Witchcraft, oracles, and magic have long been an integral part of the Azande culture. The Azande people, who live in the Nile Valley region of Central Africa, have a profound belief in the power of witchcraft and the existence of supernatural forces. In Azande society, witchcraft is considered to be a real and potent force that can cause harm and misfortune. They believe that certain individuals, known as witches, have the ability to use supernatural powers to harm others. Witchcraft is seen as a personal and intentional act, rather than being attributed to natural or accidental causes. Oracles play a significant role in Azande society as well.
Oracles play a significant role in Azande society as well. Oracles are individuals who are believed to possess special powers and can communicate with the spirits. They are consulted by people seeking guidance and advice on various matters, including personal problems, illness, and matters of great importance such as warfare and fertility.
2017 Geek-A-Long: Dr. Strange
My gut instinct says to fill this post with gifs of Benedict Cumberbatch as Dr. Strange with the Cloak of Levitation, because let’s all be honest here, his red cloak was the real MVP of that movie. I mean, it was basically the cooler older brother to Carpet from Disney’s Aladdin.
In all seriousness though, normally I like to get super nerdy and lay down some comic book history, but I know zero things about Doctor Strange. Okay, maybe not ZERO thing, but it’s a short list. Everything I know about the magical superhero comes from the movie . And to be honest, I don’t remember much about it other than the fact that I drooled over Benedict’s cheekbones, wished he would shave, fell in love with the Cloak of Levitation, and giggled through most of the Easter Egg with Thor. Normally, I don’t care for the Thor movies, but I am 100 percent ready to see a Doctor Strange/Loki team-up!
Despite my self proclaimed love for the Cloak of Levitation, you might notice that it isn’t on Doctor Strange’s square. This, ladies and gentlemen, is what happens when we design and knit things in advance. My brother-in-law, who actually knows a bit about Stephen Strange, said that we had to put the Eye of Agamotto on the square. The amulet is in the movie and plays a pivotal role, but — as the MCU is want to do — they gave it a sleeker design. I like the older version of the amulet though.
If you haven’t seen the movie yet or read the comic books, the Eye of Agamotto is the amulet that Dr. Strange wears around his neck. Like most items of power in the Marvel Universe, it has a long history. The gist of it, however, is that it allows the wearer to see through illusions and view past events. It does a few other tricks as well, but if you’re a big fan of the MCU, you’ve probably already guessed that it contains an infinity stone. Shocking, I know.
Whether you’re knitting, crocheting, or cross stitching this square, you can download the Doctor Strange pattern here, featuring the Eye of Agamotto amulet. Instructions and charts for both knit and crochet are listed in the pattern. When you’re finished making it, don’t forget to Instagram your squares at us @lattesandllamasyarn with the hashtag #geekalong!
If you’re having trouble with double-sided knitting, we have a how-to video here and a tutorial on crochet here. Want to hang out with other people making the blanket? You can find moral support in the Geek-A-Long group on Ravelry here.
~ Jac
“What’s this, my mantra?” “It’s the wi-fi password. We’re not savages.”
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At some point, the Ancient One reclaimed the Amulet from Strange and, without telling him, returned it to Agamotto, who kept it in his dimension where it remained for years. Eventually, Agamotto decided to use it to test the fanatical sorcerer Silver Dagger who had been imprisoned in that realm since being defeated by Doctor Strange. After finding the Amulet that Agamotto had "carelessly" left lying around, Silver Dagger took advantage of Strange's brief visit to that realm to pluck out his own left eye and mystically implant it into Strange's left eye socket (empty since that eye had been destroyed by a demon). Silver Dagger then stole the Amulet and hid it within his now-empty eye socket before escaping to Earth. Some months later, during the Infinity Gauntlet event, Silver Dagger and some of his followers confronted Strange in an attempt to kill him and reclaim his eye. However, Strange was able to use his Eye of Agamotto to overcome and imprison Silver Dagger. As soon as that happened, Silver Dagger became blind in his left eye again just as Agamotto appeared, revealed that he had been testing Silver Dagger (as Strange had secretly deduced) and took "Dag" with him back to his realm. [3]
The Azande also believe in the effectiveness of magic. Magic is performed by individuals, known as magicians, who have acquired special knowledge and power through training and initiation. Magic can be used for a variety of purposes, such as healing the sick, protecting against evil spirits, or bringing good fortune. The effectiveness of magic is believed to depend on the skills and abilities of the magician, as well as the proper use of rituals and charms. Both witchcraft and oracles are closely linked to the Azande worldview and their understanding of causality. They believe that events and occurrences in the world are not random, but rather influenced by supernatural forces. Witchcraft accusations often arise in response to misfortune or unexplained events, as individuals seek to make sense of their experiences. Witchcraft, oracles, and magic hold great significance in the Azande culture, shaping their beliefs, practices, and interactions. They form an essential part of the Azande's spiritual and social fabric, providing explanations for the unexplainable and offering a sense of control and empowerment in their lives..
Reviews for "The Role of Azandrian Oracles in Decision Making and Problem Solving"
1. Samantha - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Witchcraft oracles and magic among the Azandrs". While the topic seemed intriguing, the book failed to deliver any substantial information or insights. The writing style was convoluted and filled with jargon, making it difficult to follow. Additionally, the author relied heavily on personal anecdotes and speculation, rather than providing concrete evidence or research. Overall, I found the book to be lackluster and lacking in scholarly depth.
2. Michael - 1 star
I regret spending my money on "Witchcraft oracles and magic among the Azandrs". The author seemed more interested in showcasing their own beliefs and theories rather than providing a comprehensive analysis of Azandrian witchcraft practices. The book lacked structure and coherence and read more like a collection of rambling thoughts rather than a scholarly work. I expected a well-researched and informative account, but unfortunately, this was not the case.
3. Emily - 2 stars
I was intrigued by the topic of "Witchcraft oracles and magic among the Azandrs" but found the execution to be lacking. The writing was dry and academic, making it difficult to stay engaged with the material. The author failed to make the content accessible to a general audience, which made it feel exclusive and exclusionary. Additionally, there was a lack of clear organization and flow, making it challenging to follow the author's argument. Overall, I think this book missed the mark in terms of providing a comprehensive and engaging exploration of Azandrian witchcraft.