DH just came out from reading a bedtime story to tell me that DS asked him: Why is it that you are bewitched, but never bewizarded? This instantly got my mind rolling on what it means to be a witch (and therefore, a woman); fear of witches; witch hunts; a whole string of associations popped up in my mind. Before i could even say anything, DH told me that his response was, if it was a wizard, then you are simply cursed. I guess that was a good enough answer for a 5 year old, but it really made me think about the difference between a witch and a wizard in the popular imagination, and it definitely strikes some kind of feminist hot button. At the same time, I am interested in the archetypal quality of these popular images, and I wonder why we have so rarely referenced the good quality of the powerful sorceress in our cultural mythology. I think the general idea of a witch is a hideous, old and ugly creature (except when very young or using magic to disguise herself) who casts spells to control others. She can lay a curse as good as any old wizard, and she's not afraid to use both her wickedness and her charms to get her way. A wizard, on the other hand, is generally portrayed as a dignified, if eccentric old gentleman. I think these are ideas that date back to the early days of Christianity. Rarely in our culture do we see the other side of the magical coin for either gender. Where, in American mythology, do we find the powerful sorceress? Our magical women, when not downright evil, are usually essentially playthings. Think, Tinkerbell. Then, I am remembering the good witch from Wizard of Oz (our first true American fairy tale) and how she was originally a wrinkled old lady; it was Hollywood that changed her into a doll-like figurine.
just rambling stream-of consciousness here. Any thoughts?
Women are witches, based solely on religious views.
Koz, go find "When God was a Woman" and read it. Its a little outdated, but its a fantastic book about how and why women became secondary citizens once the big 3 took over
I think a lot of it has to do with easing a mans concious as well. He wasn't weak, he was bewitched. He couldn't help himself... blah, blah, blah. On the flipside, women are "supposed" to be pure so we would never be guiled by "bewizarding"
__________________ At the end of the day, I am never the same person I was when I woke up.
Happiness comes when your work and words are of benefit to yourself and others. ~ Buddha
Wizards are found more in the British history. Even in our witch trials history, IF a man were tried it was as a witch too. I think too many histories come together in this country for there to be wizards or witches that will be acknowledged outside of the earth religions that remember them. Our country's history is written by the big 3.
__________________ ~ I am the star of my life story ~
Yeah you don't find Witches at Hogwartz, you find Wizards. ....
** wonders if she's up to date enough on her HP lore to say this...
Actually, we just read the 1st Harry potter, and the women are referred to as witches. At one point, when Hermione, who of course comes from a Muggle family, forgets to use magic, until Ron shouts something along the lines of "Good Lord woman, are you a witch or not?" Also Professor McGonagall and at least one other female teacher are referred to as witches.
to Koz, and the name of the school is Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
I'm an HP fan
I think men have always been afraid of women and the power they possess so they'd do everything in their (scrawny) power to make it so that women never hold more power than them.
** wonders if she's up to date enough on her HP lore to say this...
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