Once upon a time, in a magical forest, there lived an enchanted mouse witch named Hazel. Hazel was not an ordinary mouse; she possessed extraordinary powers and could cast spells with a mere flick of her tail. Hazel's little mouse home was nestled in a cozy corner of a huge oak tree. Her house was filled with mystical potions, spell books, and various magical artifacts. She had spent years mastering the ancient art of enchantment and was considered one of the most powerful witches in the forest. Despite her immense powers, Hazel was a kind and gentle soul.
Most familiars, it seems, either got standard animal names of the time – such as Pusse, Gibb, and Ball, or had diminutive names such as Jack, John, Will, and Harry. Some other lovely examples include a familiar snail Jeffry, spider Joan, frogs Jack and Jill, and a cat and a dog named Sathan (Serpell 2002, 173-177).
Still others would come from other witches apparently, familiars could be passed down from one witch to another, or sometimes even shared within a group of witches Serpell 2002, 158. The Tide Mice are a type of magical creatures summoned by witches for people to grant them good luck, but eventually take their souls and give it to the witch.
Despite her immense powers, Hazel was a kind and gentle soul. She used her magic to help others and bring joy and harmony to the forest. Whenever a young bird struggled to fly or a lost bunny couldn't find its way home, Hazel would use her magic to lend a helping paw.
Unfamiliar Familiars: Historical Witches’ Magical Helpers
When we think about witches’ familiars, we usually think about cats. Mysterious and frequently associated with the powers of luck and magic, they seem to be the perfect companion for witches. At least, that’s what contemporary popular culture has led us to believe.
Throughout history, however, witches have been reported to have many other animals for familiars, some of which now would seem truly strange and unexpected. What’s more, cats were, perhaps, not even the most popular ones!
What animals, then, did historical witches have as familiars, and what kind of a relationship did they have with each other? Let’s take a look at what we know about witches’ familiars based on a study of early modern witch trials in England, by American medievalist William Chester Jordan.
What is a Familiar Exactly?
In most witch trial literature, familiars seem to be understood as a witch’s magical helper, who assists her in a supernatural way – they harm other people and their possessions on the witch’s behalf (Serpell 2002, 158). And witches, supposedly, repay their familiar by giving them food and a place to live (Serpell 2002, 159).
Now, you might ask – what on earth do familiars eat? It is interesting that they have been occasionally reported to eat normal food – bread, milk, beer, cake, etc. Although, more often they were said to feed on the witch’s blood by sucking on various spots of her body (Serpell 2002, 159).
How did a Witch get a Familiar?
Some familiars were said to appear the same way as many pets do – out of nowhere. These animals would offer the witch their help and ask for food. Many others have been portrayed in the literature as gifts from the Devil, who gave them in return for the witches’ loyalty. Still others would come from other witches – apparently, familiars could be passed down from one witch to another, or sometimes even shared within a group of witches (Serpell 2002, 158).
What Animals Were Familiars?
So, what kind of animals could serve as familiars? Among those who would perhaps surprise us the least are dogs, toads and wild birds (apart from, of course, cats – who also appear in witch trial literature). But some other familiars are much more surprising: such as insects – spiders, flies and bees, vermin – rats and mice, and domestic animals – cows and domesticated fowl. What’s more, ferrets, rabbits, bears and even snails were believed to work as familiars as well (Serpell 2002, 168, 175).
What Names Did Familiars Receive?
As pet-like companions, familiars received a variety of names. Some sound really eccentric – such as Elemauzer, Pyewacket, Peck in the Crown and Griezel Greedigut – but it is highly possible that these names were invented by the witch finders themselves (Serpell 2002, 174).
Most familiars, it seems, either got standard animal names of the time – such as Pusse, Gibb, and Ball, or had diminutive names such as Jack, John, Will, and Harry. Some other lovely examples include a familiar snail Jeffry, spider Joan, frogs Jack and Jill, and a cat and a dog named Sathan (Serpell 2002, 173-177).
By Iryna Stavynska
Bibliography:
James A. Serpell, “Guardian Spirits or Demonic Pets: The Concept of the Witch’s Familiar in Early Modern England, 1530-1712.” In The Animal/Human Boundary: Historical Perspectives, ed. Angela N H. Creager and William Chester Jordan, 157-190. Rochester: University of Rochester Press, 2002.
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Different tide mice have different looks and traits, depending on the person they are summoned for and what exactly they have to help that person with.
One day, a group of mischievous trolls decided to cause chaos in the forest. They were notorious for stealing from the other woodland creatures, and their pranks had become unbearable. The animals were scared and didn't know what to do. Word quickly spread about the trolls' misdeeds, reaching Hazel's ears. Determined to restore peace in the forest, Hazel set out to confront the trolls. Armed with her magical powers, she planned to teach them a lesson they would never forget. Using her mouse-sized invisibility cloak, Hazel carefully observed the trolls' hideout. She noticed their secret stash of stolen treasures and overheard their plans for more mischief. It was clear they needed to be stopped, and Hazel knew she was the only one who could do it. Under the cover of darkness, Hazel crept into the trolls' lair. With a swift wave of her tail, she cast a powerful spell that immobilized the trolls, rendering them unable to move or cause harm. Startled and frightened, the trolls pleaded with Hazel to release them. Knowing that everyone deserved a second chance, Hazel decided to teach the trolls a lesson about kindness and compassion. Instead of punishing them, she transformed them into friendly creatures and erased their memories of their misdeeds. From that day forward, the trolls became helpful and kind, lending a hand to those in need. News of Hazel's triumph against the trolls spread throughout the forest, and she became a beloved figure among the woodland creatures. They admired her bravery, kindness, and her ability to turn darkness into light. Hazel continued to use her magic for good, ensuring that harmony reigned supreme in the enchanted forest. The legend of the enchanted mouse witch, Hazel, lives on, reminding us of the power of kindness, courage, and the ability to change hearts for the better..
Reviews for "The Role of Enchanted Mouse Witches in Folklore and Mythology"
1. Emily - 2/5
I personally did not enjoy "Enchanted Mouse Witch" as much as I had hoped. While the concept of a mouse with magical powers was intriguing, I found the execution lacking. The plot felt disjointed and rushed, leaving me unable to fully engage with the story or the characters. Additionally, the writing style seemed amateurish, with overly simplistic language and predictable dialogue. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others looking for a satisfying fantasy read.
2. John - 1/5
"Enchanted Mouse Witch" was an absolute waste of my time. The story was filled with clichés and predictable plot twists, leaving no room for originality or surprises. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with any of them. Furthermore, the author's writing style was uninspiring, with bland descriptions and repetitive language. I struggled to get through this book and was left feeling unsatisfied. I regret wasting my money on this poorly written and uninteresting novel.
3. Sarah - 2/5
I was excited to read "Enchanted Mouse Witch" based on the promising premise, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The story felt rushed and underdeveloped, leaving many loose ends and unanswered questions. The protagonist lacked personality and growth, making it hard to root for her. Additionally, the pacing was uneven, with slow moments and sudden bursts of action that didn't flow seamlessly. Overall, I found this book to be disappointing and would not recommend it to others seeking a captivating fantasy read.
4. Michael - 2/5
"Enchanted Mouse Witch" left me feeling unimpressed. The storytelling was mediocre at best, with a predictable plot and lackluster dialogue. The attempts at humor felt forced and fell flat, leaving me more annoyed than entertained. Furthermore, the world-building was weak and left much to be desired. I struggled to fully immerse myself in the magical realm the author created. While this book had potential, it ultimately failed to deliver a captivating and memorable reading experience.