Disobedience is considered by some to be synonymous with witchcraft, drawing parallels between the act of disobeying authority and the practice of dark magic. This notion stems from a historical and cultural understanding of obedience as a virtue and disobedience as a sin. In many religious and social traditions, obedience is revered as a fundamental principle guiding societal order and moral righteousness. It is often associated with concepts such as duty, respect, and submission. Those who adhere to these beliefs argue that disobedience disrupts the established order and challenges the authority of those in power. By defying authority, individuals are seen as endangering the harmony and stability of society.
“Yes, it’s difficult, but it’s all about living — it’s not about dying.”
On a hot Sunday afternoon, too hot for the end of September, 200 bikers gathered in an Elks Lodge parking lot in Weymouth to take part in a special ride to raise money for the Magical Moon Foundation. I focus on the positive, that s what I tell the children, Focus on the positive, detach from negativity and turn every challenge into an opportunity, said Green.
By defying authority, individuals are seen as endangering the harmony and stability of society. The comparison to witchcraft arises due to the traditional association of witches with rebellion, defiance, and the rejection of societal norms. Throughout history, witches have often been portrayed as individuals who challenge and go against established hierarchies and power structures.
MAGICAL MOON FARM
In medieval times, knights fought the battle between good and evil, light and darkness, right and wrong…today, some young, modern-day knights are facing an even tougher battle.
CALLIE THE CONQUEROR
Callie Herschfield is a tiny wisp of a thing, standing less than five feet tall and weighing only 80 pounds. The 14 year old from Scituate has a soft voice and sweet smile, but don’t let this fool you; she is one tough young lady.
“She’s a warrior,” said Donna Green.
Callie’s “warrior” status isn’t because she’s dressed a little bad-ass this day in a black Aerosmith T-shirt, jeans and black boots, or because she’s wearing funky, oversized aviator sunglasses. It isn’t even because she casually strapped on a helmet and climbed on a big — really big — motorcycle with her dad Ken.
Callie is a warrior because she kicked cancer’s butt — at a place called Magical Moon Farm.
THE FARM
Magical Moon is a 160-year-old farm on five acres of land in Marshfield. Quite literally, it is a magical place where wind chimes echo down the stone path to the butterfly garden and fairy figurines peak out from among the flowers. It’s where massive sunflowers tower over the chicken coop and a lone peacock deigns to live among the many hens and roosters there.
Adding to the mystical scene, towards the back of the farm, up a small incline are twelve brightly colored chairs in a semi-circle in front of a fire pit. The wooden chairs have high backs reminiscent of medieval times – sort of a Knights of the Round Table, but through a child’s eyes.
The property was once a sea captain’s home, then a boarding home, before becoming an auction house, but in it’s latest adaptation, the farm, with its organic gardens and whimsical air, is a haven for children facing cancer; a place where they can feel strong, empowered, and not alone. [huge_it_slider >
GREEN ACRES
Donna Green, famed illustrator of an edition of the children’s book classic, The Velveteen Rabbit, bought the property 15 years ago. She was looking for a big barn in which to store her books, what she found when she first saw the place was a huge four-story barn and an even bigger vision of what she must do with the property.
“The property had an essence when I first came here,” she said. “I saw it completely done with orchards and gardens, animals and fun things for kids to do. I envisioned children learning about healthy ways to become survivors of life-threatening diseases and conditions.”
Her vision was to bring sick children here and give them something else to focus on: gardening, writing, music, good food, the arts and learning ways to survive.
She would also invite the child to take on a mission, a project to make the world a better place. The project would help the child focus on something other than chemo, radiation and hair loss. The goal: knighthood and finding their inner strength.
So, Green began digging, and planting and growing: sunflowers here, tomatoes there, and a child’s spirit in the center of it all…beginning with Alison.
ALISON THE AWESOME
Alison was the child of one of Green’s friends, and the first “knight” of Magical Moon Farm. She was 19 years old and battling leukemia.
“She was a beautiful artist,” said Green. “She felt like my own daughter, I felt like my own soul was inside of her.”
Alison was the inspiration for a beautiful butterfly garden on the farm. Her picture stands at the gate, in her memory. Alison the Awesome became an Angel Knight in 2008.
CALLIE THE CONQUEROR?
“I wasn’t really into it, I didn’t care. I was…not really happy.”
Not exactly a magical reaction to the farm, but an honest one on the part of a sick kid. Callie, then 10 years old, was in the midst of chemotherapy, had no hair and was brought to a farm where she didn’t know anyone.
Slowly, she became part of it. She started working with Green on painting the things she loved. She adored sea life and Green sent her to Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute on Cape Cod to go below with scientists and learn about endangered sea life. Callie got to feed a sea turtle and that was the subject of her first painting. Since that time she’s painted numerous others. She always gravitated to the animals at the farm. “She has a way with animals that is magical,” said Green.
“I would just go there and there would be other people to hang out with, other kids who would make you feel better,” said Callie. “Some of them were sick, some of them were just there. Everyone knows what’s going on but they’re all here to support you.”
Callie’s dad Ken noticed a big transformation in his daughter after she started going to Magical Moon.
“She was young and quiet, (then) I think she got more confident,” he said.
And that is why Callie and her family support Magical Moon Farm, by riding a motorcycle.
THE RIDE
On a hot Sunday afternoon, too hot for the end of September, 200 bikers gathered in an Elks Lodge parking lot in Weymouth to take part in a special ride to raise money for the Magical Moon Foundation. Despite 80-degree temperatures, many wore jeans and leather. Black was the popular color and multiple tattoos the norm. On the outside, this looked like one tough crowd, on the inside though, it was all mush. The ride took them past the magical farm they were supporting, where the children waited on the side of the road to cheer them.
Green said the kids at her farm often times feel like misfit toys. “Bikers can be misfit toys too,” said Green. “These big, tough bikers in leather had tears in their eyes.”
Callie the Conqueror rode tall and proud behind her father on that very big bike. She rode to celebrate four years cancer free and also for the other kids at Magical Moon Farm, facing what she faced and hoping to beat it too.
Green has lost some of her knights; you can see the sadness deep in her eyes, but instead of focusing on the sorrow, Green turns it around and teaches her knights-in-training to be strong and to be survivors.
“I focus on the positive, that’s what I tell the children, ‘Focus on the positive, detach from negativity and turn every challenge into an opportunity,’” said Green.
“Yes, it’s difficult, but it’s all about living — it’s not about dying.”
The property was once a sea captain’s home, then a boarding home, before becoming an auction house, but in it’s latest adaptation, the farm, with its organic gardens and whimsical air, is a haven for children facing cancer; a place where they can feel strong, empowered, and not alone. [huge_it_slider >
This link to witchcraft further demonizes disobedience, painting it as a malevolent force that threatens the fabric of community and spiritual values. However, it is essential to recognize that disobedience is not inherently negative or evil. It can be a catalyst for progress, change, and the pursuit of justice. Many significant social movements and revolutions have been fueled by acts of civil disobedience, challenging unjust laws and oppressive regimes. Figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. openly defied authority to fight for equal rights and social justice, leaving a lasting impact on society. Furthermore, blind obedience can be dangerous. History has shown that blindly following authority can lead to atrocities and human rights abuses. Disobedience, in such cases, becomes a tool for resistance against unjust systems. It challenges the status quo and promotes critical thinking, individual freedom, and autonomy. The idea that disobedience is witchcraft is a narrow interpretation of a complex concept. It fails to consider the nuances and contexts in which acts of disobedience occur. While obedience may be valued in certain contexts, it is crucial to recognize that disobedience, when used responsibly and motivated by ethical principles, can be a catalyst for positive change and social progress. In conclusion, the comparison of disobedience with witchcraft is rooted in the belief that disobedience threatens established norms and authority. However, this interpretation ignores the potential for disobedience to bring about positive change and challenge unjust systems. Disobedience, when guided by ethical principles, can serve as a powerful tool in the pursuit of justice and equality. Thus, it is crucial to critically analyze and understand the implications of labeling disobedience as witchcraft..
Reviews for "Disobedience and Witchcraft as Forms of Resistance"
1. Sarah - 2/5
I found "Disobedience is witchcraft" to be quite disappointing. The book promised to offer insight into the history and impact of non-conformity, but instead, it felt more like a superficial and repetitive analysis. The author failed to delve deep into the subject matter and often relied on cliches and generalizations. Furthermore, the writing style was dry and lacked any compelling storytelling. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an in-depth exploration of disobedience.
2. Michael - 2/5
As someone who appreciates books on social and political issues, I had high hopes for "Disobedience is witchcraft". Unfortunately, those hopes were quickly shattered. The book lacked a clear structure and failed to provide any substantial evidence or research to support the author's claims. Additionally, the writing was overly academic and dense, making it difficult to engage with the material. While the concept of exploring disobedience is intriguing, this book falls short of delivering a cohesive and compelling argument.
3. Emily - 1/5
I found "Disobedience is witchcraft" to be an absolute bore. The author seemed more interested in showcasing their own intelligence and vocabulary rather than presenting a coherent argument. The book was filled with unnecessary jargon and convoluted sentences, making it incredibly challenging to follow any of the main points. Furthermore, the lack of real-life examples or anecdotes made the book feel detached from reality. Overall, I would strongly advise against wasting your time with this pretentious and inaccessible piece of literature.