Cards and crystals, candles, jewelry, music, clothes and good energies. A rooftop witches' ball in Haifa became a colorful gathering of creatives, intellectuals and people who believe that a better reality can be created. I went out to see what happens when the witches of light meet, and I came back with much more magic.
A dark, gold-decorated page, with the words "Invitation to a Witches' Ball on the Roof in Sirkin," came to me through my daughter, who thought it was just for me. She probably knows me well. It seems that I am also a kind of light witch, and this message resonated with me, so I decided to join the celebration. Oh well, there weren't really witches there who float on broomsticks, but definitely women and men who know how to work with energy. You could call them good fairies, although they themselves prefer the nickname "light witches." Different people, special costumes, and it seems that the unifying factor among them all is the desire to make the world a better place. So maybe it's not witchcraft and magic in their simple sense, but apparently a change in consciousness and energy, sometimes with the help of a special candle or certain plants, can make a difference. A bit pagan? Yes, probably. But for me, the point is not the statue, the candle or the stone, but the possibility for a person to awaken and discover their inner power. And if for this you have to light a special candle, hold a stone or burn incense, I think that's for the best.
The dream that turned into a prom
The ball took place on the roof of Sirkin 21 in Haifa, exclusively produced by Alexandra Mikler Cerulius, known as Alex, a Haifa entrepreneur, multidisciplinary artist, and event and film producer. Alex says she has always been drawn to mysterious things, and when she posted in a Facebook group and explored the possibility of holding a witches' convention, the response was great.
"I dreamed of an event with an old-fashioned atmosphere, as if it were taking place hundreds of years ago in an ancient village. I wanted a witches' ball with a market of creative stalls, fascinating women with a connection to the theme. I chose the DJ Cali and DJ Einavo"', women who are as talented as anyone, to record an event. Was there a risk? Of course. But I felt I had to do it."
To tell the truth, I was also enthusiastic about the idea and together with my beloved daughters, Dana and Jordan, we rented a booth and presented cards that I created inspired by Indian mythology, healing stones, purification materials that I collected from all over the world and mystical collections that I have accumulated over the years. I discovered that I have much more than I need and it was probably time to take the treasures out of the drawers and let them meet people. For me, the main magic was actually the fact that I was with my daughters at the event. The atmosphere on the roof in Sirkin was wonderful, as if we had entered a parallel world. The participants arrived in enchanted costumes, in black and red, with hats and masks. I also wore a special outfit, and instead of the crutches that usually help me walk, I arrived with a black cane with a golden tiger on the top. If you're a witch, then by all means.
Comics and enchanted candles
Among the candle stands, figurines, clothes and cards I met Valery Guseva, An artist and comic book creator from Ukraine who lives in Haifa. For her, comics are an easier way to express herself than words. In 2022, she created the comic "War," which describes what her family went through during the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the feelings of guilt, fear, and helplessness. The story reached President Herzog.
Valerie: "I love experimenting with colors, characters, visual metaphors and different ways of telling stories. I recently completed a master's degree in visual communication at Bezalel. My final project, 'In Between / Message in a Bottle', is a documentary comic based on conversations with Ukrainians living in Israel, and deals with home, happiness, silence and belonging. But I also love playful illustrations, strange ideas and stories about everyday life."
I also met you there. Sarah Goldwich, A creator of jewelry, candles, and home items, she is a golden witch. According to her, her candles and products have magical powers that help change reality. The power, she says, lies in the intention with which they were created and the materials used to create them. I assume that she is also aimed at changing consciousness, doing for ourselves and not waiting for things to happen by themselves. But at the same time, she has products and materials that can supposedly work magic and change reality. Is this true? Her customers say that she has helped them more than once.
Sarah: "I have always felt my powers. At some point I realized that the energy within me needed expression and development, and that I wanted to share it and bring goodness and light to people. This is how my encounter with the world of witchcraft began. The intention with which I create each item is important to me, because that is what leads the energy to the person who will receive it."
Roots, crows and painting
All over the makeshift rooftop market, artists and creators displayed their work. Shimon He presented witch dolls, some of which have rolling laughter at the push of a button, and others that symbolize energetic openings. My little ones presented fantasy dolls and creatures from fairy tales. Next was the stand of Rose Brofman, A naturopath and energy therapist from Kiryat Tivon, and sparked interest. Under the name Rozmay Paintings, she creates visionary watercolor paintings, inspired by dreams, spiritual experiences, and magical moments.
Rose was once a student of mine in one of my spiritual courses, and has since grown into a magical artist and energy healer. It always moves me to see people who have grown after the courses and gone on to create their own path in the world. Rose: "My paintings are an expression of the messages that come through me, of spiritual experiences and cosmic memories. They awaken the inner magic. My inspiration is the world of mystery, femininity, alchemy, healing and the journey of the soul."
Ingrid, Root & Raven Roots and Crows, presented dream catchers, shamanic fans, amulets and handmade spiritual items. She also came to the field with a feeling that the path was calling her. Ingrid: "I have always been drawn to nature, mythology and folklore. I believe that every object has a story, and when created with intention and love, something is created that is more than a product. A visit to Stonehenge in England made me explore and listen to parts of myself that I had not given enough space to. I do not follow a particular trend, I would define myself as an eclectic witch."
Gili Schreiber Beer, a writer and creator, came to present her book "The White", a historical novel that connects two women who live 3,600 years apart. The protagonist Galathea escapes the volcanic eruption in Santorini and arrives by sea to Mount Carmel, where she seeks to renew her family's tradition as a priestess. The second heroine in the story, Galia, lives in Tel Aviv in the 2000s, and feels that prayers and energies from another world are calling to her. Gili: "In my opinion, a conscious woman who is connected to nature and intuition, and dares to create reality out of nothing, is an alchemist. You could of course call her a witch."
The magic is the human encounter.
The music lifted the participants to dance, release energy and connect. My daughter said it looked a bit like the Midsummer, with the costumes and the feeling of freedom to be whoever you want to be at that moment. I thought to myself how nice it would be to disconnect for a moment from everyday life, from the news, from worries and the need to always be serious and responsible. Just be. To dress up, laugh, dance and allow ourselves a little magic.
Many magical light witches came to the ball. In this article, I have only mentioned a few of them, and it is important to me to say that they are all wonderful, even if they were not mentioned. For me, the cards, crystals, and cleansing materials that I prepared and touched the people who came to our booth added to the experience. Ultimately, you don't have to believe in magical powers to understand what happened on the roof in Sirkin. You just have to believe in the power of connection between people, the power of community, and of creation made with love.
Being with my daughters for an entire evening and touching the world of spirit and matter together, the opportunity to meet without masks, or rather with masks and interesting costumes, and to give space to parts of ourselves that don't always get a place in everyday life, gave the experience of the prom an enchanted feeling. Maybe it was magic, maybe not, maybe it was because of the gathering of many witches or fairies together, but in my experience, there was a great light there and I'm already looking forward to the next prom.
Cast a "sigil" on yourself
Now, after I've told you about the magical experience I had, let me teach you how to do a little "spell" for yourself. A light spell, of course. Sigil (Sigil). A personal symbol that represents an intention, goal, or declaration. The word in Latin means "seal." In the Middle Ages, sigils were used as signatures in ritual magic, and today they serve as a personal spiritual tool for assimilating goals and fulfillment.
How do you do it? The idea is simple: write a sentence in the present tense that expresses a desire or goal, such as "I cope with strength," "I am good as I am," "I am safe and protected," or "I am full of self-confidence," and turn it into an abstract graphic form. Write the intention sentence as if the goal has already been achieved. Then treat the letters in the written sentence: shorten, remove vowels, and eliminate duplicate letters, leaving two or three letters that recall the idea. Then draw the symbol, by connecting the letters into an abstract graphic form, which no longer looks like letters but like a drawing. You can rotate, distort, and combine letters until you get a drawing that is the creator's personal symbol.
A sigil can be considered a work of art or a personal reminder. Some believe that it helps to embed an intention in the mind, but it is of course no guarantee of external results. According to the tradition practiced among light witches, after the symbol is prepared, its shape is concentrated on in meditation or focus, to "charge" it with the intention behind it, and then released. Allow the energy to work without interference.
Between witchcraft and witchcraft
Finally, it is important for me to also address the attitude towards witchcraft in Jewish tradition and Israeli law. Israeli law distinguishes between belief, rituals and entertainment and fraud. Misrepresenting supernatural powers in order to extract money from people is a criminal offense. Over the years, cases have been published of people being exploited through promises of removing spells and changing their fate. In 2006, the Tel Aviv District Court sentenced a woman who presented herself as having the power to remove spells and fraudulently extracted millions of shekels to ten years in prison.
Jewish law also prohibits acts of witchcraft, but the attitude towards the subject is complex. While Rabbi Yosef Karo The Shulchan Aruch acknowledges the reality of spells and their spiritual power, God"s He claimed that they have no substance and are lies, vanity, and illusion. Alongside the prohibition, there are halachic discussions about the use of amulets and various means in situations of danger. Rabbi Shlomo ben Aderet He ruled that in the case of a patient whose life is in danger, such measures can be used because there is nothing that stands in the way of life preservation.
And me? I remind myself thatGod"s He said that the main thing is pure intention and that when it comes to witchcraft and magic, it's all nonsense. So if there's going to be nonsense, at least let there be some that bring light, creation, community, and love.
It is better to do magic to separate religion from the state, according to Or, according to Rav, according to Yaron, according to the Kiryat Tivon scholar.