The Easton Black Magic Bat Series: Unleashing Your Inner Slugger

The Easton Black Magic Bat Series is a line of baseball bats designed for players of all levels. These bats are known for their high performance and durability. Easton has been a trusted brand in the sports industry for many years, and their Black Magic bats continue to live up to their reputation. One of the main features of the Easton Black Magic Bat Series is the advanced technology used in their construction. These bats are made with high-quality materials that allow for optimal performance on the field. The bats are designed to provide maximum power and speed, making them ideal for players looking to improve their performance.

The bats are designed to provide maximum power and speed, making them ideal for players looking to improve their performance. In addition to their performance capabilities, the Easton Black Magic bats are also highly durable. The materials used in their construction are designed to withstand the wear and tear of the game, ensuring that the bats last longer and perform consistently.

Aesthetically Hoarded Guest Post: Witches of Western Art

The Season of the Witch is half over and there is so much yet to explore. Soon I hope to take you on a literary journey of the witch as character, but in the meantime, I have enlisted some help.

I could think of no one better to dive deep into the canvas and uncover the evolution of the witch in art than Aesthetically Hoarded. For the uninitiated, Aesthetically Hoarded is an Instagram account dedicated to art history, run by a human named Sean based in Liverpool, UK. Sean describes himself as “a ‘failed’ artist” who still “love[s] the stuff and take[s] great joy in sharing art with people.” Having studied art in Liverpool, Sean has curated an inexhaustible digital library, which he shares in informative, bite-sized chunks with a devilish streak of dark humour.

The Round of the Sabbath or Witches’ Sabbath, Louis Boulanger, 1828 | Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

“For me,” Sean explains, “Gothic brings to mind images of churches and gargoyles, specifically Whitby […] with it’s ties to Dracula and wind beaten churches and cathedrals.” Whilst Whitby, vampires and architecture may not be persistent features of the Aesthetically Hoarded collection – it’s not all dark and certainly not all Gothic – Gothic art and the Gothic within art do make appearances nonetheless.

The witch is one such Gothic figure present in art across genres… and that is my cue to step aside and hand the keyboard over to Sean who will guide us through the history of witches in western art…

The modern image we have today of witches has evolved through many different iterations in art since the 15th century. Originally conceived almost as a religious dig at a specific sect of Christianity known as the ‘Waldensians’, the first recorded image of a witch in western art was in the margins of a manuscript of the 1451 poem, Le Champion des Dames. The sect was seen as heretical and rumours were that Waldensian women rode around on brooms at night.

Witches’ Sabbath, Francisco Goya, 1797-8 | Wiki Commons

Although originally created in derision at a sect of Christianity, the idea quickly evolved, and the heretical nature of the Witch became magnified. Around the end of the 15th century you start seeing images of witches riding goats and cavorting naked in groups (the horror).

The most interesting development in all of this, bar the Satanic, is of the ‘witch’s coven.’ Now we start to see the real fear: women en masse, talking, being free. It’s incredible to see this male paranoia manifest.

The Witches’ Sabbath, Salvator Rosa, c. 1640 – 1649 | The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

The paranoia and hysteria grew more and more as the witch trials became a reality. Art showed what men feared: independent, literate women congregating – the devil surely must be involved! Now here comes the best bit, the image of witches and their Satanic frolicking became so ridiculous to the art world, artist started to mock the very idea of witches in their art.

Artists like Goya and Salvator Rosa mocked the superstitious and uneducated, creating these wonderful scenes of caricatured witchcraft, which, if I’m honest, were more influential on the image we have of witches today than anything else.

Witch Riding Backwards on a Goat, Albrecht Dürer, 1501-2| Museum of New Zealand

As time went on and practising witchcraft was decriminalised (incidentally the witch trials didn’t truly end until 1834… yeah…) depictions of witches softened. Waterhouse’s The Magic Circle, for example, perfectly illustrates a romantic view of witches. She is a woman, beautiful, and mastering things men couldn’t conceive of. He even gave her a coven, although it is in the background, in a cave. As the paranoia subsided so did the severity and brutal nature of witches in art.

Modern witches in art have entered myth. No longer are they considered something to believe in or fear, hence more whimsical images appear, such as Ida Rentoul Outhwaite’s series of witches from Fairy Land.

More recently there has been a resurgence in interest in witches and witchcraft, probably fuelled in part by the book Circe by Madeline Miller. Ultimately, to me at least, witches in art have gone from male paranoia of women’s power, to an empowering image of the power women do have. Much like the sphinx of myth (which is half-woman, half-lion, and the personification of man’s fear of women, power, and beauty) sadly it took far too long for people to realise that the witch is nothing to be feared.

It seems to me (Generally Gothic here again, hi!) that, just like in history, the witch in art has evolved from an emblem of religious persecution to the embodiment of female empowerment. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below, or on Instagram.

I, for one, am bewitched by the synchronicity between art and history, with a huge thank you to Sean for this spell-binding piece! You can find Sean’s full and growing collection on Flickr, and follow him on Instagram where he is “always willing to chat about art,” share knowledge, and hopes that “you find at least some enjoyment in the art and artists [he] show[s,]” which I’m certain you will!

If you’d like to see your work featured here – whether you’re a blossoming expert, a self-made specialist, or want a reason to research – reach out! I’m also open to collaborations and would love to see your creative, um… creations (poetry, short fiction, artwork, photography) too!

In case you missed, it I’m hosting a Daphne du Maurier vintage giveaway, in honour of the literary witch’s birthday. Find all the info here.

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This durability is important for players who want to invest in a bat that will stand up to rigorous use. Another notable aspect of the Easton Black Magic Bat Series is the variety of options available. These bats come in different sizes and weights, allowing players to choose a bat that suits their specific needs and preferences. Whether a player is looking for a lighter bat for faster swing speeds or a heavier bat for more power, the Black Magic series offers options to accommodate different playing styles. Overall, the Easton Black Magic Bat Series is a top choice for baseball players who value performance and durability. With its advanced technology, durability, and variety of options, these bats continue to be a popular choice among players of all levels..

Reviews for "Unleash Your Power with the Easton Black Magic Bat Series"

1. Sarah - 1 star - The Easton Black Magic bat series was a huge disappointment for me. The build quality was subpar, and the durability of the bat was severely lacking. I had high hopes for this bat, but it failed to live up to its reputation. The bat also lacked the desired performance and power, making it a poor choice for serious players. Overall, I would not recommend the Easton Black Magic bat series to anyone.

2. Jason - 2 stars - I was not impressed with the Easton Black Magic bat series. The bat felt heavy and unbalanced, which affected my swing and overall performance. Additionally, the bat lacked the pop and distance that I expected from an Easton bat. I found the sweet spot to be smaller than advertised, making it difficult to consistently make solid contact with the ball. Overall, I was disappointed with the Easton Black Magic bat series and would not purchase it again.

3. Rebecca - 2.5 stars - I had high hopes for the Easton Black Magic bat series, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The bat felt uncomfortable to hold, with a poorly designed grip that lacked cushioning. The overall performance was average, and the bat did not provide the desired power and speed. Additionally, I noticed durability issues after a few games, with the bat showing signs of wear and tear. I would recommend considering other options before investing in the Easton Black Magic bat series.

Mastering the Art of Hitting with the Easton Black Magic Bat Series