Mrowak
Arcane
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2008
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@ Mrowak
Christianity. Pagan myth and lore from pre christian times still has beautiful, seductive, and charming witches being quite normal, and the same can be said of all myth and folklore that wasn't corrupted by christianity. Without straying too far into a tangential topic...
Even in the middle ages all witches being crones was nothing but bad rep, given many of those accused of heresy and witchcraft, falsely or not, were pretty and sexualy active girls. In the end, if you say witches to be hot, seductive, powerful woman do you really expect all those comely peasant girls to remain in the flock?
Even in christian theology it is implied witches are hot, charming, seductive, and desireable, as lust is one of the main weapons the enemy uses against mankind, and aren't witches the main female agents, on earth, of hell?
I can't help pointing out that even in the way you explain it there is a significant degree of malice in the actions of archetypical witch. Those magically gifted women who were not considered to be downright evil (e.g. due to court tradition) ended up as sorceresses.
Of course, you are right in saying that much of the image was scathed due to influence of Christianity. Considering how witches were depicted in pagan times and how their image conflicted with Christian ideology it's no wonder why they ended up the way they did. Especially regarding the fact that Christianity was interested in spiritual salvation, believing - quite reasonably - that "lusting" for things may detract their flock from the righteous path. Hence their transformation into your traditional old crones - which was to reflect their corruption. Common folk would not get it otherwise. I guess, one may say it worked similarly to fairy glamour. But that's only part of the story.
Then, of course, beyond the stories of the old, we have the image of wizened, elderly women (in before, who they were before they got old and wizened?) - herbalists and midwives that lived in villages, small hammlets, curing sickness, mending bones, brewing "magical" ointments etc. Those women learnt their craft from each other, often carrying stories and legends of the past generation, which explained that the particular malady was the result of an Elf-shot, that the child has been 'taken' by fairies, or how to treat particular injury. It was a curious amalgamation of knowledge and ignorance. I guess, to the commoners, they were more their witches - so it's not accurate enough to say that was Christian propaganda. I guess some of them had a position and influence within small community, but I have never heard if any of them were recognised by the authorities. Living on the edge of community - that was witch's fate.
One could argue that the second imagery was much due to influence of Catholicism as well. After all those witches would have assumed sorceresses, oracles or diviners, had it not been for the "malignant" influence of the church. But let's be fair - other cultural circles have their own share of supernaturally empowered women, who are not always depicted in favourable light. Those women may or may not be branded as witches - depending on their disposition and actions. Even in Japan - where all tutelary beings are accepted - certain acts were taboo. If you operated within confines of society, you were a diviner, oracle or a seer. However, if stepped away from it and had anything to do with corpses, death, or foxes and snakes - you were a witch or a hag.
Frankly, I find this dichotomy between 'wondrous' and 'ugly', 'sacred' and 'profane', 'powerful' and 'powerless', 'young' and 'ancient' to be especially fascinating in this archetype.