A blizzard of witchcraft Witchcraft, a term that has long been associated with the supernatural, has been a subject of fascination and fear throughout history. From the Salem witch trials in the 17th century to modern-day Wiccan practices, witchcraft has captured the imaginations of people worldwide. Despite its intriguing nature, the belief in and persecution of witches has caused immense harm and tragedy. One of the most notorious cases of witchcraft hysteria occurred in Salem, Massachusetts, in 1692. During this time, a series of strange and unexplainable events, such as fits and hallucinations, plagued the community. Fueled by religious fervor and societal anxieties, accusations of witchcraft quickly spread.
Fueled by religious fervor and societal anxieties, accusations of witchcraft quickly spread. The ensuing trials and executions resulted in the deaths of 20 people, with more than 200 individuals accused. The Salem witch trials serve as a stark reminder of the power of fear and the potential dangers of mass hysteria.
There’s A Blizzard Outside, It Must Be Spring
There’s an old joke told by people in every city I’ve ever been, “There are only two seasons here, Winter, and Construction.” Here in Denver, we know it’s Spring when it’s above 60 one day, 30 and a blizzard the next, and the snow has melted the following day. As they say, that’s Spring in Colorado.
We had our first real blizzard in years, last week. It didn’t snow more than a couple of inches, but the wind was hurricane force. It made the national news. Those of us who’ve been here any length of time, (I’m a Native) expect we’ll get a few feet of snow out of a single storm, sometime in the next two months, that will melt within a day or two. That’s Spring in Colorado.
I remember one April Saturday, I had gone down to what was at the time, the only Pagan Bookstore in town, Isis Books on Colfax, to meet some friends. It started to snow lightly, as we decided to have lunch across the street. The snow was beginning to stick when I left, and by the time I got home, there was 8 inches on the ground.
This is a good year for snow. The state-wide snowpack is 120% of average, and we’ve gone from 25% of the state in Extreme Drought in January, to less than 2% today. A couple of more good storms, and the state won’t even be Abnormally Dry.
I bring this up, because what we’re seeing now, is part of a normal 10 year weather cycle. El Nino sets up in the Pacific, and we get dry. La Nina sets up, and we come out of drought. Oddly, the people in California, don’t seem to have figured this out yet. The news talks about how surprised everyone is when mudslides move their house down to the ocean, every 10 years. It literally happens like clockwork.
Time and Cycles
As Witches, we understand that the Natural World works in cycles. There are the cycles of the day, cycles of the week, cycles of the month, cycles of the year, but there are also the longer term cycles as well. The sun goes into Solar Max every 11 years, which interestingly enough, just about matches up with the water/drought cycle in the Western half of the U.S.
Remember how I keep saying that observation will make you seem to know more than you should? Most people go about their lives, never paying attention, so of course they’re surprised when mud slides start happening, just as they have every ten years. It’s just this time, it’s their house that slid into the ocean.
What’s worse, is that the mudslides always happen where fire has taken out the forest first. It doesn’t take a Rocket Scientist (and I know a few of those) to figure out what’s coming. The forest burns, if your house survives that, the rain will move the hillside down to the valley. This is a natural cycle.
Don’t even get me started on Climate Change. That too, is part of a natural cycle. We know this through fossil evidence. Does that mean we shouldn’t do something about greenhouse gases and pollution we put into the air? Of course not. We should take care of the planet as best we can, but as Douglas Adams famously said, “Don’t Panic!” because we see the temperature rising. The planet has been far warmer than it is now, and much colder too. A single volcano puts 10x the greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than humans ever have. The Earth will do, what the Earth will do. We have no control.
Control only what you can.
We are little more than spectators, when it comes to planetary cycles. We have neither the technology, nor the wisdom to intentionally affect the weather or climate. What we have done unintentionally, is nothing more than a blip on the geologic scale. We can help in small ways, but the Earth will take care of Herself. She always has.
So what does any of this have to do with Witchcraft? The one thing you can affect, is your own life. We are going to use the yearly cycle to do that. Back around Yule, I talked about preparing for planting seeds in the Spring. If you didn’t see the blog posts, you should go back and read them.
Ostara is here, and it is time to plant the seeds for what you want to manifest this year. By now, you should have already done the Shadow Work, to figure out who you are, and what you really want. You should have figured out at least some of the steps to get you from where you are, to where you want to be.
Now it is time to plant your seeds, by taking those first steps. You have full control over what your life is currently like, and what it will be like in the future. The first thing to do, is to write out, in exact terms, what it is that you want to manifest. Use as much detail in describing what you plan to manifest, as you can. The more detail, the better.
This is the part that scares people. They think they are aiming too high, or that if they put too much detail in, they can’t possibly manifest it. The truth is, this is magick. The more detailed your intent, the more likely you are to get it. Solid, clear intent, is the first ingredient of any powerful magick.
The second ingredient, is will. Now write down what you will do, in order to make your manifestation happen. Again, be detailed. Nothing comes for free, you must always work for it. This is also why you cannot aim too high. If you’re going to do hard work in order to gain something, it might as well be something worthwhile.
An example.
If you want to buy a house, describe it in detail. How many bedrooms, how many baths. Is there a Master Bath? If so, what does it look like? What kind of kitchen does the house have? How many stories? Is there a basement? Is that basement finished or not? Don’t worry about what the price is, it doesn’t matter when you are doing magick. The only thing that matters, is how clearly you see the end manifestation.
In this example, now that you have the house clearly in your mind, what are you going to do, in order to manifest it? In detail, what work are you willing to do, in order to get that house? You could create a schedule to pay off debts, so that you have the extra money to put a down payment on it. You could put in 10 extra hours a week at work, to get overtime. You could simply commit to looking at three houses a week, every week from now until Fall.
The one thing you will notice about these work ideas, is that they are specific. Each one gives specific numbers. Even the debt schedule, once it is complete, will give you specific numbers to meet. Being specific here, shows to the Universe, and yourself, that you are serious about the manifestation. It is a Universal Truth that the more you want something, the harder you will work for it.
Wait…What?
Nothing I have told you here, should be Earth shattering. This should be information you already know, and all make perfect sense. These are things that anyone should do, to get something they desire. “But,” I can hear you say, “Where’s the magick? All this does, is tell me things I already know.” The secret of magick is, knowing exactly what you want, and purposely doing what you know you must, in order to get it.
Read aloud, the exact details that you've written down, of what you want and how you're going to get it. Read it in the morning after you get up, and at night, before you go to bed. This not only keeps the details fresh in your mind, but it also lets your subconscious know to watch for opportunities to get you closer to your desire.
I know you’re disappointed at how simple this is, but the fact is, to anyone else, it will appear as though whatever you wanted just appeared for you, through luck or magick. This is why so few people actually do magick, and even fewer are successful at it. If all it took to do magick, was wiggling your nose, everyone would do it. Magick requires clarity of thought (knowing exactly what you want) and dedication (doing whatever it takes to make it happen).
When most people find out this is what magick really is, they either think that it can’t be this simple, and so never try, or they realize they could do this at any time, and still never try. This is what makes a Witch different. They understand what they must do to manifest their desires, that magick is simply a tool. Then they do the work required to make the manifestation happen.
A Witch is one who does.
You can learn all the rituals, and holidays, and find your Gods. Those are the easy parts of Witchcraft. They only require a little research, or study. They are the unusual, the exotic aspects of Witchcraft, so they seem interesting. Anyone with even the slightest sliver of curiosity can learn these parts of Witchcraft, but I promised to teach you the stuff you can’t find in a book, or any other website.
I promised to show you how to be a successful Witch. You can do all the healing spells you like. You can send as much energy to an ailing friend or relative as you want, but unless they are willing to do what is necessary to get well, it won’t work. This is also why I don’t bother with Love Spells. A working love spell is nothing more than doing what it takes to attract someone. You want to attract a specific person, go for it!
The sad truth is, 90% of the people who read this post, won’t ever try what it says to do. I know that for a fact. It’s that 10% who get it, that small minority who suddenly realize they have the power to completely change their lives, who I write for. You are one who will actually become a Witch. The rest will only play at it.
If you are one of the few who sees how this works, but you’re still unsure if you understand all the nuances, I have a friend Heather Mathews, who wrote a book called Manifestation Miracle, that walks you through the entire process, step by step.
The book is written from the perspective of the Law of Attraction, but it, The Secret, and all other similar books are just different gimmicks for the same exact process of manifestation. The magickal system for manifesting your desires, is nothing more than the mundane process of knowing exactly what you want, and doing whatever it takes to get it. The vast majority of people never get what they want, simply because they really don’t know what that is, they aren’t willing to do the work to get it, or both.
That is the True Secret of magick.
So are you disappointed in what you’ve read, and you think I’m full of shit? Does it make sense, and you want to do it? Let me know in the comments below. I really want to know if what I’m writing, is what you want to learn.
We are little more than spectators, when it comes to planetary cycles. We have neither the technology, nor the wisdom to intentionally affect the weather or climate. What we have done unintentionally, is nothing more than a blip on the geologic scale. We can help in small ways, but the Earth will take care of Herself. She always has.
Everyday grievances, personal vendettas, and religious strife were amplified and distorted, leading to tragic consequences. It was a perfect storm of ignorance, prejudice, and superstition that engulfed the community in a blizzard of witchcraft accusations. However, witchcraft hysteria is not confined to the past. In some parts of the world, belief in and fear of witchcraft persist to this day. In Africa, for example, accusations of witchcraft are still a common occurrence, often resulting in violence and even murder. These cases are a chilling reminder that, despite the advancement of human knowledge and understanding, the fear of witchcraft continues to plague societies. Witchcraft, as a concept, is deeply rooted in cultural, religious, and historical contexts. It is often tied to notions of power, control, and the supernatural. Whether it is the Salem witch trials or contemporary cases in Africa, the belief in witchcraft reflects societal anxieties and serves as a scapegoat for the unexplained. While there are those who practice witchcraft as a spiritual belief or cultural tradition, it is crucial to differentiate between personal beliefs and the harmful consequences of witchcraft hysteria. The blizzard of witchcraft accusations throughout history underscores the need for critical thinking, empathy, and a rational approach to understanding the unknown. In conclusion, the blizzard of witchcraft encompasses the historical and contemporary instances of hysteria, fear, and persecution tied to the belief in witchcraft. From the Salem witch trials to modern-day cases, the consequences of this hysteria have been devastating. It is essential to recognize the power of fear and superstition and strive for a more rational and empathetic approach in understanding the mysteries of the world..
Reviews for "A Cold Spell: How Witchcraft Blizzards Affect Human Psychology"
1. John - 2 out of 5 stars
I found "A Blizzard of Witchcraft" to be quite disappointing. The book promised an intriguing exploration of the Salem witch trials, but it fell short in delivering a captivating narrative. The author's writing style was dry and lacked the engaging storytelling that I expected. Furthermore, the book seemed to veer off topic at times, exploring unnecessary historical events that did not contribute to the overall understanding of the Salem witch trials. Overall, I found this book to be dull and not worth the hype.
2. Mary - 1 out of 5 stars
I was excited to read "A Blizzard of Witchcraft," but it turned out to be a complete letdown. The author's writing was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to follow the narrative. Additionally, the book was filled with excessive detail that quickly became overwhelming and unnecessary. It felt like the author was more interested in showcasing their research skills rather than telling a cohesive and engaging story. I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a comprehensive and enjoyable account of the Salem witch trials.
3. David - 2 out of 5 stars
"A Blizzard of Witchcraft" fell short of my expectations. While the topic itself is fascinating, the execution of this book left much to be desired. The author's writing style was dry and lacked the necessary depth and emotion to truly bring the Salem witch trials to life. Additionally, the book felt disjointed, jumping from one event to another without a clear connection or purpose. I was left feeling confused and unfulfilled at the end of this book. Overall, I would not recommend "A Blizzard of Witchcraft" to those looking for an engaging and well-written exploration of the Salem witch trials.