The Witching Hour

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

THE WITCHING HOUR (S8x32) 3C (4C set) Sue McKinnell Sue McKinnell's SCDs

1- 8 1L followed by 1M cast 1 place, cross below 2s (2s step up), dance down behind 3M and up the middle to face 2L (1L leading)
9-16 1s+2L dance RH across then cross diagonally down to face 3M, dance LH across with 3M and 1s end in 2nd place opposite sides facing out
17-24 1s dance out and up into reflection (mirror) reels of 3 on sides and 1s end facing 1st corners
25-32 1s turn 1st corners RH and pass RSh in middle, 1s turn 2nd corners RH and pass RSh to 2nd place own sides

(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)

The Witching Hour 8x32 Strathspey for 3C by Sue McKinnell

1-8 1W, followed by 1M cast down 1 place, cross below 2nd couple (who step up after 1M casts behind them), cast below 3C, and dance up the center of the dance to 2W (1W leading).
9-16 1C dance RH across with 2W, then cross diagonally down to dance LH across with 3M; 1C end in 2nd place on opposite sides facing out. 2W and 3M should continue dancing after releasing 1C and take the full four bars to complete the figure.
17-24 1C dance mirror reels of three with corners; beginning by 1W giving RS to 1st corner, 1M giving LS to 2nd corner. 1C end facing 1st corners.
25-32 1C turn 1st corners RH, pass RS in the center, turn 2nd corners RH, and pass RS to 2nd place on own sides. Corners should continue dancing after releasing 1C and take the full four bars to complete the figure.

Repeat.

(Dance crib compiled by the deviser, Sue McKinnell, Oct 2000)

Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams

The Witching Hour - Full Size And Key To Symbols

Dance Information

I like the figure in bars 9-16 which I saw in John Drewry's dance Midnight Oil, so I decided to try it in a strathspey.

Suggested music: Invercauld's Reel from Gie Us Tullochgorum.

(Dance information by the deviser, Sue McKinnell)

"The Witching Hour" refers to the time, often believed to be midnight, when supernatural events and mystical occurrences are thought to be heightened. This term has deep roots in folklore and is commonly associated with witchcraft, magic, and other paranormal activities.

Throughout history and across cultures, midnight has been regarded as a potent and mysterious time. The idea of the witching hour is steeped in superstition, with many cultures attributing special significance to this period. In folklore, it is believed that the veil between the spirit world and the living is at its thinnest during the witching hour, allowing for increased supernatural activity.

The concept has been popularized in literature, films, and various forms of entertainment, adding to its mystique. Authors and storytellers often use the notion of the witching hour to create an atmosphere of suspense and intrigue, making it a recurring theme in supernatural and horror genres.

Witching Hour At Achamore, Inverness, Scotland

Image copyright Des Colhoun under this Creative Commons Licence 2.0.

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