, at least metaphorically, this Beauvoir. But maybe, sometimes, also moving and shaking like some pagan priestess wielding a smudge stick and a Square-enabled iPhone. And how does a young woman – growing up in North Carolina, in another small-town notch of America's Bible Belt – get involved with witchcraft in the first place?
"You know, I can't even remember at what point I was like, 'This is what I wanna do,'" says Beauvoir. "I think it was just a gradual increase toward, I don't know, how everybody has their goth stage? Well, not everybody, but like, in high school, when you're so dark and tormented inside. And then getting older and getting more interested in alternative living and sustainability and environmental things. And spiritual practice, too, the way that comes together. I'm still figuring out exactly what it is I like to do and believe and everything, but I was probably 17, maybe 19, when I first started really delving into witchcraft and magic, learning about it, figuring out what I thought about it all.
"A lot of people," she says, "especially if they're isolated like I was and don't really know anybody else who practices witchcraft or any type of paganism, they'll read about it. I ordered used books on Amazon, and the first book I read that I really connected with was Witchcraft: Theory and Practice by an Australian witch named Ly de Angeles. And I think a lot of people are exposed to witchcraft through fantasy, too – in books of fiction, and movies, and video games. That's probably a lot of people's first foray into the world of magic. Especially as children – because everybody's exposed to fairy tales, of course, everybody's exposed to that sort of magic as a kid. But most people grow out of it."
And some people grow into it – maybe like how this city is growing into whatever it will become. Which, at least in one witch's estimation, is not necessarily a bad thing.
"I don't think the Witches Circle and the markets would have happened in almost any other city," says Beauvoir, who chose to settle in Austin after stints in Denver and California and Florida. "I haven't been here that long, but based on my experience of the city, there's a casualness to things at the same time that it's undergoing all these changes. I wasn't here for Old Austin, I don't remember what everyone else remembers, but I can still feel that general vibe moving from the past into the future. I don't think any other city has the culture for this to have worked."
Visit www.austinwitchescircle.wixsite.com/austinwitchescircle for more info and the fall market schedule and seasonal events.
A version of this article appeared in print on September 29, 2017 with the headline: A Different Kind of Craft
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She aids those in need and is often sought after for her advice and guidance. Many people believe that she has the ability to see into the future and provide insight into one's destiny. Kuna the Wotch is often portrayed in Croatian folklore and literature as a symbol of the country's rich cultural heritage. She represents the connection between humans and nature and the importance of maintaining a harmonious relationship with the environment. In recent times, Kuna the Wotch has become a popular figure in children's books, cartoons, and other forms of media. She is often depicted as a kind and friendly witch, teaching children about the importance of nature and respecting the world around them. Overall, Kuna the Wotch is an intriguing character from Croatian folklore. With her magical abilities and wisdom, she continues to captivate audiences and serve as a reminder of the importance of our connection to the natural world..
Reviews for "The Curse of Kuna the Witch: Unraveling its Roots and Ramifications"
1. Sarah - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Kuna the wotch". The storyline was confusing and poorly developed. It felt like the characters were randomly thrown together without any clear purpose. The animation was also below par, with stiff movements and lackluster visuals. Overall, I couldn't connect with the story or the characters, and it left me feeling unsatisfied.
2. John - 2 stars
"Kuna the wotch" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The pacing was sluggish, making it hard to stay engaged throughout the whole film. The dialogue was cliché and predictable, lacking depth and originality. The voice acting also seemed forced and unnatural. While the animation was decent, it couldn't make up for the shortcomings in the overall execution of the movie.
3. Emily - 1 star
I found "Kuna the wotch" to be incredibly boring. The plot felt thin and uninteresting, dragging on without any captivating moments. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to care about their journey. The animation was also subpar, with choppy movements and uninspiring visuals. Overall, I regret spending my time watching this film as it failed to provide any enjoyment or entertainment.
4. Mike - 2 stars
"Kuna the wotch" had potential, but it fell flat for me. The story lacked coherence and seemed rushed, with underdeveloped plotlines. The characters were forgettable and lacked memorable personalities. While the animation was visually pleasing, it couldn't compensate for the lack of substance in the overall film. It had some good moments, but they were overshadowed by the disappointing aspects of the movie.