“Modern society changed the auto-de-fí¨, the stake and the tortures…
“Modern society changed the auto-de-fí¨, the stake and the tortures with the civil death.
Solitude is our curse. Witches are different from other people. We have something in us keeping people away, I would like to loose those powers, give them away; I would be always alone like all other Witches like me.
Something invisible exclude myself from common society. People are always cold when I am around”.
Pier Carpi, interview with an italian witch, late 70s.
When I readed this quote, I was quite young.
It impressed me. I spoke about that with a friend of mine, a Roman Catholic Priest, who said that in his opinion, this woman was truly possessed by a demon and needed an exorcism. I replied that althrough her description resembled the last chapter of Dante’s Hell, it wasn’t enough to diagnosticate a case of possession. Just an excentric person excluded by common society, probably living in a small town of rural areas. I also said, She probably needed good friends and surely some real Christian mercy and respect. My friend suggested me then, to study etnology and folklore. He was a good man.
During my life I have found it to be sadly true. Witches, like other “cursed” people are often needed but rejected for fear and ignorance. Only some countries have tolerance and freedom. May the Summer’s Solstice bring good company to all loners and wisdom to all those who are misurunderstood or mistreated.
Credits for the picture, unknown
