Witchcraft at midnight is a subject steeped in mystery and folklore. Throughout history, midnight has been associated with the supernatural, the witching hour when the veil between our world and the ethereal realm is at its thinnest. It is believed that witches and practitioners of the occult gather and perform their rituals and spells during this time. The association of witchcraft with midnight can be traced back to ancient times when the night was considered a time of magic and unknown powers. In many cultures, midnight was believed to be a time when supernatural beings and spirits were most active. This belief was not limited to witches, as other mystical creatures such as vampires and werewolves were also said to roam the Earth during this hour.
A sunken jet. Nine passengers. A missing body. The Passenger is the story of a salvage diver, haunted by loss, afraid of the watery deep, pursued for a conspiracy beyond his understanding, and longing for a death he cannot reconcile with God. The first of two eagerly anticipated novels from literary great Cormac McCarthy The Passenger is followed by Stella Maris – both are too good to be missed.
Aspiring journalist Becky Sharp has one goal to reach the top of the career ladder at the Mercury , London s top tabloid during the industry s celebrity-obsessed 1990s heyday. Furthermore, the materials used for the creation of amulets and other magical adornment was not random, but followed culturally meaningful practices of production.
This belief was not limited to witches, as other mystical creatures such as vampires and werewolves were also said to roam the Earth during this hour. The concept of midnight witchcraft has been perpetuated through various works of literature and popular culture. In Shakespeare's play "Macbeth," the witches famously meet on a desolate heath at midnight, casting spells and prophesying the future.
COVID vaccines and weight loss medications: a tale of 2 needles
I am perplexed by two different needles which, when viewed together, illustrate the irrational themes which dominate our shared humanity. They inform me that, despite being a doctor for more than twenty years, I honestly feel dumber each day about human behavior. If, unlike me, you have somehow figured out more along the way, good for you.
The first needle which vexes me was the one stuck in my arm on Saturday, December 19, 2020. My COVID vaccine came from the first batch at the Berkeley Medical Center in Martinsburg, WV. A beloved nurse friend, Tiffany Sommer DNP, gave me this shot and we hugged hard afterward. I was intimately aware how this vaccine offered life-saving protection and a way back to normalcy in The Mountain State.
When I learned on Monday, November 9, 2020, of the vaccine’s existence, I cried actual tears of joy and could not wait to get immunized. I had worked the pandemic’s frontline since Friday, March 13, 2020, when the governor sent my kids home for, what turned out, the rest of the school year. A vaccine against this virus was, by any way you measured it, a triumph—for science, medicine, and humanity. Despite the political and social rancor which dominated 2020, we had a robust stash of scientific R&D to access in our moment of crisis. Thank God we had this tucked in the bottom drawer. The alternative? Millions more people dead across the world. Maybe you. Or your grandmother. Or me.
After being vaccinated, I did not anticipate the hostility that dominated the next year of my life. I am a primary care internal medicine doctor in my hometown, and I spent countless hours talking to my patients about the pros (many) and cons (very few) of the COVID vaccine. I wanted my patients informed so they could make their best choice. This was done without hyperbole, judgment, politics, or shame. When done right, I employed tact, competence, and trust. There were other days I did not do a good job explaining as I was exhausted. But, make no mistake, I tried—Lord knows—my best.
You probably know what happened to me, though I must say this experience was worse than you might imagine. For the first time in my career, I was called “a complete idiot” by patients. I was accused of being involved in—get this—an international political cartel. I was told to my face that I did not understand the human body, and that this vaccine was a “radical idea.” I struggle to this day as to how I was stuck in this position. We knew then that the vaccine was safe and effective, and time has borne this out. For almost everyone, the COVID vaccine pros are enormous and cons are miniscule.
I had not come to terms with this needle when a second one came along, so very different than the first. As Life Under COVID slipped away and brought me to an equally strange Life After COVID, I did not, could not, dream of Ozempic. And, believe it or not, this latter needle was more surprising than the former.
I probably said the words “GLP-1 agonist” and “injectable hormone” fifty times during this past week. Patients asked for this drug by name, as it is now famous, and for good reason. The same R&D that brought us the safe and effective COVID vaccine also brought us Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. And make no mistake, these medications are a triumph. For the first time in my career, I have an option to offer my patients, one which is safe and effective at weight loss. Many of my patients ask, “So—does this stuff really work?” and I say, “Yes, from what we know so far, it is very effective at helping patients lose weight.” They light up with excitement and want to know (read: beg) if I will prescribe it. Almost invariably, my answer is, “yes.” If a patient has a substantial amount of weight to lose, these medications are likely a very good option to consider.
The contrast between the reluctance to take a vaccine—once—that could, possibly, save one’s life and the giddy desire to inject a hormone—weekly, maybe for years—for weight loss could not be more profound. This dichotomy is not easy for me to digest, but I keep thinking there is a deep lesson here.
Both needles, and the drugs contained therein, are, as far as we know, safe and effective. Each of them was tested rigorously before being made available to the American public. And this is critical because I explain to patients what we know and what we don’t know. What gets me is how people hardly care about how long Ozempic might need to be taken. And how we don’t know about its long-term effects—no one does.
It is likely the near-magic effects of weight loss effectively turned off rational thoughts inside my patients as they focused on this incredible possibility. I’m not criticizing because I felt the same way about the COVID vaccine. I saw the near miracle of this vaccine and immediately realized the benefits, not just for a single person, but our entire community. I knew, because I did, in fact, understand the immune system, that great outcomes were possible if we took this vaccine. “Just take the vaccine, and let’s all get to Life After COVID,” is what my brain told me. “Come on, people!”
Many of my patients knew precious little about their own health, and because they were scared shitless by misinformation, they never had the opportunity to see the true benefit of the COVID vaccine on an intellectual level. This is in direct contrast to their intuitive understanding that weight loss would be profoundly beneficial to them. And because they know, deep down in their bones, that obesity is slowly killing them, a medication which can dramatically change the outcome, that is worth doing. And once I provided my blessing that I, too, believed Ozempic was safe and effective, well, “Just give it to me, doctor!”
The COVID vaccine and Ozempic, and their associated needles, are scientific marvels that can improve health. How you emotionally connect with their potential benefits likely determines if you take a pass or get jabbed by the sharp end. Either way, the benefits are real, whether you understand the science or believe any of it.
Ryan McCarthy is an internal medicine physician.
This portrayal of nocturnal witchcraft has become ingrained in our collective imagination, further solidifying the association between witchcraft and the witching hour. The choice of midnight as the preferred time for witchcraft rituals is not arbitrary. It is believed that the darkness and stillness of the night provide the ideal ambiance for spells and incantations. Additionally, the silent solitude of the late hour allows witches to focus their energy and intentions without distractions. The rituals performed during witchcraft at midnight can vary greatly, depending on the tradition and practices of the witch. Some may choose to invoke specific deities or spirits, while others may engage in divination or spellcasting. The tools and materials used in these rituals can range from herbs and crystals to candles and cauldrons. It is worth noting that modern witchcraft and pagan practices do not necessarily adhere to the notion of midnight witchcraft. Many practitioners prefer to work during different times of the day or night, depending on their personal preferences and schedules. The association of witchcraft with midnight is more rooted in tradition and folklore rather than a strict requirement for practicing witchcraft. In conclusion, witchcraft at midnight is a captivating and mysterious topic that has captured our imagination for centuries. It is an association deeply ingrained in mythology and popular culture, with references found in literature, art, and movies. The connection between witches and the witching hour adds an air of mystique to the practice of witchcraft, but it is important to recognize that modern practitioners have the freedom to choose when and how they perform their rituals..
Reviews for "Midnight Conjurations: Spells and Rituals for Witchcraft"
1. Sarah - ★☆☆☆☆
I was really excited to read "Witchcraft at Midnight" as I love supernatural thrillers, but this book was a major disappointment. The plot was extremely predictable and lacked any real depth. The characters felt one-dimensional, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing style was also very basic and lacked creativity. Overall, I found "Witchcraft at Midnight" to be a dull and uninspiring read.
2. Jacob - ★★☆☆☆
I had high hopes for "Witchcraft at Midnight" as I'm a fan of the genre, but unfortunately, this book fell short for me. The story started off promising, but it quickly became convoluted and confusing. The pacing was all over the place, making it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, the character development was lacking, and it was hard to care about what happened to them. The ending felt rushed and unsatisfying. I wouldn't recommend "Witchcraft at Midnight" to anyone looking for a gripping witchcraft novel.
3. Emily - ★★☆☆☆
I found "Witchcraft at Midnight" to be a mediocre read. While the premise sounded intriguing, the execution was lacking. The writing style was dry and lacked any real emotion. The plot felt disjointed, and I had a hard time following along. The characters were forgettable and lacked any depth, making it difficult to feel invested in their fates. Overall, "Witchcraft at Midnight" failed to deliver the suspense and excitement I was expecting from a book in this genre.
4. Daniel - ★☆☆☆☆
"Witchcraft at Midnight" was a complete waste of time. The story was poorly developed, and the pacing was incredibly slow. There were multiple inconsistencies throughout the book that made it difficult to follow the plot. The characters were uninteresting and lacked any real personality. The writing itself was lackluster, with repetitive phrases and clichés. I would not recommend "Witchcraft at Midnight" to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written witchcraft novel.