Magic Tree House #32: Winter of the Ice Wizard is a thrilling adventure novel written by Mary Pope Osborne. It is part of the popular Magic Tree House series, which follows the time-traveling brother and sister duo, Jack and Annie, on their incredible journeys. In this installment, Jack and Annie find themselves in the land of the Ice Wizard. It is a frozen and desolate place, filled with icy caves, towering mountains, and dangerous creatures. Jack and Annie must brave the harsh winter conditions as they search for the Ice Wizard, who has the power to help them. As they embark on their quest, Jack and Annie encounter various magical creatures, including a polar bear and a snow owl.

Practical Magic: A Magical Media Analysis

Welcome to the first entry in the Magical Media Analysis series of posts. For this post, I will be taking a look at the magic within one of my all-time favorite films (and the book it is based upon), Practical Magic. The original book by Alice Hoffman spawned three subsequent volumes, really proving to flesh out the universe. Witches’ marks and witches floating in water instead of sinking are major plot points during later prequels. Both of these are rooted in witchy folklore going back centuries. In the Practical Magic book series witches’ marks are birthmarks that denote a natural-born witch, whereas in the old folklore, the mark was said to be where a witch fed her familiar. The floating in the water was why some witches attempted to be drowned during witch trials to prove that they were witches if they floated.

At the beginning of the film and the novel, a young Sally and Gillian watch the Aunts perform a love spell for a desperate woman. This included the woman pushing a needle into a bird and begging a man to love her to the point of obsession. In the book, it is elaborated that she got what she wanted, but was very unhappy as he was truly obsessed and she was miserable at being oppressed by his clinging obsession with her! As Aunt Jet said in the film “Be careful what you wish for.” She was not and bore the consequences. This whole scene shows a lot of the danger of love spells. The way the spell is shown to be cast is very rooted in old folk magic practices surrounding love and lust. After this, Sally casts her famous love spell hoping to conjure a man that does not exist, only to meet him one day many years later. The love spell that the Aunts cast on Sally is what led to her marriage and the birth of her daughters, along with her husband’s death due to the curse. The family curse is also rooted in misused love magic, as Maria Owens cursed her descendants by alchemizing her pain at having been betrayed in love into a spell that would prevent her from ever having her heart broken again.

Herbalism is used a lot in the film. Sally runs her own botanical shop where she sells witchy herbal remedies to the town folk, even if they do not like that she is a witch, and refuse to accept her fully into the community. We also see herbalism play an important role in Gillian’s story. She regularly used a small dose of belladonna to calm down her boyfriend Jimmy so that she could get some sleep. Ultimately, this belladonna is the cause of death for Jimmy, as Sally overdoses him, making the sedative take on its poisonous quality causing mortality! Belladonna is famously a sedative that is highly toxic in large quantities. It is this quality of toxicity that is well known of this herb that is called “pretty lady” in Italian which makes its use in the film and book so ideal, after all, it is given to Jimmy by a pretty lady ending in his demise!

Finally, I want to discuss Gillian’s brand of magic. She is not as adept at traditional magic as her family, or at least takes longer than Sally to learn when they are girls. Yet, Gillian has her own form of magic that none of the others seem to possess. She has a natural ability to use Glamour magic and sex magic. It is this natural allure that she used to empower her spells and her energetic influence is what caused so much to occur during the plot. I believe it can even be read that Jimmy’s obsession with her is due to her natural ability with Glamour and sex magic creating an aura of allure that would overpower his senses. In some ways, she is the most powerful of all the Owens. Even her famous snake tattoo twined around her wrist is a symbol of her sexual allure! Glamour is a favorite form of magic to me, as it is deeply associated with Faery women. The way that Gillian is able to attract men to her like moths to a flame are also how Faery women attract men in old folklore tales and Arthurian legends. Jimmy’s obsession along with the botched attempt to bring him back from the dead is what caused the spiritual haunting that is the climax of the plot. In the beginning, the first sign is the roses that spring up overnight, red roses as a symbol of romantic and sexual love (another herbalism and sex magic signal in the plot). Later this haunting would become more embodied and she would have to rely on the help of her sister, aunts, and other women in the community to give her strength to conquer her demons, in the form of her ex-boyfriend Jimmy! I adore the climax of the film as a sisterly love tale, as I am all for sisterhood and women helping one another, but I also adore that Gillian gets to fall in love with a worthy man in the novel’s plot. She finally learned what a healthy relationship was, one that was very sexual but still supportive and caring!

All in all, this is one of the best examples of Magical Media that has a basis in real-world magical practices and folkloric evidence! I highly recommend this as a good source to show what actually being a magical practitioner looks like in the real world. I hope you have enjoyed this first Magical Media Analysis. What is your favorite thing about Practical Magic? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Note on Image: The image at the top of the post is one of the covers of the novel. I found the image on https://alicehoffman.com/books/practical-magic/.

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• Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
• Practical Magic (1998)

Practical Magic

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Symbols & Motifs

Black Soap

The aunts have a tradition of making black soap each year, which is supposed to have special beautifying properties: “Maybe it was the black soap she washed with that made her skin seem illuminated; whatever the reason, she was hot to the touch and impossible to ignore” (25). Today, charcoal-based beauty products are popular and can be found in health food stores worldwide. At the book’s publication of 1995, however, these were less common and likely would have been met with both intrigue and suspicion from its target audience—women concerned with beauty and aging. This shows that the aunts are not only ahead of their time but have the modern equivalent of sacred knowledge that is still out of reach for many people.

At the same time, this black soap becomes a symbol of the aunts, the Owens home, and their particular otherness. Once Gillian rejects her heritage, she rejects the black soap even though she once benefited from it. She can’t stand to be reminded of her past, so she throws the soap away as an embodiment of painful memories: “The black soap the aunts send as a present every year has been taken out of the soapdish and has been replaced with a bar of clear, rose-scented soap from France” (82).

Practical Sigil Magic: Creating Personal Symbols for Success

Practical Sigil Magic is widely regarded as the definitive guide to the topic. Unavailable for a number of years and long sought-after by magicians, this classic work is now available once again.

Sigil magic is one of the most efficient and economical of magical disciplines. It can be performed without complicated rituals or paraphernalia, is independent of philosophical and dogmatic premises, and can be learned easily and quickly. Most important, it will give even beginning magicians the chance to work with the power of the Will and enhance their own abilities. This classic reference work will provide magicians—from novice to adept— with instruction that will empower and advance their magical practice.

Praise:
"Frater U∴D∴ writes from a background of extensive practical achievement and theoretical knowledge to present a book of magical techniques for those who dare to use them."—Peter J. Carroll, author of Liber Null & Psychonaut

• Тело, разум и дух

As they embark on their quest, Jack and Annie encounter various magical creatures, including a polar bear and a snow owl. They also face challenges and solve riddles that test their intelligence and bravery. Throughout their journey, the siblings learn important lessons about friendship, courage, perseverance, and the value of helping others.

Связанные категории

• Демонология и сатанизм
• Язычество и неоязычество
• Нью эйдж и духовность
• Occult & Paranormal
• Wicca / Witchcraft

Отзывы о Practical Sigil Magic

27 оценок 2 отзыва

The Winter of the Ice Wizard is a captivating read that takes readers on a thrilling and magical adventure. It combines elements of fantasy and folklore, weaving together mythology and imagination. Osborne's vivid descriptions allow readers to visualize the icy landscape and imagine themselves alongside Jack and Annie as they navigate through the frozen world. The book also incorporates educational elements, as it provides glimpses into the history and mythology of different cultures. Osborne seamlessly weaves in facts and information about the Ice Wizard, showcasing her skill in making learning an enjoyable part of the reading experience. Magic Tree House #32: Winter of the Ice Wizard is a fantastic addition to the series, captivating readers of all ages. It offers a unique blend of magic, history, and adventure that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Whether it's your first time delving into the world of the Magic Tree House or you're a seasoned fan, this book is sure to leave you wanting more..

Reviews for "Unlocking Secrets of the Great Wall of China with Magic Tree House 32"

1. Jessica - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Magic Tree House 32". I've been a fan of the series for a long time, but this book just didn't live up to my expectations. The plot felt rushed and the characters were not as well-developed as in previous books. Additionally, the storytelling felt repetitive and predictable. Overall, it felt like the author was just trying to churn out another book without putting in much effort. I hope the next installment of the series is better.

2. Jason - 3/5 - I've always enjoyed the "Magic Tree House" series, but book 32 was not one of the best. The story lacked depth and the adventure didn't feel as exciting as in previous books. The writing style seemed a bit lazy and uninspired. While it was still an okay read, it didn't leave a lasting impression like some of the earlier books in the series. I hope the author can bring back the magic in the next installment.

3. Emily - 2/5 - I have been a loyal reader of the "Magic Tree House" series since I was a child, but book 32 left me feeling unsatisfied. The plot felt disjointed and the story didn't flow smoothly. The characters lacked the charm and depth that I had come to expect from the series. Overall, it was a forgettable and mediocre addition to the series. I hope the next book can recapture the magic that made the earlier books so enjoyable.

Solving the Riddle of the Sphinx with Magic Tree House 32