During the autumn season, an extraordinary phenomenon known as "wutck flying brook" takes place in the northern regions of the world. This natural spectacle occurs when thousands of brooks and streams seem to take flight and flow through the air rather than along the ground. The wutck flying brook phenomenon is caused by a combination of unique meteorological conditions and the migratory behavior of certain brook species. It is most commonly observed in areas with high concentrations of brooks and rivers, such as Alaska, Canada, and northern Europe. The process starts with the arrival of autumn, when temperatures drop and the brook population enters their seasonal migration period. This instinctual behavior prompts the brooks to gather in large groups and prepare for their journey to their wintering grounds.
Flying ointments
The story full of sex, drugs and Christian inquisitors starts with poisonous plants like black henbane Hyoscyamus niger , sometimes called stinking nightshade. In his Quaestio de Strigis of 1470, Bergamo writes of witches who on certain days or nights they anoint a staff and ride on it to the appointed place or anoint themselves under the arms and in other hairy places.
This instinctual behavior prompts the brooks to gather in large groups and prepare for their journey to their wintering grounds. As the brooks prepare for their migration, the meteorological conditions must be just right for the wutck flying brook phenomenon to occur. The presence of strong winds, combined with a temperature inversion in the atmosphere, creates a unique set of circumstances that allows the brooks to take flight.
A Bewitching History: Why Witches Ride Broomsticks
Among the throngs of this year's trick-or-treaters, hundreds of Americans will be dressed as Miley Cyrus or a minion from "Despicable Me," but more will go with a fail-safe getup. "Witch" once again reigns as the No. 1 costume for adults, according to the National Retail Federation's 2013 Halloween survey.
Many of the pointy-hatted sorcerers who roam the streets this Oct. 31 will be carrying broomsticks or besoms. But few likely know the murky tale of how witches came to be associated with those familiar household objects.
The story — full of sex, drugs and Christian inquisitors — starts with poisonous plants like black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger), sometimes called stinking nightshade. [What's Witchcraft? 6 Misconceptions About Wiccans]
Flying ointments
Ingesting henbane, which is rich in powerful alkaloids, can cause hallucinations (if it doesn't kill you first). According to legend, witches used herbs with psychoactive properties like henbane in their potions, or "flying ointments." Some historical accounts suggest witches applied these ointments to their nether regions. And what better applicator than a wooden staff?
Lady Alice Kyteler, Ireland's earliest known accused witch, was condemned to death for using sorcery to kill her husband in 1324. (Kyteler escaped, and her maid was burned at the stake in her stead.)
The English historian Raphael Holinshed later recounted the case and described some of the supposedly damning evidence authorities found against Kyteler: "In rifleing the closet of the ladie, they found a pipe of ointment wherewith she greased her staffe, upon which she ambled and galloped through thick and thin."
Another oft-cited account comes a from 15th-century manuscript by theologian Jordanes de Bergamo. In his "Quaestio de Strigis" of 1470, Bergamo writes of witches who on "certain days or nights they anoint a staff and ride on it to the appointed place or anoint themselves under the arms and in other hairy places." [13 Halloween Superstitions & Traditions Explained]
It's hard to know whether or not witches actually did the deeds they were rumored to have done (like mounting hallucinogen-laced wooden staffs in their covens). Sources from the era when fears about witchcraft peaked are unreliable and biased, noted Charles Zika, a professor at the University of Melbourne, who has written about the imagery of witchcraft. Modern knowledge of witches often comes from manuals written by inquisitors, ecclesiastical judges and testimony by accused witches — much of it produced under duress or torture, Zika explained.
"A lot of it we can't trust as descriptions of social reality at all," Zika told LiveScience.
Sexy witches
The explicit implications of staff riding, and the sexual nature of witches in images throughout the Renaissance, are difficult to ignore. Artists like Albrecht Dürer and Hans Baldung depicted them naked. The witch in one engraving by the Italian artist Parmigianino is not riding a broom, but rather a gigantic, anatomically graphic phallus.
German artist Albrecht Dürer created this engraving around the year 1500, showing a witch riding a goat. Between her legs, she holds a distaff, or stick used for spinning wool. (Image credit: Public domain)
But racy images of witches fit in with a culture in which there was much speculation about female sexuality, Zika said.
"It's bound up with an anxiety about women and what place they have in society at a time when Europe was undergoing fundamental changes and transformations in society," Zika said. With the Protestant Reformation, some religious leaders established bans on drinking and dancing, brothels were closed and marriage was more strictly codified and controlled.
In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, images of witches riding up and out of chimneys start to dominate. During this period, women also were more closely associated with domestic space than they were 200 years earlier, Zika said. At that time, too, brooms are depicted more and more often in relation to domestic work in art.
"It seems to me that this idea of them flying out the chimney is actually kind of a protest against this confinement in domestic space," Zika said. "Witchcraft is symbolically in some ways freeing individuals from that kind of conception of their realm."
Can witches really fly?
Though the image of the broomstick stuck, early depictions in 15th- and 16th-century Europe show witches flying on a wide range of items, including stools, cupboards, wardrobes and two-pronged cooking forks, Zika said. But rarely are witches shown getting aloft on their own.
"There are very few representations of what you might call flying witches — they're usually riding some implement or animal," he explained.
"It's not their own bodies that are propelling them," Zika said. "The explanation in the theological handbooks is that they are being supported by demons and devils that are holding them."
Hundreds of years later, it can be tough to tease out what people and artists of the Renaissance actually believed about witches. In any case, some brave, if ill-advised, modern accounts suggest witches' flying potions probably worked. In his book "The Long Trip: A Prehistory of Psychedelia" (Daily Grail Publishing, 2008), author Paul Devereux recounts folklorist Will-Erich Peuckert's 20th-century experimentation with a mixture of belladonna, henbane and Datura:
"We had wild dreams. Faces danced before my eyes which were at first terrible. Then I suddenly had the sensation of flying for miles through the air. The flight was repeatedly interrupted by great falls. Finally, in the last phase, an image of an orgiastic feast with grotesque sensual excess."
In a wutck flying brook event, the brooks become airborne, floating just above the ground and navigating through the air in a coordinated manner. The spectacle is truly mesmerizing as thousands of brooks move in unison, creating a flowing river-like pattern in the sky. Scientists have been fascinated by this phenomenon and have studied it extensively to understand its underlying mechanisms. It is believed that the brooks generate a low-pressure system around themselves, enabling them to glide through the air for extended periods. The exact mechanism behind this ability is still not fully understood, but ongoing research continues to shed light on this remarkable phenomenon. The wutck flying brook phenomenon typically lasts for a few weeks during the peak of autumn. As temperatures continue to drop and winter sets in, the brooks eventually settle back down to the ground or water surface, resuming their normal migratory patterns. This unique phenomenon offers a rare opportunity for nature lovers and researchers to witness the incredible capabilities of these small water bodies. The wutck flying brook phenomenon serves as a reminder of the beauty and intricacy of the natural world, showcasing the adaptability and survival instincts of even the smallest of creatures. In conclusion, the wutck flying brook phenomenon is a captivating natural event that takes place during the autumn season. It involves thousands of brooks temporarily taking flight and flowing through the air rather than along the ground. While the exact mechanisms behind this phenomenon are not fully understood, ongoing research continues to explore its mysteries. Witnessing the wutck flying brook phenomenon is a rare opportunity to appreciate the wonders of nature and the resilience of even the smallest organisms in the face of changing seasons..
Reviews for "Wutck Flying Brook for Beginners: Everything You Need to Know"
1. John - 1 star
"Wutck flying brook" was a complete disappointment. The story was confusing and lacked any depth. The characters were one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing was also subpar, with numerous grammar and spelling errors throughout the book. I struggled to finish it and ultimately felt like I wasted my time.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Wutck flying brook" based on the intriguing synopsis, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was off, with slow parts dragging on and the action-packed scenes feeling rushed. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. The author also introduced too many characters without giving them proper development, leaving me disconnected from their journey. Overall, it was a mediocre read.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I don't usually write negative reviews, but "Wutck flying brook" left much to be desired. The dialogues felt forced and unnatural, hindering the character interactions. The world-building was underdeveloped, leaving me with many unanswered questions. Additionally, the book lacked a clear direction, jumping between subplots without a strong central focus. It had potential, but the execution fell short for me.
4. Michael - 1 star
"Wutck flying brook" was a mess in every way. The writing was monotonous and lacked any creativity. The story was predictable and cliché, offering nothing new to the genre. The characters were forgettable, and I found myself not caring about their fates. The book desperately needed a thorough editing as there were numerous grammar and punctuation errors that were distracting. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.