nonalimmen: ℑ, 2019. Affecting the weather and raising destructive storms was believed to be a
nonalimmen: ℑ, 2019. Affecting the weather and raising destructive storms was believed to be a common element of harmful sorcery in Europe throughout the medieval and post-classical era. The very earliest sources on witchcraft and weather magic describe naked women raising storms, especially lightning and hail. Christian authorities regarded these women as demonic sorcerers, and omens of destruction. However, there are also stories in which they appear as wise women who were the vestiges of the priestesses and sorceresses from the old Germanic age, cursed by the church for practicing heathen magic. These were the women that had ancient knowledge about natural medicine, nature, meteorology and so forth. Knowledge not shared by the common people. Knowledge that gave these women immense power because it was intimidating. Power for which they were admired and feared at the same time. Once rid of the fearful and vilifying gaze, we can recover these women’s knowledge and ancient beliefs, rendering them human, wise and powerful once more. (via Instagram) -- source link