On Witches

CHAPTER VIII

...I would sooner believe that they were blinded by the fascination of this horrible spectacle than admit that this unspeakable and more-than-tragic condiment, surpassing all belief, was truly prepared. But let it be granted that from the Stygian marsh: a reference to the River Styx in the Greek underworld, used here to mean the depths of Hell crawl those horrific hags original: "striges" — a legendary bird-like monster that fed on human flesh; used here for witches, the creators of that ointment, who have utterly cast off every image of human sense. Tell me, however: whence comes that power to the ointment, that if anyone be anointed with it, they become a participant in wicked wills, accursed arts, and unbelievable transportations? Or if a seat or a piece of wood be smeared with it, soon one leaning on it is carried through the air—just as the Lamiae: mythical child-eating demons, used here as a synonym for witches are persuaded to believe, and as the Hammer of Witches original: "Malleus Maleficarum" — the famous 1487 manual for hunting witches testifies?

I do not wish to dispute anxiously here about the temperament and powers of this boiled, stinking, and poisonous flesh of the dead. Indeed, I firmly believe it is not found so prepared in the nature of things. I wish the same to be said regarding the preparation, drinking, and power of the more liquid matter kept in a skin-bag, as was mentioned. Meanwhile, it must not be denied that these wretched little women, so deluded by the demon with forms impressed upon their imaginative power, know these things no differently than if they truly happened. Indeed, almost all their unnatural actions seem to be merely imaginary. And therefore, when driven by tortures original: "quaestionibus" — the legal term for judicial examination under torture and standing near the flames, they openly confess their crimes, though these were known to them only through sleep or a phantom image.

In the second part of the Decrees, case 26, question 5, "the bishops." And Augustine, On the Spirit and the Soul, chapter 28.

The Church Decrees The Canon Episcopi, a major piece of medieval canon law regarding magic place and confirm this very thing beyond all controversy in this manner: "Certain little women, serving Satan and seduced by the illusions of demons, believe they also perform other unspeakable things: for example, snatching infants from their mother’s milk to roast and eat them; entering houses through chimneys or windows to trouble the inhabitants in various ways. All of these and similar things happen to them only phantastically that is, in their imagination."

When they think they stir up a storm by digging a small pit, pouring in urine original: "lotio" — urine, often used in folk magic rituals to provoke weather changes or water, and moving a finger, the demon colludes with them by disturbing the air, so that he may keep the woman, who is devoted to him, bound to her duty.

The use of this hellish but imaginary potion from the skin-bag in the pact also demonstrates itself to be deceptive, besides its great diversity. Here one might like to quote Horace:
Odes, Book 1, 36 Actually Ars Poetica 338

Let not the story demand belief for whatever it wishes, / Nor let the witch extract a living boy from her belly after eating him.

The vanity of the pact is also shown by the fact that once it is entered, the women are forced to observe certain ceremonies against the statutes of the Church. For instance: fasting on Sundays; or eating meat on feast days (as they say); or concealing crimes in confession; or spitting on the ground at the moment of the Elevation The moment in the Mass when the priest raises the Host; or uttering useless words during the action of the Mass; or performing some similar act. So the fabricators of the Hammer report.

What kind and how great these offenses are, any pious person—even one only slightly imbued with knowledge of the sacred scriptures—understands. For since the Lord’s Day is consecrated above all for hearing the word of God, for prayers, and for divine worship, no one can devote themselves to these more fruitfully than the person who has kept their mind clear from the mists of food.
Fasting on the Lord's Day

Matthew

Christ says: There is a certain kind of demon which is not cast out except by prayers and fastings.
1 Peter

Hence Peter orders us to be sober and watchful for prayer, because our adversary the devil, like a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Corinthians

Likewise, Paul teaches his Corinthians: Do not defraud one another, unless by consent for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to fasting and prayer.

Thus, fasting and prayer are almost always joined, and indeed in the best order. Therefore, I not undeservedly wonder at what is read in Tertullian—that it is considered a crime to fast on the Lord's Day—and I wonder even less at the decree of Pope Melchiades...