A short list of Items Associated with a Folklore Witch

This is not meant to offend any practicing witches…


We often associate the folktale witch with items such as cauldrons, and cats and brooms. But what is the actual meaning behind some of these items and how did they become associated with the witch?

The Witch-The witch herself has an interesting and long history that stretches over various parts of the world. During the time of ancient Greece followers of the goddess Hecate would perform rituals at crossroads in her honor. The goddess was associated with the dark side of the moon and crossroads, and was considered the “witch’s queen” up until the seventeenth century. These early “witches” were experts at the manufacturing of poisons and an accepted part of ancient Greek society.

The trendsetter for the “witches’ look” from the seventeenth century on is perhaps borrowed from Ursula Southeil, better known as Mother Shipton. It is often debated as to whether or not such a woman actually existed. Many from Yorkshire, England claim she did. It is not exactly clear if her biography is factual or if some of her many prophesies actually came from her. Needless to say, her biographer, 17th century poet Richard Head portrays her as possessing“…very great googling, but sharp and fiery eyes; her nose of unproportionable length, having in it many crooks and turnings, adorned with many strange pimples of divers colours, as red and blue mixed, which, like vapours of brimstone, gave such a luster to the affrighted spectators in the dead time of the night…” (Greenwood 310). This description seems to be “the look” of many witches from the seventeenth century on.

The Cat- The most familiar of the familiars; the cat is the consummate witches’ consort. With the exception of the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans who linked the cat to the gods and goddesses; it wasn’t until the Middle Ages that the cat was truly considered evil. Unfortunately the cat has had a negative reputation because of its ties with the pagan gods. The cat has always been misunderstood; and one such source of misunderstanding is due to its ability to see in the darkness. It was deemed by many that this nocturnal talent could only be associated with non-other than the dark side.

The Frog-Within Egyptian mythology the frog was a positive symbol that represented reproduction. However, in the bible the frog is viewed more negatively. The medieval Church’s dislike of the frog stems from the Bible; for it is a plague of frogs sent upon the Egyptians as a punishment by God. The frog is also mentioned in the Book of Revelations: “And I saw their unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon…” (205) The frog holds various other symbolic meanings as well; and to this day still fascinates us in its almost human like transformation from tadpole to frog.

The Broom-What is a witch without her broom? The broom has long been associated with magic and superstition from the time of the ancient Egyptians until now. The broom has been an instrument by which ancient Athenians swept out the souls of the dead during one of their many festivals. The broom was to become the witch’s main mode of transport probably due to its already magical nature and simply because most households kept one; other modes were the pitchfork, shovel or stick. However, the witch could only ride her broom if she rubbed herself down with a green ointment.

Flying Ointments-It is commonly believed that the witch can only fly with the aid of an ointment. Common ingredients were different herbs, such as hemlock and flowers like the foxglove. The fat of an un-baptized child was used as well. It is believed that the ointment was a hallucinogenic since it contained various hallucinogenic plants. For those who have done experiments using a mixture of common witch ingredient have described the complete and utter sensation of flying and of sensual pleasures, as well.

The Mandrake-known for its hallucinogenic properties this plant and its roots are a vital ingredient to a witch’s brew. The root of the mandrake is said to resemble a person; and it was once thought that the mandrake was the forerunner of humankind. Legend has it that when the mandrake is uprooted its blood-curdling scream is enough to kill someone on the spot. Pulling up this plant was a task left to dogs and precise directions on how to do so were given by Josephus AD (37-c 100.) The mandrake is native to southern and central Europe, as well as along the Mediterranean Sea.

Spiders-Spiders have always seemed to be associated with evil. Perhaps it’s the way by which a spider traps and eats its meal? The spider is a common household pest that was even detested by the goddess Athena. Athena turned her “tapestry rival” Arachne into a spider out of jealousy.

Grimoire-pronounced [grim war] was the name generally applied to those texts that dealt with magic or the supernatural. A grimoire is also a personal manual of a witch or magician’s personal magical spells and incantations. The grimoire appeared in Europe during the High Middle Ages but its roots probably began with mystical texts written during the Hellenistic Greece period.

Eye of newt; toe of frog- Just two of the many ingredients used by the Three Witches in William Shakespeare’s play Macbeth. Others such ingredients are: tongue of dog, wool of bat and lizard’s leg. These curious ingredients may be humorous to us but during the Shakespearean era those in the audience were wrought with fear because many had taken the storyline seriously.

Hocus-Pocus-really has no significant or literal meaning, but is merely two words put together to give a mysterious ring to a magic trick. The objective by using such words with no definitive meaning was to offer a distraction, which better enabled the magician to do his trick.

Greenwood, Susan. The Encyclopedia of Magic and Witchcraft. London: Hermes House. 2005.
King James. The Bible. Korea: World Bible Publishers.