Spotlight On: Witches

Today, after much delay* I turn the harsh, unforgiving spotlight on witches.
*ie, I kept forgetting. Why didn't you guys remind me? You really dropped the ball on this one...;P

witch [wich]

 –noun

1.	a person, now esp. a woman, who professes or is supposed to practice magic, esp. black magic or the black art; sorceress. Compare warlock.

2.	an ugly or mean old woman; hag: the old witch who used to own this building.

3.	a person who uses a divining rod; dowser.

[for an etymology of the word witch, go here]

Witches are everywhere, and this isn't always a bad thing. Glenda the Good Witch: not a bad thing. Sabrina, and other teenage witches: not a bad thing, provided they're properly trained.
But there are menacing witches out there, and it is crucial to be able to tell the difference.
If you suspect someone is a witch:

• Look at the way they are dressed. Are they wearing any hats, pointy or otherwise? Long, flowing skirts? Wicked, wizard-kicking boots? If yes to the hats and/or boots, you may be dealing with a bad witch. The skirts may mean a good witch. Or a bad witch. Or a hippy.
• Do they have any visible warts, hairy or otherwise? This can be a good indicator, but as not all moles/warts, etc are on the nose...
  
• Do they walked hunched over or with a painful stiffness? They may be a witch, or they may be suffering from arthritis. Or, they may be a witch suffering from arthritis.
• Do any animals follow them around? If so, pay attention to the animal. Good, friendly animal = good witch. But too-knowing, mean or shape-shifting animal typically means bad witch.
• If you happen to be invited over for dinner, please note the following:

• • is the house made of gingerbread, or any other baked good?
    
  • do they cook with or own a cauldron?
  • are you on the menu?

All of these things can help you discover a witch in your midst. But nothing is foolproof. As we learned with the Salem Witch hunts, it's better to just point your accusing finger at anyone you may suspect, or anyone who has wronged you in some way. Chances are, they are a witch.

In fact, are you a witch? Do you know what kind of witch you are? You may want to go here and find out.

If you indeed are a witch, here are some additional resources you may find helpful:

1. National Geographics witch hunt interactive
   
2. My Witch Child review. ;D
3. Witches [dot] net
4. A Witches Ancestry of notable woman accused of witchcraft
5. This 1914 New York Times article about swindle-witches. Everyday they're hustlin'
6. This witchy post from Ellz Readz
   
7. Or learn more from Laurie Cabot, "official witch of Salem" and co-founder of The Witches League for Public Awareness. I kid you not.

Famous Witches:
Wicked Witches:








Good Witches:










Teen witches:

Which Witch(es)? Who is the best Power of Three? The Charmed girls: Piper, Phoebe & Prue/Paige The original Witches of Eastwick: Alexandra, Jane & Sukie The new witches of Eastwick: Roxanne, Joanna & Kat The Hocus Pocus gals: Winnie, Sarah & Mary augur the portents!

REAL WITCHES!!! (This video is in Spanish. It's not a joke, but man is it funny)



Now let's go out on a good note. Everybody DANCE: