The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is a popular fantasy novel written by C.S. Lewis. It is the first installment in "The Chronicles of Narnia" series. This enchanting tale takes the reader on a magical journey to the land of Narnia, where animals can talk and mythical creatures exist. One of the key characters in this story is the White Witch, also known as Jadis.
Historically, as Judaic practices grew more patriarchal, women were exempt from studying the Talmud and Torah. They knew little Hebrew, so they created their own prayers in Yiddish, used herbal remedies and centered their religious practices around the earth.
The mezuzah is absolutely an amulet, said Rebekah Erev, a Jewish feminist artist, activist and kohenet Hebrew priestexx, a gender-neutral term for priest or priestess who uses the pronouns they them and teaches online courses on Jewish magic. The Jewitches blog and podcast are filled with mythological creatures with origins in Jewish beliefs, like dybbuks, werewolves, dragons and vampires.
One of the key characters in this story is the White Witch, also known as Jadis. She rules over Narnia with an iron fist, keeping it trapped in an eternal winter without Christmas. She is portrayed as an antagonist, embodying evil and cruelty.
Walpurgisnacht
Walpurgisnacht In German witch lore, the greatest of the pagan festivals celebrating fertility and one of the major Sabbats observed by witches. Walpurgisnacht is the same as Beltane or may Eve and is celebrated on the night of April 30 in observance of the burgeoning spring. Walpurgisnacht became associated with Saint Walburga, a nun of Wimbourne, England, who went to Germany in 748 to found a monastery. She died at Heidenheim on February 25, 777. She was enormously popular, and cults dedicated to her quickly sprang into existence. In roman martyrology, her feast day is may 1.
During the witch hunts, Walpurgisnacht, or Walpurgis Night, was believed to be a night of witch revelry throughout Germany, the Low Countries and Scandinavia. Witches mounted their brooms and flew to mountaintops, where they carried on with wild feasting, dancing and copulation with Demons and the Devil. Montague Summers observes in The History of Witchcraft and Demonology (1926), “There was not a hill-top in Finland, so the peasant believed, which at midnight on the last day of April was not thronged by Demons and sorcerers.”
In Germany, the Brocken, a dominant peak in the Harz mountains, was the most infamous site of the witch sabbats. The Harz mountains are in a wild region of northern Germany (now part of the German Democratic republic), a fitting locale for the reputed witch gatherings. So common was the belief in the sabbats that maps of the Harz drawn in the 18th century almost always depicted witches on broomsticks converging upon the Brocken.
St. Walpurga was a gentle woman who lived a life of exceptional holiness. Yet the festival that carries her name, like other sabbats celebrated by witches, became associated with diabolic activities.
Contemporary Pagans and Witches observe the holiday with traditional festivities of dancing, rituals and feasting, none of which are associated with the Devil.
SEE ALSO:
- Wheel of the Year
- Witchcraft Glossary
- Witchcraft
FURTHER READING:
- Baroja, Julio Caro. The World of the Witches. 1961. reprint, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1975.
- Russell, Jeffrey Burton. Witchcraft in the Middle Ages. Ithaca and London: Cornell University Press, 1972.
- Thomas, Keith. Religion and the Decline of Magic. New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1971.
Jacobi and her peers are revitalizing ancient Jewish practices of witchcraft, which have been seeing something of a revival as of late. Far from having an uneasy relationship with magic practitioners, Judaism — or at least Kabbalistic strands of it — has long embraced them.
The White Witch is known for her beauty and ability to tempt others with promises of power and pleasures. Jadis is described as a tall and regal figure, with a face that is pale and cold. She is often seen wearing a crown and a long white gown, which adds to her majestic appearance. The White Witch possesses magical abilities, which she uses to maintain her control over Narnia. Her reign of terror is challenged when four siblings, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, stumble upon the magical wardrobe that leads them to Narnia. They become entangled in a battle against the White Witch and join forces with Aslan, the rightful ruler of Narnia and the lion of the story. The character of the White Witch symbolizes power, manipulation, and the corrupting influence of evil. She tempts Edmund, one of the siblings, with promises of unlimited Turkish Delight, in exchange for his loyalty. This portrays her as an expert manipulator, able to lure others into her control with the lure of desires. Throughout the story, the White Witch continually attempts to regain her power and defeat Aslan and the siblings. However, her evil plans are eventually thwarted, and she meets her demise in an epic battle. This victory marks the return of spring and happiness to Narnia. In conclusion, the White Witch is a central character in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." Her role as the antagonist adds tension and excitement to the story. She embodies evil and power, attempting to control Narnia through manipulation and cruelty. However, she ultimately faces defeat, highlighting the triumph of good over evil..
Reviews for "The White Witch as a Symbol of Evil in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" by C.S. Lewis. The character of the White Witch felt extremely one-dimensional and lacked any real depth or complexity. Additionally, the plotline seemed predictable and lacked any real surprises. Overall, I found the story to be lacking the excitement and depth that I was expecting from such a highly regarded book.
2. Sarah - 3/5 stars - While "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" had its moments, I found the character development to be lacking. The White Witch, in particular, felt like a typical villain without any real motivation or backstory. The pacing of the story also felt off, with moments of excitement followed by long stretches of dullness. I understand the appeal of this book for younger readers, but as an adult, I found it to be underwhelming.
3. James - 2/5 stars - Personally, I didn't really enjoy "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe." The plot felt disjointed and lacked a cohesive flow. The character of the White Witch was poorly developed, and I found it hard to connect with any of the characters on a deeper level. The themes of good versus evil were overplayed and predictable. Overall, the book just didn't resonate with me, and I struggled to finish it.