Yesterday, news broke that Home Depot was selling a 12ft witch house for Halloween. This larger-than-life Halloween decoration caused quite a stir among customers, who were both intrigued and surprised by the unique offering. The witch house, a massive structure that stands tall at 12ft, is a sight to behold. Complete with a cackling witch, eerie lighting, and intricate details, this spooky attraction is sure to be a hit during the Halloween season. Home Depot, known for its vast selection of home improvement products, has made a bold move by venturing into the world of Halloween decor. By offering such an impressive and attention-grabbing product, Home Depot is capitalizing on the growing popularity of Halloween festivities.
By offering such an impressive and attention-grabbing product, Home Depot is capitalizing on the growing popularity of Halloween festivities. This witch house is not just an average decoration; it is a statement piece that will certainly make a statement in any neighborhood. So, whether you’re looking to transform your front yard into a haunted masterpiece or simply want to impress trick-or-treaters, the 12ft witch house from Home Depot is the perfect choice.
Wicca and modern witchcraft: a history
While it has often been used as an interchangeable term to describe any form of witchcraft in popular culture, Wicca is a specific religious belief system that firmly has its roots in 1940s England.
AdvertisementWicca is known for its worship of both a god and a goddess and its eight ‘sabbats’ (annual festivals) that celebrate the changing seasons and connection to the Earth. Although Wicca has often received negative press for supposed links to dark demonic magic and Satanism, the reality is very different. Wiccans today use their take on magic to conduct religious rituals, drawing on pre-Christian traditions and cultures, but always aligned with a code of “harm none and do as you will”.
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The story of Wicca begins in the New Forest, southern England, with a man named Gerald Gardner. Around the turn of the 20th century there had been a revival of interest in folklore, mythology and magic. This revival saw people such as archaeologist and Egyptologist Margaret Murray attempt to prove that witch-cults formed the major, ancient religions of western Europe, and that these witch-cults were still practising in secret in 1920s England. While these theories were largely dismissed in academic circles, it was heartily adopted by Gardner, who was fascinated by this unbroken line of witches, whose traditions claimed ancient Pagan origin. Gardner had long explored spiritualism and the occult, but in 1939 he claimed to have been initiated into an actual ‘Coven of the Old Religion’ as he wandered through the New Forest.
- Quiz | Would you have been accused of witchcraft?
Whether he was actually initiated into an ancient witchcraft coven or not (something that is still debated today), Gardner began to publicise his experience and eventually formed his own coven to ensure the survival of these rituals and traditions.
Out in the open
In 1951, two things happened that helped Gardner push his witchcraft into the public domain. Firstly, the 1736 Witchcraft Act was repealed, making the public aware, once again, of the idea of witchcraft in Britain. Secondly, a former filmmaker, Cecil Williamson, opened the Folklore Centre of Superstition and Witchcraft on the Isle of Man, where Gardner was designated ‘resident witch’. While public interest in witchcraft was increasing around this time, many were uneasy at the thought of magic being practised in what was still very much a Christian country. Williamson’s first attempt at launching a museum of witchcraft in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, was run out of town by locals unhappy at having occult ritual objects on their doorsteps. Gardner and Williamson eventually parted ways, supposedly disagreeing on how public the beliefs of witchcraft should be. In 1954 Gardner published Witchcraft Today, a book that shared the rituals and history of what we now call Wicca, and numerous Wiccan covens began to form across England. Big names in Wicca throughout the 1960s and 70s included Doreen Valiente, now known as the ‘Mother of Modern Witchcraft’, and Alex Sanders, who adapted Gardner’s traditions to create the more ceremonial Alexandrian Wicca.
Despite the best attempts of the press to link Wicca to devil worship, Wicca thrived and eventually found itself being practised on American shores with the formation of Raymond and Rosemary Buckland’s coven in 1962, and the opening of the Buckland Museum of Witchcraft and Magick on Long Island, New York, four years later. Wicca in the US thrived as its practices strongly connected with new counter-cultural movements of the time, such as feminism and environmentalism.
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Today, Wicca is practised by many thousands of people across the world.
Temples, traditions and TikTok
Today’s witches come in all shapes and sizes, with many sharing their beliefs online
Although contemporary witches are connected by a belief in magic, what this magic looks like can vary hugely. While their craft typically draws upon folk traditions, mythology and pre-Christian beliefs from around the world, 21st-century witches span a variety of genders, cultures and religions. Some might adopt complex rules and rituals, while for others, simple acts of cooking and creating are powerful enough to be considered magic. Witches can be found in druid groves, heathen temples, Wiccan covens and even on TikTok, as young witches use modern technology to connect with other members of the global community.
Claire Slack is a folklorist who is currently studying for a doctorate in heritage with the University of Hertfordshire. Her research focuses on contemporary Pagan ritual at sacred historic sites across Britain
AdvertisementThis article was first published in the April 2022 issue of BBC History Revealed
By Emily Pinigis, Staff Writer | March 2, 2020
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Reviews for "Enchant Your Neighbors: Home Depot Offers 12ft Witch House for Sale"
1. Sarah - 1/5 - I was extremely disappointed with the "12ft witch house" that I purchased from Home Depot. The quality was atrocious and the construction was flimsy. Within a few days of setting it up in my yard, the entire structure collapsed due to strong wind. I had to spend additional money on repairs and reinforcement just to make it stand upright. The product did not meet my expectations at all, and I would not recommend it to anyone.
2. John - 2/5 - The "12ft witch house" I bought from Home Depot was a complete waste of money. It looked great on the website, but in reality, it was nothing more than a poorly made prop. The material used was cheap and easily tore apart. Additionally, the height was not even close to 12ft as advertised. The whole experience left me feeling ripped off, and I will definitely think twice before purchasing any other seasonal decor from Home Depot.
3. Lisa - 2/5 - I had high hopes for the "12ft witch house" from Home Depot, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The assembly was a hassle, and the instructions provided were not clear, making it even more difficult. After finally setting it up, the house looked nothing like the picture online. The colors were faded, and the overall design was underwhelming. It was definitely not worth the price I paid for it, and I would advise others to look for a better alternative.
4. Mike - 1/5 - The "12ft witch house" I purchased from Home Depot turned out to be a complete disaster. The materials used were of low quality, and the paintwork was sloppy. Moreover, the house was missing key components that were supposed to be included according to the product description. Customer service was unhelpful and did not provide a satisfactory solution. I regret wasting my money on this product and would not recommend it to anyone in the future.