Witchcraft Chest Burgundy Medley 2020 is a limited edition collection of wines that is inspired by the world of witchcraft and magic. This unique collection is designed to transport wine enthusiasts to a mystical realm where the power of nature and the elements come together to create extraordinary flavors. The chest includes an assortment of wines, each carefully crafted to capture the essence of different aspects of witchcraft. The collection features a rich and intense Cabernet Sauvignon, a bewitching blend of Merlot and Malbec, and a spellbinding Syrah. Each wine has its own unique character, with bold flavors and a velvety texture that is sure to leave a lasting impression. The Witchcraft Chest is not only about the wines themselves, but also about the experience of tasting them.

Is This Creepy 19th-Century Guitar Cursed?

England's Bodleian Library—the main research library at the University of Oxford and one of the oldest libraries in Europe—is home to a rather unique guitar. The instrument, which is displayed alongside an eerie coffin-shaped guitar case, is linked to Frankenstein author Mary Shelley—not to mention a few centuries worth of speculation and controversy.

Mary's husband, English poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, who helped edit Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, Mary's popular gothic novel (published in 1818), drowned just a few weeks after presenting the guitar to his muse, Mary's good friend Jane Williams.

Does the guitar really contain Percy Bysshe Shelley’s soul? And is it just a coincidence that he died so soon after giving it to Jane Williams, his wife's good friend? (Image credit: Bodleian Library, University of Oxford)

When Percy gave the guitar to Jane, it was accompanied by a lengthy poem in which he supposedly places his soul into the guitar, reserving its best tone for Jane and answering only to hands of perfect skill. Jane kept the guitar for her entire life and played it often.

But does the guitar really contain Percy’s soul? And is it just a coincidence that he died so soon after giving the guitar and poem to Jane?

To be honest, if I gave that guitar/poem combo to my wife’s best friend, I probably wouldn’t live too long either. Regardless, the guitar earned a reputation for being "cursed." Its creepy coffin-shaped case adds to the mystery, along with these lines from Percy’s poem to Jane: “And now, alas! the poor sprite is / Imprisoned for some fault of his / In a body like a grave."

You can hear Percy's complete poem below:

In 1816, Percy translated Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s Faust into English (from German, of course). That's the 1808 play that's partially responsible for the tried-and-true “man sells his soul to the devil” cultural motif. Percy translated Faust while Mary was writing Frankenstein, a story that's almost identical to Faust, but from an atheist’s perspective.

This also was the age of Niccolo Paganini, the world’s greatest violin virtuoso, who—legend has it—made a pact with the devil (um, just like Robert Johnson). Mary Shelley saw Paganini perform July 18, 1831, as her diary records: "I heard Paganini today—he is divine—he had the effect of giving me hysterics—yet I could pass my life listening to him—nothing was ever so sublime."

Whether or not Paganini met with Mary or Percy isn't clear, but they all would've been aware of each other, and it's easy to let your imagination run wild. Was the "deal with the devil" story just a clever marketing ploy by Paganini and a great basis for Mary and Percy to create what is considered the birth of science fiction? Perhaps when Percy and Mary were researching Faust, they stumbled upon a way to make a pact with the devil and paid the price.

OK, so, how does Jason Becker fit into all this?

Wikipedia lists Becker in the top spot under "Notable works inspired by compositions of Paganini." Becker's career was cut short by ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) right at the point of his big break. Fans have speculated that Becker—who studied Paganini's works—also "sold his soul" to play the way he did.

I started this research because I played on Jason’s behalf for the launch of his Carvin/Kiesel JB24 Numbers guitar and Seymour Duncan Perpetual Burn humbucker.

When I shared this tale with Jason, a dear friend of mine, this was his reply:

“Wow, this is all really interesting. Yeah, I have seen that I am listed as one of Paganini's 'disciples.' I remember before meeting Marty Friedman, and still for a while in Cacophony, I learned a bunch of Paganini's 24 Caprices. I really liked how he had mastered his craft. There was something I admired about how his playing made people feel in awe, or you know, gasp. I also heard it turned women on. I wanted to do that too. Ha ha! Really, though, I wanted to learn techniques from instruments other than guitar. It was mostly just fun.

"I should start telling people that I did sell my soul to the devil. It would be a much more interesting story than just a practicing kid. Plus, that would have been a ripoff deal, huh? Only a couple years of good 'devil level' of playing.”

So there it is—Jason says he just wanted to turn on women—no soul-selling involved! Of course, if he, I or anyone else had made a deal with the devil, we wouldn’t tell a soul.

Does that old guitar contain Percy's soul? I don’t know. Does it answer sweetly and flatter hands of perfect skill? They won’t let me play it to find out!

Special thanks to Dr. Bruce Barker-Benfield and Stephen Hebron, the leading authorities on Mary and Percy Shelley at the Bodleian Library Oxford. For more information, visit bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

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The Witchcraft Chest is not only about the wines themselves, but also about the experience of tasting them. The chest is adorned with intricate symbols and illustrations that add to the enchanting ambiance. It also includes a booklet that delves into the world of witchcraft and magic, providing a deeper understanding of the inspiration behind the wines.

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Cursed guitars

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This collection is a testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of winemaking. The winemakers have used their expertise to create a range of wines that not only stand out for their flavor, but also for their attention to detail and innovation. The Witchcraft Chest Burgundy Medley 2020 is a truly magical experience and a must-have for any wine lover looking to explore the enchanting world of witchcraft through their taste buds..

Reviews for "Unleashing the Power of the Witchcraft Chest's Burgundy Medley: A Guide for Modern Witches"

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Casting Spells with Style: Unlocking the Power of the Witchcraft Chest's Burgundy Medley