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Full moon Quote by A.E. van Vogt

“I looked up its history, and, surprisingly, it has quite a history. You know how in Europe they make you study a lot of stuff about the old alchemists and all that kind of stuff, to give you an historical grounding.' 'Yes?' Kemp laughed. 'You haven't got a witch around your place by any chance?'…” quote by A.E. van Vogt
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““I looked up its history, and, surprisingly, it has quite a history. You know how in Europe they make you study a lot of stuff about the old alchemists and all that kind of stuff, to give you an historical grounding.' 'Yes?' Kemp laughed. 'You haven't got a witch around your place by any chance?' 'Eh!' The exclamation almost burned Marson's lips. He fought hard to hide the tremendousness of that shock. Kemp laughed again. 'According to 'Die Geschichte der Zauberinnen' by the Austrian, Karl Gloeck, Hydrodendon Barelia is the modem name for the sinister witch's weed of antiquity. I'm not talking about the special witches of our Christian lore, with their childish attributes, but the old tribe of devil's creatures that came out of prehistory, regular full-blooded sea witches. It seems when each successive body gets old, they choose a young woman's body, attune themselves to it by living with the victim, and take possession any time after midnight of the first full moon period following the 21st of June. Witch's weed is supposed to make the entry easier. Gloeck says... why, what's the matter, sir?' His impulse, his wild and terrible impulse, was to babble the whole story to Kemp. With a gigantic effort, he stopped himself; for Kemp, though he might talk easily of witches, was a scientist to the depths of his soul. ("The Witch")””

A.E. van Vogt

About This Quote

A scholar discovers a hidden, ancient witch lore that contrasts scientific rationalism with mythic superstition, revealing how forgotten histories can surface in unexpected ways.

In simple terms: Science meets forgotten witchcraft.

Key Takeaway

History can hide dangerous myths.

Themes

history mythology science vs superstition knowledge discovery cultural memory

Mood

curiosity unease

Type

literary expository

When to use this quote

  • academic research
  • unexpected revelation
  • cultural clash

Key Concepts

ancient witch tribes possession rituals historical texts

Practical Applications

  • using folklore to enrich worldbuilding
  • exploring hidden knowledge in narratives

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does the story suggest about the limits of scientific knowledge?
  • How might forgotten myths shape modern understanding?
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