The Stone Witch is a famous mythical creature often associated with Middle Eastern folklore. According to ancient tales, this mystical being possesses powerful magical abilities and is said to have control over the element of stone. Legends about the Stone Witch vary from region to region, but they typically describe her as an ancient and wise enchantress who dwells in secluded caves or hidden valleys. It is believed that she can transform herself into a beautiful young woman or an old hag, depending on her intentions or the situation at hand. One common narrative explains that the Stone Witch uses her powers to shape and control stones, using them for both constructive and destructive purposes. She has the ability to create magnificent stone structures like temples and palaces, but can also cause great havoc by causing earthquakes and collapsing buildings.
In the interview, the discussion hints towards broader commentary on gender fluidity, adding a new dimension to discourse around the Yamamba’s gender. Sherif probes the Noh performers on their viewpoints on twenty-first century perspectives on the topic, and they observe that performers of Yamamba do not perform her as a woman. Hisa states that ‘what is important is where the energy comes from, not who the character is’, and so, ‘when we perform Yamamba, we don’t think of it as performing woman … The performer can’t conceive of it that way’.
In the interview, the discussion hints towards broader commentary on gender fluidity, adding a new dimension to discourse around the Yamamba s gender. Solitary women who had moved to the mountains, driven by illness or in seek of solitude, became more visible to the wider population, inspiring stories of fear and hope as merchants met both helpful and hostile women during their travels.
She has the ability to create magnificent stone structures like temples and palaces, but can also cause great havoc by causing earthquakes and collapsing buildings. In some legends, the Stone Witch is portrayed as a benevolent figure, using her powers to help those in need. She is often sought after by individuals seeking her assistance in matters of love, protection, or even to find hidden treasures.
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.
Through creative writing and scholarly analysis, Rebecca Copeland and Linda C. Ehrlich’s anthology examines mythologies around the Yamamba. Incorporating voices from Japan and the USA, the anthology shows how the Yamamba, ‘less constrained by the tradition, customs, and social norms expected for a woman’, reflects not just disgust and rejection of women who dismissed these expectations, but also shows how these women enacted agency in their rebellion of these norms. The Yamamba is thus located in old and new folktales, as well as in real-life manifestations such as in the gyaru subculture of the 1990s.
It is said that those who are able to win her favor are granted favors and blessings. However, in other versions of the story, the Stone Witch is seen as a malevolent and vengeful being. She is said to punish those who have wronged her or abused the power of the elements. It is believed that she is able to inflict curses, turn people into stone, or trap them in an eternal sleep. Overall, the lore surrounding the Stone Witch in the Middle East is rich and diverse, with countless variations and adaptations. She remains an intriguing and enigmatic figure in Middle Eastern mythology, embodying both the beauty and the danger of the natural elements..
Reviews for "The Stone Witch's Secret Teachings: Wisdom from the Middle East"
1. John - 2 stars
I was really excited to read "Stone Witch Middle East" as I've always been interested in Middle Eastern culture and folklore. However, I found the book to be quite disappointing. The plot was meandering and lacked a clear focus, making it difficult to stay engaged with the story. Additionally, the characters felt flat and lacked depth, making it hard to empathize with them. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wishing for more substance in the storytelling.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I couldn't get through "Stone Witch Middle East" and had to put it down after a few chapters. The writing style was confusing and overly descriptive, making it hard to follow the plot. Furthermore, the pacing was slow, with little action or intrigue to keep me interested. I was also disappointed with the representation of Middle Eastern culture, as it felt stereotypical and shallow. Overall, I found this book to be a tedious and unenjoyable read.
3. Mike - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Stone Witch Middle East" based on the intriguing premise, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The storytelling felt disjointed, jumping between different perspectives and time periods without a clear structure. This made it difficult to connect with the characters and understand their motivations. Additionally, the dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it hard to engage with the story. Overall, I was disappointed with the execution of this novel and felt that it didn't live up to its potential.