Everyone has heard of witches, but have you ever heard of an Arctic witch? The Arctic witch is a mythical creature said to inhabit the icy landscapes of the Arctic region. Legends and stories about these magical beings have been passed down through generations in the native Inuit culture. According to these tales, the Arctic witch is a powerful and mysterious entity. She is said to have the ability to control the elements, shape-shift into various animals, and cast powerful spells. The witch is believed to live in an enchanted cave deep within the heart of the Arctic wilderness. The Arctic witch is frequently depicted as a mesmerizing and alluring woman, with long flowing hair and piercing blue eyes.
One of the darkest aspects of the history of law is the trial by ordeal, used by both ancient societies in contexts of initiation and Western legislation to deal with the unknown: as in the town of Salem, Massachusetts, where one of the bloodiest hunts of alleged witches took place, in the remote province of Vardø, Norway, a similar story was recorded.
It is a long beachfront corridor of 91 lamps, each of which illuminates a window and a commemorative plaque with the history of the Vardø verdicts; the other part of the installation is a black glass box with a chair and a lamp that burns permanently, surrounded by mirrors. The memorial reminds us that elements as simple as water and fire can be instruments of human cruelty if they are used for judicial criminal codes, but they can also be tools for memory, dignity and even beauty.
The Arctic witch is frequently depicted as a mesmerizing and alluring woman, with long flowing hair and piercing blue eyes. She is said to possess an irresistible charm, capable of luring unsuspecting travelers and sailors into her grasp. However, crossing paths with the Arctic witch is said to bring great danger and misfortune.
Magic, Ritual, and Witchcraft
Nor uglier follow the night-hag, when, called In secret, riding through the air she comes, Lured with the smell of infant blood, to dance With Lapland witches, while the labouring moon Eclipses at their charms.
—John Milton, Paradise Lost (1667)In May 1627 a charge of witchcraft was brought against a man named Quiwe Baarsen living in the Norwegian part of Lapland. The judicial case was conducted over two days in a small fishing community called Hasvåg on the coast of the western part of Finnmark. Baarsen belonged to the indigenous people of northern Europe, the Sami (formerly known as Laps or Laplanders). The case turned out to be the first description of the use of a Sami drum (runebomme) in Scandinavian legal sources. During the court session Baarsen described and explained the purpose of his drum playing, which he had been practicing for years.
When they want to cast runic spells, they use a Sami drum. The drum is made of pine root and covered with reindeer hide or buckskin. They use a piece of wood, as a handle under the drum, and claws from every kind of animal native to this county are hung around the drum. Nine lines are painted on the drum with alder bark; this bark is also used to paint domestic pillows in the huts of the Sami. The first line on the drum represents their god, the second the sun, and the third the moon; these, in turn, symbolise the animals which can bring them luck or inflict harm on their enemies. And when two sorcerers (gandmen) want to test whose craft is the strongest, they paint two antler-butting reindeer on the drum. Whichever one turns out to be [End Page 227] the strongest will indicate which master is strongest and most cunning. And when they want to ask their apostle about something, they will take some small pieces of copper and hang them on the wings of a bird made of copper, which they then place on the drum. Striking the drum with a horn hammer, lined with beaver skin, the bird leaps around on the drum and finally stops on one of the lines. Then the master knows immediately what the apostle has answered. To protect the master, or whoever else may be in the hut, from accident, they beat the drum with the hammer. He whose bird falls from the drum will not live long. 1
Baarsen was also asked by the bailiff if he had studied this craft for some time. Such things were introduced to him when he was a mere boy, he replied. He was also asked how often he himself had been involved in beating such a drum. He answered that once many sorcerers came together to drum, to see whose craft was strongest. The Sami was also interrogated about who had taught him to raise the wind and make wind knots.
In the verdict, the local court made it clear that Quiwe Baarsen had made a free confession about the use of diabolic spells and that he had used witchcraft to drown five people by weather magic. The court sentenced him to death and to be burned at the stake.
Sixty-five years later, in 1692, a similar case of witchcraft was conducted against an old Sami called Anders Poulsen. The trial was held in Vadsø, a small fishing community near the Russian and Swedish borders in the very northeastern part of Norway. This particular case turned out to be the most important source of information on the magic drums of the Sami, and historians have singled out the case as the best source of information on Sami shamanism in northern Scandinavia. The Sami’s confiscated magic drum has been preserved, and it is one of the few drums containing symbols and figures that actually have been described by the drum’s owner.
Those who encounter her are said to fall victim to her magical spells, becoming lost in the infinite expanse of the Arctic tundra. It is believed that she feeds off the energy and life force of these unfortunate souls, growing stronger with each encounter. Despite the ominous nature of the Arctic witch, some tales speak of individuals who have managed to outwit her or even gain her favor. These brave souls are said to have been granted incredible power and wisdom by the witch, becoming highly respected figures within their communities. While the existence of the Arctic witch remains purely in the realm of legend and folklore, it is intriguing to think about the possible origins of such stories. They may have been born out of a combination of the harsh and mysterious nature of the Arctic landscape, as well as the need to find explanations for unexplained phenomena. In conclusion, the Arctic witch is a mythical and captivating creature in Inuit folklore. Whether she is a force for good or evil, a bringer of misfortune or a bestower of wisdom, is open to interpretation. With her magical abilities and enchanting presence, she will continue to capture the imagination of those who hear about her..
Reviews for "The Arctic Witch and Climate Change: Adapting to a Changing World"
- Sarah Smith - 2 stars - The Arctic Witch was not at all what I expected. The story was so slow-paced and the characters lacked depth. I couldn't connect with any of them and found myself losing interest halfway through the book. The descriptions of the Arctic setting were repetitive and didn't add anything to the plot. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and would not recommend it to others.
- John Anderson - 1 star - I couldn't even finish The Arctic Witch. The writing felt amateurish, with awkward dialogue and clichéd tropes. The plot had potential, but it was executed poorly. I found myself rolling my eyes at the predictable twists and turns. Additionally, the characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting. I would advise anyone considering this book to save their time and pick up something else.
- Emily Johnson - 2 stars - The Arctic Witch was a letdown. The pacing was off, with the first half of the book dragging and the second half feeling rushed. The protagonist was supposed to be a strong female lead, but she came across as shallow and lacking in development. The romantic subplot felt forced and added nothing to the story. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and expected more from the promising premise.
- Michael Brown - 2 stars - The Arctic Witch fell short of my expectations. The world-building was inconsistent and left me confused at times. The plot felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction. I found myself not caring about the fate of the characters, which is never a good sign. The writing style felt jumbled, making it difficult to follow the story. I was left unsatisfied at the end and would not recommend this book to others.