Earwig and the Witch is a novel written by Diana Wynne Jones. It was published in 2011 and was later adapted into a film by Studio Ghibli in 2020. The story revolves around Earwig, a young orphan girl who is adopted by a witch and her cat. The witch, Bella Yaga, is known for being a bit grumpy and has a reputation for not being very nice. Despite this, Earwig manages to manipulate her way into getting what she wants and even becomes somewhat of a partner to Bella Yaga in her adventures. The ensemble of characters in Earwig and the Witch is diverse and vibrant.
Wicca honours the Divine in the forms of the Triple Goddess, whose aspects of Virgin, Mother, and Wise Woman or Crone are associated with the waxing, full and waning phases of the Moon, and as the Horned God.
The aim of reincarnation is not to escape life on Earth, but to enjoy experiencing it again and again until everything that can be learned has been absorbed. However, Wicca firmly believes that each of its members should have the freedom to choose who they want to worship, or if they want to worship any God and Goddess this means that atheism in wicca is normal and acceptable.
The ensemble of characters in Earwig and the Witch is diverse and vibrant. Earwig, the main protagonist, is a clever and resourceful young girl who uses her intelligence to navigate the magical world she finds herself in. Bella Yaga, on the other hand, is a complex character who is both strict and caring towards Earwig.
What I believe in isn’t Satanic, Mom.
I have never really told a lot of people, including my mom, about what I believe in for fear of rejection. I believe in the Pagan religion called Wicca. Now it might be Pagan, but it’s not satanic whatsoever.
Wicca is a Pagan religion centered around the idea that nature is a higher power. It promotes a very peaceful, harmonious and balanced way of life which encourages oneness with the divine and all which exists. The divine is what Wiccans consider to be nature itself. We also worship gods and goddesses but most Wiccans use the term deity instead of god or goddess.
There are several Wiccans that worship Greek deities and or other ancient deities. It varies on whom they are more connected to. However the main two that Wiccans who are new or do not worship a certain deity are, the Horned God and Mother Goddess.
However, we do deal with witchcraft, though it is not vital that one practices spellwork. Wiccans are normally classified as witches since we believe in healing properties of crystals and we cast spells. We do not cast spells against people, but we do make charms to help with our personal lives or others. However, not all Wiccans do the spellwork, some just meditate with the crystals.
There have been times when I wanted to tell others about my religion, but just kept it to myself. When someone asked about my necklace I would usually just say someone made it for me, which is not necessarily untrue as it was made by a close Wiccan friend.
Coming out about my religion can be hard as well when it comes to friends who practice other religions. As I have stated earlier, a lot of people think that Wicca is a satanic. It can be hard to keep my religion to myself. There have been times where I have wanted to talk about it. Though with how people think that it is wrong to be Wiccan, you never really know if they will be accepting of it.
For example, a friend of mine and I were talking and the question of my religion was brought up. They wanted to know if I was religious or not. I consider myself religious because I am Wiccan, but there is this fear in the back of my mind about the consequences of aligning myself with an opposing religious viewpoint. I didn’t want them to think I was a Satanist. So, I simply said I was atheist.
With keeping to myself about being Wiccan can be hard. I will admit that myself for a lot of people don’t know about me believing in what I believe in. I have to keep my altar small to where it’s not noticeable by my mom. I can’t cast any spells with her around her.
An altar is what we consider to be our center. It’s where we bring all our energy to and where we worship our deities. I have been wanting to tell my mom about Wicca but, part of me can not. I think it is because I am afraid of being disowned or judged for not believing in one of the main religions.
Though it may seem that what I believe in is wrong, it’s not. Wicca is about harmony between a person and nature. Being stereotyped can be offensive, it feels like people think that we believe in things that are not true. However, we may do some witchcraft, but we are very peaceful.
The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of The Oracle, Columbus East High School, and Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation.
An altar is what we consider to be our center. It’s where we bring all our energy to and where we worship our deities. I have been wanting to tell my mom about Wicca but, part of me can not. I think it is because I am afraid of being disowned or judged for not believing in one of the main religions.
Though it may seem that what I believe in is wrong, it’s not. Wicca is about harmony between a person and nature. Being stereotyped can be offensive, it feels like people think that we believe in things that are not true. However, we may do some witchcraft, but we are very peaceful.
She is portrayed as a powerful and mysterious witch, but the story also shows her vulnerabilities and insecurities. Another important character in the ensemble is Thomas, Bella Yaga's cat familiar. He can transform into a human and serves as a loyal companion to both Earwig and Bella Yaga. Thomas is depicted as a calm and level-headed character who often provides guidance and support to the other characters. The ensemble is completed by other magical creatures and characters who play smaller roles in the story. These include Mandrake, a shape-shifting creature, and Custard, a talking blackbird. The main idea of the Earwig and the Witch ensemble is the exploration of relationships and the power dynamics between characters. The story delves into the complexities of human nature, showcasing characters with both positive and negative traits. It also highlights the importance of friendship, loyalty, and the ability to adapt and change in order to overcome challenges and achieve personal growth..
Reviews for "The Ensemble as a Family: Exploring Dynamics in Earwig and the Witch"
1. Sarah - 2/5
I was really excited to watch "Earwig and the witch ensemble" after hearing so many great things about other Ghibli productions. However, I was left disappointed. The animation style was so different from what I am used to seeing in Ghibli films, and it just didn't resonate with me. Additionally, I found the story to be quite weak and lacking the emotional depth that I have come to expect from Ghibli. Overall, "Earwig and the witch ensemble" just didn't live up to the hype for me.
2. Mark - 1/5
I have been a fan of Studio Ghibli for years, but "Earwig and the witch ensemble" was a huge disappointment. The animation style was underwhelming and lacked the attention to detail that I love in Ghibli films. The characters were also quite unlikable, and I couldn't connect with them at all. The plot felt rushed and disjointed, leaving me feeling confused and unsatisfied. Overall, I would not recommend "Earwig and the witch ensemble" to any Ghibli fan or anyone looking for a meaningful and engaging animated film.
3. Emily - 2/5
I was really looking forward to watching "Earwig and the witch ensemble" as a fan of Ghibli films, but it fell short of my expectations. The story felt unoriginal, and the characters were not as engaging as I had hoped. The animation style was decent, but it lacked the magic and beauty that I have come to associate with Ghibli films. Overall, "Earwig and the witch ensemble" was forgettable and failed to leave a lasting impression on me.
4. David - 2.5/5
I have been a fan of Studio Ghibli since I was a kid, but "Earwig and the witch ensemble" left me feeling underwhelmed. The animation style was unique, but it didn't quite capture the beauty and charm of other Ghibli films. The story had potential, but it lacked depth and complexity. The pacing also felt off, and I found myself losing interest at times. While "Earwig and the witch ensemble" had its moments, it ultimately failed to deliver a truly memorable and enjoyable viewing experience.