Legend has it that a mysterious Native American named Amanda lived along the river bank of our quiet village. She would appear from out of the shadows wearing an ample topcoat and a scarf around her neck, the ends floating in the wind. Her hair was sometimes braided and other times it hung loosely over her shoulders.

Her creator bestowed upon her the gift of premonition, the wisdom of a sage and the knowledge of botany. She had a kind and generous spirit with a passion to heal mankind, whether on the earthly or spritual plane.

Her healing remedies, made from native herbs and plants, were required to be harvested in the light of the full moon or on the first days of spring in order to unleash their full potency. The limited opportune times to harvest made Amanda's task more difficult. Yet, one could always be sure that her concoctions were readily available. And in spite of a lack of documentation or guides everything was presicely and lovingly prepared.

Amanda could sense people's misery and hear their cries long before they were aware of it themselves. She was able to discern their ailments by temporarily being subjected to the same symptoms of the sufferer.

Although the townspeople were grateful and accepted her aid when it was needed, she was still considered an outcast. Some villagers were hostile towards her and called her witchy names as they feared her powers and "poisoned" potions. Yet nothing succeeded in disarming her courage or her will to help.

Up to the eighteeth century, it was believed that behind every healer hid a witch or sorcerer. It was these ancestral healers, that layed the foundation of modern medicine. And because of the lack of understanding, they were hung or burned at the stake.

Amanda didn't escape this unjust fate. She was hanged November 1st 1800. 

 

                                            In honour of Amanda we welcome you to Château Witch Bay.