The topic I intend to discuss is the havoc caused by witches. Throughout history and across various cultures, witches have been depicted as powerful and often malevolent beings, capable of unleashing chaos and destruction upon individuals and communities. In folklore and mythology, witches are often portrayed as individuals with supernatural powers, who harness dark forces to carry out their sinister intentions. They are believed to possess the ability to cast spells, curse their enemies, and use potions or charms to manipulate the physical and mental well-being of others. Witches are often associated with the occult and are said to communicate with dark entities or demons. The havoc caused by witches is not limited to fictional tales or ancient beliefs.
Until 1752, Christians of England and US celebrated the New Year on March 25. “The year begins on 25th day of March”-
The January Kalends a celebratory season that later influenced Christmas served as a celebration of the New Year for several centuries and was when Roman consuls began their terms of office. The January Kalends a celebratory season that later influenced Christmas served as a celebration of the New Year for several centuries and was when Roman consuls began their terms of office.
The havoc caused by witches is not limited to fictional tales or ancient beliefs. In many societies, the belief in witches and their harmful capabilities continues to persist even in modern times. This has led to numerous cases of witch trials, including the infamous Salem witch trials in colonial Massachusetts.
On a Pagan New Year
Last year on the Patheos Pagan Facebook page I posted a meme on January 1st wishing everyone who likes our page a Happy New Year. A follower there was a bit upset about it because they seemed to believe that celebrating the New Year on January 1 is some sort of Christian tradition, or goes against the idea that there’s an established “Pagan” or “Witch” New Year.
From the Library of Congress, Public Domain Image, Photograph by Carol M. Highsmith
It’s true that many Witches and Pagans celebrate the “New Year” starting on Samhain (somewhere between Oct. 30 and Nov. 1 depending on what tradition you follow), but this is a rather modern development, not an ancient one. The idea first appears in the book Celtic Folklore: Welsh & Manx by Welsh scholar Sir John Rhys (1840-1915) who wrote of early November:
“This is the day when the tenure of land terminates, and when servantmen (sic) go to their places. In other words, it’s the beginning of a new year.” (1)
The truth is, no one really knows what date the Irish-Celts used for the “New Year,” so in that sense, Samhain is as good a guess as any. I’ll admit, that as a society we tend to start and end a whole host of events in the Autumn, so Samhain makes some sense, and I’ll admit that I use this trope in rituals because it’s a familiar one.
For many Pagans, the Winter Solstice is the start of the “Pagan New Year.” Solstices are naturally occurring celestial events, and as the Winter Solstice marks the sun’s “growing stage” on the Wheel of the Year, there’s a certain amount of logic behind the idea. Personally, I’ve always been partial to Imbolc because the renewal begun at Yule tends to show tangible results by early February. (I don’t think there’s much more sunlight noticeable on Dec. 24 than there was on Dec. 21.)
There are a multitude of reasons to consider Ostara the start of the Witches New Year if we are looking at the alternatives. The astrological year begins at the Spring Equinox when the sun enters the constellation of Aries, the first sign of the Zodiac. For this reason, Persians celebrate their new year on the first day of Spring. Ostara is also traditionally associated with rebirth and new growth, perfect trappings for the new year.
Janus of course. From WikiMedia.
And January 1 is as good as any other date for the start of a New Year from a Pagan perspective too. January 1 as the start of the New Year was established by Julius Caesar who facilitated the creation of the “Julian Calendar” which was first used on January 1 46 BCE. It’s worth noting that Julius Caesar was a pagan, making his date a pagan one. The Julian Calendar worked pretty well for a good long while, before it was adjusted by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. (The Julian Calendar was just a little bit too long, resulting in some skewed dates as the centuries progressed.)
There are other solid Pagan reasons for January 1 as the start of the New Year. The month of January is named after Janus, who was the Roman god of doorways, beginnings, endings, time, and transitions. He certainly sounds like the right type of god to kick off a New Year, and January 1 was said to be sacred to him specifically. The January Kalends (a celebratory season that later influenced Christmas) served as a celebration of the New Year for several centuries and was when Roman consuls began their terms of office. (2) (And if Kalends sounds like calendar to you, you are right! It’s where the modern word calendar comes from.)
Most importantly as a Pagan I celebrate THE WHEEL OF THE YEAR, and since it’s a wheel, it’s a circle, meaning there are no absolute beginnings or endings. Celebrate the New Year when you want, how you want, and where you want. As for me I’ll probably be celebrating on New Year’s Eve because it makes as much sense as any other day.
NOTES
1. Rhys, John, Manx Folkore & Superstition (originally published as Celtic Folklore: Welsh & Manx in 1901), edited by Stephen Miller, Chiollagh Books, 1994, page 9.
2. Not all Romans, saw January 1 as the start of the New Year, some folks celebrated in March.
The pagans celebrated the New Year on January 1. They called it the festival of Calends. They decorated their houses with wreaths and offered sacrifices to Goddess Juno.
These trials resulted in the execution of several individuals accused of practicing witchcraft, highlighting the profound impact that the fear of witches can have on communities. Furthermore, the fear and persecution of witches have also been associated with the oppression of women throughout history. The stereotype of the witch as an old, ugly woman with supernatural powers has often been used as a tool to marginalize and persecute women who did not conform to societal norms or who engaged in unconventional practices. Witches were often targeted for their independence, intelligence, or perceived threat to traditional power structures. In more recent times, the havoc caused by witches has taken on new forms. With the rise of technology and the internet, the concept of witchcraft has evolved and adapted to the digital age. Online communities and social media platforms have become spaces where individuals can claim to be witches and offer their services, such as spell-casting or fortune-telling. While these practices may be harmless to some, they can also manipulate vulnerable individuals and exploit their fears and desires. In conclusion, the havoc caused by witches is a complex and multifaceted topic that encompasses a range of historical, cultural, and societal aspects. The fear and belief in witches and their supernatural powers have contributed to the persecution of individuals, the oppression of women, and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. Understanding the historical and cultural context surrounding witches is crucial in order to challenge and dispel harmful stereotypes and beliefs..
Reviews for "Causing Chaos for a Cause: The Activist Witch's Guide to Disrupting the System"
1. Brian - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Witch we intend to cause havoc," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, with too many unnecessary subplots and characters. The pacing was sluggish, and the writing felt choppy and disjointed. Overall, I found it difficult to get invested in the story or care about the fate of the characters. It's disappointing because I usually enjoy this genre, but this book just didn't do it for me.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I regret picking up "Witch we intend to cause havoc." The characters were poorly developed, and their motivations were unclear. The dialogue was unnatural and stilted, making it hard to immerse myself in the story. The world-building was lackluster, and the magic system felt underdeveloped. There were also many inconsistencies and plot holes that further detracted from my reading experience. Overall, I found the book frustrating and a waste of my time.
3. Jason - 2 stars - "Witch we intend to cause havoc" had an interesting premise, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The writing style was clunky and filled with excessive descriptions that slowed the pace. The main character lacked depth and growth throughout the story, which made it difficult to connect with them. Additionally, the plot twists felt forced and predictable. Unfortunately, this book didn't live up to my expectations, and I can't recommend it.