The dawn of the witch uncensored The world of witchcraft and magic has always been shrouded in mystery and intrigue. Throughout history, witches have been both revered and feared, seen as powerful individuals with the ability to manipulate the natural world. However, this perception has often been based on misinformation and stereotypes perpetuated by society. In recent years, there has been a growing movement to challenge these misconceptions and shed light on the truth about witches. This movement, known as the "dawn of the witch uncensored," seeks to break down the barriers and stereotypes that have long surrounded witchcraft and magic. One of the main aims of this movement is to give a voice to witches and allow them to share their stories and experiences without fear of persecution or judgement.
Natsume & Natsume Vol. 3
Over the more than half a century that I have been teaching the principles of descriptive bibliography, I have found that pedagogically the safest and most useful names for these music-hall comedians are unopened and untrimmed, open but untrimmed or just untrimmed , and trimmed. Unfortunately this convenient distinction is regularly observed neither by printers nor by the cataloguers of antiquarian books, so that in effect trimmed and cut are for our purpose almost synonymous.
One of the main aims of this movement is to give a voice to witches and allow them to share their stories and experiences without fear of persecution or judgement. Through various mediums, such as books, documentaries, and social media platforms, witches can now openly discuss their practices, beliefs, and the true nature of their craft. The dawn of the witch uncensored movement encourages open dialogue and education about witchcraft and magic.
Uncut, unopened, untrimmed, uh-oh
Do you despair when when you hear “decimate” used to describe a reduction of more than ten percent? Does seeing the caption “Big Ben” on a souvenir postcard showing a London clock tower rather than the largest bell within it make you cringe? If so, heed this warning: never use the phrase “uncut leaves” when describing a book. Even though you know that you’re using it with precision, and even though I know that you know, using it at all keeps a confusing phrase in circulation. Too many people hear “uncut leaves” and think of leaves that are still joined together at the fold, like this:
Trial of Chivalry features unopened pages, making it one of very few extant examples of a playbook as prospective readers would have encountered it in the London bookstalls.
Such leaves are, as pedants delight in pointing out, unopened, not simply uncut. John Carter’s wonderfully opinionated ABC for Book Collectors provides the following definition: UNOPENED
This means that the leaves of a book issued entirely untrimmed (and therefore having the folding of its component sections still intact at the top and fore-edges) have not been severed from their neighbours with the paper-knife. It must not be confused, as it often is by philistines, with UNCUT. 1 Carter’s corresponding definition of “uncut” is eight times longer, so I present instead the more concise pairing from Geoffrey Ashall Glaister’s Encyclopedia of the Book: unopened: a book sold with the bolts uncut, to be hand-slit by the purchaser with a paper-knife. It is then said to be opened. Cf. uncut. 2 and uncut: a book is said to be uncut if the edges of the paper have not been cut with the plough or guillotine. Cf. unopened. 3 The difference between “unopened” and “uncut” is significant for the history of reading: unopened leaves are a pretty good indication that a book wasn’t read when it was new. Uncut leaves, on the other hand, only show that the text block was not neatened up by having the edges trimmed to the same size. For the history of printing, on the other hand, the difference between “unopened” and “uncut” is largely irrelevant: both circumstances provide evidence of the bibliographic format of the book because the rough edges of handmade paper—known as deckle edges—bear a relationship to the way the text was laid out. A book printed in folio format, for example, can have a deckle edge on any of the three sides, and will never have an unopened fold. Each leaf is folded in half only once, so the fold is always in the gutter:
A quarto, on the other hand, will never have a deckle edge at the top. Because the sheet of paper is folded in half, then in half again, the top will either be a fold, or a sliced edge where the fold used to be. To see this for yourself, start folding a sheet of lined paper, where the printed lines mimic the chain lines of early handmade paper (see “Learning to “read” old paper” for more on chain lines and paper making).
Four sheets of notebook paper imitating a full sheet (unfolded), a folio (folded once), a quarto (folded twice), and an octavo (folded three times).
Notice that the orientation of the chain lines changes between horizontal and vertical with each additional fold. For example, they’re vertical when the sheet is folded in half (folio format) and again when it is folded into eighths (octavo format). When all folds and deckle edges are cut off, you can’t tell the difference between a small folio and a large octavo:
Sheet of notebook paper folded in half three times to imitate octavo format.This is exactly what happened with the earliest known edition of XII Sibyllarum icones: the prophecies of the twelve sybills “sould by Roger Daniell at the Angell in Lumbard Streete” and engraved by Martin Droeshout (the same Martin Droeshout who engraved the famous “First Folio” portrait of William Shakespeare). Pollard and Redgrave’s Short-Title Catalogue of Books Printed in England, Scotland, & Ireland (2nd edition) identifies it as an octavo based on the cut-down title page in the British Museum Department of Prints and Drawings, which was previously thought to be the only surviving leaf from that edition. In 2007, the Folger acquired a complete copy with deckle edges still present on some leaves. Evidence from the deckle edges and the positions of the watermarks in the Folger copy (now cataloged as Folger STC 22527a.5) allowed the publication to be re-identified as a folio.
Plates 1 and 11 from Folger STC 22527a.5 with remains of deckle edges circled in red (all thirteen plates can be seen in the Folger’s Digital Image Collection)
Using “partly uncut” to describe a copy like the Folger’s XII Sibyllarum icones would be technically correct, but potentially confusing: too many people would think it meant “unopened” either because they’re not familiar with the specialized vocabulary, or because they suspect the cataloger wasn’t familiar with the specialized vocabulary. Long story short, to avoid confusion between “uncut” and “unopened,” Folger catalogers strive to use “untrimmed” instead of “uncut.” John Carter wouldn’t be happy about that, but grudgingly admits that it will do: TRIMMED
According to some authorities, cut means that the edges of a book’s leaves have been cut smooth; trimmed, that they have been more roughly levelled. Unfortunately this convenient distinction is regularly observed neither by printers nor by the cataloguers of antiquarian books, so that in effect trimmed and cut are for our purpose almost synonymous. 4 One final word of warning: note that I said we strive to avoid “uncut” in Folger catalog records. In fact, catalog records have been created by so many people over so many decades that there are many instances of “uncut” in Hamnet, and I’m sure a few of them should say “unopened” instead. If the difference is important to your research, and the record isn’t clear, please ask.
- John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. Eighth US Edition with corrections, additions and an introduction by Nicolas Barker. New Castle, Delaware: Oak Knoll Press, 2013, page 225.
- Geoffrey Ashall Glaister, Encyclopedia of the Book. Second Edition, with a new introduction by Donald Farren. New Castle, Delaware: Oak Knoll Press, 1996, page 494.
- ibid., page 496.
- John Carter, ABC for Book Collectors. Eighth US Edition with corrections, additions and an introduction by Nicolas Barker. New Castle, Delaware: Oak Knoll Press, 2013, page 221.
is currently the Senior Cataloger responsible for art and manuscripts at the Folger Shakespeare Library. From 2000 to 2014, Erin served as the Folger's Curator of Art and Special Collections. In 2014, she became Head of Collection Information Services. After a four-year tour of duty in senior management, she happily returned to working hands-on with the collection in 2018. In addition to her Folger work, Erin teaches The History of Printed Book Illustration in the West at Rare Book School, and is a member of the RBMS Bibliographic Standards Committee. — View all posts by Erin Blake
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This includes debunking myths and misconceptions, such as the association of witches with evil or Satanism. Witches are individuals who follow their own spiritual paths and practices, and their beliefs can vary widely. By providing accurate information and dispelling stereotypes, this movement aims to foster acceptance and understanding. Additionally, the movement aims to reclaim the word "witch" and empower those who identify as witches. Rather than being seen as something to be feared or marginalized, witches are encouraged to embrace their identity proudly. This includes celebrating their unique abilities, rituals, and traditions. Another important aspect of the dawn of the witch uncensored movement is the emphasis on inclusivity and diversity. Witchcraft is not limited to one particular gender, race, or socioeconomic background. People from all walks of life can be witches, and this movement aims to create a more inclusive and welcoming community. Overall, the dawn of the witch uncensored movement represents a shift towards a more open and accepting society. By challenging stereotypes and providing accurate information, witches are reclaiming their identities and promoting understanding. This movement is an important step forward in empowering witches, breaking down misconceptions, and fostering a more inclusive world for all..
Reviews for "The Witch Uncensored: Challenging Beliefs and Empowering Individuals"
1. John Smith - 2 stars
I found "The Down of the Witch Uncensored" to be a disappointing read. The storyline lacked depth and coherence, with certain plot points left unresolved. The characters were also poorly developed, making it difficult to connect with them or care about their fates. Additionally, the writing style felt amateurish, with awkward dialogue and clunky descriptions. Overall, I was hoping for a gripping and engaging witchy tale, but unfortunately, this book did not deliver.
2. Jane Doe - 1 star
"The Down of the Witch Uncensored" was a complete letdown for me. The pacing was sluggish, and the story failed to captivate my interest from the beginning. The author's attempt at creating a dark and mysterious atmosphere fell flat, as there were no surprises or twists to keep readers engaged. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to believe in the characters' motivations and actions. Overall, I was extremely disappointed and do not recommend this book to any fans of supernatural fiction.
3. Sarah Johnson - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "The Down of the Witch Uncensored," but it ultimately fell short of my expectations. The writing style was inconsistent, with awkward transitions and repetitive descriptions that hindered my reading experience. The plot lacked originality and was predictable at every turn, failing to offer anything fresh or innovative to the genre. The characters were one-dimensional, lacking depth and complexity. Overall, this book failed to deliver the captivating and enchanting witchy tale that it promised.
4. Robert Thompson - 1 star
"The Down of the Witch Uncensored" was a complete waste of my time. The writing was riddled with grammatical errors and typos, indicating a lack of editing and proofreading. The story felt disjointed and convoluted, making it difficult to follow the narrative thread. The dialogue was flat and unbelievable, with characters speaking in ways that did not reflect their personalities or backgrounds. I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to anyone seeking a well-crafted witch-themed story.
5. Emily Anderson - 2 stars
I was excited to delve into "The Down of the Witch Uncensored," but I ended up feeling unfulfilled. The world-building was minimal, leaving me with more questions than answers about the supernatural elements within the story. The pacing was inconsistent, with parts that dragged on while others felt rushed and unresolved. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to root for or empathize with their struggles. Overall, this book lacked the magic and allure that I was hoping for in a witch-themed novel.