“This place is so haunted”, my witch giggles over my shoulder.I took us to a place where for the both of us history becomes very much alive and reminds us of how fragile and thin skinned we are, and how exposed we are to history’s tales. A trip to Prague My witch and I visitedContinue reading “28 crosses in Prague – A haunted historical trip with my witch”
Category Archives: History bewitched!
Damaged girl – exploring early modern medicine with my witch
“Having a body is unfair”, I remind my witch over an iced latte we share.“And not having one is not really an option”, she adds.What a terrible world we live in. Since I am recovering from a morning that has smelled like sanitizers and might in the end have meant nothing at all, I wantContinue reading “Damaged girl – exploring early modern medicine with my witch”
Witch on the road – Would I look nice as a statue?
Within less than a year, I have travelled to some of the most exciting places in Europe. Sometimes for work, sometimes privately. On these travels, I have met some of the most important figures in my field of studies, natural history and the history of science! I got to hang out with Lamarck in Paris,Continue reading “Witch on the road – Would I look nice as a statue?”
Witches against the world – Comparing the witching myth with modern conspiracy theories
The image of the burning witch is as far away from historical reality as was the old belief in them conspiring against the world. Still, both narratives have survived the centuries. Nowadays, people caught up in controversies compare themselves to those burned by the stake to gain sympathies, and recent crises have given voice toContinue reading “Witches against the world – Comparing the witching myth with modern conspiracy theories”
A very short history of Christmas trees
I have always been fond of those traditions we came up with to make it through the longest nights of the year. Even as teenager scaring everyone with my rebellious gothic looks, I loved the scent of cinnamon, baking cookies, putting up Christmas lights, as well as decorating a Christmas tree. I still remember myContinue reading “A very short history of Christmas trees”
About books that burned in 1346 – Nicholas de Artrecourt’s radical skepticism
We’re not burning witches in this post, but the books and whole work of a medieval monk, who seemingly miscalculated his impact on the world. Have you ever heard of Nicholas de Artrecourt? Sounds sympathetic, right? Like an early modern thinker, a hero that was antagonized by the church enslaving the people, right? Let’s seeContinue reading “About books that burned in 1346 – Nicholas de Artrecourt’s radical skepticism”
Writing history with my witch – Or, the struggle of looking at the past
I like to picture my witch in a golden frame. Probably shaped with roses growing all over it. A frame that looks like one your grandmother would have kept, or one to find in a museum. One of those pompous picture frames you‘d find when visiting old castles. My witch deserves to be framed onContinue reading “Writing history with my witch – Or, the struggle of looking at the past”
The moon, the tide, and us – Deconstructing a superstition
„The moon basically asked you to stay awake last night“, my witch giggles over my shoulder as I mix my first iced latte of the day. „And it tasted like strawberries, apparently. Are you on your period by now?“„Nope, just ended two days ago“, I snap and she laughs once more. This post is aboutContinue reading “The moon, the tide, and us – Deconstructing a superstition”
Why wands are problematic!
To perform magic, wands are essential so many cases! They are the symbol of great wizards in fantastic adventures as well as entertaining crowds by making things disappear. In this post, I will try to unpack where the image of the wand comes from, and also, why it is far more associated with wizards thanContinue reading “Why wands are problematic!”
Stories to remember
I want to tell stories that live on. I‘m not talking about writing bestsellers and being famous, but about contributing something meaningful on some level to our shared cultural memory. At least a little bit. When my grandfather, who also was my last grandparent, died very recently, we went through his things and also foundContinue reading “Stories to remember”
On demons getting caught in your sheets – my favourite winter myth!
„Between the years“ is what we call these days late in the old and early in the new year here where I live, and I want to share one of my favourite superstition about this time with you.These long nights with an early and slowly setting sun, possibly even a lot of Christmas sweets waitingContinue reading “On demons getting caught in your sheets – my favourite winter myth!”
Nostalgia and fragility – A history – photo post!
Places can tell so many stories. Just think of all the things walls could give away about you, if they could talk and were able to remember.Some places that I have been to with my witch felt like a kind of fairytale that I would have liked to read when I was little. Some othersContinue reading “Nostalgia and fragility – A history – photo post!”
“Art nouveau” – A witching way of design
We‘re taking a look at one of my favourite architecture style with this post! And yes, I know that I am a few centuries late for what I usually write about. I am far into modern territory here, and left the time my witch witnessed behind for a while. And believe me, she is makingContinue reading ““Art nouveau” – A witching way of design”
View through a haunted window! – History glimpse
„This window looks like one to stand behind and sing to be either be rescued by the love of your life or executed“, my witch giggles into my ears as I observe the window in the red castle wall, with the small squares reflecting the blue sky, and I have to agree. The window belongsContinue reading “View through a haunted window! – History glimpse”
What a witching weather! – What was the „Little Ice Age“?
It‘s general known as a bad sign if you start talking about the weather, right? Still, I had to ask my witch how the weather was back in her days, and in this post, I will tell you why! As I am writing this post, I am truly bothered by the heavy rain that hasContinue reading “What a witching weather! – What was the „Little Ice Age“?”
Why witches ride on broomsticks
In case you ever tried a broomstick out yourselves, you will know them as not the most comfortable way to travel. If you belong to those who never took a broom onto a hill to jump on it as far as you can: You missed out on something! The bitter realization when crashing down ontoContinue reading “Why witches ride on broomsticks”
Why witches wear pointy hats!
There are certain accesoires a witch just can‘t live without! A broom is needed to fly off into the mountains, a cauldron to brew potions in and of course the witch hat! Since it is hopefully obvious that in history there never was a group of women dressing up that way, while living childless andContinue reading “Why witches wear pointy hats!”
The next writing challenge – growing up in 1618!
I have promised to keep this blog a writing diary! A documentary of how I write my witching novel – so, after finishing my first witching novel milestone, there is a new challenge! I have to write the next part. Although that is kind of a given, if I want to finish the novel forContinue reading “The next writing challenge – growing up in 1618!”
Medieval magic! – Visiting St. Reinoldi in Dortmund
I am visiting a fascinating medieval tale today! It is about a dead body searching for a home and a self-driving carriage! Or, should I cite my witch and call this just the kind of weird little magic men could get away with while she had to burn? Let‘s take a look at this! TheContinue reading “Medieval magic! – Visiting St. Reinoldi in Dortmund”
New year’s thoughts with my witch!
Celebrating new year’s eve is something I have never enjoyed. I cannot really tell why. After all the little magical Christmas things I enjoy so much, this evening seems much more stressful. Much more real. Like a party for real adults to look back and making new plans. Although I have not taken part inContinue reading “New year’s thoughts with my witch!”
A heartbreaking castle finding!
Let me bring to you the tale of the most perverted cabinet I have ever seen! First of all, I visited a beautiful castle this weekend, and although I am not allowed to upload the photos I took inside, I will tell you about one thing in there that kindled a lot of witching energyContinue reading “A heartbreaking castle finding!”
Tales a place can tell
When seeing a new place, I have to figure for a while what kind of tale it has to tell. Maybe I am a bit more thin skinned than others, but it can actually take me a while and stop my thoughts until I understood what exactly I‘m feeling and where my thoughts are goingContinue reading “Tales a place can tell”
How I chose the century for my novel – Merry crisis!
When planning to write the witching novel, I had a few centuries to pick from. I did not know right from the start where this would lead me. Witch hunts belong into medieval times, right? And those last up to … when exactly? 1500? 1600? Discussing epochs is a lot of fun! I will giveContinue reading “How I chose the century for my novel – Merry crisis!”
Visiting a witching city – a day in Aachen
Out of the the few times I have been there, half of them profoundly changed my life. This post is about another place that means magic for me. It will take you into another old city, into the heart of a city very meaningful for huge parts of medieval Europe. These words are meant forContinue reading “Visiting a witching city – a day in Aachen”
Monschau – A small town of resilience
„Look at these cozy houses even surviving your hell!“, I tell my witch searching through photographs over candle light that pictured a very resilient small town, hidden in the hills. There is one small medieval town not far from where I live that has found a place in my heart. Since it was hidden veryContinue reading “Monschau – A small town of resilience”
About the one who started the witching myth!
Today I‘m wondering how it all started!Who is the father of the witching myth as it developed in early modern Europe?Who the hell was the person that wrote the manifest starting the witch hunts in Europe? Who would waste their time scribbling together a piece such as „Malleus Maleficarum“, only to be responsible for thousandsContinue reading “About the one who started the witching myth!”
A witching question
Learning about witches is just another funny attempt to cope with existing as a human being. Being human is a difficult thing.It shows the desire to grab a something deep inside that defines who we are, while also excluding all of the things that are too terrible and still keep on happening. We call thingsContinue reading “A witching question”
Thoughts and photos in old places!
Old places tease stories.These stories can be full of yearning. Places with an old soul can have this fascination. It is easy to glorify the past, although there never were the good old days. They were just full of different problems that were either luckily solved or forgotten. And still, an old staircase barely visibleContinue reading “Thoughts and photos in old places!”
History disrupted (and a pretty street lamp)
I didn‘t take this photo just because the street lamp looked pretty, but seriously – it does! And I was surprised to find it there where I had found it, and here we have a realization which made me quite spontaneously question my view on history in general (including an unscheduled lecture for the friendContinue reading “History disrupted (and a pretty street lamp)”
About those very historical feelings
When I first had the idea to write historical fiction, I felt almost blind.It was like disoriented trembling into a new kind of world. I could not feel myself into it.How were common life events perceived by someone living in the 14th century?What did the death of someone mean in a world so much moreContinue reading “About those very historical feelings”
Mistress witch writes 