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Help Wanted: one witch, pays £50,000
In these hard economic times it's nice to know there are still good jobs out there. Wookey Hole, Somerset, England, is advertising for a witch.
Wookey Hole, famous for its beautiful limestone caves, is home to a family theme park. The company that manages the park wants to hire someone to play a witch and is willing to pay them £50,000 ($81,000) a year to cackle at visitors, teach courses in magic, and (here's the catch) live in the caves. It's not the greatest job in the world, but it beats flipping burgers and asking "Do you want eye of newt with that?"
According to legend there really was a witch in the Wookey Hole Caves. Back in the Middle Ages, an evil old witch who had been unlucky in love cursed a young couple so they would never marry. The young groom-to-be was so despondent over the loss of his love that he became a monk, and swore revenge. One day he entered the cave, blessed the underground river he found flowing through it, and splashed the water onto the witch, turning her into a stalagmite that can still be seen to this day.
It sounds like a fun way to make some money off an old legend, but one thing confuses me. Considering their name, why don't they open a Star Wars theme park and hire a Wookiee?
Check out some of these other wacky laws, place names and signs from around the world!
Filed under: Europe, United Kingdom, News
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Amber Jul 12th 2009 7:08AM
This is a disgrace. First of all, the photo used in this article is downright frightening and not an adequate portrayal of what a real witch is at all(nor would any of the Charmed cast be, either, though). Ugh.
I am a real witch. Cackling is not a favorite past-time; I laugh like anyone else. Witches are healers and often well-schooled in the arts and sciences. I know...its entertainment, but its perpetuating a myth that has been so difficult for true witches to break free from. I'm saddened to see how little ground we've actually gained to still be viewed in this light. You might say I'm being far too sensitive, but what if your profession depicted you as a frightening creature with a taste for evil..... I'm sorry, but THAT scares even a real witch a good deal. I wish that my kind could be given the benefit of the doubt in this new millenium, and looked upon as intuitive healers who only wish to improve the world. We're not seductresses, hexers or haters. Stop portraying us as such, PLEASE!
Jim Jul 12th 2009 6:53AM
Dont worry Amber those of us with true intelligence do not need to worry about the uneducated masses that still live in the past , we can move forward knowing that what we posses is far to blessed to be trivialzed by the immature.
Mia Jul 12th 2009 8:24AM
Blessed Be!! Could not of said it better.
sissy Jul 13th 2009 10:20PM
ok ummmmm.... im sorry but you are a pretend witch like so many others come on you know there are no such thing as witches so unless you can flick your wand and something acctualy happens honey .... your not a witch!!!
Sue Jul 12th 2009 12:24PM
This response is to sissy. Witches are actually those that are in the Wicca religion. Flicking around a wand or twitching your nose etc is just Hollywood's version of witches. One of my good friends is a witch and for those so called "Christians" out there I myself happen to be Catholic and I find nothing wrong with the Wiccan religion. First off, they are not Satanists, they don't even believe in Satan, they promote doing good because they believe that whatever one does comes back on them times seven. Second of all, the whole Christans believing witches are evilis because of a mistranslation in the Bible that traded what was suppose to be thieves into witches. Before you judge others, at least educate yourself on what it is they actually believe. For those of you who are actually against Witches educate yourself on Wicca and then see how you feel. Keep in mind too, it's God's job to judge. Not yours.
Alexandra Jul 12th 2009 11:32AM
Blessed be. Amber, come to Georgia we do not hide here and are very much respected by many. Hopefully a real witch will apply and change the face of this place forever.
quietman Jul 12th 2009 11:36AM
To Sues' response:
Before you critisize someone else, you need to follow your own advice.
You made a point of criticizing Sassy's reply, therefore YOU passed judgement on her. Instead of posting a comment in support of witches, you criticze and lecture.
Your tone is one of arrogance. Why did you feel it necessary to put Christians in parenthesis? Are you insinuating they're only so called Christians? Does that mean you're above them, or better than them?
Since you look down your nose at people and tell them they need to educate themselves, how about you do the same?
Can you give me the definition of a hypocrite? You'll find it in your bathroom mirror.
Before you point out in public what an enlightened Catholic you are by having a witch for a friend, go back and read the bible again. Try to educate yourself for a change, with the lessons contained within.
Can you turn the other cheek when someone judges you? It's not enjoyable when you get critisized and singled out for posting your opinion, is it?
ancientriver Jul 12th 2009 11:55AM
It's ridiculous and I am glad that you and others are pointing it out. I would be in favor of a Museum of Insanity with a fundamentalist Christian spouting bible quotes, however, as this would be a factual representation.
Manytreesmanywaters Jul 12th 2009 2:22PM
Perseverance, my dear, perseverance. Blessedbe
Manytreesmanywaters
jim Jul 12th 2009 2:23PM
Hey Amber, my 8th great grandparents, Johannes & Anna Hotz were both beheaded as witches on Sept. 30, 1644, in Wertheim, Germany. There were no witches then, and there are none now. Just a few folks like yourself who don't have a firm grasp on reality. My ancestors of course were innocently executed, but like you now, there were some then who stirred all this witch crap up, good or bad, it doesn't matter. The terminology is what matters to people and you calling yourself a witch only makes you look foolish and yes, crazy. Grow up and get a hobby with fewer ghoulish overtones. If you consider yourself a healer volunteer to help the elderly with good deeds. Healing itself incidentally is a profession with standards regulated by government and laws, so if you're not a doctor you might be better off not telling people you are a healer. And not claiming to be a witch to mental health authorities might be wise too. In any case, the article is about a tourist trap trying to make money by commercializing a local myth with no basis in fact. Defending non-existent self-declared witches past or present seems a futile pasttime.
Christine Jul 12th 2009 2:24PM
You know what disturbs me? When grown adults call themselves 'witches'. C'mon folks, are you for real? I mean, calling yourself a pagan is one thing, but a witch? I think you all watched too much Wizard of Oz growing up or a tad too enthralled with Harry Potter. I can just see you so called witches when you're in a retirement village with all the other blue haired old farts casting 'white' spells on your bingo cards to win......no offense, but give me a fricking break!
Sharron Jul 12th 2009 2:25PM
I wish to goodness I could learn how to be a real witch
tzoo Jul 12th 2009 8:08AM
Sure, sell your soul for $81K. Be a witch for Satan, which God hates.
Sherrie Jul 12th 2009 8:25AM
Satan? He's yours, not ours. And you're welcome to him. Blessed Be!!
Heather Jul 12th 2009 8:54AM
I thought god loved everyone?
amulet Jul 12th 2009 9:21AM
Pray for me, I'll dance naked in the woods for you.
Sean McLachlan Jul 12th 2009 9:05AM
Amulet,
That's the best comment I've ever seen on Gadling. :-)
LilRose96 Jul 12th 2009 9:39AM
It's sad that someone would believe in witches and turn their backs on God. Keep playing with this stuff and you'll find the most powerful. And lose yourself in the process. Satan is nothing to play with!!! His as real as God is. Doing this is giving him your Soul!!! Is it worth it?
LilRose96 Jul 12th 2009 10:18AM
You hit the nail on the head... If anyone is willing to put a price on their own head to be with Satan they might as well go on and comment suicide. Because their lives are not worth living. And this so called 'Blessed Be' if that makes them feel better. It only shows just how lost they really are. Only God can bless them. And He won't come near them as long as they Praying to Satan.
Mia Jul 12th 2009 10:25AM
And it is even sadder, littlerose, that people who preach Christian values are full of hatred and have no tolerance. You are the ones giving the power to the devil, for you think he is as strong as God or Jesus. You are the ones who go to all-white or all-black churches because you can't even pray together to the same God. We, witches have our heavenly mother and we don't need a building to house our worship. Any time and any place is good to simply say, Mother Goddess, I thank you for your blessings and protection. Blessed be!