Once upon a time, in a small village nestled deep in the woods, there lived a little witch named Willow. Willow was just a beginner witch, still learning spells and potions from her wise old grandmother. Every day, Willow would venture into the woods to gather herbs and ingredients for her magical experiments. One sunny morning, as Willow was skipping along the forest path, she stumbled upon a strange-looking stone. The stone was glowing with a bluish hue and seemed to pulsate with a magical energy. Curiosity sparked within Willow, and she picked up the stone, wondering what kind of enchantment it held.
Fascinated by this strange world of modern mysticism, the photographer set about hunting down the boldest and most famous Roma women for a photography project called Vrajitoare (“enchantress” or “witch” in English).
Fascinated by this strange world of modern mysticism, the photographer set about hunting down the boldest and most famous Roma women for a photography project called Vrajitoare enchantress or witch in English. The Gypsies also absorbed the religious and folk customs of the lands through which they traveled, and many of their practices contain strong Christian and pagan elements.
Curiosity sparked within Willow, and she picked up the stone, wondering what kind of enchantment it held. As soon as Willow touched the stone, she felt a jolt of electricity surge through her body. To her surprise, she found herself transformed into a beautiful forest nymph.
The mysterious modern world of Roma witchcraft
Black magic business — Twisting traditional rituals with 21st-century technology, the new generation of Roma women are transforming their old craft into a very modern business.
- Wednesday 31 October, 2018
- Text by Laura Isabella
- Photography by Lucia Sekerkova
Photographer Lucia Sekerkova was researching Romania for a potential study abroad year when she discovered a video of a Rodica and her Roma witch business.
Fascinated by this strange world of modern mysticism, the photographer set about hunting down the boldest and most famous Roma women for a photography project called Vrajitoare (“enchantress” or “witch” in English).
However, Sekerkova was quickly inspired to turn the project into something bigger. After receiving financial support from a university in Slovakia, Lucia began working closely with ethnologist Ivana Šusterová to tell the full story of these women. T his developed into Woman Selling Hope, an upcoming photography book which looks to bring both the images of the Roma women and the ethnological study closer to the general public.
We spoke with Lucia about this whirlwind world she entered into, the misconceptions that surround it, and why these mysterious cultural traditions are still thriving in the modern world.
What were you trying to show people with these photos?
Ivana and I were trying to show people the unique world of Wallachian Roma women in Romania. It’s unique because the women in Romania transformed their old craft, which has been handed down from generation to generation, into a very modern business. They no longer walk in the street, seeking appropriate hands for fortune telling as you would usually meet them in other countries. They are sought by clients on the basis of advertising in the media, or through social networks and visited them in their luxury houses. These pictures show a specific reality – one that teeters between mysticism, and their own promotion on social networks – which often produces an unexpected, bizarre picture for observers.
What are the consequences of the modernisation you witnessed? Is this symptomatic of a broader cultural change in Romania?
In Romania, there was a large increase in the number of women offering fortune telling or magic after 1989 – and their numbers are still growing now. Before that year, they could be arrested for these activities because it was forbidden by the Communist regime.
The reason a large number of these women are stepping into the modern world is the Internet, which helped them with their self-presentation. You can find ritual instructions and spells on their website or Facebook profiles. Everyone can learn it and start own business. In my photos, you can see these women holding their phone or taking a selfie, all during magic rituals. I decided to photograph all rituals without clients present, because a client doesn’t have to be part of the ritual in most cases. The women told us that they can solve problems of clients via the phone, and also they can read their future in tarot cards without visiting them. All that you have to do is to call them, wherever you are in the world.
Were these “vrăjitoare” open to sharing their world with you? What was it like capturing them with your camera?
They were more or less open to sharing – it depended on the motivation each of them had. Some of them didn’t accept our visitation if they felt they didn’t need advertising. Some of them don’t want to cooperate without money passing hands, but sometimes you just need time to impress. We just explained that we had a really serious interest in their traditions and culture and we would like to make a book about them. Most of them really liked this idea.
Also, we had an advantage: Ivana knows all about the Roma culture, so we could find some common topics with them and also speak in their language a little. We were trying to adapt to their world as much as we could, so most of the time we wore long skirts according to Roma tradition. All of this helped to open the door, but at the same time, we realised that we are still only strangers there. It was hard work sometimes because the women were manipulating us into the client role for the purposes of their self-promotion on social networks – broadcasting live videos of visits. I felt like I was their private photographer or their PR. Later, I realised that I should use these stylized portraits of the women in the project because it perfectly reflects them.
What was the weirdest thing that happened, did you have your fortune told?
I have a lot of weird stories. I went to see one woman, Maria Campina, twice with my interpreter Diana. The second time I visited, Maria took us into her client room. It was a dark room without daylight and fresh air. There were two life-size sculptures; one of them was Jesus Christ and the second was Maria Campina, who supposedly represented the Virgin Mary. There were also candles and other objects like dolls, cards, shells and a cross. Maria showed us the demonstration of some rituals. During one example, she screamed the spell so loud as she was sputtering holy water on us. Suddenly, my interpreter Diana lost colour in her face and started to feel sick. Neither of us are superstitious, but I realised that you don’t have to be a naive person to believe them because they have really good tactics in gaining your trust. By being in contact with them, I got the feeling that they are extremely talkative and resourceful, and have a talent for popular psychology.
The Gypsy witch is almost without exception a woman; she is called a chovihani. She uses her occult powers according to need, to bless and heal or curse and kill. Within the Gypsy community, she is not respected for her magical powers per se but for the money she brings in by servicing the gorgio (non-Gypsy) population. The rise in witchcraft and folk-magic activity in Europe and the British Isles in the 15th and 16th centuries probably was influenced by the spread of the Gypsies.
Her green witch robes had turned into a flowing gown made of leaves, and her pointed hat had transformed into a crown of flowers atop her golden hair. At first, Willow was bewildered by the sudden transformation. But as she looked around her, she realized that she had become one with the woods she loved so much. She could feel the plants whispering their secrets to her and see the hidden magical creatures that dwelled among the trees. Overwhelmed with joy, Willow decided to embrace her new form. She spent her days dancing with the woodland creatures, playing hide-and-seek with the mischievous sprites, and singing enchanting melodies that echoed through the forest. However, Willow soon discovered that her transformation was not permanent. The magic of the stone was slowly fading away, and she would soon return to her original form. Determined to make the most of her time as a forest nymph, Willow decided to use her newfound powers for good. She offered her healing touch to wounded animals and used her magic to help the plants grow stronger. She brought joy and laughter to the forest, spreading her love for nature to all who encountered her. The woodland creatures adored her and looked up to her as their guardian. As the days passed, Willow's time as a forest nymph drew to a close. With a heavy heart, she bid farewell to her newfound friends and placed the magical stone back where she had found it, hoping it would bring happiness to someone else in the future. Back in her little cottage, Willow resumed her studies as a witch. She became even more dedicated to honing her magical abilities, knowing that with each spell and potion, she was strengthening her connection to nature. Willow's time as a little witch in the woods had left an indelible mark on her. She continued to cherish the beauty of the forest and its inhabitants, always carrying a piece of the enchanted woods within her heart. And so, the story of Willow, the little witch in the woods, became a legend that was passed down through generations, reminding all who heard it of the magic that can be found in the simplest of places – even in the heart of a young witch..
Reviews for "The Little Witch in the Woods: A Magical Transformation"
1. Jake - 1/5 stars - I was extremely disappointed with "Little Witch in the Woods Switch". The writing was dull and the story lacked any real excitement. The characters were flat and uninteresting, making it difficult to care about their predicaments. Additionally, the plot felt disjointed and rushed, as though the author was trying to cram too much into a short story. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written fantasy.
2. Emily - 2/5 stars - I found "Little Witch in the Woods Switch" to be underwhelming. The concept had potential, but the execution fell flat. The pacing was off, with the story dragging in some parts and rushing through others. The world-building lacked depth, leaving me feeling disconnected from the magical realm the author was trying to create. The dialogue also felt forced and unnatural. While the premise may be appealing to some, I personally did not enjoy this book.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was hoping for a charming and whimsical read when I picked up "Little Witch in the Woods Switch," but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations. The writing style was bland, and the characterization was lacking. I had a hard time connecting with the protagonist and her journey. Additionally, the plot felt predictable and unoriginal. While there were some pleasant moments, overall, I found this book to be forgettable and would not recommend it to others.