Witchcraft is a term that has been used for centuries to describe the practice of magic, sorcery, and other supernatural abilities. Throughout history, societies across the globe have had their own beliefs and traditions surrounding witchcraft. However, the concept of witchcraft often carries negative connotations and has been associated with fear, persecution, and harm. In many cultures, witchcraft is believed to involve the manipulation of supernatural forces to bring about specific outcomes. This can include spells, rituals, potions, and divination. In some cases, individuals believed to possess a natural affinity for witchcraft may be referred to as witches, sorcerers, or shamans.
In a study published in the journal Gender & History, Carter uses the casebooks of Richard Napier – an astrologer who treated clients in Jacobean England using star-charts and elixirs – to analyse links between witchcraft accusations and the occupations of those under suspicion.
Witches can also provide ordinary people with the means to bewitch others by, for example, the placement of a certain preparation where they will eat or touch it. I mean, I couldn t beat up Mike Tyson, but it wouldn t be okay for me to hang around outside his house making threats to punch him in the face anyway.
In some cases, individuals believed to possess a natural affinity for witchcraft may be referred to as witches, sorcerers, or shamans. These individuals may play a role in their communities as healers, spiritual leaders, or advisors. However, the belief in witchcraft has also led to widespread fear and persecution of individuals suspected of practicing or being involved with witchcraft.
Ask a Manager
I am very happy to be starting 2021 with a letter about witchcraft.
A reader writes:
I am an employee at a gas station. We have been hiring new people to fill a few positions, and I have been asked to train our new members of the team. When I was training one of my new coworkers earlier this week, she said some things that I found very concerning. She is openly very spiritual and told me that at her last job, her manager was “jealous of her spirit” and that she decided to perform a spell on her, and after the spell was “cast” her manager came in limping a few days later. She then said, “She’s lucky I stopped because she might have ended up with a broken foot” and “I don’t mean to intentionally hurt people but sometimes you have to take things into your own hands.”
From my perspective, this is openly admitting that she has tried to threaten someone, maybe not at this establishment but at another job. She also spent most of the shift describing disturbing sacrifice rituals that she believes the “elite” practice and while also suggesting there are spirits or parasites among the customers.
Some of the stories about her previous work history don’t entirely add up, and she let me know that she’s been in and out of jobs for the last few months. Something is very off about her behavior. She comes off as very articulate, but I feel I’m seeing signs that she’s emotionally unstable.
I have yet to bring the situation up with my manager. I am only 21 and in college, just trying to work and go to school. I have never come across a situation where I physically feel uncomfortable and not safe at work. If you have any advice, that would be much appreciated.
It’s been seven years since I last addressed magical curses on this site, so I am glad to be able to do it again.
You’re right that it’s not cool to threaten to harm other people, even if said harm is through curses or spells. It doesn’t matter if listeners take the idea of witchcraft seriously or not; the crux of the issue is that your coworker says that she tried to inflict harm on someone she worked with.
I mean, I couldn’t beat up Mike Tyson, but it wouldn’t be okay for me to hang around outside his house making threats to punch him in the face anyway. The threat itself might be laughable, but the hostile intention behind it — the desire to harm — is not.
In your shoes, I’d talk to your boss. Managers generally want to know if there are problems with new hires that they aren’t seeing — especially in a situation where you’re working closely with the new person and they aren’t. In fact, good managers are generally relying on staff members to speak up when they see problems with new employees — whether it’s “Jane needs more training” or “Gavin is rude to customers” or “Craig keeps telling off-color jokes” or “I don’t feel safe around Clarissa.”
When you talk to your boss, you could say it this way: “I’ve been training Clarissa, and I’ve been really unsettled by some of the things she’s said. She told me she tried to harm a previous boss and thinks there are evil spirits among our customers, and she spends our shifts talking about ritual sacrifice. On top of that, what she’s told me about her previous work history doesn’t add up. I don’t feel safe working with her at this point so wanted to come to you.”
A good manager will take that seriously. If I were your boss and you told me this about a coworker in an office, I’d do a few things: I’d watch Clarissa much more closely, I’d talk with others who had been working with her to see if they similar concerns, and I’d speak with Clarissa directly. Because she’s making someone feel unsafe, I’d treat it with urgency — this isn’t “casually watch her for the next few weeks,” this is “within the next one to two days, figure out what’s going on and whether we need to part ways.” And if I knew you to be reliable and to have good judgment, I’d put a ton of weight on what you were telling me.
If I somehow concluded Clarissa could stay, I’d have a serious conversation with her about what is and isn’t okay at work, and I’d make it clear there couldn’t be any backlash against you for talking to me (and then I’d watch closely to make sure of that). But really, when you have to do that with a brand new hire, it’s generally better to just cut ties.
Some of that might look different in the context of a gas station, but a good boss should still be able to do something similar. If your boss doesn’t seem to be taking it seriously, you can also try asking not to be scheduled on shifts with Clarissa, repeating that you don’t feel safe around her — which might help reinforce that this isn’t about hexes, but about behavior that’s genuinely frightening.
Read an update to this letter here.
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Throughout history, numerous witch trials and witch hunts have taken place, resulting in the torture, imprisonment, and execution of countless innocent people. The fear and suspicion surrounding witchcraft often stem from a lack of understanding and prejudice. Despite the prevalence of scientific knowledge and rational thinking in modern society, the belief in witchcraft persists. Some individuals may genuinely believe in the power of witchcraft and seek out practitioners for help or guidance. Others may dismiss it as superstition or folklore. In recent years, there has been a revival of interest in witchcraft and magic, particularly in the form of pagan and Wiccan spirituality. Many individuals are drawn to these practices as a means of connecting with nature, exploring their own spirituality, and seeking empowerment. However, it is important to note that witchcraft is not inherently good or evil; it is a practice that can be used for both positive and negative purposes. It is crucial to approach the topic of witchcraft with an open mind and a willingness to learn and understand different perspectives. Rather than immediately assuming that “witchcraft is at work” is a negative or harmful statement, it is important to consider the rich history, diverse beliefs, and individual experiences that shape the practice of witchcraft. Only then can we truly appreciate the complexity and significance of this age-old tradition..
Reviews for "Witchcraft and Divination: From Tarot Cards to Crystal Balls"
1. Sarah - ★☆☆☆☆
I found "Witchcraft is at work" to be extremely underwhelming. The plot was predictable, the characters were one-dimensional, and the dialogue was cringe-worthy. I was really hoping for an interesting and gripping story about witchcraft, but what I got was a bland and unoriginal tale. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling and well-crafted supernatural story.
2. Mark - ★★☆☆☆
I have to say, "Witchcraft is at work" did not meet my expectations. The writing style was lackluster, and the pacing was all over the place. The author seemed to rely on tired clichés and stereotypes, which made the story feel flat and unoriginal. Additionally, the characters were poorly developed, and their actions often felt forced and unrealistic. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and would not recommend it to others.
3. Emily - ★★☆☆☆
"Witchcraft is at work" was a book that left me wanting more. The premise had so much potential, but unfortunately, it fell flat in execution. The plot felt rushed and poorly thought out, and the world-building was minimal. The lack of depth in the characters made it hard for me to connect with them or care about their fates. The writing style was also quite repetitive and unimaginative. Overall, I cannot say that I enjoyed this book and would not recommend it to others.
4. James - ★☆☆☆☆
I found "Witchcraft is at work" to be a complete waste of my time. The story lacked any originality and was filled with shallow and predictable tropes. The writing itself was subpar, with awkward and stilted dialogue. The characters were uninteresting and had no depth, making it impossible for me to invest in their struggles. I would advise anyone looking for a captivating witchcraft tale to steer clear of this book.