My goal is to be a witchcraft metalworker. I have always been fascinated by the art of metalworking and the mystical world of witchcraft, and I believe combining these two passions can create truly unique and magical pieces. Metalworking is a craft that has been around for centuries, and it involves the manipulation of metal materials to create various objects and structures. From sculptures to jewelry, metalworking can take on many forms and styles. The ability to shape and mold metal is a skill that requires both technical knowledge and artistic creativity. On the other hand, witchcraft is a spiritual practice that taps into the supernatural and mystical forces of the universe.
While all this was going on, we didn’t tell anyone of what we did. I kept my spell book hidden. We would tidy away the bonfire and wash the felt-tipped Slink logo off our hands before we went home. We weren’t in any danger of being arrested, or hounded out of town by a mob with flaming torches. The prosecution of witches was abolished in 1735, but still we didn’t make known our dalliance in white magic. We weren’t hurting anybody, or sticking pins in voodoo dolls, but we could imagine the words that would follow us down the corridors at school. Weirdo. Freak. Witch.
These small efforts at wresting back some power in a raging sea of hormones and insecurity made me feel as though I was taking the reins of my young life instead of galloping at speed towards a cliff edge. One of the six prongs of TPPF s public education priorities, unveiled in 2019, included eliminating school property tax, which provides the majority of Texas public schools funding.
On the other hand, witchcraft is a spiritual practice that taps into the supernatural and mystical forces of the universe. It involves rituals, spells, and the use of various tools and symbols to connect with the spiritual realm. Witchcraft is often associated with nature, the elements, and ancient wisdom.
Ye Olde Witch Hunt Tactic Makes a Comeback in Right-Wing War on Public Education
Witches! Just when you think the concept has lost its unifying power for our society's most conservative factions, it comes back around.
Right-wing news outlet/propaganda mill Texas Scorecard is trying its hand at the classic application of the "common enemy" effect, with the apparent goal of getting college courses that mention witchcraft canceled. A June 20 Scorecard headline alerted readers that, "Texas Universities Fund Courses on Witches and Black Magic," spotlighting Texas Tech University's course, Witches, Bruxas, & Black Magic.
Two days later, Scorecard reported that the class had been canceled after public backlash, writing that Texas Tech "confirmed to Texas Scorecard that the university will no longer be offering the course, following criticism." And it seems that is sort of what happened. A spokesperson for the university told the Chronicle that the course was low-enrolled with only four students registered and, as a result, was on track to be canceled this week. "Given the attention surrounding the course, the decision was made to move up the cancellation," the spokesperson told us.
In reporting that the course was canceled, Texas Scorecard left out the enrollment issue and then directed its readers' attention to the History of Witchcraft course offered at UT-Austin. So do we need to be looking out for canceled witchy classes at UT?
First, a quick digression, to examine why Texas Scorecard should care. These courses are not in any way strange or suspicious, whether they focus on the ostracization of women, the violence and death toll of witch hunts, or religious beliefs. UT offers history courses covering a variety of religions, a whole slew of courses that focus on violence in history (wars, slavery, etc.), and dozens of women's and gender studies courses, which all discuss gender in society.
But Texas Scorecard has a distinct anti-public education agenda to serve. As reporter Brant Bingamon gracefully lays out in this week's feature on book banning, right-wing political forces in Texas have long been vying to eliminate public education altogether. Texas Scorecard is a propaganda arm of that movement.
Stick with me for a minute as we follow the money: Texas Scorecard spun off from the tea party-aligned lobbying group Empower Texans. The Empower Texans PAC was, in turn, funded with millions of dollars given by billionaire Texas oil magnate Tim Dunn (a Texas Tech alum!). Dunn vice-chairs the board of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, a group that has dedicated decades to destabilizing public education. Most recently, a TPPF campaign director stood beside Gov. Greg Abbott as he signed the book-banning bill House Bill 900, but TPPF has also authored and fought for bills that would redirect public school funding to pay for private school tuition. One of the six prongs of TPPF's public education priorities, unveiled in 2019, included eliminating school property tax, which provides the majority of Texas public schools' funding. (And, wouldn't you know, eliminating that tax is the reason Abbott called another special session this week. See how these dots connect in the Chronicle's pages today?)
So, back to UT. As it turns out, the History of Witchcraft course Texas Scorecard is worried about hasn't been offered in close to a decade. Retired professor Brian Levack, who taught the class, said it did get some flack in the early 1970s "in the editorial pages of the Austin American-Statesman as well as from the local clergy," though those fears were assuaged when Levack made it clear that the course was on the history of witchcraft prosecutions, and not a how-to workshop on spellcasting. "I do wonder, however, whether my course might be treated the same way as the one at Texas Tech in today's climate of opinion," Levack told the Chronicle. "I'm willing to bet that if I offered the course in Florida, it too would be canceled, probably because my sympathy for the 100,000 victims of the great witch hunt – most of them women – would be considered 'woke.'"
UT does offer several courses dealing with witches. Witches, Workers, and Wives covers early modern European history, with special attention to the transition to capitalism and the Catholic and Protestant Reformations, for example. But the History Department hasn't experienced pressure to cancel them, per a spokesperson for UT's College of Liberal Arts.
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O ur fascination with witches has long surpassed witchcraft being a crime punishable by death. They are a cultural obsession, it seems, that is always with us in one guise or another. In recent weeks it’s been Netflix’s reboot of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Sky One’s A Discovery of Witches, as well as an episode of Doctor Who focusing on the Pendle witch trials. The only shift has been packaging witchcraft as a more grown-up take on women attempting to take control of their own destinies.
By combining metalworking and witchcraft, I aim to create pieces that not only showcase the beauty and intricacy of metal but also carry a sense of magic and mystique. I envision crafting amulets and talismans adorned with symbols and sigils, each imbued with its own unique energy and intention. These pieces could be worn as jewelry or used as decorative objects in sacred spaces. To achieve my goal, I understand that it will require a deep understanding of both metalworking techniques and the spiritual aspects of witchcraft. I will need to study and master the different methods of metal manipulation, such as forging, casting, and soldering. Additionally, I will need to delve into the world of witchcraft, learning about different traditions, symbolism, and spellwork. Furthermore, I plan to experiment with combining different metals and materials to create contrasting textures and effects. For example, combining silver and copper can create a striking visual contrast while also symbolizing the balance of feminine and masculine energies. Incorporating gemstones and crystals into my pieces can also enhance their mystical properties. Ultimately, my goal is to create one-of-a-kind pieces that resonate with the wearer or viewer on a deeper, spiritual level. I want my creations to spark a sense of wonder, mystery, and connection to the unseen world. By infusing my metalwork with elements of witchcraft, I believe I can bring these two realms together and create something truly enchanting..
Reviews for "Finding balance between darkness and light in witchcraft metalworking"
1. Sara - 2 stars - I expected "My goal is to be a witchcraft metalworker" to provide a much more in-depth exploration of the art of witchcraft metalworking. However, I found the book to be quite superficial, with only a few basic techniques covered. The author seemed more interested in sharing personal anecdotes rather than providing concrete advice and instructions. Additionally, the writing style was difficult to follow at times, with rambling paragraphs that lacked clarity. Overall, I was disappointed with the lack of substance in this book and wouldn't recommend it to serious practitioners of witchcraft metalworking.
2. Mark - 1 star - I found "My goal is to be a witchcraft metalworker" to be nothing more than a glorified journal entry. The author spent too much time discussing irrelevant details from their personal life and failed to deliver any valuable information about witchcraft metalworking. The few techniques that were mentioned were explained in a confusing and disorganized manner, making it difficult to grasp the concepts. It felt like a wasted opportunity to learn a unique craft, and I regret purchasing this book.
3. Lisa - 2 stars - As someone who has been dabbling in witchcraft metalworking for a while, I was excited to read "My goal is to be a witchcraft metalworker" and expand my knowledge. Unfortunately, the book fell short of my expectations. While the author shared some interesting anecdotes and personal experiences, I was left wanting more technical guidance and instruction. The book lacked proper explanations of techniques, tools, and materials, making it challenging to apply the information in practice. It seemed more like a collection of random thoughts rather than a comprehensive guide, and I was left disappointed.