Equal Rites, pgs. 33-65 Summary

After breakfast, they discuss goats' names, what Esk wants to be, marriage, and witching. Granny convinces Gordo that Esk must learn proper magic, now that the wrong magic has found her. Thus, Esk spends the spring with Granny undergoing a practical course that combines chores with learning to prepare various ointments, infusions, and potions—but no magic. For Granny most magic is knowing the right herbs and learning to watch the watch, animals, and people. Granny asks Esk to fetch her witch hat and declares that unless Esk can tell her the secret of witchcraft that it contains, there is no point more instruction. Esk rightly suggests that when people see the hat and cloak, they assume her magic will work. Granny calls this "headology." The best part of "doct'rin" is convincing people that the medicine...