“Perhaps I am the only person who, asked whether she were a witch or not, could truthfully say, ‘I do not know. I do know some very strange things have happened to me, or through me.’"
- From Bless This House by Norah Lofts
This is independent confirmation of something I have been thinking and writing about for many years. Strange things, both good and bad, do indeed happen to, through and around some people; the speaker above is far from being the only person to experience strange phenomena.
Synchronicity, very good or very bad timing and amazing coincidences are often involved, and so are what might be called blessing and, its opposite, cursing. The same person may be able to perform both actions:
“’Blessings be on this house,’ Granny said, perfunctorily. It was always a good opening remark for a witch. It concentrated people's minds on what other things might be on this house.”
- From Witches Abroad by Terry Pratchett
Terry Pratchett’s witch books are very amusing, with occasional serious comments and thought-provoking ideas about magic and witches.
“There were really only four types of people in the world: men and women and wizards and witches.”
- From I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett
The reference to wizards has reminded me that strange things happen to and through Harry Potter even before he starts his training.
For example, there is a very significant scene in the first Harry Potter film: Harry gets angry when Dudley pushes him over when they are visiting the zoo; a glass barrier disappears and Dudley finds himself in the snake’s enclosure.
Hagrid says to him a bit later, “Did you ever make anything happen, anything that you couldn’t explain, when you were angry or scared? You’re a wizard Harry.”
Despite what people who want to sell something, obtain followers or control people may say, witches - and wizards - are born not made, although studying, training and practising may enhance innate abilities.
Despite what people who want to attract attention and make themselves seem interesting, unusual, important and glamorous may say, someone who claims to be a witch, presents an exotic image, talks about ‘magick’ and takes part in rituals and ceremonies is not necessarily the real thing.
Terry Pratchett makes this point several times in his books: he says for example that the wearing of occult jewellery and black clothes and assuming a fancy name do not in themselves make someone a witch.
Real witches can be recognised by the effect that they have on people and the strange things that happen to, through and around them.
