Paganism/Wicca
- Beware of False Wiccans
- The Elk, Moose, Deer and Me
- Power Animals and the Psychic
- Furred Animals I’ve Seen in Nature
- Don’t Badger the Badger!
- Otter: Trickster?
- Marie Laveau II
- Chatter Goes the Weasel
- Marie Laveau Catholic Voodoo Queen
- Cats, Witches and Parapsychology
Posted by
Jill Stefko
Jill Stefko
Words of caution and my experiences with “practitioners” who intend harm
I wrote about the major branches of Wiccan Traditions, because I’ve had people ask me about the religion. They were thinking about converting. Answer, “There are those who claim to be Wiccan, but don’t follow the rede, to do no harm.”
When I counseled people, a woman told me she was a gray witch. According to her and others I’ve encountered, grey witches are allowed to hex or curse people as long as the spell doesn’t harm others.
I Googled gray witchcraft and discovered the ones I met were practicing their own conceptions as to what the craft was about. Gray witchcraft allows no harm.
After participating in a psychic fair as an artist and meditative card reader, two men approached me. I knew one had been a Satanist. He and the other man said they were red witches. I was curious because I hadn’t known there was this color of the craft.
They told me that they followed the White path, but combated Satanism with Satanic spells intended to harm. Then, they tried to recruit me! I told them that it was wrong to do harm, so they gave up.
Later, I learned that, in Peru,there is brujeria, black or red witchcraft. Brujos, evil shamans, use spells and potions for their own personal gain, including being for hire. This relates to PowWow: Pennsy Dutch Arcane Art.
Recently, I encountered a woman who said she had been a Satanist, but was converting to Wicca by paying for an Internet course so she would be certified. Then, she told me she was allowed to hex people. Déjà vu!
My advice to those who want to practice Wicca is “Be aware! Learn the Wiccan Rede, then make sure the path you choose follows it.”
When I counseled people, a woman told me she was a gray witch. According to her and others I’ve encountered, grey witches are allowed to hex or curse people as long as the spell doesn’t harm others.
I Googled gray witchcraft and discovered the ones I met were practicing their own conceptions as to what the craft was about. Gray witchcraft allows no harm.
After participating in a psychic fair as an artist and meditative card reader, two men approached me. I knew one had been a Satanist. He and the other man said they were red witches. I was curious because I hadn’t known there was this color of the craft.
They told me that they followed the White path, but combated Satanism with Satanic spells intended to harm. Then, they tried to recruit me! I told them that it was wrong to do harm, so they gave up.
Later, I learned that, in Peru,there is brujeria, black or red witchcraft. Brujos, evil shamans, use spells and potions for their own personal gain, including being for hire. This relates to PowWow: Pennsy Dutch Arcane Art.
Recently, I encountered a woman who said she had been a Satanist, but was converting to Wicca by paying for an Internet course so she would be certified. Then, she told me she was allowed to hex people. Déjà vu!
My advice to those who want to practice Wicca is “Be aware! Learn the Wiccan Rede, then make sure the path you choose follows it.”
Posted by
Jill Stefko
Jill Stefko
My feelings when I saw deer family members and sadness that they and other animals were brought into extinction in their natural habitats by acts of people
The first time I saw Elk, Pagan Symbol of Stamina, they were in a game preserve that was far ahead of its 1950s’ time, when most zoos kept animals in cages. The elk’s compound was in a natural environment; no cages and bars for them. It was autumn. We left the preserve near sundown. The stag stood proudly, head tilted skyward. I could feel his power, strength, majesty and nobility. The cows grazed serenely. It was a totally different feeling than those I felt when I saw Deer, Pagan Symbol of Gentleness.
Seeing Deer in the “wild” gave me feelings of gentleness, especially when I saw does with their fawns. I could see Deers’ gracefulness when we drew near and they ran from us.Their agility, as they leaped over the brush and other obstacles, impressed me.
Although I’ve not seen Moose: Pagan Symbol of Self-Esteem in nature, zoos or game preserves, I, by watching television shows and reading articles about the animal, can relate how it represents self-esteem.
I couldn’t find Celtic symbolism because the animal because it became extinct in the UK ten centuries ago and is being reintroduced to the Scottish highlands by the efforts of Mr. Lister, who plans to return native species which were hunted to extinction, including Bear: Powerful Pagan Symbol, Wolf: Influential Pagan Symbol and Lynx Pagan Symbol of Secrets , to their, once, native habitat.
I think it sad that animals have lost their natural habitats due to human encroachment and senseless killing for fun, disguised by non-true hunts people as, “sport.” Predictors were killed because they preyed on domestic animals and on wild ones some people hunted. Others, like the passenger pigeon, were hunted to extinction because they provided food.
Seeing Deer in the “wild” gave me feelings of gentleness, especially when I saw does with their fawns. I could see Deers’ gracefulness when we drew near and they ran from us.Their agility, as they leaped over the brush and other obstacles, impressed me.
Although I’ve not seen Moose: Pagan Symbol of Self-Esteem in nature, zoos or game preserves, I, by watching television shows and reading articles about the animal, can relate how it represents self-esteem.
I couldn’t find Celtic symbolism because the animal because it became extinct in the UK ten centuries ago and is being reintroduced to the Scottish highlands by the efforts of Mr. Lister, who plans to return native species which were hunted to extinction, including Bear: Powerful Pagan Symbol, Wolf: Influential Pagan Symbol and Lynx Pagan Symbol of Secrets , to their, once, native habitat.
I think it sad that animals have lost their natural habitats due to human encroachment and senseless killing for fun, disguised by non-true hunts people as, “sport.” Predictors were killed because they preyed on domestic animals and on wild ones some people hunted. Others, like the passenger pigeon, were hunted to extinction because they provided food.
Posted by
Jill Stefko
Jill Stefko
How my experiences with animals and an animal spirit related to my life
When I wrote Bear: Powerful Pagan Symbol, I thought about an article I wrote in the Paranormal topic, Ghost of the Spirit Bear. I believe there is a relationship between the psychic and the spiritual. Although not Shamanic, a Welsh Presbyterian minister I’ve talked to shares this belief.
I had experiences with power animals for years.
When I worked in conjunction with the local tourism authority to hold ghost tours, those involved told me I would lose money the first year. I kept seeing Crow: Mysterious Pagan Symbol and Raven, Enigmatic Pagan Symbol while I worked on the project. Crow’s significance is the hidden magick of creation beckons; Raven’s magick and creation. The tours were profitable.
Bat: A Powerful Pagan Symbol flew into three different places where I lived. Bat signifies initiation and transition. During the times I saw the animals, I was in a state of positive change.
When I was a young child, from the time I was about two until I was five, I saw a tiny black animal out of the corner of my eye, but, when I turned to see it, it vanished. I knew it wasn’t my parents’ Scottish terrier and was puzzled. I sensed the animal was a female feline. At the time, I was intrigued with Black Panther: Pagan Power Symbol and played, pretending I was the panther. Years later, after my grandmother died, I saw the animal again, but this time, when I turned to see it, she didn’t disappear. She was a miniature black panther. The significance is reclaiming one’s actual personal power. Then, I was beginning to reclaim my own inner power that others took from me.
I wonder how many others have had these experiences.
I had experiences with power animals for years.
When I worked in conjunction with the local tourism authority to hold ghost tours, those involved told me I would lose money the first year. I kept seeing Crow: Mysterious Pagan Symbol and Raven, Enigmatic Pagan Symbol while I worked on the project. Crow’s significance is the hidden magick of creation beckons; Raven’s magick and creation. The tours were profitable.
Bat: A Powerful Pagan Symbol flew into three different places where I lived. Bat signifies initiation and transition. During the times I saw the animals, I was in a state of positive change.
When I was a young child, from the time I was about two until I was five, I saw a tiny black animal out of the corner of my eye, but, when I turned to see it, it vanished. I knew it wasn’t my parents’ Scottish terrier and was puzzled. I sensed the animal was a female feline. At the time, I was intrigued with Black Panther: Pagan Power Symbol and played, pretending I was the panther. Years later, after my grandmother died, I saw the animal again, but this time, when I turned to see it, she didn’t disappear. She was a miniature black panther. The significance is reclaiming one’s actual personal power. Then, I was beginning to reclaim my own inner power that others took from me.
I wonder how many others have had these experiences.
Furred Animals I’ve Seen in Nature
Posted by
Jill Stefko
Jill Stefko
Glimpses of deer, bears, rabbits, bat, fox and what I thought was a weasel
I love animals and am thrilled when I see wild animals in their natural habitat. Some of my most cherished memories are of my brief encounters with them.
While I was writing Deer, Pagan Symbol of Gentleness, I thought about my encounters with them. My family had a cottage in the Pocono Mountains. It was there that I saw my first deer. I marveled at the gracefulness of the animal.
I saw Bear: Powerful Pagan Symbol years later when I was horseback riding on a back trail to a state park. At first I thought was a big bush and two smaller ones. Then, I saw movement and realized it was a mama bear with cubs. I knew how fierce a bear can be when her cubs might be threatened and was concerned she might charge, but she just ignored us.
My thoughts turned to Rabbit/Hare: Trickster-Fear Caller. We had our resident bunny. I’d leave carrots and lettuce for her, hoping I could catch her. I thought of fear when she ran away when I tried to approach her.
When I was six, one of the neighborhood boys caught Bat: A Powerful Pagan Symbol and had it in a cage for a few days before releasing it. I was intrigued that I saw a mysterious animal of the night in daylight.
I taught horseback riding for Naval Air Base Oceana’s stable. I was trail riding with my beginner’s class when I saw Fox Pagan Symbol: Camouflage running through the field. I thought of the slyness of the animal.
I thought I saw Weasel: Pagan Symbolism, and thought about its cunning, but while doing research about the animal, I realized it was too large to be a weasel. I’m still wondering what it was.
While I was writing Deer, Pagan Symbol of Gentleness, I thought about my encounters with them. My family had a cottage in the Pocono Mountains. It was there that I saw my first deer. I marveled at the gracefulness of the animal.
I saw Bear: Powerful Pagan Symbol years later when I was horseback riding on a back trail to a state park. At first I thought was a big bush and two smaller ones. Then, I saw movement and realized it was a mama bear with cubs. I knew how fierce a bear can be when her cubs might be threatened and was concerned she might charge, but she just ignored us.
My thoughts turned to Rabbit/Hare: Trickster-Fear Caller. We had our resident bunny. I’d leave carrots and lettuce for her, hoping I could catch her. I thought of fear when she ran away when I tried to approach her.
When I was six, one of the neighborhood boys caught Bat: A Powerful Pagan Symbol and had it in a cage for a few days before releasing it. I was intrigued that I saw a mysterious animal of the night in daylight.
I taught horseback riding for Naval Air Base Oceana’s stable. I was trail riding with my beginner’s class when I saw Fox Pagan Symbol: Camouflage running through the field. I thought of the slyness of the animal.
I thought I saw Weasel: Pagan Symbolism, and thought about its cunning, but while doing research about the animal, I realized it was too large to be a weasel. I’m still wondering what it was.
Posted by
Jill Stefko
Jill Stefko
Clichés, related articles on the animals and their symbolism and Wile E. Coyote.
While I was writing Badger: Pagan symbol of Aggression, I thought about how we put our perceptions of animals’ behavior into words that express human behavior. I thought about articles I’ve written and the clichés that correlate. Here are some phrases that reflect this and related articles. Not all clichés are positive and don’t reflect the animals true behavior.
- Hungry as a bear Bear: Powerful Pagan Symbol
- Room is a pig sty, put on the hog, go whole hog, living high off the hog, can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, hogwash, go hog-wild, cast pearls before swine Wild Boar: Pagan Warrior Spirit
- Sly as a fox Fox Pagan Symbol: Camouflage
- Sneaky as a weasel Weasel: Pagan Symbolism
- Wise as an owl, don't give a hoot Owl: Pagan Symbol of Wisdom
- Bats in the belfry, like a bat out of hell, blind as a bat Bat: A Powerful Pagan Symbol
- Dumb bunny, acts like a scared rabbit Rabbit/Hare: Trickster-Fear Caller
- Play cat and mouse, let the cat out of the bag, cat’s meow , what the cat dragged in Cat: Pagan Symbol of the Arcane
- Feathers one’s nest, for the birds Raven, Enigmatic Pagan Symbol
- Sticks in your crow, crow’s nest, bird brain, Crow: Mysterious Pagan Symbol
- Snake in the grass Snake: Pagan Symbol Transmutation
- Wolfing down food, wolf in sheep’s clothing Wolf: Influential Pagan Symbol
Posted by
Jill Stefko
Jill Stefko
My love for animals, how I became interested in their symbolism and surprising information I’ve found.
I love animals and enjoy learning about their psychology, behavior and symbolism. Animal Speak, Ted Andrews, (Llewellyn Publications, 2002), was originally published in 1993. My first copy of this book was bought in 1995 after I met Turtle Hawk, an American Indian Shaman, on New Year’s Day. I asked him if there were any good books about animal symbolism. Crow was the first animal I saw when I visited my son and family in North Carolina and the first one I saw when I returned home. I was curious what Crow represented. He showed me his book. The next day, I called my favorite book store and they just had a copy delivered.
It was appropriate Crow: Mysterious Pagan Symbol was the first article I wrote about animal symbolism. This was followed by Raven, Enigmatic Pagan Symbol and, later by Coyote, Pagan Symbol: Trickster. Crow and Raven share coyote’s symbolism as trickster. While doing research for Otter: Pagan Symbolism and a Legend, was surprised to learn that some tribes see Otter as trickster. I researched American Indian legends and found the Ojibwa legend about how Otter tricked Bear. Bear’s symbolism is wisdom, introspection and instinct blended with intuition, as Bear: Powerful Pagan Symbol evidences. I had to chuckle how playful Otter played a prank on Bear, although I found it sad that he lost most of his tail.
Weasel: Pagan Symbolism was the last article I had written. Weasels as seen, by some as sneaky; however they are brave and clever animals. Both weasels and otters are members of the mustelidae family, so writing about Otter was a natural article to follow.
Otter, trickster…. I’m looking forward to the next articles I’ll write about animal symbolism. Amazing what I learn!
It was appropriate Crow: Mysterious Pagan Symbol was the first article I wrote about animal symbolism. This was followed by Raven, Enigmatic Pagan Symbol and, later by Coyote, Pagan Symbol: Trickster. Crow and Raven share coyote’s symbolism as trickster. While doing research for Otter: Pagan Symbolism and a Legend, was surprised to learn that some tribes see Otter as trickster. I researched American Indian legends and found the Ojibwa legend about how Otter tricked Bear. Bear’s symbolism is wisdom, introspection and instinct blended with intuition, as Bear: Powerful Pagan Symbol evidences. I had to chuckle how playful Otter played a prank on Bear, although I found it sad that he lost most of his tail.
Weasel: Pagan Symbolism was the last article I had written. Weasels as seen, by some as sneaky; however they are brave and clever animals. Both weasels and otters are members of the mustelidae family, so writing about Otter was a natural article to follow.
Otter, trickster…. I’m looking forward to the next articles I’ll write about animal symbolism. Amazing what I learn!
Posted by
Jill Stefko
Jill Stefko
Marie Laveau II, mystery of the burial crypts and ghostly sightings….
As with many people, my introduction to Voodoo was via Hollywood’s sensationalistic movies featuring practitioners sticking pins into dolls and, of course, the terror inspiring Zombies. Years ago, I was in one of the shops in South of Border, SC when I saw small Voodoo dolls. Out of curiosity, I reached for one when I was startled by a loud squawk. I recoiled. The noise was from a mechanized parrot that sounded intermittently. It was then I decided to learn about Voodoo. My article, Vooduon, Voodoo, Hoodoo, is a synopsis.
The Marie Laveaus intrigued me. Little has been written about Marie II.
Marie Laveau Glapion was born on February 2, 1827. She took over her mother’s practice when Marie I retired. It’s unknown if she was appointed or if she decided to do so on her own. She followed her mother’s path, including presiding over the St. John’s Day rites. She, lacking her mother’s compassion, inspired more fear in their followers.
After Marie I died, the daughter, although she continued her practice, lost the media attention she had when Marie I was alive. Legend has it Marie II drowned in Lake Pontchartrain during a storm in the 1890s. Some claim to have seen her as recently as 1918.
Marie I was said to be buried in a crypt in St. Louis Cemetery I, but the inscription is “Marie Philome Glapion, deceased June 11, 1897.” It is believed that Marie II was buried in another crypt in St. Louis Cemetery No. 2. The inscription is “Marie Laveau.”
It is whispered that the ghosts of both Maries have been seen haunting the streets and Lake Pontchartrain….
Articles of interest:
The Marie Laveaus intrigued me. Little has been written about Marie II.
Marie Laveau Glapion was born on February 2, 1827. She took over her mother’s practice when Marie I retired. It’s unknown if she was appointed or if she decided to do so on her own. She followed her mother’s path, including presiding over the St. John’s Day rites. She, lacking her mother’s compassion, inspired more fear in their followers.
After Marie I died, the daughter, although she continued her practice, lost the media attention she had when Marie I was alive. Legend has it Marie II drowned in Lake Pontchartrain during a storm in the 1890s. Some claim to have seen her as recently as 1918.
Marie I was said to be buried in a crypt in St. Louis Cemetery I, but the inscription is “Marie Philome Glapion, deceased June 11, 1897.” It is believed that Marie II was buried in another crypt in St. Louis Cemetery No. 2. The inscription is “Marie Laveau.”
It is whispered that the ghosts of both Maries have been seen haunting the streets and Lake Pontchartrain….
Articles of interest:
Posted by
Jill Stefko
Jill Stefko
Things I hadn’t known about weasels and learned from my latest article
I was watching an animal program about weasels and decided to write Weasel: Pagan Symbolism. I watched a martin or a fisher, other members of the mustelidae family, who was trying to get into a weasel’s den and finally succeeded in capturing the poor little chattering animal. My fascination turned into horror because I thought the weasel would have avoided this, and then, into amazement when the diminutive one got free and ran off! I thought of a dog the size of a German shepherd attacking a chihuahua.
Next was a weasel attacking and bringing a rabbit down! I felt very badly for the bunny. It was the same with the snake.
What astounded me the most was the weasel’s weight and its ability to prey on much larger animals. Depending on the type, its weight ranges from 2.1 to 14 ounces! Not even a pound! I consulted my reference books and web sites and found this to be accurate. Weasels have been known to kill as many chickens as they can in a coop, then hoard them for future meals.
Years ago, when I was in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, I saw, in the beam of the car’s headlights, what I thought was a weasel, but after doing research, including geographical range, I concluded that the animal was a martin, fisher or mink. They all resemble each other.
I am an animal lover and have written other articles about the furred one’s symbolism. I hope you enjoy all of them.
Next was a weasel attacking and bringing a rabbit down! I felt very badly for the bunny. It was the same with the snake.
What astounded me the most was the weasel’s weight and its ability to prey on much larger animals. Depending on the type, its weight ranges from 2.1 to 14 ounces! Not even a pound! I consulted my reference books and web sites and found this to be accurate. Weasels have been known to kill as many chickens as they can in a coop, then hoard them for future meals.
Years ago, when I was in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, I saw, in the beam of the car’s headlights, what I thought was a weasel, but after doing research, including geographical range, I concluded that the animal was a martin, fisher or mink. They all resemble each other.
I am an animal lover and have written other articles about the furred one’s symbolism. I hope you enjoy all of them.
Marie Laveau Catholic Voodoo Queen
Posted by
Jill Stefko
Jill Stefko
Marie’s obituary praised her good works as a Catholic, but made no mention of her involvement with Voodoo.
I learned of Marie Laveau years ago. I was fascinated by this woman who, while not a Voodoo mambo (priestess), was the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans who presided over the secret ceremonies held at Lake Pontchartrain and the Sunday ones in Congo Square and the power she had. I learned that there were two Maries, mother and daughter. While the daughter held some of the power her mother had, she lacked her compassion.
Marie I was an interesting study. She was raised in the Catholic faith and, as an adult, she was devout in this religion. She also made gris-gris bags, some to bring about dire results. Quite a dichotomy!
Her obituary praised her as a saintly lady who nursed sick people, tended to prisoners and prayed with the ill and those prisoners who were condemned to die. She lived in the godliness of her Catholic faith. There was no mention of her involvement with Voodoo. I wonder what her contemporary followers thought of this.
Although Marie II followed her mother’s path, another daughter, Madame Legendre, claimed Marie I never practiced Voodoo and abhorred the cult. Those who knew Marie I and historical records contradict this.
My articles, Marie Laveau I: Rise to Power and St. John's Day & the Marie Laveaus are about Marie Laveau, the woman who was the supreme Voodoo Queen above all others who vied for this honor. Vooduon, Voodoo, Hoodoo and Gris-gris, Resquardo & Gurunfinda are about the religion and the practice of making bags, filled with different items for positive purposes and, the downside, to cause others misfortune and ill luck.
A future article will be about Marie’s practice of Voodoo.
Marie I was an interesting study. She was raised in the Catholic faith and, as an adult, she was devout in this religion. She also made gris-gris bags, some to bring about dire results. Quite a dichotomy!
Her obituary praised her as a saintly lady who nursed sick people, tended to prisoners and prayed with the ill and those prisoners who were condemned to die. She lived in the godliness of her Catholic faith. There was no mention of her involvement with Voodoo. I wonder what her contemporary followers thought of this.
Although Marie II followed her mother’s path, another daughter, Madame Legendre, claimed Marie I never practiced Voodoo and abhorred the cult. Those who knew Marie I and historical records contradict this.
My articles, Marie Laveau I: Rise to Power and St. John's Day & the Marie Laveaus are about Marie Laveau, the woman who was the supreme Voodoo Queen above all others who vied for this honor. Vooduon, Voodoo, Hoodoo and Gris-gris, Resquardo & Gurunfinda are about the religion and the practice of making bags, filled with different items for positive purposes and, the downside, to cause others misfortune and ill luck.
A future article will be about Marie’s practice of Voodoo.
Cats, Witches and Parapsychology
Posted by
Jill Stefko
Jill Stefko
Cats and humans have psychic abilities. By Papal edict, cats were condemned and massacred. There are cases of witches being executed because they were psychic.
Even when I was a child, people decorated their homes for Hallowe’en displaying witches and black cats, either riding with them on brooms or hissing with arched backs. It was then that I became intrigued with cats and witches.
I’ve researched cats. Familiars and Totems is about alleged witches and their familiars and the difference between them and power animals of shamanistic people. I’ve read and written about animal symbolism including Cat: Pagan Symbol of the Arcane.
I was appalled when I read about Pope Gregory IX declaring cats were agents of the devil! Even worse, Pope Innocent VIII enacted a decree that all cats were to be killed as such! French King Louis XIII revoked the law. Then, I wrote Cats Persecuted as Familiars. I was horrified and outraged. How could “religious” people condemn an animal that was, once, revered by Christians? I looked at my three cats, shaking my head.
Cats have an aura of mystery and are nocturnal. They are aloof and difficult to train. They also have psychic ability. There is documentation to prove it. I’ve acquired expertise in the paranormal. Anpsi, animal psychic phenomena, is one of my favorite areas. I’ve written The Psychic World of Cats Part I and The Psychic World of Cats Part II about this. There is also documentation that some alleged witches were executed because they had these abilities. North Berwick Witches' Persecution evidences this.
Could there be a correlation between cats’ and humans’ psychic abilities and them being persecuted and executed because of these talents? Fear of what isn’t understood can lead to disastrous actions. During the height of these travesties, nothing was known about parapsychology. Even Saint Joan of Arc was burned at the stake as a witch….
I’ve researched cats. Familiars and Totems is about alleged witches and their familiars and the difference between them and power animals of shamanistic people. I’ve read and written about animal symbolism including Cat: Pagan Symbol of the Arcane.
I was appalled when I read about Pope Gregory IX declaring cats were agents of the devil! Even worse, Pope Innocent VIII enacted a decree that all cats were to be killed as such! French King Louis XIII revoked the law. Then, I wrote Cats Persecuted as Familiars. I was horrified and outraged. How could “religious” people condemn an animal that was, once, revered by Christians? I looked at my three cats, shaking my head.
Cats have an aura of mystery and are nocturnal. They are aloof and difficult to train. They also have psychic ability. There is documentation to prove it. I’ve acquired expertise in the paranormal. Anpsi, animal psychic phenomena, is one of my favorite areas. I’ve written The Psychic World of Cats Part I and The Psychic World of Cats Part II about this. There is also documentation that some alleged witches were executed because they had these abilities. North Berwick Witches' Persecution evidences this.
Could there be a correlation between cats’ and humans’ psychic abilities and them being persecuted and executed because of these talents? Fear of what isn’t understood can lead to disastrous actions. During the height of these travesties, nothing was known about parapsychology. Even Saint Joan of Arc was burned at the stake as a witch….