agriturismo altana del motto rosso

Hollyhocks are beautiful flowering plants that are known not only for their ornamental value but also for their magical properties. These plants have been used in various cultures throughout history for their mystical qualities. In ancient times, hollyhocks were believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits and protect against negative energies. They were often planted near entrances or hung above doorways to keep the home safe from harm. It was also believed that placing hollyhocks in the bedroom could promote restful sleep and protect against nightmares. In addition to their protective qualities, hollyhocks were also associated with love and fertility.

Witchcraft and women

The common kind of magic required no formal training, was widely known, could be practised by both men and women and was usually associated with love, sex and healing. Part of the answer comes from medieval attitudes towards magic, and the particular behaviours attributed to men and women within the crime of witchcraft.

In addition to their protective qualities, hollyhocks were also associated with love and fertility. It was believed that carrying hollyhock petals or placing them under a pillow could attract love into one's life. They were also used in love spells and rituals, with the belief that their energy could enhance passion and strengthen relationships.

How the medieval witch image has evolved over centuries

F lying through the skies on a broomstick, the popular image of a witch is as a predominantly female figure – so much so that the costume has become the go-to Halloween outfit for women and girls alike. But where did this gendered stereotype come from? Part of the answer comes from medieval attitudes towards magic, and the particular behaviours attributed to men and women within the “crime” of witchcraft.

Taking one aspect of the witch’s characterisation in popular culture – her association with flight – we can see a transformation in attitudes between the early and later middle ages. In the 11th century, Bishop Burchard of Worms said of certain sinful beliefs:

“Some wicked women, turning back to Satan and seduced by the illusions and phantasms of demons, believe that in the night hours they ride on certain animals with the pagan goddess Diana and a countless multitude of women, and they cross a great span of the world in the stillness of the dead of night.”

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According to Burchard, these women were actually asleep, but were held captive by the devil who deceived their minds in dreams. He also believed that none but the very “stupid and dim witted” could think that these flights had actually taken place.

But by the end of the 15th century views of magic had changed considerably. While many beliefs about women flying through the skies persisted, the perception of them had transformed from one of scepticism to one of fear. The magic night flight became associated with secret gatherings known as “the witches’ sabbath”, involving nefarious acts such as killing babies, taking part in orgies and worshipping the devil.

This suggests that what was originally considered to be a belief held only by women and foolish men was now being taken much more seriously. So what happened to cause such a transformation?

One explanation offered by historian Michael D Bailey is that at some point during the 14th and 15th centuries, religious officials perhaps unwittingly conflated two distinct traditions: “learned” magic and “common” magic. The common kind of magic required no formal training, was widely known, could be practised by both men and women and was usually associated with love, sex and healing.

By contrast, learned magic came to Europe from the east and featured in the “magic manuals” that circulated among educated men whom American medievalist Richard Kieckhefer described as members of a “clerical underworld”.

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1 / 4 Voodoo: The old religion rises from the rubble in Haiti

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Interestingly, descriptions of humans in flight do appear in these manuals – but in relation to men rather than women. One example is found in a 15th century notebook in which the male author describes riding through the skies on a magically conjured “demon horse”.

Two key differences between this account and the ones associated with women are that the person flying is an educated male and demons are now explicitly involved in the act. By conflating popular beliefs about the night flights of women with the demon-conjuring magic of the clerical underworld, medieval inquisitors began to fear that women would fall prey to the corruption of demons they could not control.

Witchcraft and women

While men also feature in the infamous 15th century witch-hunting manual Malleus Maleficarum (The Hammer of the Witches), the work has long been recognised as deeply misogynistic. It suggests that women’s perceived lack of intelligence made them submissive to demons. One section reads:

“Just as through the first defect in their [women’s] intelligence they are more prone to abjure the faith; so through their second defect of inordinate passions … they inflict various vengeances through witchcraft. Wherefore it is no wonder that so great a number of witches exist in this sex.”

By the end of the middle ages, a view of women as especially susceptible to witchcraft had emerged. The notion that a witch might travel by broomstick (especially when contrasted with the male who conjures a demon horse on which to ride) underscores the domestic sphere to which women belonged.

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The perceived threat to established norms inherent in the idea that women were moving beyond their expected societal roles is also mirrored in a number of the accusations levelled against male witches.

One example, a 13th-century letter by Pope Gregory IX, described a gathering of heretics which was very similar to the later descriptions of the witches’ sabbath. It stated that at orgies, if there were not enough women, men would engage in “depravity” with other men. In doing so, they were seen to become effeminate, subverting the natural laws believed to govern sexuality.

Magic was then, in many ways, viewed by the church as an expression of rebellion against established norms and institutions, including gendered identities.

The idea that women might have been dabbling with the demonic magic previously associated with educated males, however inaccurate it may have been, was frightening. Neither men nor women were allowed to engage with demons, but while men stood a chance at resisting demonic control because of their education, women did not.

Their perceived lack of intelligence, together with contemporary notions regarding their “passions”, meant that they were understood as more likely to make pacts of “fidelity to devils” whom they could not control – so in the eyes of the medieval church, women were more easily disposed to witchcraft than men.

Jennifer Farrell is a lecturer in medieval history at the University of Exeter. This article first appeared on The Conversation (theconversation.com)

Hollyhocks were not only valued for their magical properties but also for their medicinal uses. They were used in traditional herbal medicine to treat various ailments, including respiratory issues, digestive problems, and skin conditions. The flowers, leaves, and roots of the hollyhock plant were used in different preparations, such as teas, poultices, and ointments. In modern times, hollyhocks are still considered to have magical properties, although their use in magic has become less common. They are still seen as symbols of protection and are often included in gardening practices aimed at creating a harmonious and peaceful environment. In conclusion, hollyhocks have a long history of being associated with magical properties. They have been used for protection, love, fertility, and healing purposes throughout different cultures and time periods. Even today, these beautiful flowering plants are appreciated for their mystic qualities and are a cherished addition to gardens and herbal medicine practices..

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