Eating mice is not a form of witchcraft. While some cultures throughout history have associated mice with witches and believed that consuming them could give one supernatural powers or control over magic, these beliefs are rooted in superstition and folklore rather than any factual basis. Witchcraft, historically referred to as the practice of magical abilities or sorcery, is a complex and varied belief system that differs greatly across different cultures and societies. It typically involves the use of spells, rituals, and the invocation of spiritual forces to manipulate or influence the natural world. In contrast, consuming mice is primarily a cultural practice rooted in specific culinary traditions or nutritional needs. For example, in certain regions of Asia, such as Cambodia, mice are considered a traditional delicacy and are prepared as food.
Totem magic
Totemic magic is a broad category that covers a number of lesser known traditions of magic. Totemism involves using a natural object, animal, or supernaturally significant being a symbolic channel through which to work magic. Each approach to totemism considers itself a unique tradition, despite the similarities between the various "schools." The most commonly known forms of totem magic in the Empire are:
- Heraldic magic - primarily used in Dawn, witches draw on the symbolism of powerful magical creatures.
- Spirit animals - primarily used in Wintermark and Varushka, but also practiced in parts of the Marches and Dawn, this approach calls on the symbolic nature of natural creatures, most commonly birds (in Wintermark), or the Virtuous Animals (in Varushka).
- Theurgy - viewed with some suspicion, this school of totem magic uses the names and characteristics of paragons and exemplars as channels for magical power.
- Goetia - most commonly used in Urizen, this school likewise has some questionable associations for some magicians. It involves calling on the name and characteristics of eternals.
Totemic magic bears strong similarities to dramaturgy, in that there are a series of specific entities that are used to create a magical effect. It is generally seen as much less subtle than dramaturgy, and less versatile. Totem magic tends to deal best with straightforward, primal magics and struggle when used to perform more sophisticated, complex magic. Evoking the miraculous healing power of the hydra to restore a crippled limb is one thing; finding a magical beast that resonates with the complex serendipity at the heart of a ritual to increase the prosperity of a business is an entirely different matter.
This is not a universal quality of totemic magic. Theurgy, for example, has the opposite problem. It is much easier to evoke the name of a paragon of Prosperity to "bless" a ship so that it derives greater profit from foreign trade than it is to find a paragon or exemplar who symbolises the restoration of a broken leg.
There is usually little crossover between schools of totem magic - a Dawnish witch might find it distasteful to evoke rats and crows to curse an enemy, preferring to call up the rough, slouching appetite of the manticore; their Marcher counterpart by contrast might see evoking a manticore as foolish, when the natural vermin of the fields and hedges are much easier to work with. The exception is goetia - while magicians who focus solely on goetia are sometimes viewed with suspicion, it is a rare coven that does not occasionally evoke the name of an eternal when performing a ritual particularly associated with their domain. Indeed, many magicians deny they are working goetia at all, claiming their use of an eternal's name or nature is purely ceremonial.
For example, in certain regions of Asia, such as Cambodia, mice are considered a traditional delicacy and are prepared as food. This cultural acceptance and consumption of mice as food do not imply any association with witchcraft. The belief in the supernatural properties of mice likely stems from their ability to quickly reproduce and their nocturnal behavior, which can be seen as mysterious or magical to some people.
Contents
- 1 Overview
- 2 Techniques
- 3 Totemic Magic in the Empire
- 3.1 Heraldic Magic
- 3.2 Spirit Animals
- 3.3 Goetia
- 3.4 Theurgy
The physical form of a totem may be used in totemic magic - a picture, a statue, or the actual physical components of the creature - but the core of the practice is in the symbolic nature - not what the totem looks like or what it does, but what it is believed to mean.
Regardless, totem magic traditions are considerably less refined, and less unified, than traditions such as dramaturgy, astronomancy, or music of the spheres.
It is essential to distinguish between cultural practices and folklore, as conflating the two can perpetuate stereotypes and misunderstandings. While eating mice may be considered taboo or strange in some cultures, it does not inherently involve witchcraft or any form of supernatural practices. Overall, understanding the historical and cultural context behind the association between mice and witchcraft can help dispel misconceptions and promote a more accurate understanding of these topics. It is essential to approach cultural practices and beliefs with an open mind and a willingness to learn and respect diverse perspectives..
Reviews for "The nutritional value of mouse meat in witchcraft diets"
- Sarah - 1 star
I found the book "Is eating mice a form of witchcraft" to be disturbing and morally questionable. The author explores a topic that promotes cruelty towards animals, which is something I strongly disagree with. It is not okay to harm harmless creatures for the sake of some supernatural belief. I couldn't finish this book as it made me uncomfortable and disappointed in the author's perspective.
- John - 2 stars
"Is eating mice a form of witchcraft" failed to capture my interest and left me feeling confused. The writing style was convoluted, making it difficult to follow the author's train of thought. The book lacked a coherent structure and seemed to jump from one topic to another without providing enough context or explanations. I expected a more in-depth exploration of witchcraft, but instead, I found myself questioning the relevance of the examples and anecdotes presented in this book. Overall, it was a disappointing read.
- Emily - 2 stars
As someone who is interested in witchcraft, I was excited to read "Is eating mice a form of witchcraft." However, I was let down by the lack of solid research and credible sources in this book. The author seemed to rely heavily on personal anecdotes and subjective opinions, which made the arguments presented feel weak and unconvincing. I wanted to learn more about the topic, but instead, I felt like the author was simply speculating and offering unfounded theories. Unfortunately, this book did not meet my expectations.
- Alex - 3 stars
While "Is eating mice a form of witchcraft" had some interesting ideas, it failed to provide a cohesive and well-structured argument. The book felt more like a collection of random thoughts and musings rather than a well-researched exploration of witchcraft. I appreciated the author's attempt to tackle a controversial topic, but the execution fell short. The writing style was also a bit dry and repetitive, which made it difficult to stay engaged throughout the book. Overall, this book had its moments, but it could have been much better.
The symbolism of mice in witchcraft: from pest to magical ingredient