h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

the scottish play is rather good,,

I've not read it all the way through.

But the bits I have I liked.


Why can't you say the name again? Something to do with acting isn't it?

Its reputed to be unlucky. The part with the 3 witches is believed by the superstitious to hold an actual curse

what the tongue of newt and eye of snake bit?

Only if you believe it does.

you mean Macbeth. it is only unlucky for the actors who are actually in the play at the time of it's performance to say it's name.

The eye of newt and tongue of blah blah bit yeah , being a witch of course i know its tosh (spells just dont sound like that!) , but superstition is a strange thing kitty.

fair nuff.

I thought it was unlucky to say before any drama production. Our drama teacher used to go spasmodic if anyone said it.

Yep..actors can be very superstitious. Accidents have even be linked to saying it , fires etc. If its said youre supposed to say it a further two times, turn around and throw salt over your shoulder

i saw an interesting program the other night where they went back to the time of medieval witch craft. the things that had power them days were actually things like rabbit feet and frogs legs. these days that is regarded as sterotypical of course. the only reason modern witches don't actually still believe that is because their believes evolved to a more open way of thinking. so there is no more need for these talisman to focus energy through. although the pentecost is still used a lot and other small sentimental items that the witch chooses for personal reasons. oh, and the candles, and the knife.

yeah. The knife/ sword, pentacle/ stone, cauldron/ chalice and... um... oh yeah, stave/ wand.

They had to cut down the size of the implements during the 'burning times'

That would be pentacle
and thats far from a talisman as it represents the five elements!
Most of the women executed for witchcraft were actually just wise women who used herbs etc for healing.

never said that was a talisman and werekitty means implements used for spells had to be smaller so they could conceal them easier.

according to some beliefs the pentacle represents earth and is femenine in nature, the cauldron represents water and is femenine in nature, the stave represents fire (sometimes air) and is masculine in nature, and the sword represents air (sometimes fire) and is masculine in nature. There are many different branches of witchcraft, and what works for one person may not work for another.

Half of that stuff isnt even needed.. some people need more to focus on than others though.

There are a lot of myths/sterotypes as well as a lot of branches..

not only smaller but not recognisable.

Everyone had a stone, a stick, a kitchen knife and a cup somewhere around their house.

and on a personal note - i saw white stripes last year and soad the year b4 that

he's annoying sometimes isn't he?