Being married to a witch can be both an enchanting and challenging experience. **From spells and potions to nights spent under the moonlight, the life of a spousal to a witch is full of mystical wonders and unique circumstances.** One of the most remarkable aspects of being the partner of a witch is the constant exposure to the supernatural. Witches possess a deep knowledge of herbs, crystals, and other mystical elements, and they often use these tools in their everyday lives. As a spousal, you get to witness these magical practices up close and learn about the ancient traditions that come with being a witch. **This exposure to the supernatural opens up a world of possibilities and awakens your own curiosity and connection to the mystical realm.
She doesn’t need to take any from her partner.
How many men have kept their women down, tried to keep them at home, have become the handcuffs that the women fought against because they were answering to their own unarticulated primal instinct to keep them safe. However, the leader in question was Justice Brett Kavanaugh and two weeks before the ceremony, Justice Brett Kavanaugh had received an appointment to the Supreme Court despite credible allegations of sexual assault and perjury.
**This exposure to the supernatural opens up a world of possibilities and awakens your own curiosity and connection to the mystical realm.** However, being married to a witch also comes with its share of challenges. Witches are often misunderstood and face discrimination from those who fear their powers.
Elizabethan Witchcraft, Sorcery, and a Very Troubled Marriage
An extraordinary court that ruled from the late-medieval age to the English Civil War, Star Chamber was one of Europe’s earliest courts overseeing a broad range of disputes, from marriage, to fraud and libel. Now housed at the National Archives, the surviving records can tell us much about early-modern life and changing social attitudes.
The Court of Star Chamber offers remarkable glimpses into early-modern law and everyday life. Given the wide, wide range of wrongs the court was thought competent to address, and given that it used written depositions (unlike oral pleadings of common law courts), we can find in its archive an unusual richness of detail, on subjects of all sorts.
One example involves witches, but of the relatively rare male variety, invoking the complications of early modern ‘divorce’.
In 1593, Henry Dawber brought to Star Chamber a complaint on behalf of Anne Roughley of Sutton, Lancashire, whom he described as a cousin. Anne could not bring the complaint herself, as it focused on Richard Roughley — a man who was still, legally, her husband (and married women couldn’t launch cases without their husbands), though it’s clear that Richard no longer considered himself married to Anne. Anne’s complaint? That Richard had hired a local cunning man to have her and her pregnancy terminated. Having no respect for the Queen’s laws against ‘unlawful sorsaryes, witchcrafts, and inchantments’, nor any respect for ‘the natural society, love, and godly fellowship that ought to be had, continued, and used between man and wife’, but seduced by a wicked spirit that had possessed him, Richard had written to one Roger Barnes for (what Anne described as) help in killing the spouse from whom he’d separated.
The bill of complaint described Barnes as an ‘inchanter, witch, or charmer and great practiser in the black arts’. It contained what it claimed to be the text of a letter from Richard Roughley to Roger Barnes in which Roughley asked whether Anne was pregnant and when she would die. Richard also wanted to know how long he would need to wait before he could marry someone he called ‘Miss Jane’. Strictly speaking, the letter did not actually ask that Barnes kill Anne. But according to Anne, not long after he wrote it, her estranged and angry spouse said to her that she or her child or both of them would soon be dead, ‘or otherwise he the said Richard Roughley would never more trust witches nor wise men.’ And not long after that, Anne did deliver her baby: stillborn. She had been near death herself, and continued in fear of her life, she said; she maintained that Richard now sought to supplement the sorcery with attempts to force her out of the country, to ‘carry her forth of your majesty’s dominions.’
Richard’s demurrer maintained that Anne was his ‘late wife…long since sequestered and divorced from the said Richard Roughley for many and apparent adulteries.’ He described Henry Dawber, who filed the suit on her behalf, as naught but ‘a poor serving man, and nothing akin or allied to Anne’, a man of little means and less credit amongst his neighbours. Dawber acted, Richard said, merely at the instigation of one of Anne’s lovers. Richard denied the accusations, of course. He also maintained that everything in the complaint save for the death of the child was covered by the most recent general pardon; as for the charge of death by means of witchcraft, that must be tried in a common law court, he said, not in Star Chamber.
So, what happened? Notoriously, the formal records of Star Chamber judgements disappeared after the court was abolished in 1641. But a manuscript now in the British Library records the opinions of common law judges on some of the cases brought before Star Chamber. The two chief justices sat on the court anyway; they and the other common law justices were often asked to clarify points of law, including whether a case ought to be tried in Star Chamber or elsewhere. In this case, Justice Fenner side-stepped the question of whether Dawber had any standing to file the bill on behalf of Anne (‘sometimes wife of the defendant, now divorced’), but he grudgingly agreed with Richard Roughley’s other points: Roughley’s actions were either covered by the last pardon or not determinable in Star Chamber, even though the justice thought them ‘very lewd and devilish’. The case came to an abrupt end; if Anne was to get help in her battle with her estranged husband, it would need to come from another quarter. Star Chamber’s remit was broad, but not so broad as Anne- unfortunately- required.
K.J. Kesselring is a professor of history at Dalhousie University. She has published three books that draw on Star Chamber records, including Star Chamber Matters: An Early Modern Court and Its Records (University of London Press, 2021). In addition to writing articles on such subjects as felony forfeiture and coverture, she has also edited or co-edited several volumes of essays and documents, including Star Chamber Reports: BL Harley MS 2143 (2018).
His eyes had flicked, then, over to the brand-new bottle of extra virgin olive oil that was now nearly empty, as I enumerated the medicinal benefits of this old herbal remedy (and all this from a tree in our backyard!). Twenty-four years together means I could hear the abacus in his brain clicking, as he wordlessly calculated the cost per milliliter of a gallon jar of plant matter masticating in top-shelf olive oil, against the cost per unit of a bottle of generic aspirin tables, overlaid with the probability of me losing interest in this project.
As a spousal, you may encounter judgment or skepticism from others who don't understand or accept your partner's practices. **Navigating this social aspect can be difficult and requires a deep understanding and acceptance of your partner's identity and beliefs.** Living with a witch also means living with a unique set of household rules and rituals. Witches have different ways of practicing their craft, and these practices can greatly influence the daily routines and arrangements within the home. Whether it's the presence of altars, the use of magical tools, or the observance of sacred days, being a spousal means being adaptable and respectful of these practices. **It requires open communication and compromise to create a harmonious living space that embraces both partners' lifestyles and beliefs.** The bond between a husband or wife and their witch partner is one built on trust, support, and understanding. Witches often face spiritual challenges and may need their spousal's guidance and reassurance during tough times. **Being the spousal to a witch means being a pillar of strength and a grounding force in your partner's magical journey.** In conclusion, **being married to a witch is a unique and extraordinary experience**. It opens up a world of mysticism, fascination, and personal growth. While it may come with its challenges, the love and bond between a spousal and a witch can be truly magical and transcendent..
Reviews for "Conjuring Up Happiness: Creating a Blissful Union with a Witch"
1. Emily - 2/5 - I was really looking forward to reading "Spousal to a Witch" as I love fantasy books and the concept seemed interesting. However, I found the plot to be quite predictable and lacking in depth. The characters felt one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with them at all. Additionally, the writing style was quite bland and didn't draw me into the story. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Michael - 2/5 - "Spousal to a Witch" had a great premise, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The pacing was slow, and it took too long for the story to pick up. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult for me to get immersed in the book. The romantic aspect also felt rushed and underdeveloped. I wanted to enjoy this book, but it just didn't live up to my expectations.
3. Sarah - 1/5 - I can't believe I wasted my time reading "Spousal to a Witch." The plot was utterly predictable, and the characters were poorly developed. The author seemed to rely heavily on clichés and tropes, which made the story unoriginal and boring. The dialogue was stilted, and the writing lacked any sense of finesse. Overall, this book was a complete letdown, and I regret picking it up.
4. John - 3/5 - Although "Spousal to a Witch" had a promising concept, it didn't live up to my expectations. The plot felt disjointed and lacked a consistent flow. The characters were interesting, but they needed more development to truly capture my attention. The writing style was decent, but I found myself often skimming through sections as the pacing dragged on. Overall, this book had potential, but it didn't fully deliver on the captivating story it promised.