Once a year, on the night of October 31st, when the moon glimmers brightly in the night sky and the air fills with a crisp, mysterious energy, a magical Halloween celestial witch emerges. She is a being of enchantment and mystery, harnessing the power of the celestial bodies to weave her spells and work her magic. Dressed in flowing robes adorned with stars and moons, the celestial witch is a sight to behold. Her hat, tipped with a sparkling silver crescent moon, casts a playful shadow across her face. As she glides through the night, her steps light and delicate, her presence commands attention and wonder. The essence of the celestial witch lies in her connection to the heavens above.
“Sadducismus triumphatus: or, A Full and Plain Evidence Concerning Witches and Apparitions,” by Joseph Glanvil, 1726
Glanvil personally investigated a popular poltergeist, known as the Drummer of Tedworth, and collected other stories of witchcraft from around the country. Glanvil personally investigated a popular poltergeist, known as the Drummer of Tedworth, and collected other stories of witchcraft from around the country.
The essence of the celestial witch lies in her connection to the heavens above. She draws strength and inspiration from the ever-changing moon, using its phases to guide her through the ebb and flow of her craft. Whether it be a waxing gibbous or a waning crescent, the moon's energy is her guiding light.
Unattended cask fortress witchcraft
Illustrations by George Cruikshank from Sir Walter Scott's "Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft"
By Leah Burrows Oct. 31, 2013Deep in the cool, dry basement of Goldfarb Library, faces of death mingle with witches, demons and the devil. Welcome to the Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special Collections.
The Archives house hundreds of volumes and precious artifacts, including the death masks of the Italian American anarchists Ferdinando Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti.
Among those treasures are a number of history’s most famous works about demonology and witchcraft, exposing humankind’s deep fascination with the supernatural, and the tragic realities behind such beliefs.
“Fortalitium fidei” by Alphonso de Espina, 1485
| De Espina's "Fortress of Faith" |
Alphonso de Espina, best known as one of the harbingers of the Spanish Inquisition, published the first printed book to contain references to witchcraft. The five-part work, translated as “The Fortress of Faith,” explores what de Espina, a powerful Spanish Franciscan friar, deemed the greatest threats to Christianity: heretics, Jews, Muslims and the Devil. De Espina classifies demons into 10 categories including goblins, incubi and succubi, and demons that specifically target old women. De Espina writes about assemblies of women in southern France who were burnt — the earliest printed reference to the burning of accused witches. “Fortalitium fidei” is often credited as a precursor to Western demonology and witchcraft lore, but that isn’t the scariest part of this work. “The Fortress of Faith” is also credited with fueling anti-Islamism and anti-Semitism and reigniting blood libel accusations across Spain. De Espina, who some scholars believe to be a Christian convert, called for the expulsion of all Jews and Muslims from Spain. Less than a decade later, the Inquisition was established, during which scholars estimate hundreds of thousands of people were killed.
Gift of Lewis K. and Elizabeth Land
“Sadducismus triumphatus: or, A Full and Plain Evidence Concerning Witches and Apparitions,” by Joseph Glanvil, 1726
| Glanvil's "Sadducismus triumphatus" |
Joseph Glanvil (1636-1680) was an English clergyman and philosopher. In the latter half of the 17th century, the cognoscenti were struggling to reconcile new approaches to science and religious thought. As a member of the Royal Society of London, the oldest scientific body in the world, Glanvil was a strong supporter of both empirical research and the supernatural. “Sadducismus trimphatus” calls on logic and first-hand accounts to decry skepticism of the spiritual realm. Glanvil personally investigated a popular poltergeist, known as the Drummer of Tedworth, and collected other stories of witchcraft from around the country. For Glanvil, and many others at the time, belief in the supernatural was an argument against atheism. His empirical approach to the supernatural influenced other thinkers of the time, including Cotton Mather, whose writings on witchcraft fueled some of the hysteria leading to the Salem Witch Trials.
Part of the Perry Miller Collection on the Colonial Religious Experience in America
“Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft,” by Sir Walter Scott, 1830
| Scott's "Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft" |
Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832), author of “Ivanhoe” and “Rob Roy,” began writing “Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft” at the end of his life, shortly after his first stroke. By the late 19th century, the zealotry of witch hunts had faded, though pockets of superstition remained. Although long interested in the supernatural, Scott was profoundly skeptical of it, and these letters express sympathy and outrage for the men and women of the previous century accused of witchcraft and executed. In one letter, Scott retells the story of the Salem Witch Trials, saying that the colonists were “deluded and oppressed by a strange contagious terror.”
George Cruikshank, who illustrated many of Charles Dickens’ novels, illustrated many of the scenes Scott describes in his letters.
Gift of Mr. and Mrs Samuel H. Maslon
The Archives house hundreds of volumes and precious artifacts, including the death masks of the Italian American anarchists Ferdinando Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti.
As she wanders through the streets of the town, a sense of magic seems to follow in her wake. The townsfolk feel a surge of excitement and anticipation, knowing that something extraordinary is about to occur. They gather in crowds, eagerly awaiting the celestial witch's arrival. With a flick of her hand, the celestial witch conjures up a burst of vibrant, shimmering stars, illuminating the night with their brilliance. The sky becomes alive with a celestial dance, as shooting stars streak across the inky expanse. The townsfolk gaze in awe, their hearts filled with a sense of childlike wonder. But it is not just her show of spectacle that captivates the onlookers. The celestial witch possesses a deeper magic, one that lies within the hearts and minds of those around her. She brings out the hidden desires, the forgotten dreams, and the untapped potential that resides within each individual. With a simple touch, she can ignite the spark of creativity or release the bonds of fear. In the midst of the swirling stars, the celestial witch begins to perform her incantations. Her voice, like a melody from another realm, weaves through the air, commanding attention and casting a spell of enchantment. As she recites the ancient words, her gestures align with the movements of the planets, creating a symphony of magic that reverberates through the night. In this moment, the celestial witch brings forth the dreams and desires of the townsfolk. With her guidance, they are urged to release their inhibitions and embrace the magic within themselves. The barriers that held them back crumble away, and they are free to pursue their truest passions and aspirations. As the night unfolds, the celestial witch fades back into the shadows, her work complete. The townsfolk are left with renewed hope and inspiration, having experienced a night of magic and transformation. The celestial witch, forever an enigmatic figure, retreats to her celestial realm, awaiting the next Halloween night when she will once again grace the world with her presence. In the realm of Halloween magic, where dreams become reality and the extraordinary becomes the norm, the celestial witch is a beacon of enchantment. She is a reminder that within each of us lies the power to create our own magic and bring forth our deepest desires..
Reviews for "Channel the Forces of the Universe with a Celestial Witch Halloween Celebration"
1. Jessica - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "Magical Halloween Celestial Witch" based on the catchy title and intriguing cover art, but I was ultimately disappointed. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked development, making it difficult for me to connect with them. The plot was also predictable and lacked depth, making the story feel flat. Additionally, the writing style felt rushed and amateurish, with numerous grammatical errors and awkward sentence structuring. Overall, I found "Magical Halloween Celestial Witch" to be underwhelming and not worth the hype.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars - "Magical Halloween Celestial Witch" was a complete waste of my time. The storyline was confusing and disjointed, with no clear direction or focus. It felt like the author was trying to incorporate too many elements into the story, resulting in an incoherent mess. The dialogue was cringe-worthy, filled with cheesy and unrealistic exchanges. Furthermore, the editing was atrocious, with numerous typos and grammatical errors throughout the book. I cannot recommend "Magical Halloween Celestial Witch" to anyone looking for a well-written and engaging read.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I found "Magical Halloween Celestial Witch" to be a disappointment. The world-building was lacking, leaving me with more questions than answers. The magical system was poorly explained and felt inconsistent, taking away from the overall believability of the story. The pacing was also off, with certain scenes dragging on while others felt rushed and underdeveloped. Additionally, the protagonist's motivations and decisions were often illogical and hard to comprehend. Overall, "Magical Halloween Celestial Witch" fell short of my expectations and failed to capture my interest.