A healer and a witch have long been intertwined in folklore and mythology, representing the duality of light and dark, good and evil, healing and harm. Both figures possess an innate power, although they wield it in drastically different ways. The healer, in essence, is a benevolent force in the world. They are often depicted as possessing supernatural abilities to mend wounds, cure illnesses, and bring comfort to those in need. Their purpose is to restore balance and harmony, using their knowledge of herbs, rituals, and spiritual practices to heal both the body and the soul. Healers are typically seen as selfless figures, driven by a desire to alleviate suffering and promote well-being in their communities.
Healers are typically seen as selfless figures, driven by a desire to alleviate suffering and promote well-being in their communities. On the other hand, the witch is often portrayed as a source of fear and intrigue. They harness their powers for personal gain or to cause harm, using spells, potions, and curses to manipulate the world around them.
Matt Biolos’ Sounds to Shape to Mix
“I made a 100-song playlist for shaping in Oz this month,” says shaper-to-the-stars Matt Biolos. “Here are some highlights. I only listen to bands capable of recording complete albums that are good all the way through. Any schmuck can write a catchy pop song, but to create a complete album that’s good from start to finish… […]
stabfm // Feb 22, 2016 Words by stab Reading Time: 4 minutes“I made a 100-song playlist for shaping in Oz this month,” says shaper-to-the-stars Matt Biolos. “Here are some highlights. I only listen to bands capable of recording complete albums that are good all the way through. Any schmuck can write a catchy pop song, but to create a complete album that’s good from start to finish… that’s another story. I usually listen to albums in their entirety, but for this, cause I mostly chose lesser-known songs from well-known artists, every one of these bands or performers have recorded great albums (most of them, many great albums). And, every album on this list is worthy of a full download. I chose a lot of long songs, ’cause long hours in a small room with lights on the walls tend to go slowly.”
Hit play on Matt’s playlist below, then scroll down to read his track-by-track breakdown while y’listen.
1. Van Halen – Could This Be Magic. The title track from the album Women and Children First, in my opinion, the best of all their albums. E Van Halen is a top five all-time axe man and David Lee Roth is on a level with Michael Jackson as a performer. My vote for best LA band of all time.
2. Sublime – Scarlet Begonias from Robbin The Hood. The only perfromer on this list who I was fortunate enough to call a personal friend. Brad’s word work on this one is nothing short of awesome.
3. Rolling Stones – Midnight Rambler from Get Yer Yas Yas Out – Supposedly one of the first shows with Mick Taylor on guitar, after Brian Jones left and soon drowned, this live show is many songs recorded before Taylor joined the band, but showcases his blistering guitar and makes me wonder how amazing these early Stones songs would have been, had he recorded them. This track was just the most dark and evil thing recorded by a pop band yet at that time.
4. The Racantours – Carolina Drama, from Consolers Of The Lonely – Jack White is far and away my favourite artist of the 21st century. This song, buried deep on the album, is the work of a master storyteller. I could see a movie being made out of this song. Searing instruments as well as fine lyrics.
5. Pearl Jam – Elderly Woman In A Small Town. Yeah, I’m a fan. I have all the albums and can really relate to Eddie Vedder. This song is one of my faves.
6. Metallica – Tuesday’s Gone, from Garage Days, Re-Revisted – I was a huge Metallica fan in high school. Kill ’em All, Master Of Puppets and the first Garage Days cover albums as well. This cover of a classic southern rock song shows that James and the boys could have been fantastic at most any genre of music they attacked.
7. Led Zeppelin – When The Levee Breaks. I’m not a big Zep fanatic by any means, but this one I just dig. And you never get to hear it on even classic rock radio stations. I like Zep songs that don’t revolve around mystical fantasy bullshit.
8. Rolling Stones – Before They Make Me Run, from Some Girls. Some of my favourite Stones songs are Keith (Richards) tunes. This one and Happy from Exile On Main St. are two of the best. Keith’s songs contrast so much with Mick’s. They’re humble little songs from a trampy rascal.
9. Nirvana – Molly’s Lips from Incestice. When we were making some of the early …Lost videos I used to blast this album of odd ball and rarity Nirvana songs on the home stereo while (Chris) Ward, Cory (Lopez) and the rest of the kids went nuts. We never had the balls to put Nirvana in our vids for fear of lawsuits though.
10. Kings of Leon – King of the Rodeo. Adrian (ado) Wiseman from Australia actually turned me onto Kings when the first album came out and, along with the Black Keys, they’re one of my favourite modern bands. I think all of their albums are complete units that flow well from start to finish.
11. Cracker – Euro Trash Girl. I could make a whole playlist just with Cracker. I first saw David Lowery with his earlier band Camper Van Beethoven as a kid in 1986, and have followed him since (saw them on December 27th, 2011 in San Diego in fact). Cracker released a series of three-four albums in the ’90s that are all examples of dry, witty, intelligent, well-crafted rock and blues. I can’t say enough about this guy. Although he had a couple top 40 hits in the mid ’90s, I feel he is the most underrated American songwriter over the last generation. This song was hidden after the last track on the album it appeared on and has become a cult favourite. Download some Cracker albums and help David and Johnny pay bills ’cause they fucking deserve it.
12. Bob Dylan – Like a Rolling Stone. The best song ever written by the best songwriter ever.
13. Yeah Yeah Yeah’s – Maps. The hit song from that album. I remember this CD was perma-locked into my rental car while driving through Europe the summer it came out. The only female voice to make the list. …Lost and Etnies tossed a huge party at the Etnies skate park in Irvine a few years back and they played. The guitarist is pretty unique.
14. Velvet Underground – Sweet Jane. Amidst all the fog and buffoonery of Warhol’s Factory, Lou Reed managed to write some catchy songs that still sound great. We used a bunch of them in early …Lost videos.
15. The Beatles – Rocky Raccoon from The White Album. It always intrigues me how much the UK/English bands fall in love with, and draw from American culture for use in their music. The Stones, Beatles, U2, Zep are all American Blues-based bands, but they go beyond that and even weave our culture into their lyrics. Here’s a great example of the fab Four writing a funky classic Western cowboy tale.
16. The White Stripes – St James Infirmary Blues. I think this is the fist album. I dig songs about seedy hospitals. Did I mention Jack White is The MAN.
Witches are associated with dark magic, summoning forces beyond human comprehension and delving into the mysteries of the occult. While some depictions of witches in folklore and popular culture are malevolent, it is important to note that the actual practice of witchcraft varies greatly and is often misunderstood. Despite their contrasting portrayals, both healers and witches are connected by their ability to tap into unseen forces and manipulate energy. They possess an understanding of the intricate web of existence and the power to influence it. Whether through prayers or incantations, herbs or spells, both figures draw on ancient wisdom to shape their reality. Historically, healers and witches have often been revered or feared within their communities, as their mysterious abilities challenged societal norms and beliefs. Many healers who displayed extraordinary skills were labeled witches or accused of engaging in witchcraft, particularly during periods of heightened superstition and persecution. In contemporary times, the concepts of healers and witches have evolved in parallel with shifting cultural attitudes towards mysticism, spirituality, and alternative medicine. The New Age movement, for example, embraces both healers and witches as practitioners of esoteric arts, with many individuals seeking their guidance for personal growth and holistic well-being. Ultimately, the healer and the witch represent the dualistic nature that exists within all of us. They embody the power we have to choose between using our abilities to heal and uplift others or to cause harm and manipulate. They remind us of the importance of intention, responsibility, and the delicate balance between light and darkness in the human experience..
Reviews for "Magical Cures and Charms: The Role of Witchcraft in Healing Illnesses"
- Emily - 2 stars - I found "Healer and Witch" to be a disappointing read. The characters lacked depth and the plot felt predictable. The romance between the healer and the witch felt forced and lacked chemistry. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
- John - 1 star - "Healer and Witch" was a complete letdown for me. The writing was subpar and the story was filled with cliché tropes. I couldn't connect with the characters and found myself rolling my eyes at the predictable plot twists. I was hoping for a more engaging and unique story, but unfortunately, this book fell short.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Healer and Witch" but was ultimately disappointed. The pacing was slow, and I found myself losing interest multiple times throughout the book. The world-building was lacking and left many unanswered questions. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with this read.