In European folklore, the concept of witches attending a sabbath has been widely discussed and depicted. The sabbath is believed to be a gathering of witches, where they engage in various rituals and practices, often under the guidance of a dark force. This event is usually thought to take place during the night, in secluded and remote areas such as forests or mountaintops. The idea of witches going to the sabbath dates back centuries and is deeply rooted in the fear and superstitions of the time. It was commonly believed that these gatherings were led by the Devil himself, and witches would commonly make a pact with him, exchanging their souls for magical powers and favors. The journey to the sabbath was often described as an otherworldly experience.
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Favourite locations included the Brocken, in the Harz Mountains, Germany; the Bald Mountain, near Kiev, Russia; the Blocula, Sweden; and the Département du Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne, France. Typical dates included the two traditional Druid festivals, the eve of May Day April 30 and All Hallows Eve October 31 , and the seasonal festivals of winter February 2 , spring June 23 , summer August 1 , and fall December 21.
The journey to the sabbath was often described as an otherworldly experience. Witches were believed to use various methods to reach the gathering. Some accounts suggest that they would apply an ointment or salve made from herbs and ingredients like belladonna or henbane to their body, which would induce hallucinations and astral projection, allowing them to travel to the sabbath in a different form.
Sabbath
The Sabbath is a ceremony that witches held in special nights, usually with the full moon or the new moon, to celebrate the Devil and practicing their more dangerous spells, such as the Grand Rite.
Once at the sabbath, witches were said to participate in a range of activities. These included dancing, often in a wild and frenzied manner, where they would celebrate and worship the Devil. There were also accounts of witches engaging in sexual activities or orgies at the sabbath, further adding to the taboo and scandal surrounding these gatherings. Furthermore, witches were believed to perform rituals and spells that could harm others or bring misfortune. This included casting curses or hexes on individuals, controlling the weather, and even concocting potions or poisons. The sabbath was seen as a place of power where witches could intensify and hone their magical abilities. The belief in witches attending a sabbath was met with great fear and paranoia during the witch-hunting period. Numerous trials and executions were carried out in an attempt to eradicate what was believed to be a dangerous and uncontrollable threat. However, with the passage of time and the advancement of scientific knowledge, the concept of witches attending a sabbath has largely been relegated to the realm of folklore and legend. Nevertheless, the idea continues to captivate the imagination and serves as a testament to the enduring fascination with the supernatural and the inexplicable..
Reviews for "The Witch's Sabbath: A Global Perspective on Witchcraft Traditions"
1. John - 2/5 stars - "Witch going to the sabbath" was a confusing and disjointed film. The plot seemed convoluted, and I struggled to follow the narrative. Additionally, the acting was subpar, with some of the performances feeling forced and unnatural. The special effects were also lackluster, failing to create a sense of awe or wonder. Overall, I was disappointed with the film and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - This movie was a complete waste of time. The storyline was weak and uninspiring, and the characters lacked depth and development. The dialogue was often dull and cliché, making it difficult to become emotionally invested in the story. The visuals and cinematography were underwhelming, and it felt like the film was trying to rely solely on shock value rather than quality storytelling. I was extremely disappointed and regretted watching this film.
3. Robert - 2/5 stars - "Witch going to the sabbath" had potential, but it failed to deliver. The pacing was inconsistent, with some scenes dragging on while others felt rushed and poorly executed. The film's attempt at suspense and horror fell flat, as the scares were predictable and lacking in creativity. The lack of character development made it hard to care about their fates, and the ending was unsatisfying. Overall, this film left me feeling unsatisfied and unimpressed.
4. Karen - 3/5 stars - While "Witch going to the sabbath" had some intriguing moments, it ultimately fell short for me. The plot was confusing and difficult to follow, with very little explanation or background provided. The acting was decent but not exceptional, and I found myself wanting more depth and emotion from the characters. Additionally, the special effects were underwhelming and failed to create a sense of awe or immersion. Overall, I found the film to be mediocre and would only recommend it to die-hard fans of the genre.