Wicca, a modern pagan and witchcraft religion, has traditionally been associated with women. However, in recent years, there has been an increase in men practicing Wicca and taking part in witchcraft activities. Men practicing Wicca challenge the traditional gender roles within the religion and seek to create a more inclusive and diverse community. They are drawn to the spiritual aspects of Wicca, which emphasize harmony with nature and reverence for the divine. One of the main ideas that men practicing Wicca emphasize is the importance of balance and equality. They believe that both men and women have the capacity for spiritual growth and should have equal opportunities within the religion.
In short, I think that The Noonday Witch should have featured a lot more witch and little less noonday. Yes, hot days are unpleasant. Sure, being alone can make you paranoid. Of course, familial drama can be stressful. Unfortunately, none of these plot elements are all that scary. Jiří Sádek took his great source material and churned out an entertaining, but ultimately unsatisfying psychological horror film.
This half-hearted lie, her mounting financial troubles, the absence of Anetka s father, and the blistering summer heat all put a strain on the mother-daughter relationship. There are other components of the Noon Witch tale that I wish were included; for instance, adding more emphasis on the deaths or making the Noon Witch a greater threat could have made everything more suspenseful and frightening.
They believe that both men and women have the capacity for spiritual growth and should have equal opportunities within the religion. Men practicing Wicca often embrace the concept of the God and Goddess, representing both masculine and feminine energy. In addition to challenging gender roles, men practicing Wicca also bring a unique perspective to the religion.
The Noonday Witch: A Czech Folk Horror
The Noonday Witch (known as Polednice in its original Czech title) is a beautifully bright and quiet folk horror film. Directed by Jiří Sádek and written by Michal Samir (II), the story follows the lives of Eliska (Anna Geislerová) and her young daughter Anetka (Karolína Lipowská), who move to a remote countryside to start a new life. The two have a close relationship comprising of reading stories, sleeping in the same bed and cooking. All is well until a persistent Anetka discovers her mother has been lying about the whereabouts of her father, causing their relationship to deteriorate under the clutches of the Noonday Witch.
The Tale of Lady Midday
I have found the best way to get the most out of a folk horror film is learning about the folklore it is based on. “The Noon Witch” is one of those stories that answers questions you might ask after watching The Noonday Witch. The tale’s substance varies across cultures, but all share many commonalities. Below is an English summary of Karel Jaromír Erben’s poem, which you can read in English here.
“A mother is trying to prepare lunch, but her child is screaming for attention. She gives it some toys to play with, but nothing helps. So the mother decides to scare the child with a story about the Noon Witch who is said to come after children if they are naughty. At that moment, the church bell rings out, announcing that it is twelve o’clock – and there in the doorway stands the Noon Witch herself. She hobbles across the parlour, her arms reaching out for the child. The mother grabs her child and then faints in shock. The father comes home and finds the mother lying on the floor, their child in her arms. He manages to revive the mother, but the child is dead.” Source
The Noon Witch is an English title for the Slavic demon, whose other names include Polednice, Psezpolnica, Poludnitsa, Południca and Lady Midday. She appears in many forms (such as a young woman in white or an old weary woman) around noon during harvest time, the hottest days of the year, and possesses or kills those who dare enter the fields she resides. She most victimizes mothers and children, but the broad daylight and dreary heat in the Slavic landscapes makes even the most cautious person susceptible to her fate.
One of the most popular portrayals of the Noonday Witch is the symphonic ballad “Polendnice” by Czech composer Antonín Dvořá. You can listen to the song below.
“Don’t go anywhere. Not over the fence, not in the fields.”
AdvertisementMuch like the song it is based on, The Noonday Witch is slow-burning and symphonic. Ben Corrigan’s score incorporated with the sunny Czech fields creates an illusion of comfort that contrasts with the emotional turmoil each character goes through. It all works so well. Though I didn’t find movie scary, the tension builds to such grandeur that at the end I felt uneasy and on the edge of my seat. Geislerová and Lipowská’s provide convincing, exquisite performances of a struggle mother and daughter.
There are other components of the “Noon Witch” tale that I wish were included; for instance, adding more emphasis on the deaths or making the Noon Witch a greater threat could have made everything more suspenseful and frightening. But that isn’t enough to undermine how rewarding of a watch The Noonday Witch is. It is a feast for the senses originating from fascinating lore worth knowing. (4 / 5)
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It’s important to note that Jiří Sádek’s film draws heavily from this poem, but makes some important alterations to prevent viewers from predicting the outcome. In The Noonday Witch, Eliska (Anna Geislerová), moves to a remote home formerly owned by her late husband. Despite her husband’s passing, Eliska tells her daughter, Anetka (Karolína Lipowská), that her father has gone on a trip and will return soon.
They may have different experiences and insights that contribute to the overall growth and development of the Wiccan community. Furthermore, men practicing Wicca often face challenges and misconceptions from society due to the prevailing stereotypes of witchcraft being associated with women. They may have to overcome social stigma and find ways to authentically express their spirituality. Overall, the emergence of men practicing Wicca is a positive step towards a more inclusive and diverse spiritual community. It allows for the exploration and expression of spirituality without the limitations of gender roles. Men practicing Wicca contribute to the growth and evolution of the religion, providing new perspectives and insights..
Reviews for "Men Practicing Magic: Exploring the Benefits of Wicca for Men"
1. Sarah - 2/5
While I respect everyone's right to practice any religion they choose, I personally didn't enjoy reading "Men practicing wicca". I found it to be quite repetitive and lacking in depth. Additionally, the author's writing style was a bit dry and didn't engage me as a reader. Overall, I didn't connect with the book and it didn't leave a lasting impression on me.
2. John - 1/5
As a practitioner of Wicca myself, I was looking forward to reading "Men practicing wicca" and gaining new insights. Unfortunately, I was left disappointed. The book focused more on the gender aspect of Wicca rather than providing meaningful content or unique perspectives. It felt like a missed opportunity to delve deeper into the practice itself. I would not recommend this book to fellow Wiccans or anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of Wicca.
3. Amanda - 2/5
Having an interest in Wicca, I was excited to see a book specifically about men practicing this spiritual path. However, "Men practicing wicca" didn't live up to my expectations. The content felt shallow and there was a lack of depth in exploring the experiences and perspectives of men in Wicca. I believe this book could have benefited from more personal anecdotes and a stronger emphasis on the unique challenges faced by men within the Wiccan community. Overall, it fell short of providing the meaningful insights I was hoping for.