Disobedient witch tales have long been a fascinating and enchanting part of folklore and literature. These tales often feature a witch who is not afraid to challenge societal norms and expectations, choosing to go against the beliefs and customs of the magical world. In traditional witch lore, witches are often portrayed as wise women who possess immense knowledge and power. They may use their magical abilities to heal, protect or curse. However, the disobedient witch turns this stereotype on its head by embracing her own desires and ambitions, even if they contradict the accepted ideals of her magical community. These tales frequently feature a rebellious witch who refuses to conform to the roles and expectations assigned to her.
These tales frequently feature a rebellious witch who refuses to conform to the roles and expectations assigned to her. Instead, she carves her own path, embracing her individuality and defying anyone who tries to control or suppress her. This defiance may stem from a desire to be free from the constraints of societal expectations or from a strong sense of injustice at the treatment of witches by other magical beings.
Witches In The Bible
For the most part, the Holy Bible depicts witches as agents of Satan who must be put to death. But in one case, Saul the King of Israel consults a witch to summon the spirit of King Samuel, and the only person who winds up losing their life as a result is King Saul.
But the very fact that the Bible is constantly mentioning witches and mediums and sorceresses is proof that in the ancient past, as in the current year, there will always be several modes of spirituality that not only go against mainstream religion, they position women as the chief intercessors between the real world and the spiritual world.
Bible Verses That Condemn Witchcraft
The Old Testament explicitly condemns all forms of spiritualism besides obedience toward the God of Israel. In many cases it even encourages the death penalty for anyone who is a “sorceress,” “medium,” or “spiritist.”
“Do not allow a sorceress to live.” —Exodus 22:18
“A man or woman who is a medium or spiritist among you must be put to death. You are to stone them; their blood will be on their own heads.” —Leviticus 20:27
“Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them.”— Leviticus 19:31
“Let no one be found among you who consigns his son or daughter to the fire, or who is an augur, a soothsayer, a diviner, a sorcerer, one who casts spells, or one who consults ghosts or familiar spirits, or one who inquires of the dead. For anyone who does such things is abhorrent to the LORD, and it is because of these abhorrent things that the LORD your God is dispossessing them before you.” — Deuteronomy 18:10=12
Queen Jezebel, the Witch
Painting of Queen Jezebel by John Liston Bryan Shaw. (Wikimedia Commons)One of the most famous “nasty women” of the Old Testament is Queen Jezebel, who is described in the Books of Kings as a the wife of Ahab, king of Israel.
She was known to be vain and to adorn herself in fine silks and makeup. She seduced her husband to turn away from Yahweh and toward the false gods Baal and Asherah. She pushed for her own religion to become Israel’s national religion and routinely encouraged the persecution and destruction of real Hebrew prophets. Jezebel, whose name has become synonymous with a disobedient woman, even set up a landowner’s death by falsely accusing him of blasphemy.
It is in the Bible verse II Kings 9:22 that we learn Jezebel is also a practitioner of witchcraft:
When Joram saw Jehu, he asked, “Is all well, Jehu?” But Jehu replied, “How can all be well as long as your mother Jezebel carries on her countless harlotries and sorceries?”
For her transgressions against the one true God, Jezebel met a brutal end: She was thrown from a window by Jehu’s servants. Upon hitting the ground she was trampled to death by Jehu’s horse. Stray dogs ate her corpse.
King Samuel and the Witch of Endor
The Witch of Endor from the Book of Samuel. (Wikimedia Commons)Perhaps the most mysterious witch in the Bible is the so-called Witch of Endor, whose story is covered in the biblical chapter of 1 Samuel 28.
Although King Saul had issued orders that all witches in Israel be put to death, in a moment of weakness he consulted a famous local medium for advice as his forces faced a military threat from the Philistines. Bringing two bodyguards with him, Saul disguised himself as an ordinary soldier and consulted a female medium from the village of Endor.
He asked her to summon the spirit of the recently deceased King Samuel to give advice about the pending war with the Philistines. When Samuel appeared from the dead, the Witch of Endor immediately realized that the man in the disguise was King Saul and chastised Saul for deceiving her.
The ghost of King Samuel told King Saul the the next day he and his forces would launch into a battle with the Philistines that they would lose and that would kill Saul in the process. Weakened with fear at the news, Saul fell to the ground.
In a rare biblical portrait of a compassionate spiritualist, the Witch of Endor encouraged Saul, who had been weakened by hunger, to eat some of the fattened calf and baked bread she had prepared. After eating, Saul and his associates left.
They next day, King Samuel’s prophecy came true: Saul was slain in battle and Israel fell into the hands of the Philistines.
But the entire passage is a biblical endorsement of the idea that some witches, no matter how demonic, possess supernatural abilities to predict the future.
The disobedient witch is often depicted as strong-willed, determined, and fiercely independent. She is unafraid to challenge the status quo and assert her own power and agency. Her disobedience can come in various forms, such as refusing to adhere to traditional spells and potions, openly practicing forbidden magic, or using her powers for personal gain rather than for the greater good. In some tales, the disobedient witch is initially seen as an outcast or villain, but as the story unfolds, her true nature and motivations are revealed. This provides an opportunity for readers to question societal norms and explore themes of individuality, freedom, and the power of choice. These tales often serve as cautionary tales, warning against the dangers of blindly following societal expectations and the potential consequences of suppressing one's true self. They remind us that it is important to question and challenge the norms and beliefs that limit our individuality and potential. Overall, disobedient witch tales offer a refreshing and empowering perspective on the traditional witch archetype. They celebrate the power of individuality, free will, and the courage to challenge societal norms, inspiring readers to embrace their own unique powers and follow their own path..
Reviews for "Breaking the Chains: The Liberation of Disobedient Witches"
1. Jessica - 2 stars - Disobedient witch tales did not live up to my expectations. I found the stories to be predictable and lacking in originality. The characters were one-dimensional and I struggled to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the stories. Overall, I was disappointed with this collection and would not recommend it to others.
2. David - 1 star - I have read many books about witches, but Disobedient witch tales was by far the worst. The stories were not only boring, but also poorly written. The author seemed to rely on clichés and tired tropes, making it feel like I was reading the same story over and over again. The lack of creativity and originality was a major disappointment. I simply could not enjoy this book and regretted wasting my time on it.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I was hoping for an exciting and unique collection of witch tales with Disobedient witch tales, but unfortunately, it fell flat. The stories lacked depth and failed to capture my attention. The plots were predictable and unoriginal, leaving me bored and unfulfilled. Additionally, the writing style was lackluster and did not engage my imagination. I found myself rushing through the stories just to finish them, as I had no desire to continue reading. Overall, I would not recommend this book to fellow witch tale enthusiasts.