Christian witchcraft books are a unique and controversial genre within Christian literature. These books explore the idea of blending Christian beliefs and practices with elements of witchcraft and magic. While this may seem contradictory, many authors argue that it is possible to integrate these seemingly opposing belief systems. In these books, authors often delve into various aspects of witchcraft such as spell casting, divination, and working with herbs and crystals. However, they aim to reinterpret these practices in a Christian context, emphasizing the connection with God and Jesus Christ. The intention is not to worship pagan deities or deviate from Christian teachings but to add an extra layer of spirituality and mystical experience to one's faith.
Crocodile Tears
8 historical ways to spot a witch, all of which are sure to help you protect yourself from any potential harm especially if you manage to get your hands on a time machine. Since 2010, historian and archaeologist Matt Champion has led the Norfolk Medieval Graffiti Survey NMGS to discover these carvings in England, findings which he recently published in Medieval Graffiti The Lost Voices of England s Churches from Ebury Press.
The intention is not to worship pagan deities or deviate from Christian teachings but to add an extra layer of spirituality and mystical experience to one's faith. Central to the concept of Christian witchcraft is the belief that all creation is connected and that there is divine energy to be tapped into and utilized for spiritual growth. These books provide guidance on how to incorporate ancient practices into personal prayer and meditation, inviting readers to explore a deeper understanding of themselves and their connection with God.
Witchy weirdness: 8 historical ways to spot a witch
Everyone knows what a witch looks like – tall pointed hat, hooked nose, long chin, not to mention the obligatory broomstick. It should be easy to spot one a mile off! The only problem is that witches, throughout history, looked very much like anyone else. Luckily, there were several sure-fire ways of identifying whether Mr or Mrs Jones down the road was secretly doing you harm.
GARD Pro Not RegisteredSink or Swim
The most well-known method of identifying a witch was the swimming test. The suspected witch was thrown into the pond or stream with a rope around his or her middle; if they sank, they were innocent, if they floated, they were guilty, the water rejecting the wickedness of the witch.
Long-since practiced on the Continent, the first case of swimming a witch in England was in 1612 in Bedfordshire, when Mary Sutton was thrown into the water by one Master Enger after he accused her of killing his livestock. Mary sank a little before floating, but upon being returned to the water for a second time, she was said to have whirled around like a whirlpool, refusing to sink even when the rope was tossed up and down by those holding it, thus confirming her guilt. Both Mary and her mother were hanged on 7th April, 1612.
Mark of the Devil
When entering into a compact with the Devil he was believed to mark the witch as his own, either by a claw or branding iron. The mark could be anywhere on the body, but was often concealed, such as under eyelids, armpits or within the cavities of the body itself. Any discolouration or distortion of the skin, such as birthmarks, moles or scars were suspect. A Devil’s mark was easy to identify as when pricked or, more accurately, stabbed, with a needle or pin, they would not bleed.
In Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1649, the magistrates called in a notorious pricker from Scotland, with the promise of twenty shillings per proven witch. Thirty women were duly rounded up, and one by one declared to be guilty. One however was saved by a Colonel Hobson; upon witnessing one “personable and good-like woman” fail the pricking test, he insisted on her being tried again after her terror had diminished somewhat. The needle was again duly inserted into her thigh, and this time the area bled profusely, losing the pricker his twenty shillings in that case at least.
Familiar Spirits
It was important to take note of any animals that were often in a suspected witch’s presence, as they might not be what they seemed. These “familiars”, as they were known, were used by a witch to assist in their evil doing. Toads, cats and hares were common choices, with snakes and black dogs also reported. A familiar could also be of human form, and were often classed as demons sent by the devil.
In 16th century Essex, Agnes Waterhouse went to the gallows for urging her cat, Satan, to kill her neighbour’s hogs and cow, and to ruin the beer and butter in exchange for a drop of blood and some milk. A young girl also insisted she had seen a demon in the form of a black dog that was sent by Waterhouse, a fact supported by the accused’s own daughter. Waterhouse was the first witch hanged in England on 29th July, 1566 at Chelmsford.
Maleficium
Being polite to a suspected witch was recommended; those who did not often found themselves the mercy of ill-events after an altercation that they could not otherwise explain. Pets and livestock could suffer, beer and butter fail, children become ill, and that was often only the start of it if you were unlucky enough to fall victim to a witch’s maleficium, or malevolent magic. Not constrained by earthly boundaries, the witch often appeared in the bedrooms of her victims, continuing her tormenting ways.
In 1665, Rose Cullender and Amy Duny from Lowestoft were arrested on the pretext of causing illness in seven children, including making the daughters of Samuel Pacy vomit pins. They were executed a few days after being found guilty.
Devil’s Teat
Not to be confused with the Devil’s Mark, the teat was a natural physical abnormality on the witch’s body that was used to suckle the familiar or imp that the devil sent to aid the witch. An extra breast or nipple or even a fold of flesh could be suspect.
The infamous Witchfinder General, Matthew Hopkins, refused to be swayed by explanations of haemorrhoids or scarring from childbirth to account for the extra tissue. He insisted that in most cases the teat was actually found in a contrary area, making such excuses irrelevant.
GARD Pro Not RegisteredThe Lord’s Prayer
One thing everyone was expected to be able to do was recite the Lord’s Prayer. Due to their inherent wickedness, however, a witch would not be able to do so, nor recite scripture, a sure sign of being in league with the Devil.
Jane Wenham failed this test despite several attempts in 1712, and was found guilty by the jury and sentenced to death. The presiding judge, Sir John Powell, was sympathetic towards Wenham however; at his intervention she was granted a reprieve and finally a royal pardon after a fierce and furious pamphlet war between those for and against the accused. Wenham lived out her days under the protection of Earl Cowper, dying of natural causes in 1729.
The Weighing Test
Weighing a witch against the bible was another indication of guilt; a witch was considered soul-less and therefore weighed less than a person who had not signed their soul away to the devil. If the suspect was weighed and found to be lighter than the book, guilt was established, but if they were heavier then the soul remained and they were not a witch.
In Salem, Massachusets, a suspected witch was weighed against a metal bound bible. In Oudewater in Holland, the weighing house became famous during the 16th century when those accused of witchcraft travelled from as far away as Germany and Hungary in order to prove their innocence. They would stand on one side as they were interrogated, after which cast iron weights were put on the other side. Those who were cleared received a certificate to prove the fact. The scales are still there today and draw in a great tourist trade.
Crocodile Tears
It was a well-established fact that a witch could not cry real tears. The reason for this was simple; the devil would help the accused to not feel pain in torture, and also the belief that a witch was not fully human and thus incapable of the usual run of human emotions. In the Maleus Mallificarum, inquisitors are cautioned against the wily ways of witches to produce fake tears upon their faces using her own spittle, and should be watched carefully to prevent this happening.
8 historical ways to spot a witch, all of which are sure to help you protect yourself from any potential harm (especially if you manage to get your hands on a time machine). Which of these do you think is the most interesting? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to check here for more witchy weirdness!
GARD Pro Not RegisteredWillow C Winsham can be found blogging about The Witch, The Weird, and The Wonderful at winsham.blogspot.com and on Twitter. When not running around after two small children and crocheting a never-ending blanket, she also spends her time researching local “witches” and working on her novel.
Critics argue that Christian witchcraft books are contradictory and incompatible with orthodox Christian beliefs. They believe that witchcraft inherently opposes Christianity and that attempting to blend the two dilutes the true essence of Christianity. However, proponents of Christian witchcraft argue that these books provide individuals with a way to personalize and deepen their faith, allowing them to experience the divine in a different way. It is essential to note that there is no official recognition or endorsement of Christian witchcraft by any mainstream Christian denomination. These books represent a niche perspective within Christian spirituality and often provoke debates and discussions among believers. Ultimately, the decision to explore and engage with Christian witchcraft literature rests upon an individual's personal beliefs and spiritual journey..
Reviews for "Christian Witchcraft and Creative Expression: Infusing Magic into Art, Music, and Dance"
1. John - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with this Christian witchcraft book. I purchased it out of curiosity and hoped it would provide some unique insights into the intersection of Christianity and witchcraft. However, I found it to be nothing but a confusing and contradictory mess. The author seems to have simply mashed together random Christian beliefs and practices with witchcraft, without any coherence or logical explanation. It felt like a shallow attempt to capitalize on both religious movements rather than a genuine exploration of their potential connections.
2. Emma - 2 stars
I decided to give this Christian witchcraft book a chance because I've always been curious about alternative spiritual practices. Unfortunately, I found it to be lacking in substance. The author seemed to rely heavily on personal anecdotes rather than providing any concrete history or evidence to support their claims. Additionally, the book felt more like a self-help guide rather than an exploration of the Christian witchcraft tradition. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and unconvinced by the author's arguments.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
As someone who is deeply rooted in Christianity, I was hopeful that this book would shed some light on the controversial topic of Christian witchcraft. However, I was sorely disappointed. The author's explanations were convoluted and contradictory, leaving me more confused than informed. It felt as though the author was trying to reconcile two fundamentally different belief systems in a way that was ultimately superficial and misguided. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a genuine exploration of Christian witchcraft.