My Aunt Practices Witchcraft My aunt practices witchcraft, and while this may seem unusual or even controversial to some, it is something that has been an integral part of her life for many years. Growing up, I was always fascinated by the mysterious nature of her craft and the tales she would share with me. **Witchcraft**, for my aunt, is not about casting spells or causing harm to others. Instead, it is a deeply spiritual practice that involves connecting with nature, harnessing energy, and using various tools and rituals to manifest positive changes in her life and the world around her. **Nature** plays a central role in my aunt's practice. She believes that all living beings are interconnected and that by honoring and respecting nature, she can tap into its abundant energy.
When we think about witches, what normally comes to mind is an ugly, old woman with a wart on the tip of her nose, casting spells over a boiling pot. At least, this is the way Hollywood has portrayed them. It is 100% different from what we consider a witch in the Basque culture. We call them sorguiñe, which means “the one that gives life”.
She was born at the beginning of the twentieth century, in a small village in the Pyrenees, a place where nature is so powerful that it talks to people. She was born at the beginning of the twentieth century, in a small village in the Pyrenees, a place where nature is so powerful that it talks to people.
She believes that all living beings are interconnected and that by honoring and respecting nature, she can tap into its abundant energy. She spends a significant amount of time outdoors, whether it's gardening, hiking, or simply observing the natural world around her. **Energy** is another key aspect of my aunt's witchcraft.
Tales of Witchcraft Abound in Zimbabwe
In Zimbabwe, witchcraft is still common in rural areas. Hardly a week passes without a local report or newspaper story on the practice. For example, police recently cornered a man at the Mbare Mbare bus terminal, after they discovered a live cobra snake in his luggage. He told officers the reptile was one of his witching tools.
About two weeks later, some women were discovered wandering naked in the early hours of the morning near Highfield. After being confronted by locals, they claimed they’d “flown” from a rural location during one of several night time escapades. But they said something went wrong and the spell wore off, before they could return to their original location.
Four years ago, the government proclaimed that supernatural powers do exist. But it says it still prohibits the use of magic if it harms someone.
Many Zimbabweans, especially those who grow up in rural areas, find it difficult to dismiss the existence of witchcraft. Tendai Manyimo,30, lives in Chitandara. He explained that his wife is a vendor and that her face became contorted after she was bewitched by rival vendors. He claims she’d been running a successful sugar sale venture:
“When she came to barter with rural folk the trouble started. One of our neighbors requested [sugar] on credit and she refused. Before the end of the day she was bleeding from the nose, mouth and ears,” he says.
Manyimo said a faith healer cured her.
David Nyemba, 77, from Mazhambe village believes he was bewitched by his aunt while he was employed as a driver in the city three years ago. He says a turning point came in his life when he quit his job in order to return to village life:
“I was the darling of the company management ,” he says, “and I did not realize I could have some hidden enemies.”
“My aunt pretended to like me and gave me money to spend. My instinct told me to refuse, but I went against my better judgment and spent it. I was demoted and harassed constantly by my superiors [which] never used to happen. I got the answers after visiting a traditional healer.”
Margaret Mashayamombe,83, is a traditional healer in Mutenda village, Chihota. She says witchcraft is used in families for revenge and spite.
Mashayamombe also says the frequency of recent reports on witchcraft indicates forces of good are triumphing over evil. She says Zimbabweans should respect traditions by performing rituals favored by their forefathers.
“Life was okay,” she asserts, “until some over-ambitious individuals went outside the country to get advice from traditional healers there on how to get rich quickly. That is where the problem began, because they came back with remedies that are harmful [to] others. All this is now being exposed due to the powers of the spirits of our forefathers.”
Sarudzai Nyota, 33, a member of the apostolic faith sect, says she believes the country would be better off without elevating the supernatural. Sarudzai says people should turn to God and seek salvation through Jesus Christ, as a way of overcoming being susceptible to witchcraft.
[Nyota says] The Christian church believes there’s only a “good” spirit, meaning what is called the Holy Spirit, whereas witchcraft has origins in Satanism.
Meeting Auntie for the first time.
She believes that everything is made up of energy, and by understanding and manipulating this energy, she can create positive shifts in her life. She often uses meditation, visualization techniques, and affirmations to focus her energy and intentions on what she wants to manifest. **Tools and rituals** are essential in my aunt's practice. She uses various items such as crystals, herbs, candles, and tarot cards to enhance her connection to energy and the spiritual realm. She also participates in rituals and ceremonies, both alone and within her magical community, to celebrate the cycles of nature, honor ancestors, and seek guidance from higher powers. While witchcraft may still be viewed as taboo or even demonic by some, it is important to approach it with an open mind and respect for individual beliefs and practices. My aunt's witchcraft is a personal and enriching journey that brings her closer to nature, empowers her to create positive change, and provides her with a deep sense of spiritual connection..
Reviews for "My Aunt's Witchcraft: A Personal Journey of Belief and Empowerment"
1. John Smith - 2/5 - While I appreciate the unique storyline of the book, I found "My aunt practices witchcraft" to be too unrealistic and far-fetched for my taste. The characters lacked depth and their actions often seemed implausible. Additionally, the writing style felt amateurish, with numerous grammatical errors and inconsistencies throughout. Overall, I struggled to fully immerse myself in the book and found it difficult to connect with the story.
2. Sarah Thompson - 1/5 - I can't believe I wasted my time reading "My aunt practices witchcraft." The plot was incredibly predictable, and the dialogue felt forced and contrived. The author seemed more focused on creating shock value rather than developing a cohesive and engaging story. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real emotional depth. I struggled to find any redeeming qualities in this book and would not recommend it.
3. Michael Johnson - 2/5 - "My aunt practices witchcraft" had potential, but it failed to live up to my expectations. The pacing was inconsistent, with abrupt jumps in the storyline that left me confused and disconnected from the narrative. The story lacked coherence and often felt like a jumbled mess of random events. Additionally, the book contained several cliché elements of witchcraft, which further detracted from its originality. While the concept itself was intriguing, the execution fell flat.
4. Emily Thompson - 3/5 - Although I had high hopes for "My aunt practices witchcraft," I found it to be a mediocre read. The characters were somewhat interesting, but they lacked development and depth. The plot felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction. While the book had its moments of excitement, they were overshadowed by the numerous flaws in the storytelling. Overall, it was an average book that failed to leave a lasting impression.