The Sea Witch Book is a captivating and enchanting story that takes readers on a thrilling journey to the depths of the ocean. Written by an acclaimed author, this book combines elements of fantasy, adventure, and magic to weave a spellbinding tale. The story revolves around a young girl named Lily, who discovers that she has a unique connection to the mythical Sea Witch. With her newfound powers, Lily embarks on a quest to restore balance to the underwater kingdom and save her friends from a looming threat. Along the way, she encounters mermaids, sea monsters, and other fascinating creatures that add depth and intrigue to the narrative. One of the book's strengths lies in its vivid and imaginative world-building.

Menstruation, magic and moon myths

Frank information about periods can be hard to come by, and stories that cloak menstruation in mystery stubbornly persist. Pragya Agarwal was recently shocked to discover that many people still believe that menstrual and moon cycles are somehow in sync. The behavioural scientist argues why inclusive, factual menstrual education is crucial.

Words by Pragya Agarwal artwork by Katy Lemay average reading time 6 minutes 24 June 2021

show credit information for image 'Mystical moon'

I remember the exact moment that I started my periods. I was only eleven years old and had received no formal education at school or at home about what periods entailed. This was before the internet, in a small town in India. I wondered if I was the only one, because I never talked to anyone about it, not even my closest friends.

When I was growing up, women were considered impure when they menstruated, so they were not allowed to go into the kitchen, nor prepare food for others to eat. Things have changed, but not that much. Even now, women on their periods are not permitted to take part in some religious ceremonies and practices, such as entering a Hindu temple or fasting during Ramadan.

According to data released by the Indian government last year, there are 355 million menstruating women and girls in the country, and only 42 per cent have access to sanitary towels. The Indian NGO Dasra’s ‘Spot On!’ report shows that nearly 23 million girls drop out of school annually due to lack of proper menstrual-hygiene-management facilities. A horrifying 71 per cent of the girls surveyed for this report were not even aware of menstruation until they reached menarche.

We continue to find it difficult to talk frankly and factually about menstruation in an inclusive way.

Periods are stigmatised in many parts of the world, including in the UK. We continue to find it difficult to talk frankly and factually about menstruation in an inclusive way. Instead, biological reality is often made to seem mystical, or it’s implied that all bodies should conform to a fixed template. I have three daughters and I strongly feel that, if information about our own bodies isn’t grounded in facts, we are tools in patriarchal oppression.

Blood, myths, and magic.

Here at The Vampire Shot Glass, we’re not the first to believe in the powerful, magical properties of menstrual blood. In medieval Europe, some believed menstrual blood could cure leprosy — which, for the record is FALSE, but respect for the blood magic vibes ✨ (sparkle emoji) 🩸 (blood drop emoji). Through the centuries, myths of menstruation as evil flourished. Throughout history and in various cultures, people have thought of menstrual blood as a curse. 💀 (skull emoji)

One of our favorite myths is the idea that burnt frog ashes would cure your heavy flow. First of all, why would you want to cure a heavy flow?! We love abundance and celebrate bodies that produce heavy flows! In fact, the Vampire Shot Glass is a great period product for people with heavy flows. It can handle a lot of blood (25ml - 50ml) and needs to be emptied way less than a pad or tampon needs to be changed; here’s some Vampire-approved data to show you what we mean:

Approximate capacity of a fully saturated light tampon: 3ml
Approximate capacity of a fully saturated super tampon: 12ml
Approximate capacity of a fully saturated daytime pad: 5ml
Approximate capacity of a fully saturated overnight pad: 12ml

(Remember, you should never leave your Vampire Shot Glass in for more than 12 hours at a time.)

Another period curse myth is from Ancient Rome, where there was a hot rumor going around about how menstrual blood could sour wine. We’re here to tell you that wine thing is DEFINITELY false; especially when you pair that wine with a menstruating body, a hot bath, and your favorite Buffy season, ain’t nothing sour there!

The Vampire Shot Glass is here for period magic. What do we say to magic? Nothing wrong with a little magic, especially the vampire kind. In fact, many of our friends report becoming a little, witchy, clairvoyant, and having prophetic dreams when they are menstruating. Menstruation is a powerful part of nature, meant to be worshipped and celebrated!

Do you have a favorite period myth or misconception? Tell us in the comments!

Pune Woman Forced By In-Laws To Give Menstrual Blood For Black Magic: Cops

One of the book's strengths lies in its vivid and imaginative world-building. The author skillfully describes the underwater realm, bringing it to life with vibrant imagery and detailed descriptions. From the shimmering coral reefs to the murky depths of the abyss, readers are transported to a mesmerizing and atmospheric setting that enhances the overall reading experience.

In a horrific incident reported in Pune, seven people, including the husband and in-laws of a 28-year-old woman were booked for allegedly forcing her to indulge in black magic rituals, officials said on Friday.

Pune: In a horrific incident reported in Pune, seven people, including the husband and in-laws of a 28-year-old woman were booked for allegedly forcing her to indulge in black magic rituals, officials said on Friday. Senior Police Inspector Dattatraya Bhapka of Visharant wadi Police station said the accused against the will of the victim took the menstrual blood of the woman as a part of an Aghori Practice. "Following the complaint from the victim woman a case was registered against her husband, her mother-in-law, father-in-law, brother-in-law, and nephew under sections 377 ( Unnatural offences), 354 ( molestation ), 498 ( Enticing or taking away or detaining with criminal intent a married woman) and relevant sections of the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil, and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act," officials said.

Police informed that the woman in her complaint alleged that she was subjected to mental and physical harassment since their marriage in 2019 in Beed district. "In her complaint, she alleged that in August 2022 some of the accused including her brothers-in-law, nephew and a neighbour forcefully took the menstrual blood of the woman as a part of some black magic act and filled in a bottle using a cotton." Police further added that the woman in her complaint said that the accused brother-in-law was supposed to get Rs 50,000 in return for the menstrual blood of a woman. Police further said that incident of menstrual blood took place in August 2022 in the Beed district of Maharashtra, the native place of in-laws. "Woman has her maternal home in Pune and after receiving her complaint, Pune police had registered the FIR in Vishrantwadi Police station and transferred the case to Beed police for further investigation," official familiar with the matter said.

In January 2023, in a shocking incident, a woman was forced by her in-laws and husband to eat the powder formed by the bones of dead human as a part of a black magic ritual advised by the local Tantrik Baba to conceive a child. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Another standout aspect of the Sea Witch Book is its well-developed characters. Each character, from the brave protagonist to the cunning villain, is imbued with their own distinct personality and motivations. Readers will find themselves emotionally invested in their journeys, rooting for their successes and lamenting their failures. Furthermore, the book delves into universal themes such as friendship, sacrifice, and the power of belief. Through the trials and tribulations faced by the characters, readers are reminded of the importance of loyalty, courage, and the ability to overcome adversity. Overall, the Sea Witch Book is a delightful and captivating read that appeals to readers of all ages. Its immersive world-building, engaging characters, and thought-provoking themes make it a compelling addition to any bookshelf. Whether you are a fan of fantasy, adventure, or simply enjoy a well-crafted story, the Sea Witch Book is sure to enchant you from beginning to end..

Reviews for "Hooked on Sea Witch Novels: Why These Books Keep Readers Captivated"

1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Sea Witch Book" as I love fantasy novels, but I was sorely disappointed. The storyline was incredibly confusing, with jumps back and forth in time that made it difficult to follow the plot. The characters also lacked depth and development, making it hard to feel invested in their struggles. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown and would not recommend it to fellow fantasy lovers.

2. Michael - 1 star - "Sea Witch Book" was a major disappointment for me. The writing was tedious and the pacing felt incredibly slow. I struggled to stay engaged with the story and found myself skimming through paragraphs just to get to some action. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me with little understanding of the magical elements and their significance. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me.

3. Emily - 2 stars - I had such high expectations for "Sea Witch Book," but it failed to live up to them. The characters were unlikable and lacked depth, making it difficult to root for anyone. The romantic subplot felt forced and lacked any genuine chemistry. Additionally, the plot twists were predictable, leaving me feeling underwhelmed. While the concept had potential, the execution left much to be desired.

4. Thomas - 2 stars - "Sea Witch Book" had an interesting premise, but it fell short in execution. The pacing was inconsistent, with long stretches of slow development followed by rushed action. The dialogue also felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. I was hoping for a captivating and immersive fantasy read, but I was left feeling unsatisfied and uninterested.

5. Sarah - 3 stars - I didn't hate "Sea Witch Book," but it didn't leave a lasting impression on me either. The writing was mediocre, and the plot lacked originality. While it had some exciting moments, the overall story felt generic and predictable. There were also too many characters to keep track of, and they were not well-developed. Overall, it was an okay read, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you're looking for a light and forgettable fantasy novel.

Sailing with the Sea Witch: Navigating a Hauntingly Beautiful Tale