In the quiet town of Mendon, nestled deep within the heart of a mystical forest, there resides a mysterious witch. The townsfolk describe her as an enigmatic figure, shrouded in a swirling cloak of deep purple. Her piercing green eyes hold a wisdom that seems to transcend time, guiding her every move. Named the Mystic Forest Witch, she is a figure that both fascinates and intrigues the residents of Mendon. Rumors and tales of the witch have been whispered throughout the town for generations. Some claim that she possesses the ability to communicate with the spirits of the forest, while others believe she can control the very elements themselves.
Dave didn't encounter anything strange again until he was ten, when he had a very vivid dream. He dreamed he was an adult male walking through the woods towards a small house. He carried an axe in one hand. When he entered the small house he saw a middle-aged woman with long gray hair making love to a Native American man. In a jealous rage he killed them both, but as he did the woman glared at him not with fear, but with hatred and evil.
They thought they could see someone hiding in the trees nearby, but when they tried to get a closer look it seemed as though the light was refracting strangely around the laughing figure, making it hard to see. CHAOKOCartoons Banner Artist Posts 1610 Joined Wed Dec 26, 2012 12 33 pm Location On this 3 dimensional shape we call The place we happen to exist I guess.
Some claim that she possesses the ability to communicate with the spirits of the forest, while others believe she can control the very elements themselves. There are stories of her aiding the lost and weary travelers who stumble upon her domain, and even rumors of her using her powers to heal the sick. Despite the fear and superstition that often surrounds witches, the people of Mendon have come to regard the Mystic Forest Witch with a mixture of reverence and awe.
Mystic forest witch in Mendon
Last week I wrote about A.O. Spare, the British art world, and witchcraft. This week I'm bringing the witchcraft back to New England for a particularly creepy story.
It comes from Christopher Balzano's Dark Woods: Cults, Crime and the Paranormal in the Freetown State Forest. I highly recommend this book if you like your folklore scary and weird. Balzano interviewed people who live near Massachusetts's Freetown Forest and also researched some uncanny occurrences that happened there. The result is a collection of spooky - and allegedly true - stories like this one.
Dave (no last name given) grew up in a rural area in southern Massachusetts. His backyard abutted the Freetown State Forest, and as a boy he and his friends liked to play in the thick woods. The forest has more than 50 miles of unpaved roads and covers more than 5,000 acres, so there was plenty of space for the boys to play.
There was also plenty of space for strange things to happen. One day when he was six, Dave and a friend were in the woods when they heard someone laughing at them. They thought they could see someone hiding in the trees nearby, but when they tried to get a closer look it seemed as though the light was refracting strangely around the laughing figure, making it hard to see. Both boys were terrified and ran home. They kept their encounter secret.
Dave didn't encounter anything strange again until he was ten, when he had a very vivid dream. He dreamed he was an adult male walking through the woods towards a small house. He carried an axe in one hand. When he entered the small house he saw a middle-aged woman with long gray hair making love to a Native American man. In a jealous rage he killed them both, but as he did the woman glared at him not with fear, but with hatred and evil.
OK. Let me just interject to say that's one freaky dream for a ten-year old to have. But more on that later. Back to David's story .
| The Freetown State Forest. |
Only one of the boys had invited her to enter his bedroom. The results were disastrous. She forced herself on the boy, which terrified him. His parents had to break down the bedroom door to reach their screaming son, who lay in bed as if someone was holding him down. The family eventually moved away from the Freetown State Forest.
Dave had his own nighttime visit from the witch, which he claims happened while he was awake. He sometimes saw a white figure following him in the woods and heard the eerie laughter he had heard years ago. He also told Balzano that he had seen a large black cat in the area. Black cats aren't that unusual, but this one walked on its rear legs.
The witch definitely was scary, but despite this Dave and some of the boys became obsessed with her. They visited the old foundation repeatedly, and one of Dave's friends would wander through the woods trying to find her.
The witchy phenomena quieted down as Dave got older. He hasn't seen the witch for many years. He moved out of his parents' house, and has a girlfriend and a child. He still gets nervous when he goes to visit his parents at his old house near the woods, though.
I really like this story. Yes, it's spooky, but it reminds me of the stories I'd hear when I was just a kid, sitting on my back porch in the late summer. Plus, I love a good New England witch story.
First off, let's get something out of the way. Is this story true? I have no way to tell. Balzano says the Freetown Historical Society has no record of anyone living in the woods, but the ruins of the house seem to be real. I also don't recall any famous witch cases from that area, but that doesn't mean strange things don't still happen.
| The Freetown State Forest. |
Rather than trying to prove or debunk it, I think it's more interesting to look at what's happening in Dave's story, For example, it's interesting to compare this story with last week's post about Austin Osman Spare and Mrs. Paterson. Both involve older female witches trying to seduce teenage boys. Austin Spare found the experience liberating and enlightening; Dave and his friends were terrified. Can it just be chalked up to Spare's artistic sensibility? Maybe, but perhaps the Freetown boys were just much more aware that even women can be sexual abusers.
If I were a Freudian analyst, and not just someone who read some Freud in college, I'd probably make a lot out of Dave's dream where he is an adult male killing the witch and her lover. That feels like some heavy-duty Oedipal symbolism to me. That dream also somehow kicks off several years of unpleasantly sexual witch-haunting as the boys work their way through puberty. The haunting seems to have stopped when Dave and friends reached full maturity. It all seems to make symbolic sense.
Finally, what exactly who or what was this mysterious woman? The boys called her a witch because of her appearance, and the black cat seems to support them. She's also a ghost. I've mentioned on this blog before that witches tend to live on after death, so that's not really surprising. She also reminds me of the rapacious succubi, seductive female demons that appear in Medieval folklore.
Witch? Ghost? Demon? Maybe the forest just shows us what we're looking for. Balzano writes that "the paranormal is often defined by the people who experience it," so it makes sense that teenage boys who lived on the edge of a big New England forest experienced what they did.
Tony and I have actually been to the Freetown State Forest. We didn't see any ghostly witches, but did find the woods there kind of unsettling. So if you go looking for the witch use caution. Who knows what you might find there yourself?
Post by Render » Wed Mar 13, 2013 2:26 pm
They understand that she is a guardian of the forest, a protector of its delicate balance and a source of ancient wisdom. She is seen as a force for good in a world that often seems overrun by darkness. Visiting the Mystic Forest Witch is no easy task. Her cottage is hidden deep within the dense foliage, camouflaged among towering trees and twisting vines. Only those who possess true determination and an open heart can find their way to her door. Once inside, visitors are met with a sense of calm and serenity, as though entering a sanctuary untouched by time. The witch herself is often found in her garden, tending to the vibrant array of herbs and flowers that grow there. It is said that she derives her powers from the natural world, using the plants and elements to create potions and spells. Her knowledge of herbal remedies is legendary, and she is known to heal both the body and soul of those who seek her guidance. The Mystic Forest Witch is not without her challenges, however. There are those in Mendon who fear her and the powers she possesses. They view her as a threat, a potentially dangerous force that could disrupt the delicate balance of their tranquil town. Ignorance breeds fear, and it is through understanding and open-mindedness that the people of Mendon can truly appreciate the value the witch brings to their community. As dusk settles over the mystical forest, the Mystic Forest Witch retreats to her cottage, her work done for another day. The townsfolk of Mendon may never fully understand the extent of her powers or the depth of her connection to the natural world, but they can appreciate the beauty and magic she adds to their lives. In a world filled with uncertainty, the Mystic Forest Witch serves as a reminder that there is still wonder and enchantment to be found, even in the most unexpected of places..
Reviews for "Unlocking the Secrets of the Mystic Forest Witch's Cauldron"
1. Jane - 2/5 - I was really looking forward to experiencing the "Mystic forest witch in Mendon" but was sadly disappointed. The whole experience felt very underwhelming and lacked any real depth or excitement. The witch character was not engaging and seemed to be going through the motions rather than truly immersing us in her world. The overall atmosphere of the event was also lackluster, failing to capture the mystical feel it promised. It's a shame because with some improvements, this could have been a truly fantastic experience.
2. Michael - 1/5 - I had high hopes for the "Mystic forest witch in Mendon" based on the description, but it fell far short of my expectations. The witch's performance was uninspired and seemed more like a basic role-play rather than an immersive experience. The storyline was confusing and disjointed, leaving me feeling disconnected from the whole experience. Additionally, the set design was lacking, and the overall ambiance failed to create the desired mystical atmosphere. I would not recommend this event to anyone looking for a truly immersive and engaging experience.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - The "Mystic forest witch in Mendon" was a complete letdown for me. The whole concept seemed intriguing, but the execution was very poor. The witch character lacked depth and authenticity, often resulting in awkward interactions. The supposed mystical forest setting was nothing more than a dimly lit room with a few plants and cheap decorations. The overall experience felt rushed and poorly planned, leaving me feeling disappointed and unsatisfied. I would not recommend wasting your time or money on this event.