I am a Witch
Being a very traditional Mother, I’ve decided to take a
slightly different approach in discussions, suggesting that “Witches are nothing to be
scared of my darlings because I’m a witch and Aunty Vick’s a witch. In fact,
we know lots of witches.”
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| The Wand my Dad bought me many years ago - it's one of my treasures |
Even though my personal idea of witchcraft is essentially
being attuned with all that IS in the world - especially oneself - I must say, that
statement got a significant response last night.
Jax: “Mum you are not a witch, you are just a Mummy.”
Lex: “Can you turn me into a train? No, turn me into a
frog?”
Of course, I then had to explain that there are different
kinds of witches and my personal power is not of the zapping variety. I said it’s
all about making things happen with my mind, and that if you have positive
feelings and ideas, good things happen and life is happier.” I lost them at
that point.
So I showed them my wand (a gift from my Dad many years ago
and something I adore) as well as my crystal ball (both pictured).
“See guys, I’m a witch! I’ve got all the tools.”
But Jax was having none of his Mum being a witch – with a
very firm “Mum, you are NOT a witch.”
However, this goes a little bit deeper for me. I actually
feel quite pissed off with how witches
continue to be reflected in the media and storytelling today, and of course, historically. I also
feel even more disappointed that my loves are picking up these stereotypes and
carrying on the message.
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| I love crystals and recently got myself a crystal ball |
I did a lot of research into this years ago and could share
lots of thoughts and ideas, but briefly, my conclusions are along the lines of the
history of witches is about the subjugation of women, wrapped around the growth
of modern day monotheistic
religions - pure and simple. It’s about
killing what was and replacing it with something new – but examples had to be
made of the old, with these examples almost exclusively and barbarically focused
on women. Witch comes from Wit which actually meant traditional medicine woman
(think Shaman), and of course, for many reasons, that was wiped out and women
in this field were burnt at the stake, terrorized and a lot more. It’s
obviously linked to the growth of modern day religion and the killing off of
the ‘Goddess,’
and we are still seeing women defiled for this and many other reasons today.
I don’t want my boys growing up with historical or
modern-day misconceptions around women. I don’t want them wrapped up in how the
media portrays women and seeing that as “normal” or “right.” My husband gets a
kicking when he uses phrases like “you throw like a girl” (I’m a great thrower after
all) or similar - even if he does says those things to wind me up. Using that
as a criticism or motivation to be better at something is not OK, because let’s
face it, the boys obviously aren’t that good, come on!
Maybe I’m fighting a lost cause, but damn it, my boys are
going to grow into very self-enlightened men when it comes to women. My husband
has had nearly 11 years training in Andrea’s course on “how to detect bollocks
in the media and society when it comes to gals” and he’s coming along well
(although I must say he started off ahead of the curve). He does, however, occasionally
deliver the odd slip – he is human after all – but fortunately, I get to offer this
course to the boys from the beginning, so perhaps I’ll succeed?
All I hope is that one day, some future women (if, of
course, they choose women as their partners) is going to be very appreciative
of my efforts.
So yes, I’m a witch, and I’m proud of it. Anyone else a
witch?
Yours, without the bollocks
Andrea
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