![](\"http:\/\/cyber.law.harvard.edu\/blogs\/static\/dowbrigade\/NETHERWITCH.jpg\")
APPELSCHA, Netherlands (AP) – Cobwebs
\n cling from the wooden rafters. Dusty shelves are cluttered with glass
\n jars of home-brewed potions, dried herbs and stone amulets. An oil cooker
\n and a black cauldron sit in the corner, ready for the next full moon.
\n This isn’t a Halloween party, it’s Margarita Rongen’s year-round workshop
\n and she is a witch – according to her tax return.<\/p>\n
Dutch witches were guaranteed a financial treat when the Leeuwarden District
\n Court reaffirmed their legal right to write off the costs of schooling
\n – including in witchcraft – against their tax bills. Those costs run to
\n thousands of dollars.<\/p>\n
Courses are held 13 weekends a year closest to a full
\n moon when outdoor rituals are practiced and potions boiled. Participants
\n learn healing with herbs and stones, divination and fortunetelling with
\n crystal balls and hieroglyphs, and how to make potions.<\/p>\n
from AP <\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" APPELSCHA, Netherlands (AP) – Cobwebs cling from the wooden rafters. Dusty shelves are cluttered with glass jars of home-brewed potions, dried herbs and stone amulets. An oil cooker and a black cauldron sit in the corner, ready for the next … Continue reading