In popular culture, the witch is often portrayed as an ageing crone, chanting over a steaming cauldron and cackling in the moonlight.
Moonlight, cauldron, crone, chanting; we understand the significance of all of these. The significance of the cackling, however, is harder to define.
Is it diabolical ecstasy or a sign of madness? Are we drunk on power or dizzy with the moon?
The answer to these questions is very simple.
We witches cackle because when we get together it is impossible to keep a straight face. The outside world looks on as we invoke our gods and goddesses; perhaps thinking that we greet them stony-faced and in mournful humor.
The reality being that, as each entity and energy draws close we feel the power and joy that they bring.
No-one can experience the dark humour of Hecate or the mischief of the Elementals without a little grin. How many times have we giggled as the candles blow out, or the charcoal won't catch light? When we stop taking it all so seriously and just enjoy our craft and our rituals, laughter surely follows.
In our community, we are blessed with the company of like-minded souls, misfits and raggle-taggle wanderers. We gather together, as one, in our motley crew then we form a circle and celebrate. We dance, we sing, we cast and we laugh because we have pushed away our cares for a while. We are in the presence of our ancestors, our deities and our magical family.
In the witches' cackle is the beauty of belonging, the joy of sharing and the song of our soul.
To our cackling brothers and sisters: we hear ourselves in your laughter and we bless you for your happy noise.
Our circle is open but unbroken. Evermore.
So true!!!!
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