Animals in Witchcraft Animals in Witchcraft are associated - TopicsExpress



          

Animals in Witchcraft Animals in Witchcraft are associated with various magical and mystical themes. Many of these animals are associated with deities that are lunar in nature or possess Mother goddess symbolism. The most common creatures associated with Witchcraft are the frog, owl, stag, wolf, serpent, horse, goat and wolf. These creatures appear in writings concerning Witches since the classical period. By the medieval period, the mouse, cat and bat were linked to Witchcraft. There is an ancient belief that Witches possess the power to transform into animal form. Witches were believed to employ animal products to accomplish physical transformations as well as to bring them power over Nature. The blood of a bat smeared on a broomstick, for example, was believed to enable the Witch to fly at night. The ancients believed that everything possessed a spirit or soul, and that through mimicry; a person could attract some element of that spirit to himself or herself. Ritual offerings would be placed in an attempt to obtain the powers of various animals, and furs, feathers, horns and other parts of the animal were worn. Then, by mimicking the behavior of the animal, something of its spirit would pass into the person performing the act. Once accomplished, the person would possess a familiar spirit and thereby an affinity, and so, rapport was established. Animals were believed to be closer to Nature that humans. This is one reason our ancestors sought a more intimate relationship with them. Everything from wearing animal charms to ascribing animal forms to the zodiac was an attempt to link to the primal force. The desire of Witches to link in an intimate manner with Nature was the root of the concept known as the Witches’ familiar.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 04:45:41 +0000

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