Once a peaceful town found itself under the curse brought by a goose. This otherwise harmless bird had been possessed by an evil spirit, turning it into a harbinger of misfortune. The curse started slowly, with strange accidents and incidents becoming frequent. People would trip and fall, objects would mysteriously break, and even the weather seemed to turn against the townsfolk. No one could explain this sudden wave of bad luck that haunted the town. It wasn't until someone noticed the goose's presence in every unfortunate event that they began to suspect it was the source of the curse.
I carried the poison apple theme into another piece, the Live Deliciously Garter Belt , but also had another film on my mind: The 2015 film, The VVitch. This film seems so a part of the modern witchcraft lore that is almost feels as if it’s a story that has existed in our collective lexicon forever. It makes use of the apple in several scenes and casts the apple as a symbol of witchery. After the family in the film moves to a desolate plot of land at the edge of a wood, the father and son often talk of finding apples to surprise their family with. They hunt for apples in the wood, but are not successful in finding any. But once the son, Caleb, is taken by a (very hot, very deceiving) witch in the wood, he finally finds his apple. He is returned to the family “witched,” talking in tongues and very ill, and soon spits up a whole apple before dying. Here, the apple is a nod to the classic poison apple, as well as to the sensuality and “deliciousness” that had lured Caleb to the witch in the wood. The witch was dangerous because of her sexuality, and Caleb fell pray to her malice. I had to nod to The VVitch with my Live Deliciously Garter Belt which uses those same outstretched tree branch-arms and a juicy apple as the imagery, and features the words “live deliciously” to capture what Black Philip offers Thomasin at the end of the film. Why wouldn’t we want to bite into a juicy apple and live deliciously?
And, well, I have to give a shoutout to my favorite show for teenagers, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina , where in the first episode Sabrina seeks out a malum malus, or apple of evil, drawing on that similarity in etymology again. So, if you want to send a healing message to a friend in need, remove bad luck, protect your home or bring love, money or success into your life, then let The Witch of the Woods be your essential grimoire.
It wasn't until someone noticed the goose's presence in every unfortunate event that they began to suspect it was the source of the curse. The townspeople started avoiding the goose, fearing its malevolent powers. However, avoiding it proved to be a difficult task as the goose seemed to appear everywhere and anywhere.
The Witch of The Woods: Spells, charms, divination, remedies, and folklore (Hardcover)
Be empowered by the magic of nature and transform your life by embracing everyday spiritual practices with this authentic guide to folk magic from TikTok sensation Kiley Mann @kileymann.
Kiley Mann, one of a long line of folk witches, brings a fresh poetic voice to the ancient practices of wortcunning, divination, spellcrafting and folk lore. Her traditions lie deep in the swamp lands, forests, and hills that surround her in her northern homeland. Intuitive and compelling, she explains her relationship with nature, the traditions that have been passed down to her from her mother and how she learnt about the land through her barefoot wanderings—the best way to connect and communicate with nature. With chapters devoted to magical creatures, omens, herbs, spirit work, divination and folk remedies and spells you will learn both the traditions and the practical implementation and power of folk magic using the cycles of the moon, hag stones (stones with a hole running through them), crystals, herbs and more. So, if you want to send a healing message to a friend in need, remove bad luck, protect your home or bring love, money or success into your life, then let The Witch of the Woods be your essential grimoire.
About the Author
Kiley Mann is currently in her third year studying for a degree in Fine Arts. She is nineteen years old and has been studying spirituality and religion for about a decade but started her journey into witchcraft at a young age when she was gifted a set of runes aged ten. She shares what she has learned with her million plus followers on TikTok @kileymann. She also has a strong online presence on Etsy and Instagram and is now building a Patreon audience. Kiley lives in Michigan.
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Magick Studies
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Channeling & Mediumship
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Mindfulness & Meditation
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Witchcraft
Whereas most of the characters of Into the Woods give voice to their deepest wishes at some point in the opening “Prologue,” the Witch notably keeps her innermost thoughts private. Her visit to the Bakers sets in motion a plot that will ultimately bring her the youth and beauty she so ardently desires, but even this personal agenda is not made obvious until the climactic moment when she takes the potion and is transformed. However, this superficial wish for youth and beauty masks a deeper, more human desire – the need for a family. The Witch is rarely able to articulate this wish, and yet her musical language voices the thoughts that she is otherwise unable to express.
Panic spread among the residents, and many contemplated leaving the town to escape the curse. But there were those who refused to give in to fear and decided to find a way to break the curse instead. A group of brave individuals, led by a wise old woman, started researching the history of the goose and its curse. They discovered that the curse had been placed on the goose centuries ago by a vengeful sorcerer who had been wronged by the townspeople. The curse was meant to bring suffering and despair to those who had caused the sorcerer's pain. Armed with this knowledge, the group devised a plan to break the curse. They realized that they needed to confront the goose and somehow dispel the evil spirit that had possessed it. Many doubted whether they would succeed, but they had nothing to lose and everything to gain. On a moonlit night, the group went to the square where the goose usually roamed. They chanted ancient incantations and performed rituals to weaken the evil spirit. The goose, sensing the danger, resisted and fought back fiercely. But the determination of the group was unyielding. Finally, with one final chant, the evil spirit was expelled from the goose, and it returned to its harmless state. As dawn broke, the curse brought by the goose was lifted. The once haunted town rejoiced as peace and good fortune returned. The brave individuals who had faced the curse became heroes, celebrated for their triumph over evil. And the goose, no longer cursed, became a symbol of resilience and the power of unity. The curse brought by the goose was a chapter in the town's history that would never be forgotten. It taught the residents the importance of facing their fears and standing together in the face of adversity. The curse became a reminder that even seemingly ordinary beings could carry extraordinary powers, and it was up to them to either bring blessings or curses..
Reviews for "From blessing to curse: how the goose's reputation changed throughout history"
1. John - 2/5 stars - The Curse brought by the goose was a huge disappointment for me. The story lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. The plot was predictable and boring, with no real surprises or twists. I was expecting a thrilling and suspenseful read, but instead, I found myself struggling to stay engaged. Overall, I did not enjoy this book and would not recommend it.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for Curse brought by the goose, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver. The writing felt amateurish and the dialogues were awkward and unrealistic. The pace of the story was slow and dragged on, making it difficult to stay interested. The plot itself felt disjointed and the ending left me unsatisfied. I was hoping for a captivating mystery, but this book fell short for me.
3. Alex - 3/5 stars - While I didn't hate Curse brought by the goose, I also didn't love it. The premise was interesting, but the execution was lackluster. The characters felt underdeveloped and I struggled to connect with them. The story had potential, but it felt rushed and the resolution felt too convenient. I was expecting more depth and complexity from this book, but it left me feeling underwhelmed.
4. Emily - 2/5 stars - Curse brought by the goose was a book that I struggled to finish. The writing style was confusing and hard to follow, making it difficult to fully grasp the story. The pacing was uneven, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The main character lacked depth and I found it hard to care about their journey. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
5. Daniel - 3/5 stars - Curse brought by the goose had an interesting concept, but it fell short in execution. The story had potential, but it lacked the necessary depth and suspense to keep me fully engaged. The pacing was off, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The ending felt unsatisfying and left many loose ends. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and would not consider this book a standout in its genre.