Practical Witchcraft with Aunt Jet It's always an exciting adventure whenever Aunt Jet comes to visit. Not only is she a kind and loving aunt, but she also happens to be a practicing witch. I've always been fascinated by her craft, and this time, she agreed to teach me some practical witchcraft. Aunt Jet explained that practical witchcraft is all about utilizing magic in our everyday lives. It's not just about casting spells or brewing potions but finding ways to incorporate magic into our daily routines. She believes that magic surrounds us all the time; we just need to learn how to tap into it.
Aunt Jet Owens : And this is what comes from dabbling; I mean you can't practice witchcraft while you look down your nose at it.
Selling their shop and apartment, they moved to their ancestral home and worked alongside each other as the Owens witches, selling spells for the local women. Isabelle took in her and her siblings for her parents funeral at the family cemetery, where Jet attempted to act normal upon reuniting with April and meeting her infant daughter, Regina.
She believes that magic surrounds us all the time; we just need to learn how to tap into it. One of the first things Aunt Jet taught me was the power of intention. She explained that having a clear intention is essential in any magical practice.
The PRACTICAL MAGIC Aunts Are the Perfect Spinster Role Models
Once upon a time, I was a little girl surrounded by eccentric single women. My paternal grandmother got divorced before I was born, and two of her sisters were spinsters as well. I lost my mother quite young, and so my extended relatives raised me and my younger sister. I loved and appreciated all of their efforts, but now—as a grown woman reflecting—I miss those kooky single aunts most of all.
Together, we got into trouble. They encouraged dessert eating at odd hours, loud outerwear, and pranks played on unsuspecting bystanders. (We once put whoopee cushions under seats at a movie theater and cackled at the chorus of toots as the lights went down.) Halloween was holier than Christmas. One aunt taught me the trick to her vitality: She wore a mask and went trick-or-treating every October 31st. She was in her 50s.
They are all long gone, but I am reminded of them every time I revisit Practical Magic, one of my favorite movies. (Based on the novel of the same name by Alice Hoffman.) My trick-or-treating Aunt Nancy showed me the film at a young age, and it left an indelible mark. The beautiful East Coast home near the water. Black cats slinking through ankles. That gorgeous kitchen and adjoining greenhouse where potions bubbled to life and midnight margaritas overflowed. As a kid, I loved the story of Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian (Nicole Kidman), two orphaned sisters who move in with their aunts and reconcile with the fact that they’re witches. It was the ultimate fantasy. I, too, was lacking my real parents. And I, too, dreamed of secret generational promises. I wanted so desperately to be a witch.
But these days, I watch Practical Magic through a different set of eyes. These days, I see myself in the aunts most of all. Jet (Dianne Wiest) and Frances (Stockard Channing) take the girls into their home, that aforementioned East Coast home that is alive with imagination. It is light and majestic and surrounded by nature. The aunts live out an idyllic life in their home, casting spells for local women, making potions in the greenhouse, drinking wine, and eating cake on the lawn. And best of all, there are no men in sight.
I never had “normal” aspirations as a child. Never dreamed of my wedding day. Had no interest in being a mother. As I grow older, I’m at times insecure that I’m in my 30s and single and childless. But it’s not that I haven’t met “the one” or that I’m awkward and uncomfortable in romantic situations. On the contrary, I’ve had many relationships and romances. But I never felt compelled to make them last. I’m simply uninterested in that, and always have been. I prefer my own company and schedule. And that shouldn’t be “odd” or “bad” or “abnormal.” It’s simply who I am and what I like, and I’d like to be respected for my choices the same way I respect and love my married friends.
Still, I feel insecure when I explain my age and living situation to strangers. I wish I didn’t, but it’s the reality of navigating life as a single woman of a certain age in this society. That’s why I love Practical Magic a little extra. Because it provides a solid example of older single women living a fabulous and fulfilling life. Jet and Frances have family and love all around them. They travel with their coven and dance naked under the full moon. The townspeople fear them and judge them, but they don’t mind at all. In fact, they delight in it. After all, as Frances tells Sally: “My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage.”
There’s so much to love about Practical Magic. And there’s a reason it has found a new audience in recent years. It’s a movie about female empowerment and connectedness. It’s cozy and inviting, and also spooky and a bit sinister. Sally learns to accept her power, Gillian learns to stop chasing hers, and the two find freedom in their sisterhood. Something they learned and upheld from their beloved aunts.
I have my own kooky single aunts to thank for some of my favorite parts about myself. My love of antiques and old houses. The boxes of jewelry I inherited from them; bulbous stone rings and droopy earrings and beaded necklaces. The desire to prank snotty children in public spaces. A devious sense of humor that finds the funny in every grim situation. But most of all, the strength and self-fulfillment that come from moving through life on my own and in my own way. And for showing me Practical Magic, which comforts me in their absence as I continue down my path.
Jet, in her eighties, realises she has seven days left to live.
It's about knowing what you want to achieve and directing your energy towards that goal. Aunt Jet emphasized the importance of being specific with intentions, as the universe responds better to clarity. Next, she taught me about the power of visualization. Aunt Jet explained that by visualizing what we want to manifest, we can attract those desires into our lives. She guided me through a simple meditation where I had to imagine my intentions coming to life. It was an incredibly calming and empowering experience. Aunt Jet also shared some practical spells that I could easily incorporate into my daily routine. She showed me how to create a protection charm using herbs and crystals. She explained that carrying this charm with me would help ward off negative energy and keep me safe. She also taught me a simple ritual for attracting abundance. Using a candle and some affirmations, we performed this ritual together. Aunt Jet explained that by focusing our energy and gratitude towards abundance, we could attract more prosperity into our lives. Another fascinating aspect of practical witchcraft that Aunt Jet shared with me was the importance of nature. She encouraged me to spend time connecting with the earth, whether it's through gardening, taking walks in the woods, or simply sitting outside and observing the beauty around me. She explained that nature is a powerful source of energy and can help recharge and ground us. Overall, my time with Aunt Jet learning practical witchcraft was incredibly enlightening. She taught me that magic is not something distant or unattainable but a natural part of our lives. We have the power to create the life we desire by tapping into the magic that surrounds us. It's all about setting clear intentions, visualizing our desires, and incorporating magical practices into our daily routines. I'm grateful for Aunt Jet's wisdom and guidance, and I can't wait to continue exploring the world of practical witchcraft..
Reviews for "Animal Magick: Aunt Jet's Practical Guide to Working with Familiars and Animal Guides"
1. Samantha - 2 stars - I recently read "Practical Witchcraft with Aunt Jet" and unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. While I appreciated the book's focus on practical spells and rituals, I found the writing style to be tedious and lacking depth. The author seemed more interested in listing recipes for potions and spells rather than providing meaningful explanations or guidance. Additionally, there were numerous grammatical errors throughout the book, which made it difficult to read and took away from the overall experience. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to those looking for a comprehensive guide to witchcraft.
2. Mark - 1 star - I found "Practical Witchcraft with Aunt Jet" to be a complete waste of time. The book lacked any sort of structure or organization, making it difficult to follow and understand. The author seemed to jump from one topic to another without any coherence, leaving me feeling confused and frustrated. Furthermore, the spells and rituals described in the book were overly simplistic and didn't provide any meaningful insights or guidance. Overall, I felt like I wasted my money on this book and would not recommend it to anyone interested in learning about witchcraft.
3. Emily - 2 stars - "Practical Witchcraft with Aunt Jet" fell short of my expectations. The book promised practical advice and guidance for beginners, but I felt like it lacked depth and substance. The author touched on a variety of topics but didn't provide enough information or explanations to truly understand and apply the practices. Additionally, the book lacked a clear structure, which made it difficult to navigate and reference specific sections. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and would recommend looking for alternative resources for those interested in learning witchcraft.