Season Of The Witch

Donovan's 'Season Of The Witch' is a haunting and enigmatic song that captures the essence of a time filled with uncertainty and transformation. Released in 1966, during a period of significant social and cultural upheaval, the song reflects the psychedelic era's fascination with mysticism and the unknown. The lyrics convey a sense of disorientation and the surreal, as the narrator observes the world around him and within himself, noting the strangeness and the multiplicity of identities he encounters.

The recurring line, 'You've got to pick up every stitch,' suggests a need for vigilance and attention to detail, as if missing even the smallest element could lead to dire consequences. This line, coupled with the refrain 'Must be the season of the witch,' implies that the world has entered a period where the usual rules no longer apply, and one must be cautious and perceptive to navigate it. The 'witch' here can be seen as a metaphor for the unpredictable and the uncanny, elements that disrupt the normal flow of life and require a heightened sense of awareness.

The song also touches on themes of paranoia and the feeling of being watched, as illustrated by the lines 'When I look over my shoulder, What do you think I see? Some other cat looking over His shoulder at me.' This sense of mutual suspicion and the presence of 'beatniks out to make it rich' further emphasize the era's countercultural movements and the shifting dynamics of society. Donovan's use of vivid imagery and repetitive phrases creates a hypnotic effect, drawing listeners into a world where reality and illusion blur, and the only constant is change.