 On my mother's father's side, is Russian: The Russian word for witch, (ved'ma), shows exactly that (the literal translation means "The one who knows".) Russia, as well as many other cultures, produces tales with both encounters. These parts of folklore also include omens, guardian spirits, and fate. Something I question all the time. They all have little to do with the eastern orthodox religion yet seem to appear in much of the folklore of the 19th century. A visual omen, a dream, may include a gloved man indicating death, fish predict marital luck, and children's games foretell marriage, fertility and wars. Passed down of course are tales of how other indicators, include the crying of a baby that is not within sight, the hammering of nails off in the distance, and also ringing of the ears, can foretell different things. If that's the case, then all the elders in my family must be witches and warlocks because they all complain about ringing in their ears! I remember being pregnant with my first child, a daughter was to be born. My Parisian grandmother placed a gold medal like charm that hung off a long chain, in front of my burgeoning belly and let it begin to sway back and forth, on it's own. She said if it went to the left, it was a girl, to the right, a boy and so on. At the time, we hadn't found out yet the sex of the child, as it was only a few weeks. But, wouldn't you know it, it swung to the left, leaving me with a giddy and curious feeling as to what if? Powers typically attributed to European witches included turning food poisonous or flying on broomsticks or pitchforks, casting spells, cursing people, making livestock ill and crops fail, and creating fear and local chaos...sounds exactly like the Holzer household.
One of my classic favorites was of the three "Weird Sisters" from Macbeth, as they were portrayed as concocting potions in large cauldrons, fabulous! I was one of those children who dressed up many Halloween's as a witch. But, not as a wicked old woman with wrinkled skin, had the pointy hat, cap in black, no warts on my nose and long claw-like fingernails to complete the ensemble! Having natural jet black hair, made it even that much more authentic. Now, if I could only get those bloody spells to work, I'd be set for the evening for all Hallows Eve! My father's eye of nute was rather stale and so, had to rely on the neighboring park's frogs, if I could catch one that is. I was on the look out for the Prince of Darkness, who I thought would make for a nice husband one day! He and I would go off and spend our time spell casting, conjuring up the dead, causing some ruckus with the White Witches and then call it a day.
Overall, practices and beliefs that have been termed "witchcraft" do not constitute a single identifiable religion, since they are found in a wide variety of cultures, both present and historical; however these beliefs do generally involve religious elements dealing with spirits or deities, the afterlife, magic and ritual. Witchcraft is generally characterized by its use of magic and so to find a true witch, well they would have to put on some magic show! The allure of the possibility of being magical, like a fairy is what for myself, why I'd love to be Witch for a day. It's darker and more ritualistic uses, I am not leaning towards as I end my day on a positive note. So, I suppose if I were to be a witch, other then what the family members call me...I'd be a rainbow colored one! Have a happy and safe Halloween. Always be well-Alexandra Holzer.
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