A Secret History of Witches

by Louisa Morgan

“It’s a job of work to do on your own, Nanette. No

choice about it.” Nanette was too far gone in her labor to understand in the moment, but she was to remember it later. Being born, giving birth, facing death—work to be done alone.

“Love is a certain kind of magic, Ursule. A specific kind of magic. I asked for it, and the Goddess provided it.”

“Because men believe it’s their right to tell women how to live. They tell us who to marry, what to wear, when to go out and when to stay. Some men beat their wives, and no one speaks a word about it. But despite all the power they hold over us, they feel powerless against our kind. We resist. We cause things to happen. We interfere with their plans, with what they think is the natural order. That frightens them. Men hate being afraid, so they hate us instead.”

Don’t try to think of the words, but when they come to you, speak them. The spoken word holds so much power! You’ll see.”

“You would think they’d be grateful for women with knowledge.” “It’s rarely true. Men are vain.”

“Knowing things makes you powerful, Morwen. You will learn that as a female, there are few enough sources of power.”

Your father, like most men, is terrified of a woman who doesn’t fit his ideal of womanhood, because he doesn’t know how to control her. You need to remember that any frightened man is a dangerous one.”

“Morwen, this is the way life is. It is both too long and much too brief, sometimes sweet, often bitter. Try not to feel bad about it. Remember that we women of the craft have more power over it than most. And remember that there is power in words. Power in ritual.”

“We use a new candle to prevent contamination by any earlier intention,” she said. “Salt water is for protection, because salt is necessary to our survival, and is therefore strengthening. It’s important. We make ourselves vulnerable to evil elements when we cast.”