Magic and the Supernatural - Lancaster University

‘I am a witch and I like it!’: Black Magic and Witchcraft in
Mikhail Bulgakov’s Master and Margarita
Natalia Kaloh Vid
Abstract
In this chapter I intend to explore the image of one of the most famous witches in
Russian literary tradition, Mikhail Bulgakov’s Margarita whose image is
characterized by the combination of the dark, the magical and the sensual. As
usually, Bulgakov calls attention to his varying from the usual ‘protocol’ of
witchcraft. He does complex things in symbolism in the extended treatment that he
gives to the transformation of Margarita and to the famous satanic ball that she
hosts. Margarita herself is an ambiguous character – in the same way as Woland is
– in terms of good and evil. On the one hand, she is presented as a classic witch in
the best traditions of black magic. She rides broomstick, drinks blood, bathes at
night in the lake in the company of other witches, is washed in blood and, finally,
she hosts Satan’s ball. However, several elements in the plot correspond to the
similarities between her and the Virgin Mary, as she exhibits mercy, faith and
maternal love. The parallel between the witch and the Holy Virgin occurs as one of
the most striking in Bulgakov’s novel.
Key Words: Bulgakov, witchcraft, Margarita, black magic.
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1. Introduction
Defining the term ‘witch’ is not an easy task given the negative connotations
traditionally associated with the term. Who is a witch? Traditional mainstream
media images of witches tell us they are evil, dishonest and dangerous. Witches are
labeled as ‘devil worshippers’ and ‘baby killers’, possessed by demons or wicked
spirits. They fly on brooms and dance naked in the woods. They deceive, make
spells and practice black magic. A variety of mainstream media has worked to
support these notions as well as develop new ones.
In this chapter, I intend to explore the image of one of the most famous witches
in contemporary Russian literature, Mikhail Bulgakov’s Margarita. Bulgakov’s
works are characterized by fundamental ambivalence, as he avoids a strong
delineation into the black and white, good and evil, God and Devil. Therefore,
while Margarita’s image is constructed in the best traditions of black magic,
several elements in the plot signify the similarities between her and the Virgin
Mary. This parallel between a witch and the Holy Virgin occurs as one of the most
striking in Bulgakov’s novel. By placing a ‘saint witch’ in the middle of his
narrative, Bulgakov exploded the very essence of Orthodox testament. What were