In the deep and mysterious forests of the north, a legendary witch is said to dwell. Her powers are said to be extraordinary and her knowledge of ancient spells and potions unrivaled. The witch of the north is an enigmatic figure, often appearing to those in need of guidance or assistance. Stories of the witch have been passed down through generations, with each tale more fantastical than the last. It is said that she can control the elements, summoning storms or calming the seas with a mere flick of her wrist. Her ability to heal injuries and cure ailments is renowned, with many seeking her out for her medicinal expertise.
Heard in The Extraordinary Esper Vespertilio. Oliver conjures a thunderstorm with this chant.
Flying east and flying west, We are witches at our best Yes, we are young, But our chants can still be sung As we fly up on high, Near and far, cross the sky Searching for our frogs and toads. Oh my love, my brighter love, I swear I ll never go So turn your head, my darling, I want you for my own Yes turn your head, my darling, I want you for my own.
Her ability to heal injuries and cure ailments is renowned, with many seeking her out for her medicinal expertise. However, not all who encounter this powerful sorceress have good intentions. Some fear her abilities and label her as a threat to society.
Halloween Staff Picks: Favorite Incantations
As it happens another Halloween is upon us, and as it happens, it coincides with Hothouse‘s website launch for the 2018-19 academic year. To celebrate, as an act of inauguration, we thought we’d do something collaborative, something that will stir up the spirits and press them to set a watchful eye over our site. Just kidding—we’re not superstitious. Not all of us. Not always. We just like magic. Especially the kind that makes us feel a little shaken and a little spooked; the kind that repeats in our heads when we walk home at night and a car alarm goes off. So here’s what we came up with. If you want to contribute, share your favorite incantation in the comments below, so we can keep this spook fest going.
About, about, in reel and rout The death-fires danced at night The water, like a witch’s oils, Burnt green, and blue, and white.– Samuel Taylor Coleridge, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”
Ever since I read this poem in high school it stuck with me over the years. When reading this section of the poem one feels as though one has fallen into the cauldron itself. Coleridge has some very strong imagery throughout the work and the poem is truly disturbing, not only for the scenes it evokes but for the moral dilemma it reveals. This chilling verse presents itself as he describes the ocean the hopeless seamen face, and the audience is left wondering what is illusion and what is true. After all, no one really knows what the depths of the ocean hides, nor what happens to the hapless sailors who sail its depths.
— Christie Basson, Website Staff Writer
I ride a horse With hoarfrost mane And dripping forelocks Bringing evil; The torch ends burn The middle brings bane.– Njal’s Saga, Author Unknown, Translation by Robert Cook
This verse is a premonition spoken by a man carrying a torch on a grey horse surrounded by fire. This particular vision (referred to as a “witch-ride”) precedes an act of immense evil that will bring about widespread death, and in this case, the message is delivered by a frost-covered horse surrounded by a ring of flame. The “torch ends” burning illustrates essentially a ticking clock – once the torch burns down to the center, the evil will occur. The image conjured up by the author of this saga is powerfully haunting, and the image of a horse with a frosted and partially melting mane remains firmly embedded in my mind.
—Sydney E. Stewart, Website Staff Writer
Let his blood leave no stain Though they beat him Let him feel no pain Let his bones never break And however they try To destroy him Let him never die Let him never die.-“No Good Deed,” Wicked , written by Stephen Schwartz and originally sung by Idina Menzel
The imagery in the second verse of this song is gruesome, with Elphaba listing out all of the torture that poor Fiyero is going through. The first verse, the actual magical chant, is written in trochaic meter, which is the opposite of the iambic meter that we’re so used to hearing. This lends a jumpy beat to the spell. It helps, of course, to listen to the actual song because the music and Idina Menzel’s incredibly powerful vocals add panic and fear to the overall tone. The sounds, coupled with the realization that one can never truly do good in this world, make this incantation dreadfully terrifying.
—Alyssa Jingling, Website Staff Writer
Ph’nglui mglw’nafh Cthulhu R’lyeh wgah’nagl fhtagn.
Straight from the chanting of a Louisiana cult come these words, to the terror and dismay of the investigator in “The Call of Cthulhu” by H.P. Lovecraft. As unpronounceable and unintelligible as the words look at first glance, it only gets stranger when the meaning is later revealed—this phrase roughly translates to “In his house at R’lyeh dead Cthulhu waits dreaming.” Though it appears to make more sense than the jumble of letters that came before, it is still incomprehensible—how can a dead being possibly dream? It is a secret, the story argues, that you mercifully cannot understand—for if you could, the eldritch knowledge it would impart would surely drive you screaming into madness. No one wants that. Or do we?
—Alex Taylor, Website Staff Writer
(Nancy continues with a new chant) Serpent of old, ruler of the deep. Guardian of the bitter sea. Show us your glory. Show us your power! We pray of thee, we pray of thee. We invoke thee . (lightning crashes)
“The Craft” demonstrates how witches are most powerful working in tandem with others. In this incantation, the four corners are invoked, and with them the four elements: air, fire, earth, and water. The number four is of definite pagan significance, and in this scene the fourth member of their clan is cemented. Their incantation is successful, and their powers subsequently surge.
—Jay O’Bryant, Website Staff Writer
..To the wolves and choristers
Mix them in a bowling shoe
By a bunch of us for you
To dance for you
To dance for you
Ah, ah
Tail of fox and bit of goat
To the wolves and choristers
Mix a little.
They spread rumors of dark magic and curses, painting her as a malevolent force to be reckoned with. Yet, those who have truly met her know of her gentle nature and the light she brings to their lives. The witch of the north is believed to have lived for centuries, watching over the land and its inhabitants. Some even claim that she is immortal, forever bound to the forests she calls home. Her knowledge of ancient wisdom and her connection to nature make her a revered figure among those who believe in her existence. Many have sought her guidance in times of trouble or sought her out for her supernatural abilities. She is said to be wise beyond measure, offering sage advice and foresight into the future. Those who have been lucky enough to cross paths with her often leave with a sense of awe and wonder, forever touched by her presence. While the existence of the witch of the north may be debated, her legend continues to inspire and captivate the imaginations of those who hear her tale. Whether she is a real entity or merely a figment of folklore, her impact on the beliefs and traditions of the north is undeniable. She represents the wondrous and sometimes terrifying power of the natural world, reminding us of the magic that still exists in our modern lives..
Reviews for "Spinning Tales and Casting Spells: An Exploration of Northern Witchcraft"
1. Jane - 2 stars
I had high expectations for "Witch located in the north" but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The plot was predictable and lacked originality. The characters were one-dimensional and difficult to connect with. The writing style also left much to be desired, with cliché dialogue and repetitive descriptions. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Mike - 1 star
I found "Witch located in the north" to be incredibly boring and poorly written. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the story failed to hold my interest. The main character was unlikable and lacked growth throughout the book. The world-building was weak, with little explanation or depth. I felt like I was just going through the motions while reading this and was relieved when it finally ended. Definitely not a book I would recommend.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I was hoping for an exciting fantasy read with "Witch located in the north" but was left feeling underwhelmed. The story lacked depth and complexity, with a predictable and unoriginal plotline. The world-building was minimal, leaving many questions unanswered. The characters were forgettable and lacked development. I found myself skimming through parts of the book, hoping it would get better, but unfortunately, it did not. I would not recommend this book to fans of the fantasy genre.