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Galveston: The Witchery and The Witches Ball

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As I was visiting my sister in Galveston, a store front called The Witchery caught my attention.   I have actually briefly been to this store years ago with my sister, as it is located on the same street my sister used to live on, but never thought twice about it before this course. My dogs even frequent the ice cream shop, Hey Mikey’s, located right next to The Witchery. According to owners of the Witchery, Clyde and Kimberly Wood, the goal of the store is to provide shoppers the resources they need in self discovery, self empowerment, and spiritual enlightenment. The shop carries hundreds on books on various religions, as well as Wicca and Paganism. Along with books and inspirational gifts, they also sell crystals, herbs, and essential oils. The shop also offers psychic readings every weekend.  A video on The Witchery: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=34&v=xwYh8OiSY3c&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.galveston.com%2F&embeds_referring_origin=http...
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Digital Necromancy

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 When I first heard the term "digital necromancy" I couldn't fathom how this could be real, however digital necromancy is in fact real and a highly debated subject since the 2010s. The event that first sparked this debate was an ad released by Johnnie Walker in 2010 in which Bruce Lee, who had been deceased for 40 years, is shown selling the scotch. Johnnie Walker's Bruce Lee ad:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYoQ1mCyCKo Other examples include a 2011 Dior ad featuring Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, and Marlene Dietrich.  Dior ad:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLaCc9wUqUs This 'digital necromancy' is done through generative AI in which the user is able to conjure the dead from their digital footprint. One reason for the desire to use a dead celebrity in an advertise is that it is actually more cost effective to utilize a deceased celebrity via animation than to hire a living one to act in an advertisement. Beyond posthumous film and music appearances, the t...
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Witches and Nursing/Midwifery

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 Throughout various accounts of witch accusations and trials, one of the reasons individuals were accused were for having magical powers to affect health - harming and healing.  In the 18th and 19th centuries, healthcare and healing was often provided by women who were sometimes referred to as wise women, healers, cunning women, and midwives.  In the 19th century, America had a rise of the male medical profession which is by some reports, suspected to be linked to female witchcraft accusations.  As a nursing major, I have always been interested in effective non-pharmacological therapies, so I decided to look into some that were used by wise women and midwives during the time of the witch trials. Some natural and herbal remedies used by healers included:  Ergot: labor pains/speed Today: ergot derivatives still used today to hasten labor Belladonna (AKA nightshade): inhibit uterine contractiosn Today:  anti-spasmodic dilating pupils for eye exams/surgeries at...
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Austin Witchfest

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     In brainstorming a blog post topic while home this weekend, I decided to look into any witchy activity/gatherings in my hometown, Austin. In doing so, I quickly came across an event that took place today (April 28th) called Austin Witchfest held at the Palmer events center.  https://austinwitchfest.org/ TikTok video posted showing experience at 2023 Witchfest:  https://www.tiktok.com/@lexxheavy/video/7207246552069311787      In exploring the event's website for more context, I learned that the event is hosted by the non-profit Austin Witchfest Inc. who are dedicated to "the celebration, education, and practice of witchcraft." Tickets to the event cost $15-20 and include admission to rituals, workshops, and other entertainment. The schedule includes items such as an opening ritual, live music, and witch dances. Presentations offered included ghost hunting 101, the history of spiritualism and a ouija workshop, dark herbalism and poisonings, etc...
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The Rise of Angel Numbers in Fashion and Social Media

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     Though angel numbers and numerology have had roots in various cultures for centuries, I, like many of my generation, did not know the significance of angel numbers until they started to grow popularity on social media through influencers such as Kylie Jenner and Hailey Bieber sporting angel number jewelry. After this, I began noticing the popularity of angel number jewelry, my "for you page" suddenly included posts about the poster seeing their angel numbers everywhere, and for the first time I began noticing/consciously aware of angel numbers in my own life.  Kylie Jenner wearing a 222 angel number necklace. Her mother, Kris Jenner, reported that Kylie had owned this necklace for 5 years prior, and just so happened to be wearing it on 2/2/22 when her son was born.  After learning about the presence and significance of angel numbers, I had to do more research. Numerology is the belief in an occult or divine relationship between a number and coinciding event...
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The Rise of Witchy Fashion

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    In researching the evolution of "witchy" fashion trends, I came across an article by British Vogue entitled, "The Vogue Guide To Being a Modern Witch" . The guide begins: "October is to witches what September is to models: a moment to shine. Replace the catwalk with an ancient forest, the spotlight with moonlight and the stage is set. Didn’t you hear? Being witchy is now something to aspire to ."      In this intro, British Vogue is making Sabbaths trendy, equating them as a catwalk, a witch's time to shine. A ritual that witches used to be accused of and persecuted for is now "fashionable." British Vogue describes the modern witch's typical daytime attire according to social media as monotone or tulle dress/skirt with a chunky sweater with a wide lace collar. Her hair would be long and "feminine" with flowers and/or ribbons. At nighttime however, British Vogue says that the modern witch should get "vampy" would in...
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Caelum Moor: “Please, No Witchcraft Park in Arlington”

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“Please, No Witchcraft Park in Arlington”      Caelum Moor , pink granite statues in Arlington, TX nicknamed "Texas' Stonehenge" made NBCDFW news in 2009 for their re-erection. But why were they controversial enough to be taken down in the first place?       The Caelum Moor environmental sculpture park was originally put up in 1984. The designer, Norm Hines, states that his vision in these sculptures was to feel as though viewers are in the Scottish Highlands. In 1996 Windstar Properties made a deal with Arlington officials to move the statues to a new site 1,400 feet from where they were so that they could build a shopping center on the property.        This deal was argued by some, such as minister Dena Smith, who accused the sculpture park of being a religious site and wanted the deal to go a step further and completely remove the stones from the city of Arlington. Smith claimed she had seen the statue park being used by witches...
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