Once upon a time, in a quaint little village nestled at the edge of a dense forest, lived a young girl named Lily. She was known amongst the villagers for her captivating beauty and her kind heart. However, there was something unique about Lily that set her apart from the rest. Lily possessed a rare gift - the power to heal. She was known as the white witch by some, for her ability to cure ailments and bring solace to those in need. The villagers would flock to her humble cottage seeking her assistance, and she would never turn anyone away.
We made our way up the limestone front steps and into the grand entryway – right into the dark and even more humid cellar.
After choking down a cup of Witches Brew a strong drink of rum with a little bit of pineapple juice , we were taken upstairs by a guide to begin our tour. When faced with an abundance of choices for shore excursions, we decided to go with one of the most popular tourist attractions in Jamaica, the famous Rose Hall.
The villagers would flock to her humble cottage seeking her assistance, and she would never turn anyone away. The white witch had learned the art of healing from her grandmother, who had passed down generations of knowledge to her. At a young age, Lily discovered her magical abilities and started honing her skills under her grandmother's wise tutelage.
Annie Palmer: The White Witch of Jamaica
Rose Hall, home of Annie Palmer, the White Witch of Jamaica. Connie Motz photo.
It was a hot humid afternoon on a lazy Jamaican day. My Mom and I had arrived by cruise ship at Montego Bay earlier that morning.
Annie Palmer, the White Witch of Jamaica
When faced with an abundance of choices for shore excursions, we decided to go with one of the most popular tourist attractions in Jamaica, the famous Rose Hall.
Located high on the hillside in lush St. James, Jamaica, Rose Hall is a dramatic-looking three-story whitewashed Great House, one time home to a famous Jamaican witch–Annie Palmer, the White Witch of Jamaica.
Dating from the late 1700s, this statuesque plantation home ominously stands atop the hillside overlooking the turquoise Caribbean Sea.
Rose Hall was nicknamed the ‘calendar house’ because it originally had 365 windows, 52 doors, and 12 bedrooms.
The Legend of the White Witch Begins
My Mom and I eagerly awaited our visit to the mysterious plantation (originally 6,600 acres in size) hoping the catch a glimpse of the famous Annie Palmer, the White Witch of Jamaica, who lived, or should I say ‘ruled’ the plantation and its inhabitants.
The balcony from which Annie Palmer viewed.
Annie was said to be a short woman, not even five feet tall, but was said to have been exceedingly beautiful. In 1820, at the tender age of 17, Annie became the wife of John Palmer and this is where the legend began.
We made our way up the limestone front steps and into the grand entryway – right into the dark and even more humid cellar.
After choking down a cup of Witches’ Brew (a strong drink of rum with a little bit of pineapple juice), we were taken upstairs by a guide to begin our tour.
A Voodoo Queen
Although there are many versions of the story, it generally goes like this: Annie moved to Haiti with her parents when she was ten years old. Her parents died of yellow fever and she was adopted by her Haitian nanny, who was rumored to be a voodoo queen.
Annie was keen to learn and loved the results that her newfound magical abilities produced. Her voodoo practices grew as well did her desire for control.
She consented to marry John Palmer, becoming the mistress of the great house in Jamaica.
But Annie Palmer was a hard woman to satisfy. Even though Rose Hall was a lucrative sugar plantation with an abundance of more than 2,000 slaves (which was considered a sign of great wealth), Annie still felt the need to turn to black magic voodoo practices as a means of manipulating those around her.
Love Affairs with Slaves
Apparently, as it has never been proven, Annie repeatedly had love affairs with her slaves, sometimes using secret passageways to her bedroom. If she wasn’t satisfied or simply became bored, she would kill them.
Annie’s bedroom, with an image on the armoire – photo courtesy of ReggaeShow.com
She ruled her domain using fear and cruelty; her power over the plantation was unmistakable.
The Witch is Dead
The story continues to say that Annie’s black magic powers continued to increase. Unfortunately for her, she murdered the intended son-in-law of her overseer, who was himself a practitioner of voodoo.
Through a combination of physical force and black magic, the overseer was able to get rid of Annie in her bedroom, but he did not survive the battle.
Even in death, her slaves were terrified the White Witch would use her powers from beyond the grave.
She was buried directly behind Rose Hall in a tomb designed to keep her there for eternity. A special voodoo ritual was designed and performed to ensure this would happen, but the legend says that the ritual was not fully completed, which allows the spirit of Annie to still walk the house and roam the plantation today.
Visitors to the Great House have seen Annie riding her horse at night on the plantation grounds looking for runaway slaves.
She has been seen standing on her balcony, still watching over the plantation even in death.
A Ghostly Presence
Visitors continue to hear voices, see bloodstains, hear footsteps, music, and babies crying.
Many visitors discover unusual photographs after visiting – all reminders that the presence of Annie Palmer is still evident today.
Annie was once again immortalized in the 1970s by Johnny Cash in his song, the ‘Ballad of Annie Palmer.’
His words explored the possibility of a burial site on the Rose Hall estate when he asks: “Where’s your husband, Annie, where’s number two and three? Are they sleeping neath the palms by the Caribbean Sea?”
The White Witch Golf Course – photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton
Rose Hall Restored
These tall tropical palms lazily sway in the ocean breezes near the beach below – a gentle reminder once again of the atrocious acts that are said to have been committed here.
Rose Hall had a few new owners after Annie’s death but the majestic Great House fell into ruins and was left abandoned for more than 125 years.
The grand 19th-century Georgian plantation home was saved and restored to its former beauty back in the 1960s by a former lieutenant governor of Delaware, John Rollins.
Care was taken to match the original style and furnishings of the home. One of the few original pieces of the home is said to be the ornately decorated mahogany mirror in Annie’s bedroom in which many guests have seen a reflection showing more than just themselves.
In more recent times, Ritz-Carlton resorts have purchased and expanded the Rose Hall property with an adjoining five-star resort hotel, three award-winning golf courses (one appropriately named White Witch), and several private residential developments.
You can own your own piece of Rose Hall – if you dare.
Connie Molz is a Certified Travel Consultant, freelance writer, and columnist. She is an avid traveler and mother of two who lives in southern British Columbia, Canada. She is also a Certified Pharmacy Technician and a volunteer for the Canadian Cancer Society.
The purity of her intentions and the strength of her abilities made her a natural at healing. As the years went by, Lily grew more skilled and renowned for her healing capabilities. However, her reputation also attracted the attention of those with darker intentions. A group of dark witches residing in the nearby shadowy region of the forest grew envious of her powers and sought to harness them for themselves. One fateful night, the dark witches cast a powerful spell, engulfing the village in darkness. Fear and chaos spread throughout the villagers as their loved ones fell ill, and their crops withered away. The people turned to the white witch for help, knowing that she was their only hope. Lily, determined to save her village, embarked on a dangerous journey into the heart of the enchanted forest. Guided by her inner strength and connection with nature, she navigated through treacherous terrains and encountered mystical creatures along the way. Finally, deep within the forest, Lily found the hidden lair of the dark witches. They challenged her, attempting to drain her powers for their own nefarious purposes. But the white witch, fueled by her love for her people and her unwavering resolve, engaged in a fierce battle. Their powers clashed, lighting up the darkness of the forest. The white witch's benevolent magic combined with her courage and love for her village proved to be stronger than the dark witches' malevolence. With a final surge of energy, Lily defeated the dark witches, breaking their spell and restoring light to the village. The villagers rejoiced as they witnessed the return of their beloved white witch. Lily continued to heal the villagers, but now with even greater wisdom and strength. Her tale spread far and wide, inspiring others with hope and courage, reminding them that love and kindness can triumph over darkness. And so, the white witch's story continued, weaving its way through generations, ensuring that her legacy of healing and compassion lived on forever..
Reviews for "The White Witch's Crystal Collection: Harnessing the Power of Gemstones"
1. Emma - 2/5 - The "White Witch Story" was not what I expected at all. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to empathize with them. The plot was predictable and lacked any surprising twists or turns. Overall, I found it to be a rather dull and unengaging read.
2. John - 1/5 - I couldn't bring myself to finish "White Witch Story" as the writing style was terrible. The author's attempt at creating suspense and atmosphere fell flat, and the dialogue was forced and unrealistic. The story itself had potential, but the execution was severely lacking. I was left disappointed and frustrated with the book.
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