In the realm of Wicca, there is a deep connection between nature, spirituality, and personal growth. Central to this belief system is the practice of rituals, which can serve as a means of connecting with the divine and aligning oneself with the cycles of nature. Among the various rituals performed by Wiccans, the Wiccan funeral holds a special significance in honoring the departed and facilitating their journey into the afterlife. The Wiccan funeral, also known as a Wiccan farewell or passage rite, is a ritualized ceremony that seeks to bring closure and healing to the loved ones left behind after the passing of an individual. This funeral ceremony is designed to not only honor the deceased but also to celebrate their life and release their spirit into the next phase of existence. The ritual is typically carried out by a Wiccan priestess or priest, who guides the proceedings and facilitates the connection between the living and the deceased.
The communal rituals we undertake, each and every one of us, and the world order they reflect back shape us far more deeply than any treatise or plea to the rational mind.
I started thinking about this at the outset of my own nuptial plunge into our symbolic order, because, with the country in freefall, I d been thinking a lot about how and if cultures can truly change. However, the leader in question was Justice Brett Kavanaugh and two weeks before the ceremony, Justice Brett Kavanaugh had received an appointment to the Supreme Court despite credible allegations of sexual assault and perjury.
The ritual is typically carried out by a Wiccan priestess or priest, who guides the proceedings and facilitates the connection between the living and the deceased. At the heart of the Wiccan funeral is the belief that death is not the end but a transition into a new state of being. This belief is grounded in the understanding that energy cannot be destroyed but merely transformed.
“Upon The Gallows Tree”: E. Merrill Root’s poem “Witchcraft”
A rendering of Bridget Bishop, the first to be executed of the alleged Salem witches.
About a year ago I was browsing through the Dictionary of Midwestern Literature: Volume One—The Authors, and I read the entry on a writer named E. Merrill Root. I had never heard of him before. E. Merrill Root was a poet and professor who spent much of his career at Earlham College in Richmond,Indiana. Edward Merrill Root was born on January 1, 1895 in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from Amherst College and did civilian war-related work as a conscientious objector with Quakers in France before returning to the U.S. and attending Andover Theological Seminary for a year. In 1920 he became an English professor at Earlham, a Quaker institution, and remained there until retiring in 1960. Root was a traditional poet who usually worked in rhyme and standard metrical patterns. He demonstrated particular skill with the sonnet form. Root was a student of Robert Frost’s, and Frost was an admirer of his work.
The seal of William Stoughton, the judge who oversaw the Salem Witch Trials. This seal was affixed to the execution warrant for accused witch Bridget Bishop. (Photo by Margo Burns).
In addition to poetry, Root wrote a biography of the English writer Frank Harris as well as essays and polemical works on American education. Root was a strongly anti-Communist conservative. I can’t speak to the quality or nature of his political writings. There’s a stereotype in the culture that poets and artists are generally liberal, and while this is often true, it is also a stereotype. Twentieth century poets and writers who are generally identified as political conservatives include Allen Tate, T. S. Eliot, Robert Frost, Peter Viereck, Wyndham Lewis, Ezra Pound, W.B. Yeats, Louis Bromfield, Walker Percy, and Wallace Stevens. Some prominent authors, such as American novelist John Dos Passos, moved rightwards after the Second World War after holding leftist positions during the Twenties and Thirties.
I have been impressed by Root’s poems. In keeping with this spooky time of year, I wanted to share a poem of Root’s about the Salem Witch Trials in Salem, Massachusetts during 1692-93. It’s a kind of ballad, and I find it wonderfully evokes the weirdness and hysteria of that time, ending with a particularly haunting image. This is from his collection entitled The Seeds of Time, published in 1950. In the original version the first and third lines are indented, but this is problematic in wordpress, so all lines are flush against the margin here. Now let’s travel back to Salem…..
“Witchcraft”
‘Tis Salem, 1696—
Beware the evil glance!
The woods are deserts dim and full
Of dismal circumstance.
New England is the Devil’s realm,
Good Cotton Mather knows—
There copper demons throng the dark
Amid a waste of snows.
Children, infected with the night,
Gibber and shriek and twitch:
God save them—and God save us all!—
From demon and from witch.
Like beasts upon all fours they crawl;
Their flesh turns blue and black;
The foam is froth upon their lips;
Their limbs grow numb and slack.
(That hag, old Tituba, is there—
The creature of the night:
She hears the rustle and crepen bustle
Of witches in their flight.)
“Tituba and the Children”
“ ‘Tis Goody Nurse!” the children cry,
“ ‘Tis Reverend Burroughs, too!”
(Upon their foreheads and their hands
The sweat is ghastly dew.)
Ann Putnam cries,–she is but twelve,–
“His two dead brides!—they say
He slew them both, he stabbed them both;
And see, their cheeks are gray.”
And Goodwife Putnam, like a bow
Too tightly strung, is there;
She sees the specters of the dark
Flutter across the air.
“How oft,” cries she, “how oft hath he
Plagued the poor godly child!—
See, yellow birds flit round his head.”
Her rolling eyes are wild.
“The red calf’s head,” one child doth shriek,
“Its ears are stiff and pert—
See, See!” She points at vacant air;
Then swoons and falls inert.
“ ‘Hoccanum come!’ ” (Ann Putnam saith)
“Old Goody Nurse did cry;
And just that night—that very night—
My father’s cow went dry.”
The others pant, “The black dog runs—
Yet see, it hath her head!”
“She rides the water like a cork,
Who should be drowned and dead.”
“The white sow roots the earth in dreams…
I may not sleep by night.”
Haggard and hollow are their cheeks;
Their eyes are thronged with fright.
Why wonder then that juries pale
And swoon in sympathy?
Why marvel witches hang like fruit
Upon the gallows tree?
Patrick Kerin
The Seeds of Time by E. Merrill Root. Falmouth Publishing House, Portland, Maine. 1950.
Dictionary of Midwestern Literature: Volume One–The Authors. Philip A. Greasley, General Editor. Indiana University Press, Bloomington and Indianapolis, 2001.
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The Wiccan farewell poem, often recited during the funeral ceremony, embodies this idea. It serves as a heartfelt tribute to the departed and offers solace to those grieving. The poem may vary depending on the specific beliefs and practices of the coven or individual, but it generally carries themes of love, remembrance, and hope. Like all rituals within Wicca, the Wiccan funeral is adaptable and can be personalized according to the wishes of the deceased and their loved ones. Elements such as candle lighting, music, storytelling, and the sharing of personal memories can be incorporated to create a meaningful and authentic tribute. The funeral may take place in a natural setting, such as a woodland or garden, to maintain a strong connection with the earth and the cycles of life and death. In conclusion, the Wiccan funeral is a sacred and transformative ceremony that seeks to honor the departed and support the grieving process. It acknowledges the interconnectedness of all things and embraces the understanding that death is but a part of the eternal cycle of existence. Through the recitation of a Wiccan farewell poem, the love and memories of the departed are celebrated and cherished, guiding their spirit on the path of their next adventure..
Reviews for "The Magick of Herbs: A Wiccan Fredusal Poem About the Healing Power of Plants"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I found "Wiccan fredusal poem" to be extremely confusing and hard to follow. The language used in the poem was very cryptic and it was difficult for me to understand the intended meaning behind the words. Additionally, the structure of the poem seemed disjointed, making it hard to establish any coherent flow. Overall, I was not able to connect with this poem and it left me feeling frustrated and unsatisfied.
2. Mark - 1 star - "Wiccan fredusal poem" was a disappointment for me. The poet tried to incorporate elements of Wiccan beliefs but failed to do so in a captivating or engaging way. The imagery used felt forced and lacked imagination, making it difficult to connect with the emotions or ideas being conveyed. Additionally, the poem seemed to lack a clear structure, which left me feeling lost and uninterested. Overall, I found this poem to be a lackluster and uninspiring read.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I personally did not enjoy "Wiccan fredusal poem" as it seemed to rely heavily on esoteric language and symbolism. While I appreciate the attempt to explore Wiccan themes, I felt that the poem failed to make these concepts accessible to a wider audience. The excessive use of mystical references made it difficult for me to connect with the emotions or ideas being presented in the poem. Overall, I found the poem to be too obscure and it left me feeling disconnected and disinterested.
4. Daniel - 1 star - "Wiccan fredusal poem" was a complete letdown for me. The poem was filled with convoluted phrases and obscure references that made it almost impossible to decipher. It felt like the poet was more concerned with sounding deep and profound rather than actually conveying any meaningful message. The lack of clarity and coherence in the structure only added to my frustration as a reader. I would not recommend this poem to anyone who prefers poetry that is accessible and relatable.
5. Amanda - 2 stars - I struggled to find any enjoyment or meaning in "Wiccan fredusal poem". The poem was filled with mystical and occult references, making it difficult for me to grasp any coherent theme or message. The constant use of cryptic language and symbolism only served to alienate me as a reader. Additionally, the lack of a clear structure or rhythm made it hard to engage with the poem on any level. Overall, I found this poem to be too obscure and inaccessible for my taste.