Black witch nails are a popular trend in the world of nail art. They are characterized by their dark and mysterious appearance, often featuring intricate designs and patterns. These nails typically use a black base color, which adds to the witchy and gothic feel. To achieve black witch nails, a black nail polish is applied as a base coat. This dark shade creates a bold and striking look. After the base coat is dry, various designs or patterns can be added using different techniques such as stamping, freehand painting, or using nail art decals or stickers.
Source: wikimedia. Yup’ik “medicine man exorcising evil spirits from a sick boy” in Nushagak, Alaska, 1890s.
In Navajo culture, witches are those who have been corrupted by dark magic while training to be medicine men or women, eventually performing twisted ceremonies in a perversive way to gain more magical power. No one sure why they can turn or possess animals, mainly because of how discretive the Najavo toward those don t trust - Stop looking at me that way Matt Wright to Diana Black.
After the base coat is dry, various designs or patterns can be added using different techniques such as stamping, freehand painting, or using nail art decals or stickers. Black witch nails often incorporate other elements that are associated with witchcraft and mysticism. These can include symbols such as pentagrams, moons, stars, or other occult-inspired motifs.
Native American Skinwalkers
In the American Southwest, the Navajo, Hopi, Utes, and other tribes each have their own version of the Skinwalker, but each boils down to the same thing --- a malevolent witch capable of transforming itself into a wolf, coyote, bear, bird, or any other animal. When the transformation is complete, the human witch inherits the speed, strength, or cunning of the animal whose shape it has taken.
Quite rare, this is a Hopi Kachina of a skinwalkerSkin walkers are purely evil in intent. I'm no expert on it, but the general view is that skinwalkers do all sorts of terrible things --- they make people sick, they commit murders.
--- Dan Benyshek, anthropologist
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
For the Navajo and other tribes of the southwest, the tales of skinwalkers are not mere legend. Rather, the belief is strongly held, particularly in the Navajo nation.
Anthropologist David Zimmerman of the Navajo Nation Historic Preservation Department explains, "Skinwalkers are folks that possess knowledge of medicine, both practical (e.g., healing the sick) and spiritual (e.g., to maintain harmony), and they are both wrapped together in ways that are nearly impossible to untangle."
In the Navajo world---where witchcraft is important, where daily behavior is patterned to avoid it, prevent it, and cure it---there are as many words for its various forms as there are words for different types of snow among the Eskimos.
We know from personal experience that it is extremely difficult to get Native Americans to discuss skinwalkers, even in the most general terms. Practitioners of adishgash---or witchcraft---are considered to be a very real presence in the Navajo world.
Few Navajo want to cross paths with naagloshii, otherwise known as a skinwalker. The cautious Navajo will not speak openly about skinwalkers---especially with strangers---because to do so might invite the attention of an evil witch. After all, a stranger who asks questions about skinwalkers just might be one himself, looking for his next victim.
Skinwalkers are not boogiemen and they aren't the figures made up to scare children. Unlike Anglo stories of werewolves and witches, they don't lose control and kill everything in their path or maliciously curse people for no reason.
Like humans, they do kill, and like humans, they have motivations for those acts of aggression. Power and revenge fuel their murderous intent, but such things cannot occupy the brain of a rational creature all the time, and skinwalkers do not make murder part of their daily routine.
Other than their origin story, legends of skinwalkers rarely include death or any kind of mauling. Instead, common stories include skinwalkers in their animal form running alongside a vehicle and matching their speed, even as the driver accelerates. Eventually, they get bored with this routine and simply disappear into the surrounding wilderness. In some respects, it seems rather playful, like a dog chasing a car that passes on the street.
In other instances, people report seeing or hearing skinwalkers outside their homes at night. Rarely, however, does the skinwalker enter the dwelling.
Skinwalkers have been reported by both Native and non-Native people, including a popular story here in New Mexico of skinwalkers being seen by State police on a stretch of roadway on Navajo territory.
In Navajo thinking, all good things in life result from respect for the harmony of the universe, known as hozho. An orderly balance governs the actions and thoughts of all living things.
Like any other ideal state, this can be difficult to maintain. Whether conscious or unconscious---or the result of a skinwalker---a transgression can result in illness, misfortune, or even disaster and can be remedied only with a prescribed ceremony to the offended diety. Unlike Western medicine, Navajo cures are targeted at body, mind, and spirit, calling on the patient and divine people to restore his harmony with the world.
A skinwalker is tied up with the Navajo concept of good and evil. The Navajo's believe that life is a kind of wind blowing through you. Some people have a dark wind, and they tend to be evil. How do you tell? People who have more money than they need and aren't helping their kinfolk -- that's one symptom of it.
Along with this tendency toward evil, if they're initiated into a witchcraft cult, they get a lot of powers. Depending on the circumstances, they can turn into a dog; they can fly; they can disappear.
A lot of Navajo's will tell me emphatically, especially when they don't know me very well, that they don't believe in all that stuff. And then when you get to be a friend, they'll start telling you about the first time they ever saw one.
--- Author, Tony Hillerman
So are they real? Who can say. In some respects, the tale of skinwalkers is like that of UFO sightings; too bizarre to picture being true, while being too numerous to dismiss.
Regardless, the tale or legend of skinwalkers is prevalent and meaningful to Native peoples in New Mexico. It is rooted in their history and tradition, and like many other things we don't always understand about different cultures, it does command our respect.
Skinwalkers are most frequently seen as coyotes, wolves, foxes, eagles, owls or crows and are not creatures to be trusted. Some Navajo believe that skinwalkers have the ability to steal the face of a person, and some believe that if one ever locks eyes with a skinwalker they can absorb themselves into a person's body, or that one's body might freeze up with fear, allowing a skinwalker to channel that fear to gain power and energy.
Additionally, glitter or metallic accents may be added to enhance the overall look and add a touch of glamor. One popular design for black witch nails is the classic moon and star pattern. This design features a black background with white or silver moons and stars scattered across the nails. Another option is to create a black ombre effect, where the nails gradually fade from a dark black shade to a lighter gray or charcoal color. Black witch nails can be worn for various occasions, such as Halloween parties, gothic events, or simply as a way to express one's personal style. They are a great way to make a statement and showcase creativity and individuality. Many people enjoy the dark and mysterious aesthetic of black witch nails, as they add an element of intrigue and allure to any outfit. Overall, black witch nails are a trendy and captivating choice for those looking to experiment with different nail art styles. The combination of the black base color and intricate designs creates a striking and unique look that is sure to turn heads. Whether for a special event or everyday wear, black witch nails allow individuals to express their creativity and embrace their inner enchantress..
Reviews for "Black Witch Nails: A Trend Worth Trying"
1. Emily - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with the black witch nails. The color began chipping off within a few hours of applying them and the quality just wasn't there. They were also very uncomfortable to wear and felt heavy on my nails. I would not recommend these nails, especially if you're looking for something long-lasting and comfortable to wear.
2. James - 1 out of 5 stars - The black witch nails were a complete waste of money. The adhesive was weak and the nails would constantly fall off, even with minimal activity. The shape of the nails also didn't match my natural nails, making them look completely unnatural and fake. I tried contacting customer service for a refund, but they were unresponsive. Save your money and look elsewhere for nails that actually stay on and look good.
3. Samantha - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really excited to try the black witch nails, but unfortunately, they did not meet my expectations. The nails were difficult to apply and didn't adhere well to my nails. They also had a very strong chemical smell that was almost unbearable. Additionally, the length of the nails was too long for my preference and I ended up having to trim them down. Overall, I was disappointed with the quality and experience of using these nails.
4. Alex - 3 out of 5 stars - The black witch nails were just okay for me. While they looked nice initially, they started to lift at the edges after only a day of wearing them. The sizing of the nails was also inconsistent, with some nails being too small and others too big. They were easy to apply, but the longevity and fit left much to be desired. I've tried other press-on nails that were much better in terms of durability and fit.