I was up early enough to see the morning moon over the pasture.
I couldn’t sleep, I lay in bed putting together an outfit in my mind. Scanning the clothes in my closet, and picturing the the different things hanging on my studio walls.
On Saturday a few women from my Bellydancing class and I will be participating in a Witch’s Walk in Pownal Vermont.
The walk is a remembrance of Margaret Krieger who was accused of being a Witch in 1785. She was thrown through a hole in the ice and into a river. If she floated it would prove she was a witch, if she sunk she wasn’t. Either way there was a good chance she wouldn’t survive. But Margaret Krieger did live. When she sank one of her accusers jumped in the river and saved her. She lived six more years and died at the age of 66.
It seems Margaret Krieger was living on some desirable property that was inherited by her sons when her husband died (women couldn’t own property at the time). Which is probably why she was accused of being a witch. Someone wanted the property.
A group of people from the Pownal Historical Society and anyone else who would like to join us will be walking over the bridge where a historical marker commemorating Margaret Krieger is. On the other side of the bridge Emily, Julz, Kathleen and I will dance to Song of the Witches.
The Historical society asked people to dress “…in their best interpretation of a Witch.”
I’ve been thinking about what that would mean for me. What is the witch inside of me?
I decided it has to do with my art, nature and my animals. So I used the things that hang on my studio walls, the bones and feathers I’ve collected from my walks in the woods and sewed them onto a long black velvet jacket, that I’ve had for years. I’ll wear my red boots, inspired by the witches in Alice Hoffmans’s books, and my felt hat with a few additions.
I didn’t get a chance to try the whole outfit on yet. But I have the part of it I worked on this morning hanging in my studio.
This Witches Walk feels like a powerful thing to be a part of. And for me, dancing there makes it ritual.
All are welcome, so if you live nearby, join us at 12:45 at the Dean Road Bridge in Pownal Vermont. (click here for more info)
Very powerful, Maria
:)
Wow Maria – that’s great – I hope you take pictures of yourself and the event!
I will Peg.
Love! Wish I lived nearby! Please post a photo of you as witch; sure you’ll be the prettiest one there. I’d love to read more about this gathering.
I’ll be sure to get a photo of us all Joye. :)
Looks like powerful soul medicine. Witches were often herbalists making medicines for body and soul.
Like many indigenous people they had knowledge of the Earth’s resources and how to use them.
(This is my own interpretation and understanding. )
I know there were many terrible reasons women were persecuted as “witches” having nothing to do with this.
Hope there will be some video of the dance. Wish I could be there.
So many people accused of being witches were healers. I feel that connection to the earth works as a connection to witches in that way.
Oh my gosh. I’d have loved to participate in this!!
I can just see you there Barb.
Very powerful,Maria
:)
How I wish I could be there! Sounds like a great event, to remember so many women. Bravo.
I’d have liked that too Veronica. :)