What does "Witch" mean to you? Natural Medicine Free-for-All contest
I've been waiting for this contest for a bit now, ever since it was intimated that such a thing would happen in the Natural Medicine Discord
I have many answers to this, and one post simply won't do, but I wish to go ahead and drop one of my answers now.
One of the things which I think causes such enmity between witches (or pagans in general) and Christians is the simple verse:
“Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live” - Exodus 22:18 (22:17 in Hebrew)
Back when I was conducting my own Women's Studies research in '95 (as the local college had nothing of the sort) I happened upon a book by Monica Sjoo: The Great Cosmic Mother. For those who don't know, Sjoo was -not- your ordinary feminist scholar. She skewed very close to the definition of Fascist Feminism... Almost a full-blown separatist... still, despite the tone of her book, the anthropological research was of immense interest to me, and she brought to light many issues which I was fully unaware of. I still consider her a great teacher, as well as a fine lady.
In decades hence, much of her research has been proven inaccurate, but such can be said of any research that is 50 years old. Still, I feel I owe her a great debt, if for no other reason than for clarifying something...
That's not what the Bible says.
In the Septuagint, mekhashepha was translated into pharmakeia. Ann Jeffers, lecturer in Biblical Studies at Heythrop College, translates “pharmakeia” to “herbalist”. - Elizabeth Sloane, Thou Shalt Not Suffer a Witch to Live: A Murderous Mistranslation?
The King James Bible, which was and remains in heavy use by Fundamentalist (ie, American Evangelical) Christianity was produced for a number of reasons, both political and economic. King James' himself was utterly terrified of witches, and sought their persecution at all points, not only for dogma's sake, but also because they represented a threat to his dominance via the Divine Right of Kings. Those who remembered the Old Ways were less likely to obey... and obedience was most certainly the highest of virtues, Yes?
But to get back to the point, the original Greek term pharmakia (it is no coincidence that the oldest translation of the Bible is written in Greek) translates to poisoner.
And what has quite profitably been mistranslated as a justification of genocidally purging pagan europe (also the Americas, under Cortez) during the Age of Kings, was nothing but a Very Reasonable admonition against poisoners, murderers who by the very subtle nature of their chosen weaponry betray by word and deed the trust of others.
Because lets face it, somebody who comes to slay you with a sword is at least being honest about their intentions... and thereby far more honorable than a poisoner.
But wait, there's more...
Ofcourse there is. Consider another point. During the time of his life, Christ was himself a blasphemer of the highest order, one who dared question the State in which he lived; which, being a theocracy, meant questioning the very Word of God (which, as ever, so conveniently backed up the State at every turn.) He was executed for Treason, which was the same as Blasphemy, in a theocracy.
Even within the scriptures themselves, Christ was a healer, a malcontent, a rebel against those in power... One who through magics of Faith and Salt and Tongue, did aide and champion the weak, the downtrodden, the whores and lepers and beggars... the very fodder whom the State ruled as livestock. And he even died to carry out a work of staggering magnitude, an act of tremendous spiritual rebellion against a corrupt theocracy...
In everything but name alone:
Photo by Jasmin Staab on Unsplash
Christ was a Witch.
Love to the Loving,
Silas Danois
I've read that book (although not cover-to-cover), and there are some interesting aspects to it, even though it has some serious flaws; but as you say, it is now at least 50 years old, and new discoveries and research throws * a lot* of older works into disarray. Can we still take on the ideas presented even if the presuppositions have been subsequently been shown to be false?
Anyway.... the point of your article is spot on.
Translation is everything — language creates chaos, as I wrote in a previous article.
I will however correct you on your translation of the greek word φαρμακεια.
The word can be used as a reference to 'one who poisons'. However the word means using substances; it is both 'poison' and 'medicine'. It was understood in the Greek (as it is today) that a substance can be have either effect, depending on how it is used.
Those with deep knowledge of bio-chemistry (and alchemy) would understand this paradox.
So the term would have referred to healers who used herbs and other physical substances to be ingested. These same people would have also made up 'poisons' for use in assassinations, and what not.
Why would the Hebrews been told not to "suffer an herbalist to live"?
Jan Assmann wrote a great book called Moses the Egyptian in which he spells out the evidence to show that Moses was trained in the Egyptian mysteries, and maybe even was Egyptian (not a Hebrew) who led a group of semitic-speaking people out of Egypt as a separatist movement. There is also suggestion that the man Jesus was also trained and educated in Egyptian sciences.
Both of them may well have been "witches". Strange that Hebrews and Christians alike are told to persecute such people, don't you think?
The fact it has that dual meaning is even better I reckon - one man's poison is another's medicine, after all. Fascinated by your addition to this post - as usual, @metametheus, you are amazing on your historical knowledge and polymathic approach to... well, everything.
Nice further clarification!!
Thanks for the help. Given the weight of ages and mistranslations (intentional or not), along with how those misunderstandings were most cynically capitalized on in the past (as well as now.. I've reached out to another survivor of the Satanic Panic of the 80's to interview about this exact point) it is not strange at all, once you consider a profit-motive...
Loved this. A great response.
And of course, the most famous witches of toil and trouble from 'Macbeth' were written into Shakespeare's play for King James, who felt the play aligned with his ideas - well played, Shakesy - unless he was being more subversive than that, which is likely - it is Macbeth who is ultimately responsible for his own actions, not the supernatural soliciting.
Such subtle arts are bound to be distrusted in ages of ignorance and poor science - I'm always fascinated by the gender aspect of it as well. Still contemplating my approach - could be a week or two in the brewing. Might even go for fiction.
All reality is but a fiction outside your own -- Carcosa Hali
Sheesh, she just won't shut up. -- Yestermorrow
#macbethhaveyoubeenreadingmyfuturepostsburnthewitchburnthewitch
Haha... I love Macbeth. I hope both of you.. or all of you.. write on it!
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I love this post. Having come from a fundamentalist upbringing and having had to wade through these warnings against the witch as I myself become one, this is the meat I really appreciate. Translation is everything. And isn’t it interesting that many who are taught to “kill the witch” even today would not be able to hear your words, so deep is the indoctrination. Which both serves their own imprisonments and big pharma. It’s always interesting to me that the blocks that are in the way of personal & community empowerment have such far reaching historic roots making fruit unto the present. Looking forward to your interview you mentioned above ^^ 🙏🏼
Oh yeah, I hear you on that... I was raised Southern-Fried Baptist. Breaking away from that was one of the hardest things I ever had to do... and was incredibly rewarding. Violence in Gods' name was pretty much baked into my childhood. There was once a time that I couldn't enter a church without having to go vomit. Even now, the sight of scriptures or sound of gospel music can cause a panic-attack.
It completely blew my mind when Christ showed back up in my life... but he did. Cause he's The Trying Man, and he just won't quit. <3
So you're still a Christian?
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Absolutely not. One of my earliest posts, and only video explains how I feel about the subject. https://steemit.com/life/@yestermorrow/5svjnh8a
Here ya go... Please excuse the decor.. it was serving a purpose. ;P
I can relate to all of that and have remet the trying man many times again. Even in a snowstorm in a little monk’s cell where my heart felt that knock Knock blast. He’s certainly not a quitter and a winner of hearts. But as you say likely one of the greatest witches of all time ✨🔮✨ I especially loved yogananda’s insights in autobio of a yogi.
Thought provoking perspective.
I'll stay tuned for more in this series. I admit, I know little about witchcraft, so this will be a learning experience.
Perhaps you should write what you do know. The series is open to everybody, and engagement is what makes for a great contest. :)
I'll look up the original contest. Thanks!
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This was very interesting reading, definitely food for thought.
Turning water into wine and walking on water today will get you burned alive from all these crazy christian groups around today.
Yeah, I figure that if he ever tried to "go public" again, he would be dead within hours... As much as people are crowing for his return, they could never handle it. Luckily, he's a sneaky one. <3
I was listening to a reader the other day and she had mentioned she was not a witch. Witchcraft (in the negative) was the act of trying to change someones will using the dark arts. Witchcraft/black magick was magic used to directly influence someone against their will.
Had you not meddled using witchcraft the outcome of that persons life may have turned out differently - effecting someones freewill is the ultimate Blasphemy in gods eyes = witchcraft.
So you can be a practitioner of magic - healing - energy work and still not actually be doing "Witchcraft" if you are not forcing your will energetically on another via spell work and the like.
I liked this concept. Even though I dabble in the dark arts, I don't feel I could classify myself as a witch currently. For I do not do spell work against other souls and thus would tittle myself a "magician" working/focused on my own manifestations.
Even when we think of the origins of the word "Witch" you will find it came from the old english verb wiccian --- meaning "to bewitch"
So unless you are bewitching someone to your will you are not witching at all.
I am not committed to this concept but I would say it is my stance right now.
So, I would say Jesus was no witch in "God's" eyes - maybe man's but not God's. You had to choose to be saved - you had to believe to be healed - Jesus powers where very much in accordance with his followers free will. He needed no charms - he needed no chants - his powers came from the energy of pure love that people where naturally drawn to.
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