Famous witches and warlocks

According to an old legend, Pan Twardowski was a nobleman (szlachcic) who lived in Kraków in the 16th century. He sold his soul to the devil in exchange for great knowledge and magical powers. However, Twardowski wanted to outwit the devil by including a special clause in the contract, stating that the devil could only … Read more

The story of St. James and Hermogenes is part of the The Golden Legend or Lives of the Saints, compiled by Jacobus de Voragine, Archbishop of Genoa, 1275; first edition published 1470; translated by William Caxton, first edition 1483. A small section repeated here: Upon his return to Judea, [James] again began to preach the … Read more

In Greek mythology, Circe was the daughter of Perse, one of the Oceanids, and Helios, the Titan sun god. As such, she was part of a family of formidable sorceresses. Pasiphae was her only sister, and she was the queen of the Greek island, Crete, and also the wife of King Minos. It was also … Read more

In Slavic folklore, Baba Yaga (Russian: Ба́ба-Яга́) , also spelled Baba Jaga, is a witch or an ogress who steals, cooks, and eats her victims, usually children. She is also seen as a forest spirit, sometimes in three persons (sisters). Stories about Baba Yaga have been used in teaching children the importance of reverence for … Read more

Marie Catherine Laveau (September 10, 1801 – June 15, 1881) was a Louisiana Creole practitioner of Voodoo, herbalist and midwife who was renowned in New Orleans. Her daughter, Marie Laveau II, (1827–c. 1862) was also a witch. Historical records state that Marie Laveau was born a free woman of color in colonial New Orleans was … Read more

Max Beauvoir, who passed away in 2015 at the age of 79, had long been known as the most powerful and famous Voodoo priest in all of Haiti. He was the head of Haiti’s houngans (Voodoo priests) and is credited with committing several amazing feats. One of his more concrete accomplishments was talking down angry … Read more

It was in this same verdant Broceliande that Vivien, another fairy, that crafty dame of the enchanted lake, the instructress of Lancelot, bound wise Merlin so that he might no more go to Camelot with oracular lips to counsel British Arthur. But what say the folk of Broceliande themselves of this? Let us hear their version … Read more