The Stone Witch is a popular urban legend that originated in the Middle East. According to the legend, the Stone Witch is an evil sorceress who resides in a hidden cave deep within the mountains. It is said that anyone who encounters her will be turned into stone. The origins of the Stone Witch legend are unclear, but it has been passed down through generations in Middle Eastern folklore. Some stories depict her as an ancient and powerful witch who was banished to the mountains as punishment for her dark magic. Others believe that she is a vengeful spirit who haunts the region.
Divination and sorcery in Islam encompass a wide range of practices, including black magic, warding off the evil eye, the production of amulets and other magical equipment, conjuring, casting lots, astrology and physiognomy. Such magic or sorcery is explicitly forbidden by Islam, and many Muslims believe that the devils taught sorcery to mankind. Students of the history of religion have linked several magical practises in Islam with pre-Islamic Turkish and East African customs, such as the Zar Ceremony.
Jewish Neopaganism or Jewitchery is a modern religious movement that seeks to create an earth-based religion for the Jewish people, mixing principles of Judaism, Neopaganism and the Kabbalah. A complementary chapter would be welcome, perhaps exploring how the Yamamba s sex and gender have come to be understood, and how gender is challenged, or reinforced, by these manifestations.
Others believe that she is a vengeful spirit who haunts the region. Legends of the Stone Witch vary across different countries in the Middle East. In some versions, she is described as a beautiful enchantress who lures unsuspecting travelers into her cave, only to turn them into stone statues with her magical powers.
Witchcraft Across the World – Near and Middle East
Belief in magical practices was apparently widespread in the cultures of the ancient Middle East. Magical power to heal sickness and other acts of white witchcraft or sorcery are ascribed to gods, heroes and men in the extant literature of ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt and Canaan. There was also a fear of malevolent magic or sorcery, especially in Mesopotamia.
References to (and strong condemnations of) sorcery are frequent in the Hebrew Bible, and there is some evidence that these commandments were enforced under the Hebrew kings. However, verses such as “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live” in Deuteronomy (18:11-12) and Exodus (22:18), which provided scriptural justification for the later Christian witch hunts in the early modern period, are based on the translations in the King James Bible, whereas the original Hebrew was closer to “sorcerer” or “one who uses magic to harm others” (the word “sorcery” tends to be used in the New Testament). Often, Biblical references to witches have more to do with mediums and necromancers applying certain techniques of Divination, like King Solomon and the so-called Witch of Endor employed by King Saul.
Kabbalah is a mystical school within Judaism, which provides a set of esoteric teachings meant to define the inner meaning of both the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) and traditional Rabbinic literature. The Jewish Kabbalah, developed over several centuries and alleged to have been passed down through the Jewish fathers from Adam onwards, was a major influence on later Hermeticism and Qabalah. Traditional Judaism forbids the practice of magic mainly on the basis that it usually involves the worship of other gods. However, it also makes clear that witchcraft, while always forbidden to Jews, may be performed by Gentiles outside of the holy land (Israel).
Jewish Neopaganism” (or “Jewitchery” ) is a modern religious movement that seeks to create an earth-based religion for the Jewish people, mixing principles of Judaism, Neopaganism and the Kabbalah. Central to the Jewitch philosophy is “The Hebrew Goddess” (a 1967 book by Jewish historian and anthropologist Raphael Patai) and the concept of Shekhinah (a representation of the feminine attributes of the presence of God, based especially on readings of the Talmud).
Divination and sorcery in Islam encompass a wide range of practices, including black magic, warding off the evil eye, the production of amulets and other magical equipment, conjuring, casting lots, astrology and physiognomy. Such magic or sorcery is explicitly forbidden by Islam, and many Muslims believe that the devils taught sorcery to mankind. Students of the history of religion have linked several magical practises in Islam with pre-Islamic Turkish and East African customs, such as the Zar Ceremony.
The hamsa is a Middle Eastern symbol dating back to prehistoric times, which shows up in both Jewish and Muslim culture, and is designed to give protection against the evil eye (bad luck resulting from the attention or jealousy of others). It usually consists of a hand, often with fingers pointing downward and often appearing to have two thumbs, with an eye (generally blue in colour) in the middle. It is sometimes referred to as the “Hand of Fatima” in Muslim culture, or the “Hand of Miriam” in Jewish culture. The nazar (or “blue eye stone”) is a Turkish equivalent, used as an amulet to protect against the evil eye, and is typically composed of concentric circles, dark blue then light blue (or yellow) then white and then dark blue in the centre.
As recently as 2006, Fawza Falih Muhammad Ali, a citizen of Saudi Arabia, was condemned to death for practicing witchcraft, sentenced on the basis of one man’s testimony of allegedly causing him impotence. She later retracted her confession in court, claiming that it was extracted under duress and that she did not understand the document she was forced to fingerprint. For several years, human rights groups appealed against her execution, claiming that the accusation relied on a coerced confession and on the unreliable statements of witnesses who claimed she had “bewitched” them. Fawza Falih died in jail in 2010 after purportedly choking on food. In September 2011, a Sudanese man was publicly decapitated in the city of Medina in Saudi Arabia for crimes of witchcraft. In December 2011, another Saudi Arabian woman, Amina bint Abdulhalim Nassar, was beheaded for “witchcraft and sorcery”, despite the fact that such a crime is not defined in the country’s criminal code.
In other versions, she is depicted as a terrifying hag who preys on children and uses their life force to maintain her immortality. Many people in the Middle East fear the Stone Witch and believe that she is real. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, stories of encounters with the witch continue to be shared among locals. Some claim to have seen her silhouette lurking in the mountains, while others believe they have narrowly escaped her clutches. Whether or not the Stone Witch truly exists, the legend serves as a cautionary tale for those who dare to venture into the unknown. It warns of the dangers of curiosity and the consequences that may befall those who underestimate the supernatural forces that may reside in the world. The Stone Witch legend has inspired various forms of media, such as books, movies, and artwork. Its mysterious nature and eerie atmosphere continue to captivate audiences and spark their imagination. The legend has become a part of Middle Eastern culture, reminding people to be wary of the unknown and to respect the power of ancient legends..
Reviews for "The Ancient Symbols and Rituals of Stone Witchcraft in the Middle East"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Stone Witch Middle East". The story felt rushed and confusing, with too many characters and not enough development. The writing style was also quite flat and uninspiring. I had high hopes for this book since I love Middle Eastern mythology, but it completely missed the mark for me. Overall, I wouldn't recommend it.
2. Johnathan - 1/5 - This book was a complete waste of time. The plot was all over the place and the characters were one-dimensional. I had a hard time connecting with any of them, and I just couldn't get invested in the story. The writing itself was also lacking, with awkward dialogue and repetitive descriptions. I wouldn't bother with "Stone Witch Middle East".
3. Elizabeth - 2/5 - I struggled to get through "Stone Witch Middle East". The pacing was incredibly slow, and I felt like nothing really happened for the majority of the book. The author seemed more focused on describing the surroundings rather than advancing the plot or developing the characters. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, I found the book to be quite tedious and uninteresting.
4. Michael - 2/5 - I was really excited to read "Stone Witch Middle East", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The writing style was overly descriptive and lacked a strong narrative voice, which made it difficult to connect with the story. The pacing was also really slow, and I found myself losing interest multiple times. The concept had potential, but it fell flat in execution. I would recommend looking elsewhere for a captivating Middle Eastern fantasy read.
5. Emily - 1/5 - I struggled to find anything redeeming about "Stone Witch Middle East". The characters lacked depth, the world-building was weak, and the plot was extremely predictable. The writing itself was also quite lackluster, with choppy sentences and awkward phrasing. I found myself skimming through most of the book, hoping it would get better, but unfortunately, it didn't. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.