In ancient times, the idea of witches was prevalent across many cultures. These individuals were often believed to possess supernatural powers and were usually associated with dark magic and evil deeds. As a result, they were feared and shunned by society. Many communities would go to extreme lengths to identify witches within their midst and often resorted to witch hunts and trials. During the infamous Salem witch trials in the late 17th century, several individuals were accused of practicing witchcraft. The accusations were based on flimsy evidence and mere hearsay, but due to the prevailing hysteria, many innocent people were unfairly condemned.
The accusations were based on flimsy evidence and mere hearsay, but due to the prevailing hysteria, many innocent people were unfairly condemned. The accused were subjected to gruesome tests, including the infamous "witches' teat" examination, where any unusual skin markings were seen as signs of witchcraft. The concept of witch hunts continued for centuries, particularly during the European witch trials from the 15th to the 18th centuries.
In ‘Circe,’ this witch is more artist than immortal
Our December pick for the PBS NewsHour-New York Times book club Now Read This is “Circe” by Madeline Miller. Become a member of the book club by joining our Facebook group, or by signing up to our newsletter. Learn more about the book club here.
In Homer’s “Odyssey,” Circe is a minor but much-reviled goddess for having turned Odysseus’ men into pigs. In Madeline Miller’s retelling, Circe is a powerful but lonely immortal who finds herself by practicing witchcraft — not a divine power, but a kind of art that requires hard work, dedication and skill.
Miller believes Circe is the first witch ever chronicled in what we know as Western literature. “Our discomfort with women who wield unregulated power goes all the way back to the oldest stories we have,” she writes.
Below, Miller annotates several pages of her novel that revolve around how the goddess became a witch, and what that witchcraft entails.
Read more below in Miller’s annotations, which are highlighted in yellow.
Excerpts from “Circe”
By rights, I should never have come to witchcraft. Gods hate all toil, it is their nature. The closest we come is weaving or smithing, but these things are skills, and there is no drudgery to them, since all the parts that might be unpleasant are taken away with power. The wool is dyed not with stinking vats and stirring spoons, but with a snap. There is no tedious mining, the ores leap willing from the mountain. No fingers are ever chafed, no muscles strained.
Witchcraft is nothing but such drudgery. Each herb must be found in its den, harvested at its time, grubbed up from the dirt, culled and stripped, washed and prepared. It must be handled this way, then that, to find out where its power lies. Day upon patient day, you must throw out your errors and begin again. So why did I not mind? Why did none of us mind?
I cannot speak for my brothers and sister, but my answer is easy. For a hundred generations, I had walked the world drowsy and dull, idle and at my ease. I left no prints. I did no deeds. Even those who had loved me a little did not care to stay.
Then I learned that I could bend the world to my will, as a bow is bent for an arrow. I would have done that toil a thousand times to keep such power in my hands. I thought: this is how Zeus felt when he first lifted the thunderbolt.
It was one day during that time that I found myself among the thickest brakes of the forest. I loved to walk the island, from its lowest shores to its highest haunts, seeking out the hidden mosses and ferns and vines, collecting their leaves for my charms. It was late afternoon, and my basket overflowed. I stepped around a bush, and the boar was there.
I had known for some time that there were wild pigs on the island. I’d heard them squealing and crashing in the brush and often I would find some rhododendron trampled, or a stand of saplings rooted up. This was the first one that I’d seen.
He was huge, even bigger than I had imagined a boar could be. His spine rose steep and black as the ridges of Mount Cynthos, and his shoulders were slashed with the thunderbolt scars of his fights. Only the bravest heroes face such creatures, and then they are armed with spears and dogs, archers and assistants, and usually half a dozen warriors besides. I had only my digging knife and my basket and not a single spell-draught to hand.
He stamped, and the white foam dripped from his mouth. He lowered his tusks and ground his jaws. His pig-eyes said: I can break a hundred youths and send their bodies back to wailing mothers. I will tear your entrails and eat them for my lunch.
I fixed my gaze on his. “Try,” I said.
For a long moment he stared at me. Then he turned and twitched off through the brush. I tell you, for all my spells, that was the first time I truly felt myself a witch.
These excerpts come from pp. 83 and 87 from the hardcover edition of “Circe.”
Left: A mural painting of the witch Circe poisoning Odysseus' men, by Alessandro Allori, 1580. Image via Creative Commons
Society became obsessed with the idea of witches and the danger they supposedly posed. This led to the persecution and execution of thousands of innocent individuals, mostly women, who were accused of witchcraft. The mere suspicion of engaging in witchcraft was often enough to warrant a death sentence. These witch hunts were fueled by fear, ignorance, and superstitions. The accused were often marginalized members of society – midwives, healers, herbalists, or simply those who appeared different or unconventional. The witch hunts served as a way for people to exert control over those who did not conform to societal norms or who were seen as a threat to the established order. Over time, as society progressed and scientific knowledge grew, the belief in witches and witchcraft as a tangible threat began to wane. People started questioning the validity of these accusations and realized that many innocent lives had been needlessly lost. The idea of witches shifted from a legitimate fear to superstition and folklore. Today, the notion of witches is predominantly associated with popular culture and fictional stories. Halloween celebrations often feature witches as spooky characters, and movies and books continue to explore the archetype. Witches have become a symbol of empowerment and female strength, challenging traditional gender roles and societal expectations. However, it is important to remember the dark history behind the witch trials and the immense suffering and injustice they caused. In conclusion, the concept of witches has evolved over time. From feared and persecuted individuals to fictional characters and symbols of empowerment, witches have played a complex role in human history. While we no longer engage in witch hunts, it is crucial to acknowledge and learn from the mistakes of the past, always striving for a more just and inclusive society..
Reviews for "The Witch's Familiar: A Look into the World of Animal Companions"
- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Throw out witch". The storyline was confusing and didn't make much sense. The characters were underdeveloped and I couldn't connect with any of them. The pacing was also off, it felt slow and dragged on at times. Overall, I didn't enjoy this book and wouldn't recommend it.
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- Emily - 2 stars - I struggled to finish "Throw out witch". The concept seemed interesting, but the execution fell flat. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to immerse myself in the story. The characters lacked depth and their actions were often illogical. The book had potential, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to it. I wouldn't recommend it to others.