In England, the term 'witch' was not used exclusively to describe malevolent magicians, but could also indicate cunning folk. There were a number of interchangeable terms for these practitioners, ‘white’, ‘good’, or ‘unbinding’ witches, blessers, wizards, sorcerers, however ‘cunning-man’ and ‘wise-man’ were the most frequent. While cunning-folk could command a lot of respect, public perceptions of them were often ambivalent and a little fearful, for many were deemed just as capable of harming as of healing. Throughout Europe many such healers and wise men and women were convicted of witchcraft many English 'witches' convicted of consorting with demons seem to have been cunning folk whose fairy familiars had been demonised many French devins-guerisseurs were accused of witchcraft and over half the accused witches in Hungary seem to have been healers.
Some of the healers and diviners historically accused of witchcraft have considered themselves mediators between the mundane and spiritual worlds, roughly equivalent to shamans. Such people described their contacts with fairies, spirits or the dead, often involving out-of-body experiences and travelling through the realms of an 'other-world'. Beliefs of this nature are implied in the folklore of much of Europe, and were explicitly described by accused witches in central and southern Europe. Repeated themes include participation in processions of the dead or large feasts, often presided over by a female divinity who teaches magic and gives prophecies; and participation in battles against evil spirits, 'vampires' or 'witches' to win fertility and prosperity for the community.
Now Halloween is a time, it is said, when whitches and ghouls come out to play. We have celebrated this fact at Justbyjulie by creating some products for you to enjoy.
Listed below are some of our items to see our full range then please visit our online store at Justbyjulie.
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