The curse of creativity is a phenomenon that many artistic and creative individuals often experience. While creativity is often seen as a positive attribute, it can also come with its challenges and drawbacks. One of the main curses of creativity is the constant need for inspiration. Creative individuals often find themselves constantly seeking new ideas and sources of inspiration to fuel their work. This can lead to feelings of pressure and anxiety as they struggle to come up with fresh and innovative ideas. Additionally, there is often a fear of running out of ideas or becoming stagnant in their creativity.
While casting about for an appropriately Halloween-themed blog post, I found a bevy of information about the connections between witches and horses. Accusations that purveyors of the dark arts were connected to horses abound — even into the 21st Century. A story reported in Blockula, Sweden in 1699 asserted that an army of witches had been accosting men in their sleep, putting an enchanted halter over their heads to turn them into horses. And in another case from Scotland, a woman named Margaret Grant claimed to have been turned into a pony by “evil-disposed persons” and forced to ride great distances.
Janet Horne was a generic placeholder name in Scotland for witches during the period, and this Janet Horne holds the distinction of being the last person executed for witchcraft in the British Isles. Theories of various malevolent hexes were floated in the late 19th Century, a common one being that the Witch s Ladder contained a death spell that could only be undone by finding and untying the cord.
Additionally, there is often a fear of running out of ideas or becoming stagnant in their creativity. Another curse of creativity is the vulnerability that comes with expressing oneself through art and creative mediums. Creative individuals often pour their emotions, thoughts, and experiences into their work, making themselves vulnerable to criticism and judgment.
Witches Are Obsessed With Horses
In 1726, an elderly woman known to history as Janet Horne was paraded through the Scottish town of Dornoch, covered in tar, and burned for being a witch. Janet Horne was a generic placeholder name in Scotland for witches during the period, and this Janet Horne holds the distinction of being the last person executed for witchcraft in the British Isles. One of the curious things about the case was the nature of the accusations against Horne involved her daughter, who had deformed hands and feet. The townspeople accused Horne of having turned her daughter into a pony and ridden her to the Devil to have her shod. Though the daughter escaped the mob, Horne (who by most accounts was elderly and showing signs of senility) was caught and killed.
Verbrennung auf dem Scheiterhaufen. Accessed via Wikimedia Commons.
While casting about for an appropriately Halloween-themed blog post, I found a bevy of information about the connections between witches and horses. Accusations that purveyors of the dark arts were connected to horses abound — even into the 21st Century. A story reported in Blockula, Sweden in 1699 asserted that an army of witches had been accosting men in their sleep, putting an enchanted halter over their heads to turn them into horses. And in another case from Scotland, a woman named Margaret Grant claimed to have been turned into a pony by “evil-disposed persons” and forced to ride great distances.
Two witches smoking their pipes by the fire with a toad at their feet. From The History of Witches and Wizards (1720), Wellcome Library. Accessed via Wikimedia Commons.
In addition to these stories is a recurring, mixed account of the ghostly Nightmare, also called the Night Hag. As far back as the Renaissance, horse owners have reported visits of the Nightmare to their horses. Signs in the morning include the horse covered in sweat, exhausted, and a tangled mane, sometimes described as plaited by supernatural means. The phenomenon has been attributed to witches and pixies (who, being obsessed with mortal horses, steal them to ride at night), and in recent years, to Bigfoot or occult-obsessed horse thieves. So pervasive was the concern over the nightmare that Thomas Blundeville, in his 1564 book The Fower Chiefest Offices Belonging to Horsemanship, included an incantation (and directions for hanging naturally-perforated stones in the stable) to ward against the Nightmare. The incantation was touted by Blundeville as a practical way for horse owners to avoid having to pay a “false Fryer” to produce the warding spell.
The primary sign of the Nightmare is the fairy plaits in the mane. Although skeptics claim that a horse’s mane can easily become tangled on its own under correct atmospheric conditions, elaborate tales of unauthorized braiding have been reported.
“It was very generally accepted as an indisputable fact at that time that not only witches, but also certain malignant sprites who lived in the woodland gardens, occasionally assumed the forms of women clad in white raiment, who in this guise would haunt the stables when night fell. They carried with them tapers of lighted wax, and they used the drippings from these to tangle the horses’ manes into inextricable knots, to the great annoyance both of the steeds and of their grooms.”
—The Horse in Magic and Myth, M. Oldfield Howley, National Sporting Library & Museum
The tying of knots as a spell is an ancient theory of witchcraft. It’s not a huge leap from fairy plaits to the Witch’s Ladder, a layered cord of knots, each with a separate intention of spell. Theories of various malevolent hexes were floated in the late 19th Century, a common one being that the Witch’s Ladder contained a death spell that could only be undone by finding and untying the cord.
Witch’s Ladder, from The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 5 (1888). University of Toronto. Accessed via Wikimedia Commons.
How do we interpret these reports of Nightmare and tangled manes? It could be that in an era where many more people were adept at handling horses, the propensity to “borrow” a turned-out horse for a nighttime ride was a more common practice. A sweaty, exhausted horse from such an exercise might have a tangled mane where an unauthorized rider held on to the steed. Or maybe there’s more to it: pixies, witches, or Bigfoot.
John Connolly has served as the George L. Ohrstrom, Jr. Head Librarian at the National Sporting Library & Museum (NSLM) since early 2014. He is responsible for the care of the Library collections, including books, magazines, photographs, diaries, letters, and much more. The NSLM collections span over 350 years of the history of equestrian sport, as well as fly fishing, wing shooting, and other field sports. Have a question? Contact John by e-mail
Verbrennung auf dem Scheiterhaufen. Accessed via Wikimedia Commons.
This vulnerability can lead to self-doubt, anxiety, and even creative blockages, as individuals may fear putting themselves out there and being vulnerable to rejection. Furthermore, the curse of creativity can also manifest in the form of perfectionism. Creative individuals often strive for perfection in their work, constantly pushing themselves to produce the best possible outcomes. This can lead to a never-ending cycle of self-criticism and dissatisfaction, as they constantly compare themselves to others and strive for unattainable standards. Additionally, creative individuals often face societal pressures and expectations. Some may feel compelled to conform to certain artistic trends or styles in order to gain recognition and success. This can hinder their ability to truly express themselves and their unique creative voice, leading to feelings of frustration and inauthenticity. Lastly, the curse of creativity can also manifest in the form of societal misconceptions and stereotypes. Creative individuals are often seen as eccentric or impractical, and their career choices may be undervalued or not taken seriously. This can lead to feelings of isolation and a lack of support from society, making the creative journey more challenging. In conclusion, while creativity is often seen as a gift, it can also come with its curses. The constant need for inspiration, vulnerability, perfectionism, societal pressures, and misconceptions can all impact the creative individual's journey. However, by acknowledging and understanding these challenges, creative individuals can find ways to embrace and overcome them, allowing their creativity to flourish..
Reviews for "The curse of creativity: the battle against self-doubt and imposter syndrome"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "The Curse of Creativity" after hearing so many great things about it, but unfortunately I was left extremely disappointed. The story felt disjointed and the characters lacked depth. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself constantly bored. The plot also seemed promising but ended up falling flat. Overall, I do not recommend this book if you're looking for a compelling and well-written story.
2. John - 1 star - In my opinion, "The Curse of Creativity" was a complete waste of time. The writing style was confusing and pretentious, making it difficult to follow the narrative. Additionally, the characters felt one-dimensional and uninteresting. The author seemed to prioritize showcasing their creativity over creating a cohesive story and it ultimately ruined the reading experience for me. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Curse of Creativity" but unfortunately it didn't live up to my expectations. The story was convoluted and lacked a clear direction. It felt like the author was trying too hard to be unique and different, and it ended up hindering the overall reading experience. The characters were forgettable and difficult to relate to. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and wouldn't recommend it to others.