The devilish charm of the juicy magic lies in its ability to captivate our senses and transport us to a world of indulgence. From the moment we lay eyes on the luscious fruits, our mouths water and our imaginations run wild with the anticipation of the sweet, tangy goodness that awaits us. The magic of a juicy fruit lies in its vibrant colors and enticing aroma. The sight of a perfectly ripe strawberry or a succulent slice of watermelon is enough to make us weak in the knees. As we approach, we can almost taste the burst of flavor that will explode in our mouths with each juicy bite. But it's not just the visual appeal of a juicy fruit that draws us in – it's the feel of it in our hands and the sound it makes as we take a bite.
Magnaye's Samhain ritual 2 years ago, wherein she wrote letters to some of her ancestors and burned them. She used a crystal ashtray with flaxseed meal because she didn't have a cauldron with sand. Photo courtesy of Inka Magnaye.
Basically, we recharge on Halloween or Samhain since traditionally, that s the time of the year when nature s energies are at their very peak, he told VICE. Filipinos, even if they deny it, are actually practicing a lot of rituals which have roots in what one would consider traditional witchcraft praying to saints, offering food on All Souls Day, etc, Rebuyas said.
But it's not just the visual appeal of a juicy fruit that draws us in – it's the feel of it in our hands and the sound it makes as we take a bite. The firm yet yielding texture of a ripe peach or the satisfying crunch of a freshly picked apple are sensations that are hard to match. And then there's the taste.
What It’s Like to Be a Witch in Deeply Catholic Philippines
Halloween, for most of us, is all about trick or treating, ghost stories, and costumes. But for witches, or those who practice witchcraft, it is much more meaningful.
People Suspected of Witchcraft Are Still Being Persecuted and Killed
Manvir Singh 10.30.19While they do get to enjoy the holiday’s more secular festivities, to many of them, it is “Samhain,” or a day to strengthen their faith in the craft by mourning and communicating with the dead, while also celebrating life. It’s a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the "darker half" of the year.
AdvertisementMagnaye's Gemini ritual. Photo courtesy of Inka Magnaye.
It’s a time when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest, so their connection to the spirit world is much stronger, giving witches a chance to connect with spirits and ancestors.
Samhain used to be a strictly Gaelic or Irish pagan ritual, which was adopted by contemporary Wicca in the 40’s, but today, a lot of neo-pagans and other witches who don’t identify as Wiccan celebrate it too.
There are now hundreds of thousands of people in the world who practice witchcraft, including many in unexpected places like the Philippines. VICE talked to two of these Filipino witches to find out what it's like to live in a deeply Catholic country, and if their spook night celebrations are anything like the broom-flying coven meetings we see in pop culture.
According to Magnaye, her cats are really attracted to magic and crawl towards her whenever she brings her materials out. Photo courtesy of Inka Magnaye.
Writer and photographer Michael Rebuyas, 27 years old, has been practicing rituals for 3 years.
“Basically, we ‘recharge’ on Halloween or Samhain since traditionally, that's the time of the year when nature's energies are at their very peak,” he told VICE.
To do this, they usually give food and offerings to the spirits.
“I burn food, which is symbolic of this year's harvest or blessings. The act of burning basically sends the blessings I received, back to the greater Source — the universe,” Rebuyas said.
Magnaye loves nature and doing readings outside. Seen here are her smudge stick and flower offerings. Photo courtesy of Inka Magnaye.
Inka Magnaye, a 30-year-old voice talent and events host who has been practicing witchcraft since she was a child, has her own rituals.
Advertisement“I would light some incense and bring out my cards to talk to my spirit guides, to touch base and write down the things I want to let go of and things I want to attract in my life. I burn that piece of paper and burn it in my sand-filled cauldron. Then, I let the candles burn down,” she said.
These rituals, usually calm and relaxed, are nothing like what most people probably imagine witch practices are like. No eating of children to make meat pies or sacrificing animals involved. Really, they’re totally “regular” activities done by people who are not green-skinned or warty.
Magnaye's Samhain ritual 2 years ago, wherein she wrote letters to some of her ancestors and burned them. She used a crystal ashtray with flaxseed meal because she didn't have a cauldron with sand. Photo courtesy of Inka Magnaye.
Like most Filipinos, Magnaye was raised Catholic but said she never felt any connection with it.
“I liked the rituals, but the powers I was praying to didn’t really connect to me. I connected more to nature. I thought that that [Catholicism] was it, but then I learned that witchcraft wasn’t this evil thing,” she said.
She was “called” to the craft in 1999, when she was 10 years old, but struggled to learn more about it due to the lack of resources available. Catholicism prohibits these practices, so most schools in the Philippines don’t carry books on witchcraft in their libraries. There were also hardly any websites discussing the topic on the internet. She even recalls a time when a classmate warned her to close her notebook where she drew symbols, out of fear that she would get expelled.
But witches don’t always denounce other faiths. Rebuyas, for example, is still a practicing Catholic.
Advertisement“I still pray to Jesus and I still invoke some of the saints, but what I would say is that it augmented my faith. I would consider myself a polytheist,” he said.
Magnaye's outdoor altar where she leaves offerings of food, drinks, and flowers. Photo courtesy of Inka Magnaye.
For both these witches, practicing is simply an exchange of energies — a give or take.
“For witches, it comes back to you three times over, whether you wish good or bad intentions on a person. We believe in karma,” Magnaye said.
Rebuyas adheres to the following rules in his practice:
“1. Harm none. We believe that the Divine is present in everything and everyone in nature so as much as possible, we avoid intentionally harming others.
2. Karma. While most Witches don't adhere to the concept of sin, we believe that whatever we put out to the universe will come back to us.
3. Responsibility. Everyone is responsible for the results of their own actions, whether magical or mundane.”
A smudge stick made out of a bundle of sage with a bay leaf and some rosemary — two herbs that are believed to banish negative energy. Photo courtesy of Inka Magnaye.
And, despite the taboo placed on witches in the Philippines, witchcraft is actually part of Filipino culture. Small towns often have their own albularyo or shamans who use witchcraft to heal and exorcise demons for money.
“Filipinos, even if they deny it, are actually practicing a lot of rituals which have roots in what one would consider traditional witchcraft: praying to saints, offering food on All Souls Day, etc,” Rebuyas said.
Both he and Magnaye encourage people to learn about witchcraft because there are so many misconceptions about it. They said the only accurate portrayal of their practice is from the 90’s classic The Craft, which consulted a high priestess during production.
“Educate before you judge, you don’t have to practice it to learn more about it,” Magnaye said.
Tagged: witchcraft Philippines Catholic rituals witch wiccan Halloween ReligionORIGINAL REPORTING ON EVERYTHING THAT MATTERS IN YOUR INBOX.
By signing up, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from Vice Media Group, which may include marketing promotions, advertisements and sponsored content.
Like most Filipinos, Magnaye was raised Catholic but said she never felt any connection with it.
The moment the juice touches our taste buds, we are transported to a world of perfect harmony. The balance of sweetness and acidity, the burst of freshness, and the lingering aftertaste all combine to create a symphony of flavors that is truly enchanting. But the devilish charm of the juicy magic doesn't end there. It extends beyond the physical experience and delves into the realm of emotion and nostalgia. For many of us, juicy fruits are a taste of summertime, a reminder of carefree days spent picnicking in the park or lounging by the pool. They evoke memories of sticky fingers, laughter, and the joy of simple pleasures. In a world filled with processed foods and artificial flavors, the juicy magic reminds us of the beauty and purity of nature. It reminds us to slow down, savor the moment, and appreciate the wonders that the earth provides. In a single bite, we are reminded of the simple pleasures that bring us comfort and happiness. So next time you bite into a juicy piece of fruit, take a moment to savor the devilish charm of the magic. Let it transport you to a place of indulgence and pure delight. Embrace the sight, the sound, the feel, and above all, the taste of the juicy magic..
Reviews for "Succulent Fruits: Tapping into the Juicy Magic of Nature's Bountiful Seduction"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I found "Devilish charm of the juicy magic" to be extremely disappointing. The storyline seemed promising, but it quickly became convoluted and confusing. The characters lacked depth and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The pacing was also off, with certain scenes dragging on for far too long while others were rushed through. Overall, I was left unsatisfied and would not recommend this book.
2. John - 1 star - "Devilish charm of the juicy magic" was a complete waste of time for me. The plot was predictable and lacked originality, following cliché tropes that have been done countless times before. The writing itself was lackluster, with weak descriptions and an overall flat tone. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, as they were poorly developed and lacked any real depth. I was hoping for an intriguing and captivating read, but unfortunately, this book fell far short of my expectations.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Devilish charm of the juicy magic," but it didn't live up to the hype. The pacing was all over the place, with too many unnecessary subplots that distracted from the main story. The romance felt forced and lacked chemistry, making it hard to invest in the relationship between the characters. Additionally, the ending felt rushed and didn't provide a satisfying resolution. Overall, this book left me feeling underwhelmed and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Michael - 2 stars - "Devilish charm of the juicy magic" was a disappointing read for me. The plot had potential, but it quickly became predictable and lacked any real surprises. The dialogue felt unrealistic and forced, making it difficult to engage with the story. The main character was also frustratingly naive and made questionable decisions throughout. Overall, this book felt like a missed opportunity to explore interesting themes and deliver a captivating story. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and well-written read.