“Bring me these things, and bring them Well/ All mixed together to break the Spell/ On All-Hallows’ Eve when the moon is Full!”
photo credit: Berry Steiner
Sometimes it’s hard to draw the line between Artist and Mother; in so many ways the roles overlap. Here is one such instance:
On Halloween this year, we did not go trick-or-treating. Instead, I became the Witch of the Hill and invited a few children from our local “pod” to the woods behind our house.
photo credit: Berry Steiner
The Witch of the Hill was imprisoned, trapped by invisible chains to a tree growing on the hill. Her sister, the more powerful Witch of Gollub Cliffs, had put the spell on her (the result of a petty witch’s quarrel.) When the children came in their costumes, they had to approach the formidable witch and gain her trust. Thus accomplished, they were given a list of magical ingredients to find.
To Break the Witch’s Spell
A lock of hair from a laughing child
And a Flower growing Wild
A rose’s thorn, a slender bone,
And dirt dug from beneath a stone.
Confess to something that is feared,
A child’s drawing that is Weird,
A Marigold, and something Cold,
A snip of Silver from a Beard.
Bring me these things, and bring them Well,
All mixed together to break the Spell,
On All-Hallows’ Eve when the moon is Full!
photo credit: Irene Tatariw
The children were able to gather the ingredients and the Witch of the Hill was released form her magical confinement. The Witch’s Familiar, a devoted beast who was Half-bear and Half-fish, rewarded their efforts with generous gifts of candy.
After such a success, it was agreed by all that there should be future adventures, filled with more perilous quests and magical encounters. To be continued…
photo credit: Berry Steiner
The Witch of the Hill and her Familiar…
photo credit: Berry Steiner
Further magical adventures: Treasure Hunt