Mary Shelley's classic novel, "Frankenstein," explores the theme of witchcraft, although not in the traditional sense. While the story is typically associated with science fiction and horror, Shelley subtly weaves themes of witchcraft throughout the narrative. The essence of witchcraft lies in the power to manipulate and control the forces of nature, and in "Frankenstein," it is Victor Frankenstein's relentless pursuit of knowledge and his attempt to transcend the boundaries of life and death that aligns him with the archetype of a witch. Victor's obsession with creating life is akin to a dark spell, as he delves into forbidden knowledge and performs forbidden acts, going against the natural order of things. Like a witch casting spells, Victor uses his scientific knowledge and techniques to manipulate the elements of life, seeking to create a creature that is unnatural and goes against nature's laws. Just as witches are often depicted as solitary figures on the fringes of society, Victor isolates himself from his loved ones and becomes consumed with his work.
These Cunning Folk and the communities they served maintained the belief in the local spirits of wood and well, of fire and storm and sea, alongside their Christianity. This practice is called syncretism, and is found in many traditions around the world, where the imposition of the new faith could only go so deep. Instead, the connection to the land and its unique spirits remained. These spirits went by many names, and still do (some were clearly connected to specific trees and rivers and natural features—nature spirits as we may understand them today) but others were of the wider spirit nations of the land, who are commonly called the Faeries in the Celtic traditions. Sometimes in Scotland these were also called devils, although they were described in the same way. As the effects of Christianity were felt particularly strongly there, some of these practitioners were accused of using malevolent magic and tried as witches. However, in Ireland and Wales, there was very little condemnation, and the Cunning Folk were almost universally associated with benevolent magic and were often valued in their communities. Their fairy spirit allies vary widely in appearance and temperament and went by many names: the Good Neighbours, the Daoine Maithe, and the Sidhe, in Ireland; in Scotland they are the Seelie and Unseelie courts; and in Wales they are the Gwragedd Annwn and the Tylwyth Teg to name but a few. Each healer or Cunning Man or woman would have at least one faery friend, often many, from whom they would learn their magic and who would assist them in their work. Throughout the Christian period into the modern era, the Creideamh Sí, or the faery faith, has survived, and these beings continued to be the allies and spirit kin of our Celtic folk healers and magical workers as they always had.
They performed this work often with great success with the aid of verbal and practical charms and spells that were handed down orally, as well as a vast knowledge of herbal medicine drawn from their landscape, often impressive psychic skills, known as seership, and almost invariably with the assistance of various helping spirits. A traditional method of folk healing is to attend a holy well or other sacred body of water, and to use a cloth to dip in the water and lave the sick person, asking the spirits of the waters to bless and cure them.
Just as witches are often depicted as solitary figures on the fringes of society, Victor isolates himself from his loved ones and becomes consumed with his work. He neglects his family, friends, and even his own health as he becomes more and more absorbed in his quest to play god. This isolation and disregard for the consequences of his actions further align him with the image of a witch, who is often considered an outcast or a threat to society.
Celtic Magic (Llewellyn's World Religion & Magick) (Paperback)
Celtic magic. These words conjure up images of Druids and mystical oak groves, daring Irish warriors, fairies, elves, and ancient deities who took an active part in the lives of the people who worshipped them. Practical and easy to understand, Celtic Magic offers important features that distinguish it from other books written about the Celts:
- An in-depth discussion of Celtic culture and customs
- A complete listing of Celtic myths and deities
- Step-by-step instructions for spellwork, ritual, meditations, and divination to help you gain insight or make changes in your life
This friendly Celtic magic book is designed for both beginners and those who possess intermediate-level magical skills--and anyone who simply has a great interest in Celtic history, lore, and magic.
About the Author
A native of the Pacific Northwest, D.J. Conway (1939 - 2019) studied the occult fields for over 35 years. Her quest for knowledge covered Paganism, Wicca, New Age, and Eastern philosophies as well as history, the magical arts, mythology, and folklore. Conway wrote more than 20 nonfiction books, including Celtic Magic (Llewellyn), Dancing with Dragons (Llewellyn), Mystical Dragon Magic (Llewellyn), The Ancient Art of Faery Magick (10 Speed Press), and The Little Book of Candle Magic (10 Speed Press).
Product Details
ISBN: 9780875421360
ISBN-10: 0875421369
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
Publication Date: September 8th, 2002
Pages: 224
Language: English
Series: Llewellyn's World Religion & Magick
- Magick Studies
- Witchcraft (See Also Religion - Wicca)
- Folklore & Mythology
If you live near or visit the sea, honour it with offerings and learn its ways, the turn of the tides and the power of the liminal spaces between sea and land. Learn its regional folklore. There are a great many sea spirits that are remembered in Celtic folk magic. Among the most famous and beautiful are the selkies, the seal folk:
Moreover, the consequences of Victor's "witchcraft" are not without their own repercussions. The creature he creates becomes a symbol of the supernatural, possessing powers and abilities far beyond those of a normal human. In a way, the creature can be seen as a manifestation of Victor's own abilities and desires, mirroring the witches who are said to harness the powers of the unknown. Furthermore, Victor's actions, much like the consequences of witchcraft, bring about destruction and chaos. The deaths of his loved ones and the suffering experienced by both Victor and the creature can be seen as a price to pay for their meddling with forces beyond their control. Just as witches are often associated with curses, Victor and his creation are cursed with a life filled with pain and misery. In conclusion, Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" encompasses elements of witchcraft through the character of Victor Frankenstein. His relentless pursuit of knowledge, his isolation, and the destructive consequences of his actions align him with the archetype of a witch. Through this lens, the novel explores the dangers of tampering with the natural order of things and the consequences that can arise from playing god..
Reviews for "The Witch's Apprentice: Victor Frankenstein's Transformation into a Practitioner"
1. John Doe - 1 out of 5 stars - I was extremely disappointed with "The Witchcraft of Frankenstein". The storyline was convoluted and confusing, making it difficult to follow the plot. The characters lacked depth and development, rendering them uninteresting and unrelatable. Additionally, the pacing was incredibly slow, resulting in a tedious reading experience. Overall, I found the book to be lackluster and would not recommend it to others.
2. Jane Smith - 2 out of 5 stars - I had high hopes for "The Witchcraft of Frankenstein", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing style was disjointed, making it hard to connect with the story. Furthermore, the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The author attempted to merge elements of horror and fantasy, but the execution was muddled and ineffective. While there were some intriguing ideas, the overall execution left much to be desired.
3. Sarah Johnson - 2.5 out of 5 stars - "The Witchcraft of Frankenstein" had potential, but it ultimately failed to captivate me. The narrative lacked cohesion, jumping between various storylines without a clear direction. This made it difficult to invest in the characters or the events unfolding. The pacing was erratic, with moments of intense action followed by long stretches of monotony. While there were some interesting aspects, the overall execution left me feeling underwhelmed.