Paris Posse - Clue #5

Women have inherent powers that some people find frightening. The archetype of the witch is a powerful woman, but she is demonized for embracing her strengths, her knowledge, her connection with the gifts of Mother Earth, and pursuing that which she desires. Many would prefer women to be submissive and demure. In the novel The Once and Future Witches, author Alix E. Harrow writes, “Witchcraft isn’t one thing but many things, all the ways and words women have found to wreak their wills on the world.” Women have been oppressed and their wants and desires suppressed for ages. We have come a long way in Women’s Rights. For example, October 18th marks National Persons Day to celebrate that on October 18, 1929 Canada's highest court of appeal passed the decision to include women in the legal definition of “persons,” thus making it possible for women to run for positions of power in public and political life. Women have had to protest societal expectations and stand firm in their inner knowing that they were worth more; that having the freedom to share their knowledge and gifts with the world would benefit not just themselves, but everyone. Women have had to be indefatigable. But oh my “gourd”! The constant fight for rights on top of the workload of “women’s” work is exhausting! Sometimes women are just tired. Instead of pleasing expressions, sometimes we just have a resting “witch” face. We make no apologies for our feelings and our need to carve out time to rest. We make our will known in our expressions, and if you don’t like it, a hex on you!