2361) Guernsey Witches, Guernsey, (A British Crown Dependency - (BCD): EUROPA - 2022: "Stories and Myths" Theme: Guernsey Post has issued a set of six Stamps, including two EUROPA Stamps depicting the Legends/Myths: Date of Stamp issue: 21.05.2022:
About Europa 2022 - Stamps:
EUROPA Stamps are special stamps issued by European postal administrations.
They bear the official EUROPA logo, a PostEurop registered trademark under the aegis of PostEurop in which Europe is the central theme.
EUROPA stamp issues are among the most collected and most popular stamps in the world and have been issued for over 60 years.
Every year a new theme is assigned by PostEurop and all participating countries issue stamps with their own interpretation of the theme. The theme for 2022 is "Stories and Myths".
More about EUROPA Postage Stamps:
EUROPA Postage stamps (also known as Europa - CEPT - European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations - until 1992) are special stamps issued by European Postal Administrations/Enterprises and bears the official EUROPA logo, a PostEurop registered trademark under the aegis of PostEurop in which Europe is the central theme.
EUROPA stamps underline cooperation in the posts domain, aimed at promotion of philately. They also build awareness of the common roots, culture and history of Europe and its common goals.
As such, EUROPA stamp issues are among the most collected and most popular stamps in the world.
Since the first issue in 1956, EUROPA stamps have been a tangible symbol of Europe's desire for closer integration and co-operation.
In 1993, PostEurop became responsible for issuing EUROPA stamps.
When CEPT decided to focus more on telecommunications in 1993, PostEurop took over the management of the Europa issues. The CEPT logo was replaced by a new logo created by PostEurop i.e. the word "EUROPA" leaning towards the right hand side.
Each year, PostEurop's "Stamps & Philately Group" selects the EUROPA stamp theme:
1993 - Contemporary Art
1994 - Great Discoveries
1995 - Peace and Freedom
1996 - Famous women
1997 - Tales and legends
1998 - Festivals and National Celebrations
1999 - Nature Reserves and Parks
2000 - Common Design. Tower of 6 stars
2001 - Water - Treasure of Nature
2002 - The Circus
2003 - Poster Art
2004 - Holidays
2005 - Gastronomy
2006 - Integration through the eyes of Young People
2007 - Scout Centenary
2008 - Writing Letters
2009 - Astronomy
2010 - Children Books
2011 - Forests - International Year of Forests
2012 - Visit …. (for instance "Visit Finland" etc.)
2013 - Van of the Postman - Postal vehicles
2014 - Musical instruments - National musical instruments
2015 - Old Toys
2016 - Ecology in Europe - "Think Green". Common Design
2017 - Castles
2018 - Bridges
2019 - National Birds
2020 - Ancient Postal Routes
2021 - Endangered National Wildlife
2022 - Stories & Myths.
About Europa 2022 - "Stories and Myths" Stamps issued by Guernsey Post:
PostEurop stamp theme for 2022 is "Stories and Myths".
The EUROPA Stamps issued by Guernsey Post on behalf feature the Legends of Guernsey Witches:
Guernsey Post has issued on 09.05.2022, EUROPA stamps depicting the Legends of "Guernsey's Witches".
The Legends/Myths - Background:
Guernsey, an island steeped in folklore has a long and spell-binding association with witchcraft and many tales of sorcery have been passed down through the generations.
Folklore tells that many of Guernsey's oldest and best-known families have association with the practice.
Both black and white witches were said to practice in Guernsey, with white witches using their craft solely for the benefit of other people.
Black witches however were said to practice ritual witchcraft, holding assemblies and covens to summon demons and devils.
Many of the old houses and cottages in the west of the island have a strange piece of granite extruding from the chimney; these are known as "witches seats" and are a place for these night-time flyers to stop and rest.
It is believed that over one hundred people were found guilty of witchcraft in Guernsey in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The last witch trial in Guernsey took place in January 1914 when local women, Aimee Lake was charged with witchcraft.
Excerpted from a Book titled - "The World of the Witches" by Julio Caro Baroja, in my personal library:
I purchased this book from a old Book shop in Abids Market, Hyderabad in 2004, from a shopkeeper who used to keep quaint old books/editions for me. This first edition was published in 1964 in the United Kingdom.
The author of this book Mr. Baroja from Spain had passed away in 1995. However, his voluminous work has given us a detailed insight into the "World of Witches" and how ignorant persons perceive them and/or caricature them -
Dr. Baroja has provided us an absorbing and original insight of witchcraft which is contrary to and upsets many popular theories about the nature and history of the subject.
This book traces the nature of witches in Greek and Roman times, which preceded the startling rise of witchcraft in Britain, Spain, Italy, Germany and France in the Middle Ages.
The Book describes/gives an account of the crisis of witchcraft in the Basque country at the time of the Spanish Inquisition, and its decline in modern times and references of witchcraft in art and literature.
The book also provides an insight into the psychology and beliefs of witches themselves and their accusers, and the historical and social environments in which they existed."
The Last Witch Trial in Guernsey:
Aimee Henrietta Lake was born in Guernsey on 07.01.1888, (mother of six children, the last one dying at birth).
Aimee on 28.01.1914 she appeared in court accused of Fortune Telling, interpreting dreams and practising witchcraft . During her trial, Aimee was accused of 'disorderly conduct and carrying on the trade of fortune-telling, interpreting dreams and practicing witchcraft' between 08/1913 and 01/1914.
The main evidence against her was supplied from a Mrs Marie Outen (or Houtin). According to Mrs Outen's testimony she had consulted Mrs Aimee Lake on the advice of a neighbour after the death of her cattle during the previous October and had been told by teacup divination that her husband (Jean Marie Francis Outen who died at the age of 61 on the 14.04.1912) had been a victim of sorcery and that she herself was under the same spell.
To counteract this, she had buried a number of "charmed packets" she had bought from Mrs Lake for £3 10 shillings. She was also convinced that Mrs Lake had a little tin box full of "Little Devils" and she would soon follow her husband to the grave unless she made a substantial payment for the protection powers of the sorceress.
On inspection, it was found that the buried potion contained: "Poulson's Cornflour, Paisley Flour, Brown Starch, Salt and Baking Powder." Offering to pay back the money Mrs Lake pleaded that people visited her of their own free will and were normally satisfied with the results they got when she read their teacups.
According to a local newspaper, Mrs Lake nearly collapsed when she was found guilty and sentenced to 8 days in prison (it was later revealed that she was 28 weeks pregnant). Aimee was thus, a victim of ignorance and suprestitious beliefs, prevailing at that time.
More about Aimee:
She took up horoscope readings and counselling, for which present-day folk pay vast sums of money, gladly accepting whatever her clients were willing to give her. Even Mrs Houtin, who accused Aimee of casting 'a spell of witchcraft' on her, had previously made repeated visits to Aimee, and travelled a considerable distance to reach Aimee's residence which became a bit of a problem and Aimee gave her small tasks to complete to keep her busy and think less about her problems.
Digging holes around the farm and burying harmless home cooking ingredients would have been a practical exercise, as was the 'metal box' which Aimee sold her in which Mrs Houtin must put all her troubles, then shut the lid and forget about them.
Mrs Houtin travelled a considerable distance from her farm in St Martin's to visit Aimee.
Perhaps, Guernsey Post should have clarified Aimee's position, that she was not a "witch" in a sense that ignorant persons believe.
The six Stamps issued in the set including the 2 EUROPA -2022 Stamps.
The First Day Cover (FDC) depicts symbolic representations of Guernsey Witches in various superstitious beliefs - flying through the air on brooms, generating flashes of light while cursing their victims etc. The FDC is titled "GUERNSEY WITCHES".
At left is seen a representation of a witch, wand in hand, moving furiously to curse her victim. Above the image is seen a bunch of crows and owls, usually associated with the concept of witches.
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Santosh Khanna has commented:
ReplyDelete"A very informative and interesting post. Thanks Rajeev."
Thank you, Khanna sahab.
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