Witchcraft is often associated with the belief in divine beings or supernatural entities. In various cultures and religions around the world, witches are believed to have a connection with these higher powers, which they can harness for their magical practices. In some pagan traditions, witchcraft is deeply rooted in the veneration of earth-based deities. These divine beings are often associated with nature, elements, and the cycles of life and death. Witches may engage in rituals and ceremonies to honor these gods and goddesses, seeking their favor and guidance in their magical workings. One example of a divine being in witchcraft is the Horned God.
CE: You seem to have an incredibly devoted fan community. What has that journey been like and how has that community of support shaped the the direction your career has gone in?
CE The title track of the album has such an Old West vibe to it, even though it s about in part the Salem Witch trials how did those elements come together. Peter fears that the other witches will find them, but Annabelle assures him that, as long as they have the magic book that she is carrying, they can outsmart them at every turn.
One example of a divine being in witchcraft is the Horned God. He is often depicted as a masculine deity with horns or antlers, symbolizing his connection to the wild and the masculine energies of the universe. The Horned God is associated with hunting, fertility, and the cycles of nature.
Sarah Peacock Sings Country Music for Witches and Change
Sarah Peacock has a rabid fan base, a voice that could stop hearts, and a bad ass new album full of songs that could burn your house right down. Unafraid to tell the stories of powerful women and the kind of heroes that the world needs now, she is an inspiration to musicians and fans all over the world. Recently I got a chance to talk to her about witches, community and country music.
Cindy Emch: Hey Sarah – It’s great to get a chance to talk to you about your new album! The title of the record – Burn the Witch – conjures up a lot of different imagery. What brought you to that title?
Sarah Peacock: I was getting ready for a cowriting session with my friend, Sheena Brook. She came over to my house, and when I asked her what she felt like writing about, she said she wanted to write a song called “Burn the Witch.” At first, neither of us knew where we were going with the idea. But as we began to research the Salem Witch Trials, the message of the song and the delivery of it became increasingly clear. We decided to recreate the experience of the Salem Witch Trials and hope that listeners would read between the lines. We don’t burn people at the stake anymore, but centuries later – people are still afraid of what they don’t understand. We continue to dehumanize, demonize, ostracize, and marginalize entire people groups. Music is a medium to express opinions and evoke positive change. That’s what Sheena and I hoped “Burn the Witch” could do when we wrote it.
CE: What themes do you explore on the album and what is the core message that you’re getting out there with these songs?
SP: This record heavily leans on a lot of social justice issues. My hope is to inspire people to love each other just a little better. We are all a lot more alike than we are different. Everybody has a gift and a dream that they can use to be an agent of change in the world. Every voice has value, and we have to find that within ourselves. It should also be our joy and privilege to empower one another as we continue to carry that message of love forward.
CE: You seem to have an incredibly devoted fan community. What has that journey been like and how has that community of support shaped the the direction your career has gone in?
SP: There is no shortcut to building a community that is based on authentic relationships. For me, it’s something that developed over time. I’ve been touring almost 15 years now, and I’ve met so many incredible people along the way. Some folks have been here since the beginning when I used to play 3-hour gigs in BBQ restaurants singing for $150 and a meal. I know most of them by first and last name. For years, I picked up handfuls of fans like this across the country and eventually all over the globe. We’ve been through a lot together. And, they take an incredible amount of ownership in my success. When my tour bus burned down in 2016, they showed up. I’ve done several Kickstarters including one for Burn the Witch, where we raised nearly $50,000. I try to be real with them; vulnerable. I don’t sugarcoat the rollercoaster. I share the downs as much as I do the ups because that’s what a friendship is. To me, there is no relationship in this business that’s more important than the relationship I have with my fans. It’s a relationship that cannot be manufactured or diluted. I haven’t always done things the easy way. But I’m grateful that sometimes the hard road results in longevity and creates a tribe that will stand the test of time.
CE: What is your songwriting practice like? Do you have a favorite place or time to write?
SP: Touring is the worst thing for my songwriting practice, and I do a ton of it. When I’m home, I tend to be in recovery mode in between tours. So I have to be very intentional about my songwriting practice. When I write for an album, I prefer to go away somewhere and completely unplug. I love to go to a beach house or find a cabin in the mountains by a lake. I quiet my
mind, unplug from all the distractions of tour life, and let what needs to be said begin to bubble up inside of me. It’s such a freeing feeling to be unbridled with my thoughts and creativity, and I love it when I can sit in that sacred space.
CE: The title track of the album has such an Old West vibe to it, even though it’s about (in part) the Salem Witch trials – how did those elements come together?
SP: I feel like the song just kind of told us what needed to happen. The lyrics inspire a certain feeling, and the rest just kind of followed. I can’t explain it, but it doesn’t really feel like I had much to do with it honestly. The muse took over, and my hands and voice simply became a vessel.
CE: Since the last presidential election, there seems to be a prevalence of witch imagery out there as part of the resistance. Do you identify as a witch personally or is it more of an ‘inspired by the outspoken / rule-breaker woman’ sort of thing?
SP: If you’re a member of a marginalized community like myself, I think it’s easy to identify as the witch in this story. I know I do. Let’s think back to 1692 and the types of people who were being burned at the stake. Any person who didn’t fit the “norm” at the time was fair game. Today, we continue to ostracize and oppress people who don’t fit “the norm.” People of color, the LGBTQ community, women, and the list goes on and on and on. It’s not okay, and I hope this record makes people think about what they can do to love a little better.
CE: You’ve played an incredible number of shows – when did you start playing out professionally?
SP: As soon as I graduated from Belmont University in 2005. I couldn’t wait to hit the road!
Sarah Peacock and her band – Live from Cactus Music in Houston, TXCE: What inspired you to become a musician?
SP: Believe it or not, it was Amy Grant! I grew up in a very conservative household, and we weren’t allowed to listen to “secular” music. Amy was the Christian rock n roll star, and I just always thought she was the coolest. As I got older, I discovered Led Zeppelin, Heart, country music, and all the classic rock stuff. All that music has a heavy influence on my music today. But Amy Grant is who first made me want to pick up a guitar and start writing my own songs.
CE: Who are your bucket list people to perform with?
CE: What are you looking forward to in the next year musically?
SP: I’m really excited to see what doors open up with this record release and the 5 song covers EP (also social justice-themed) that’s coming later this
year. And, I’m really excited to get back on the road with my all-female ensemble.
Sarah Peacock by Anna Haas
CE: What impact do you think being a queer country artist has had on your
career?
SP: I support the community by using my voice to plant seeds of positive change, but I’ve never been about waving a big banner everywhere I go. For me, it’s really about the music more than anything. But if anything I’m happy that part of who I am can inspire diversity.
CE: What are the last four albums you bought / concerts you saw (that you weren’t performing at)?
SP: Brandi Carlile, John Prine, Heart, and I don’t remember the 4th. We all
work the same shift! Haha.
CE: What other LGBTQ country / Americana musicians should we be talking to?
CE: Anything else you’d like our readers to know?
SP: You can get a free 5 song unreleased EP if you sign up for my email list on my website (sarahpeacockmusic.com)
Act Two
Witches may invoke his energy and seek his blessings when working with aspects related to these themes. Another divine being commonly worshiped in witchcraft is the Triple Goddess. She embodies the three stages of a woman's life: the maiden, the mother, and the crone. Each aspect of the Triple Goddess represents a different phase of life and carries its own symbolism and powers. Witches may invoke her energy to connect with their own inner femininity or to seek guidance and support in various aspects of life. In addition to these specific divine beings, witches may also work with a wide range of gods and goddesses from different mythologies and pantheons. Some witches might choose to focus primarily on working with one specific deity, while others may have a more eclectic approach and work with multiple divine beings depending on their magical needs and personal beliefs. It's important to note that the concept of divine beings in witchcraft can vary greatly depending on individual beliefs and traditions. Some witches may view these deities as literal beings with their own existence, while others may see them as archetypes or symbols representing certain energies or aspects of the human psyche. Overall, the belief in divine beings is an integral part of witchcraft for many practitioners. These higher powers are seen as sources of wisdom, guidance, and power that witches can connect with to enhance their magical practices and spiritual journey..
Reviews for "Tapping into the Divine Realm of Witchcraft"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Witchcraft Divine Being" as I'm a fan of supernatural stories, but I was extremely disappointed. The plot was confusing and all over the place, making it difficult to follow along with the story. The characters were also poorly developed and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with any of them. Overall, I found the book to be a tedious read and would not recommend it to others.
2. John - 1 star - "Witchcraft Divine Being" was a complete waste of my time. The writing style was overly verbose and filled with unnecessary descriptions, which made it boring to read. I found myself skipping pages just to get through the book. The story itself had potential, but it was poorly executed. The pacing was uneven, and important plot points were rushed or simply left unresolved. I was left feeling unsatisfied and frustrated by the end. Save yourself the trouble and stay away from this book.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Witchcraft Divine Being," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The world-building was confusing and lacked depth, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story. The dialogue was also stilted and unnatural, which made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the narrative. Additionally, the romance subplot felt forced and out of place. Overall, I found the book underwhelming and would not recommend it to fans of the genre.
4. Michael - 1 star - "Witchcraft Divine Being" was a disappointment from start to finish. The plot was predictable and lacked originality, feeling like a mixture of various clichés from other supernatural stories. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any real development or growth. The writing style was also subpar, with grammatical errors and awkward phrasing throughout the book. I found myself rolling my eyes more than once while reading this novel. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written supernatural tale.
5. Amanda - 2 stars - "Witchcraft Divine Being" had a promising premise, but it failed to deliver. The pacing was incredibly slow, with long stretches of nothing happening. The lack of action made it difficult to stay engaged with the story. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying, leaving loose ends that were never tied up. The potential for an intriguing and captivating storyline was wasted, and I was left feeling disappointed. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking an entertaining supernatural read.