Unlocking the Secrets of the Amulet of Avarice

The Amulet of Avarice is a powerful artifact that has been spoken about in legends and folklore. It is said to possess the ability to bestow great wealth and fortune upon its wearer, but at a terrible cost. The amulet is said to have been created by a powerful warlock centuries ago, who sought to harness the energy of greed and avarice to his advantage. According to the legends, the amulet is a small, intricately designed pendant made of pure gold. The front of the pendant features a striking image of an eye, often depicted as glowing with an intense light. Many believe that this eye represents the all-seeing nature of greed, always searching for more wealth and power.

Since many witch “confessions” were obtained under torture, and the Catholic Church and others could be wildly reactionary to any deviance, all of this is hearsay. (And think of the splinters!) But the image of the witch on the broomstick combined anxieties on women’s sexuality, drug use, and religious freedom into one enduring myth.

It s not clear exactly when the broom itself was first invented, but the act of sweeping goes back to ancient times when people likely used bunches of thin sticks, reeds and other natural fibers to sweep aside dust or ash from a fire or hearth. Although the Devil is present in some form in many religions and can be compared to some mythological gods, he s arguably best known for his role in Christianity.

Many believe that this eye represents the all-seeing nature of greed, always searching for more wealth and power. Those who obtain the Amulet of Avarice are said to experience an immediate increase in their financial wealth. Riches seem to flow towards them effortlessly, and their material desires are effortlessly fulfilled.

The First Known Depiction of a Witch on a Broomstick

In the 15th century, the image of the witch flying on a broomstick first appeared, its meaning laden with sexual and spiritual depravity.

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Witches illustrated in Martin Le Franc’s ‘Le Champion des Dames’ (1451) (via Bibliothèque nationale de France (BNF)/Wikimedia)

As Halloween approaches, it offers a chance to delve into the occult, phantasmagoric, otherworldly, and haunted aspects of our world. In a series of posts, we’re exploring art history that offers a portal to a darker side of culture.

The visual of the witch on a broomstick is so ubiquitous as to be benign. Before the Wicked Witch of the West or Harry Potter took flight on the spindly cleaning tool, the image first appeared in the 15th century. Two women in marginal illustrations of the 1451 edition of French poet Martin Le Franc’s Le Champion des Dames (The Defender of Ladies), a manuscript now in the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BNF), are soaring, one on a stick, the other on a broom.

According to Witchcraft in Europe, 400-1700: A Documentary History, edited by University of Pennsylvania history professors Alan Charles Kors and Edward Peters, Le Champion des Dames has “the first such illustration in the pictorial history of witchcraft.” Le Franc’s long poem about virtuous women is interrupted by a discussion of witchcraft, and the covered heads of the two women marks them as Waldensians. This Christian movement emerged in the 12th-century. With its tenet that any member could be a priest, even a woman, and perform sacraments and preach, the bloody ire of the Catholic Church soon followed. That these heretics would also meddle with the supernatural was not a leap, but why the broomstick?

Francisco Goya, “Linda maestra!” (1797-98), etching, aquatint, and drypoint on laid paper (via Brooklyn Museum/Wikimedia)

Dylan Thuras at Atlas Obscura wrote that the “broom was a symbol of female domesticity, yet the broom was also phallic, so riding on one was a symbol of female sexuality, thus femininity and domesticity gone wild.” The two women in Le Champion des Dames importantly don’t appear deformed or grotesque, they are ordinary; their corruption cannot be visually perceived. And pagan rituals before the 15th century had involved phallic forms, so the shape of the broomstick between a woman’s legs had both a sexual and spiritually deviant meaning to the Church.

Yet it was racier than that. Richard Cavendish’s 1970 An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Supernatural cites a man, Guillaume Edelin, who confessed to flying on a broom in 1453 as the first known reference to the act. Just a few years later, in 1456, emerged the mention of “flying ointment.” Either given by the devil or crafted by a witch, the potion allowed a human to take flight, likely for a trip to the Witches’ Sabbath.

Albert Joseph Penot, “Départ pour le Sabbat” (1910) (via Wikimedia)

You might be able to guess where this is going. Megan Garber at the Atlantic cites the 15th-century writing of Jordanes de Bergamo, who stated:

The vulgar believe, and the witches confess, that on certain days or nights they anoint a staff and ride on it to the appointed place or anoint themselves under the arms and in other hairy places.

Hallucinogens of the time, such as ergot fungus, couldn’t just be eaten. They could be applied to mucous membranes, such as on genitalia, or those “other hairy places,” as Bergamo coyly put it. Matt Soniak at Mental Floss quotes Antoine Rose, who in 1477, when accused of witchcraft in France, confessed that the Devil gave her flying potions. She would “smear the ointment on the stick, put it between her legs and say ‘Go, in the name of the Devil, go!’”

Since many witch “confessions” were obtained under torture, and the Catholic Church and others could be wildly reactionary to any deviance, all of this is hearsay. (And think of the splinters!) But the image of the witch on the broomstick combined anxieties on women’s sexuality, drug use, and religious freedom into one enduring myth.

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By wearing the amulet, individuals are said to gain unwavering success in their businesses, investments, or any money-making endeavor they pursue. However, the newfound wealth and success come at a great price. As the amulet feeds off the wearer's greed and avarice, it begins to corrupt their soul. The wearer becomes consumed by their desire for more wealth and power, losing sight of their morals and values in the process. Relationships and friendships are often sacrificed in favor of pursuing more wealth, leading to a lonely and isolated existence. The legends warn that those who become too consumed by the amulet's power are doomed to suffer a terrible fate. Some tell tales of wearers who ultimately turned to thievery, murder, or other criminal activities in their desperate pursuit of riches. Others suggest that the amulet itself possesses a malevolent sentience, leading its wearers down a path of self-destruction. Despite the warnings and tales of its dangers, many still seek the Amulet of Avarice, believing that the rewards outweigh the risks. It is said to be hidden away in a secret location, guarded by traps, illusions, and powerful enchantments. Only those deemed worthy by the amulet itself are able to find and possess it. In conclusion, the Amulet of Avarice is a powerful artifact that promises great wealth and success to its wearer. However, the price to be paid is one's own soul and moral compass. The legends surrounding the amulet serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked greed and the pursuit of material wealth..

Reviews for "Unleashing the Hidden Potential of the Amulet of Avarice"

1. Sarah - 1 star

I was really disappointed with "Amulet of Avaroce". The storyline was predictable and lacked originality. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with any of them. Additionally, the pacing was extremely slow, causing the story to drag on unnecessarily. Overall, I found the book to be unengaging and not worth the time or money.

2. John - 2 stars

"Amulet of Avaroce" had the potential to be an interesting fantasy read, but it fell flat for me. The world-building was weak, leaving many unanswered questions and gaps in the lore. The writing style was average at best, with dialogue that felt forced and unnatural. The plot twists were predictable and didn't offer any real surprises. I was hoping for a captivating and immersive experience, but unfortunately, this book didn't deliver.

3. Emily - 2 stars

I had high expectations for "Amulet of Avaroce", but it didn't live up to the hype. The protagonist was unrelatable and lacked motivation, making it hard to root for them. The romance subplot felt forced and unnecessary, adding nothing to the overall plot. The book also had several grammar and punctuation errors, which distracted me from fully enjoying the story. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown and wouldn't recommend it to others.

4. Michael - 1 star

"Amulet of Avaroce" was a complete waste of my time. The writing was amateurish, with awkward sentences and repetitive phrases throughout. The author's attempts at creating suspense and tension fell flat, making the story feel dull and predictable. The plot was disjointed and lacked cohesion, with subplots that added nothing substantial to the overall narrative. I struggled to finish the book, and in the end, I was left unsatisfied and disappointed.

Exploring the Dark Side of the Amulet of Avarice