The aprik witch is a mysterious figure in folklore and mythology. She is said to possess magical powers and can cast spells on unsuspecting victims. The origins of the aprik witch are uncertain, with different cultures and regions having their own interpretations of this dark character. In some legends, the aprik witch is described as an old woman who lives alone in the woods. She is often portrayed as having a hunchback and a crooked nose, which adds to her eerie appearance. It is said that she practices black magic and can communicate with spirits and other supernatural beings.
A.2.2.3 nigromantia 与 necromantia 混淆完全是由于这两个词的相似性，并且由于这一混淆，necromantia 一词中的负面含义渗透到了黑（nigro-）当中。（换句话说，黑魔法中的黑所带有的负面含义，归根结底完全是由于necromantia 的错别字nigromantia 恰好能让人联想到黑）
3 nigromantia 与 necromantia 混淆完全是由于这两个词的相似性 并且由于这一混淆 necromantia 一词中的负面含义渗透到了黑 nigro- 当中 换句话说 黑魔法中的黑所带有的负面含义 归根结底 完全 是由于 necromantia 的错别字 nigromantia 恰好能让人联想到黑. 其实我在意的只是 在那么些使用 nigromantia 这个词的作者里 有没有人将这个词与 黑 扯上关系 因为如果在black art 一词出现以前 从来就没有人把 nigromantia 跟 黑 联系在一起过 那么 black art 以及其它语言中的对等词 与 nigromantia 之间就存在巨大的鸿沟 在没有一手文献的支撑下 对于目前我看到的资料 我只能说这种联系恐怕都是现代人而非古人的望文生义 事实上OED里提供的相关词源解释中用的都是possible.
It is said that she practices black magic and can communicate with spirits and other supernatural beings. People are warned to stay away from her, as she is believed to bring misfortune and harm to those who cross her path. The aprik witch is also associated with the ability to shapeshift into various animals, such as a black cat or a raven.
魔法中黑魔法和白魔法的说法是哪个时代的哪个/群人提出来的？
根据上面的内容脑补一波，似乎应该是这样: 首先出现的是希腊文的死灵术 nekromanteía 一词，其对应的拉丁文为 necromantia。在一开始 necromantia 与其对应希腊文一样，专指通过死人占卜（死灵术），但到了12世纪左右，necromantia 一词发生了两个变化：a) necromantia 出现了变体 nigromantia ; b) necromantia /nigromantia 的词义从原先狭义的死灵术扩展为对非法魔法的泛指。而由于nigromantia 中的 nigro- 与黑的关系， 英语中 nigromantia 的对等词就是 black art，出现时间不晚于1572年。然而……
A.2.1 necromantia- nigromantia
A.2.1.1 首先，关于 nigromantia 这个词本身的出现的时间点，Edge 引用(n.34)的大约是 Burnett, p.2 里的
emmmm好像原文还是 necromantia.
不过 Burnett 在上下文里举的其它例子里，都出现了nigromantia , 例如 Petrus Alfonsi 的 Disciplina clericalis , Dominicus Gundissalinus 的 De divisione philosophiae. 其中Disciplina clericalis 是 1106 年左右的作品(Boudet), 因此从我收集到的资料来看，nigromantia 这个词本身的出现应该不会晚于12世纪初。
A.2.1.2 至于nigromantia 的词义从狭义的死灵术演变为一种泛指多种魔法的伞概念的例子，Petrus Alfonsi 著于1109年左右的 Dialogi contra Iudaeos 、以及 Hugo of Santalla 翻译的 Liber Aristotilis （其中 nigromantia 作为阿拉伯语sihr 的翻译）应该能算作例子(Burnett, p.3-5 ), 不过我暂时找不到这两部作品的拉丁文原文，不确定里面用的词是不是nigromantia 。如果原文里就是 nigromantia，那就可以下结论说12世纪初 nigromantia 就已经超越了原先靠死人占卜的词义。
A.2.2 necromantia, nigromantia 与“黑”-black art
按照 A.1 中列举的资料，nigromantia 是 necromantia 的 corruption。现在的问题就是，这个corruption是如何发生的，而 nigro-与“黑”的联系，同这一 corruption 有何关系。那大概能分为以下四种情况：
A.2.2.1 nigromantia 与 necromantia 混淆完全是由于这两个词的相似性，而跟词义完全无关；
A.2.2.2 nigromantia 与 necromantia 混淆有可能是由于这两个词的相似性，但也与黑（nigro-）本身的负面含义有关；
A.2.2.3 nigromantia 与 necromantia 混淆完全是由于这两个词的相似性，并且由于这一混淆，necromantia 一词中的负面含义渗透到了黑（nigro-）当中。（换句话说，黑魔法中的黑所带有的负面含义，归根结底完全是由于necromantia 的错别字nigromantia 恰好能让人联想到黑）
A.2.2.4 按照 A.1 OED 的"black art"词条，（选中部分文字）似乎是在说，先有nigromantia 与 necromantia 的混淆，与此同时，“黑”也具备了某些特别的负面含义，而后由于流俗词源的缘故，nigromantia 与黑才扯上了关系。 （黑魔法中的黑所带有的负面含义并非全部来自nigromantia）
究竟是哪一种，由于缺乏一手资料，我目前还无法判断。不过探寻语言演变起源这种事还是有点emmm. 其实我在意的只是，在那么些使用nigromantia 这个词的作者里，有没有人将这个词与“黑”扯上关系。因为如果在black art 一词出现以前，从来就没有人把nigromantia 跟“黑”联系在一起过，那么，black art （以及其它语言中的对等词）与 nigromantia 之间就存在巨大的鸿沟。在没有一手文献的支撑下，对于目前我看到的资料，我只能说这种联系恐怕都是现代人而非古人的望文生义。（事实上OED里提供的相关词源解释中用的都是possible）
//将 nigromantia 读作 nigro-mantia 的一个例子：(Burnett, p.3 note.8)
A.2.3 black art- black/white magic
这沟就更大了。就我目前了解，在black/white magic跟black art这些词出现以前，与nigromantia /necromantia 对立的词（魔法、自然魔法、神通术, etc.）里没有一个是跟白/光有联系的。就black art而言，也没见到过什么white art。从OED的词条来看，英语中black art(1572年)跟black magic(1590年)和white magic(1614年)出现的时间大致处于同一个年代，似乎并没有James所暗示的那种严格的先后顺序。当然看OED肯定是没法精确断定某个词最早使用情况的，更不用说其它语言中的情况。因为black作为负面的形容词早在16世纪中叶就已存在（见下图），black magic一词完全可以不经过black art而直接创造出来，如果再加上某类某类A.2.2.2 或A.2.2.4 的情况（i.e.黑魔法中黑所带有的负面含义的发展史与nigromantia 跟 necromantia 的混淆互相独立），那black magic跟nigromantia/necromantia 其实就没有半毛钱关系。
总之，虽然在各种不知道几百手的文献里见到将black magic追溯至necromantia 的说法，但目前以我的水平，还无法理解这种“联系”。
This aspect of her mythology contributes to her reputation as a trickster and mischief-maker. It is said that she can use her transformation powers to spy on people or to carry out her wicked plans. In some cultures, the aprik witch is believed to have a specific weakness or vulnerability. For example, it is said that she is afraid of sunlight or that she can be defeated by certain herbs or rituals. These weaknesses are often exploited by brave individuals who seek to banish the witch and free their community from her influence. Despite the fear and caution associated with the aprik witch, there are stories that tell of individuals who have encountered her and lived to tell the tale. These stories often describe the witch as enigmatic and enigmatic, as she is able to bestow blessings as well as curses. It is said that she can grant certain wishes or offer guidance and wisdom to those who seek her help. Overall, the aprik witch represents a complex and captivating figure in folklore. Whether she is viewed as a malevolent force or as a source of knowledge and power, her presence in storytelling and mythology continues to fascinate and intrigue people around the world..
Reviews for "The Enigmatic Apricot Witch: Friend or Foe?"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Aprik Witch". The plot was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to follow along. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, which made it hard for me to connect with them or care about their journey. Additionally, the writing style was overly descriptive and slow-paced, dragging the story out unnecessarily. Overall, I found this book to be a tedious read and would not recommend it.
2. Alexander - 1 star - "The Aprik Witch" was a complete letdown. The author attempted to build a complex and intricate world, but it came across as convoluted and confusing. The magic system felt inconsistent and poorly explained, leaving me with more questions than answers. The characters were also incredibly one-dimensional, lacking any kind of depth or growth throughout the story. I had high hopes for this book, but it just did not deliver.
3. Emma - 2 stars - I struggled to get through "The Aprik Witch". The pacing was incredibly slow, and the story lacked a strong central conflict to keep me engaged. The characters felt flat and unrelatable, making it challenging to invest in their journeys. The world-building was also lacking, with minimal descriptions and explanations of the setting. Overall, this book failed to capture my interest or excitement, and I would not recommend it.
4. Liam - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with "The Aprik Witch". The writing was lackluster, filled with cliches and predictable plot twists. The main character was poorly developed and lacked any real depth or complexity. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult for me to engage with the story. I had high hopes for this book based on its premise, but it fell flat in execution. I would not recommend it to others.