“Tis the witching hour of night, Orbed is the moon and bright, And the stars they glisten, glisten,
Seeming with bright eyes to listen For what listen they?” John Keats
The singular popularity of the Harry Potter books and movies has magically transformed the occult into an international
obsession. Don’t you think there is a little of the witch or wizard in all of us? It would be helpful to have the option
to throw a love spell on that great looking hunk or babe you covet. Would you like to recapture “the one” who
got away? I can certainly identify with that goal. I am researching my own little “come back to me hunk” spell
as we speak. Perhaps, he won’t object to being turned into a slimy snail. He will be my hunk or someone’s snail,
it is his choice to make. However, as a psychotherapist, I support freedom of choice and will fight for it with the very last
ounce of strength in my body. However, there are limits.
Are you a witch just waiting to burst forth as the magical creature you were born to be? Do you remember Samantha in the
retro television program, “Bewitched?” You have probably seen, and perhaps felt a mystical connection with the
new "Bewitched" movie.
Be aware, we are talking about good witches or wizards. Just in case you are thinking about black magic, be cautioned,
you will not learn how to transform your boss into an amoeba in my book (I was only teasing about the snail). Just in case
I am mistaken, remember the cardinal rule, never tell where you found the spell.
Though the only witches we see are in the movies or on television, witches were a very “real” phenomenon to
the European population in the 17th century. In our own country, Salem, Massachusetts, is infamous for its witch mania and
its lack of “due process” trials. “Witches” were tried in Salem until 1692. Deliverance Hobbs confessed
to witchcraft, “admitting to pinching three girls at the devil’s command and flying on a pole to attend a witches’
Sabbath in an open field” (Salem Witchcraft History). One must assume, one of three possibilities: she was a genuine
broom riding witch, she was coerced or she had emotional issues. My educated guess would be she was coerced.
Many people in the 21st century profess to believe in witchcraft and magic. Let’s see how much you know about being
a witch or warlock. You may be the next Samantha or Sam. Choose “Y” for YES or “N” for NO for the
following questions then tally your score using the instructions that follow the test (no, you may not use witchcraft).
Check Your Witchy I.Q.
1. ____ Love spells, charms and potions have been dated to 2400-1900 BC.
2. ____ Celtic and Gypsy cultures have a rich history of magic lore.
3. ____ Rose Quartz is associated with love spells.
4. ____ Black cats are often used in “lost love” spells.
5. ____ Women are usually more successful than men in using genuine magic spells.
6. ____ Fire is an essential part of all love spells.
7. ____ The full moon is frequently a requisite in love spells.
8. ____ A love spell sans candles is like cookies without milk.
9. ____ Direction matters … many spells include the direction you should face while repeating the magic words.
10. ____ Love potion number 9 is actually a genuine love potion.
Scoring: Give yourself one point for each correct answer.
