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Witches' Night Out
“By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes.
Open, locks, Whoever knocks!”
~ MacBeth, William Shakespeare, (c. 1603-1607)
All hail, mortals! If that old black magic has you in its spell, beware—there may be a bell, book, candle, and a witch not far behind! But remember, not all magic is “black magic.” Many of those once called witches, whether by choice or accusation, were far more likely to be healers, herbalists, or wise women practicing the benevolent arts of their craft.
The terminology itself—spelling and all—has long been debated. Among those who study or practice “magick” (often defined as the science and art of causing change to occur in conformity with will), distinctions abound: black magic, white magic, and even shades of grey in between.
One curious branch of witchly scholarship is Strixology—writing about the origins, nature, and dangers of witches. The word strix in Latin means both “screech-owl” and “witch,” a fittingly eerie overlap. In medieval times, such texts were used to justify persecution, yet later centuries would turn them toward defending or rationalizing the misunderstood.
From these early writings, much of our familiar “witchy” imagery was born—the black cat, the bubbling cauldron, and, of course, that pointed black hat. As for the broom, history offers a delightful twist: before the early 20th century, it was actually more common to see witches illustrated riding their brooms backwards, with the brush end facing forward!
This black and candy-corn coloured tartan is perfect for witches or warlocks with a sweet tooth!
So the next time you see a witch soaring through the night sky—no matter which way her trusty broom is pointed—don’t begrudge her a little mischief and moonlight. After all, every good witch deserves a Girls’ Night Out! Cackle! Cackle! 🖤 🧡 🤍 💛 🧙♀️ 🧙♀️ 🧙♀️ 🧹 🧹 🧹
Historically, the distinction between ancient traditions, rituals, superstitions, and the practice of magic has been intertwined. Many practices and traditions that were common depended upon a belief in magic.
Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celts, who lived over 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1, a day marking the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter. The Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred.
Witches have their origins in these ancient times and were believed to have special access to the mysteries of the spirit world, especially during the liminal times of the Samhain season. They were often healers with knowledge of the practices of natural medicines as well as the keepers of the community rituals.
However, over time the status of these healers deteriorated and their special knowledge and practices turned them into targets of suspicion and persecution. Deemed by the early Church to be cohorts of the devil, witches were said to employ spells and charms to bring harm to good men and women, a practice known as "black magic," the use of supernatural power or magic for evil and selfish purposes.
Designed by Carol A.L. Martin, this tartan combines the seasonal colors of harvest time with a dark overlay of an unseen magical menace for this Hallowe'en season.
Click the dark jack-o-lanterns for more depictions of magic in pre-Raphaelite art.