Blockula
Blockula (Template:Langx, lit.Template:Thinsp'blue hill'[1][2]) was a legendary island where the Devil held his Earthly court during a witches' Sabbath. It was described as containing a massive meadow with no visible end, and a large house where the Devil would stay.
Referencing Blockula nights, witches described the Devil as appearing, "in a gray Coat, and red and blue Stockings: He had a red Beard, a high-crown’d Hat, with Linnen of divers Colours, wrapt about it, and long Garters upon his Stockings."
Blockula plays a major part in the witch-hunts described in Joseph Glanvill's 1682 work Script error: No such module "Lang"., which detailed the Mora witch trials in an Appendix entitled: "True Account of What Happen’d in the Kingdom of Sweden In the Years 1669, 1670, and upwards: In Relation to some Persons that were accused for Witches; and Tryed and Executed By the King's Command."
Blockula is originally the same place as the island Blå Jungfrun, which was in old days called Blåkulla, and since medieval days rumored to be a place where the witches gathered. The perhaps first time Blockula was mentioned in a witch trial by an alleged witch was in 1597, but in reality, it was not until the Swedish witch mania of 1668–1676 that the place had any real importance in the persecution of witches.[citation needed]
Preparation and travel
Blockula could only be reached by magical flight, wherein witches and the taken children would ride fence-posts, spits, beasts (such as horses or goats) or even the bodies of sleeping men; one example claims that when room was lacking, a spit would be placed into the back-side of a goat, to increase the riding area. Children would be convinced to perform the ride after being given "a Shirt, a Coat and a Doublet, which was either Red or Blew", and being asked if they wanted to attend a faraway feast; if they did not accept the invitation they would be forcibly brought along, regardless.[3][4]
Island structure and ceremonies
The events of the night were started by having each witch cut their finger to sign the Devil's book in blood, and undergoing a mock baptism in which they swear their soul to the Devil.
The Devil's most esteemed witches would sit closest to him, at the head of the table, whereas the children would stand by the door. Some children, however, are recorded as claiming the existence of "a white Angel" stationed near the door, reminding them to keep the Lord's Commandments and occasionally attempting to block children's entrance into the room.
After the meal, festivities included dancing, but would commonly descend into cursing, fighting, and other vulgarities. Certain parts of the house and field, however, were devoted to more specific ceremonies.
An island church is also mentioned, but with no other information about appearance or purpose.[3][4]
Aftermath and effects
Blockula was written to be harmful and physically damaging to the children taken.[3][4]
Modern traditions
Script error: No such module "Labelled list hatnote". In Sweden and Swedish-speaking parts of Finland, to commemorate the travel of witches to Blåkulla, children dress as witches, old women and old men on Easter and go door-to-door for treats similar to the trick-or-treating tradition of halloween. The children sometimes present hand-made cards and other greetings.[5] In the Stockholm rave and club scene, Blockula, who take inspiration from the Blockula mythologies, is one of the biggest organizers of youth rave culture.
See also
- Akelarre (witchcraft)
- The Brocken
- Domen, Norway
- Kyöpelinvuori
- Märet Jonsdotter
- Mora witch trial
- Witches of Benevento
- Bald Mountain (folklore)
References
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- ^ "Blåkulla" in Svenska Akademiens ordbok
- ^ "Blåkulla" in Svensk etymologisk ordbok p. 49-50
- ^ a b c Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Sinclair, George (1789). Satan's invisible world discovered, or, A choice collection of modern relations proving evidently, against the atheists of this present age, that there are devils. Spirits, witches, and apparitions, from authentic records, and attestations of witnesses of undoubted veracity : To which is added, the marvellous history of Major Weir and his sister, the witches of Bargarran, Pittenweem, Calder, &c. pp. 112–124.
- ^ a b c Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content.Glanvill, Joseph. Saducismus triumphatus, or, Full and plain evidence concerning witches and apparitions : in two parts, the first treating of their possibility, the second of their real existence. ISBN 1-171-33286-6. OCLC 943229347.
- ^ Page Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css has no content."Svenskspråkiga påskhäxor går ut på påskaftonen". Yle. March 13, 2010.
- Giornale Nuovo, "A True Account of What Happen’d in the Kingdom of Sweden" (August 22, 2005)
- All quotes from Glanvill, Joseph "Saducismus Triumphatus" (1682)
- Alf Henrikson, "Häxorna", (In Swedish).
- Häxor i periferin:Trolldomsprocesser i Småland 1604-1619[permanent dead link](In Swedish)
- Birgitta Lagerlöf-Genetay, De svenska häxprocesernas utbrottskede 1668-1676.
