Is She A Witch?
On October 5, 2017, I visited the village of Oudewater in the Netherlands. I was going to meet a friend for a girls day and explore somewhere I had not visited in prior trips. It was a cool, windy, and rainy day but we didn’t mind. Oudewater has plenty of little cafes, restaurants, and places to visit. We had a lovely coffee and some apple cake and then set off to find a flower shop to get some items for the wedding. As we wandered, we found the Museum De Heksenwaag, which I had forgotten was there!
The Museum De Heksenwaag is an historic place where men and women went starting in 1482, to be weighed to determine if they were a witch!
The museum is very small and consists of two floors. The main floor hosts a gift shop and the famous scales. Upstairs there are exhibits that show artifacts from the time which include books, certificates documenting witches and non-witches, maps, and drawings. There is a children’s library and theater area and a video you can watch to learn more about the history of Oudewater and witch hunts through time in the Netherlands.
The upstairs had an energy to it that is difficult to explain. There were moments I felt like I had stepped back in time. There were moments the energy and air around me felt heavy and it was hard to breathe. And (thankfully!) only brief moments where I felt like leaving my body and never returning. How many lifetimes was I persecuted and killed for things people did not understand, just as many of the people listed in the historic books were killed? We’ve been everything and done everything. I’ve cleared and healed many things from past lives related to persecution, though we are never quite done. If you are very sensitive to energy and the energy of items and places, be aware before you visit.
Returning downstairs, we met the man who weighs those who hope to be declared too heavy to be a witch. He provides those who wish to be weighed, a brief history of what they are doing and why. Incredibly, everyone who steps on the scales is determined NOT to be a witch. And for this, they receive a certificate to prove this, in case they must travel outside of the area are are accused. I did ask if they had a certificate for those who were too light and the answer was no.
I received my certificate and was sure to carry it throughout my travels, especially when visiting castles. You never know when you will be in need of it!
Walking through Oudewater you will see old buildings, sometimes tilted one way or another with doors and windows that are not quite straight anymore. They have so much character. There are canals as in many Dutch towns and plenty of bikes. Many of the buildings have art painted on them or in frames which hang on the buildings. Seeing these things and the art above doorways, which in the past indicated the profession of those who lived and worked there, are some of my favorite things about these small villages.
Oudewater is a sweet village with a lot of interesting history. I feel as if some things from past lives were released on this day, which is always a good thing. It is a beautiful place to spend half a day as you wander through the Netherlands and want a bit of history and charm.
Have you been there? Did you step on the Witches Scales?
© 2017 World War II Research and Writing Center
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