The history of practical magic dates back thousands of years and spans across different cultures and societies. It has been an integral part of human civilization since ancient times. In its essence, practical magic involves the use of spells, rituals, and supernatural powers to influence and manipulate the natural world. Ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Babylonians, and Greeks all practiced practical magic in various forms. In Egypt, magic played a significant role in religious ceremonies and healing practices. The Babylonians used divination and astrology to predict the future and gain insight into their lives.
I rewatched Practical Magic last week with one of my best friends. She came over and we laid under a blanket on my couch, with a candle lit.
The lead duo s obsessive behavior toward their exes dances right up to the edge of being disturbing; perhaps unsurprisingly, Addicted to Love bombed with critics and audiences. The lead duo s obsessive behavior toward their exes dances right up to the edge of being disturbing; perhaps unsurprisingly, Addicted to Love bombed with critics and audiences.
The Babylonians used divination and astrology to predict the future and gain insight into their lives. The Greeks, on the other hand, had a vast array of magical practices ranging from love spells to curses and hexes. During the medieval period, practical magic became closely associated with witchcraft and sorcery.
What 'Practical Magic' taught me about life, love and the importance of sisterhood
Practical Magic came out in 1998, when I was 9 years old. And it was a fixture of my childhood and high school years.
It feels like every fall, I would pop the movie into my VCR and get absorbed into a world of magic.
Marielle Segarra is the host of Life Kit, NPR's home for all the best tips and tricks. Brandon Watson for NPR hide caption
toggle caption Brandon Watson for NPRMarielle Segarra is the host of Life Kit, NPR's home for all the best tips and tricks.
Brandon Watson for NPR
The film is set in New England, and most of the action takes place in a gorgeous old house on a cliffside. Sunlight trickles through glass windowpanes into the house, where the occupants grow herbs for their spells and light candles by blowing on them.
Those occupants are witches, of course: two sisters named Sally, played by Sandra Bullock, and Gillian, played by Nicole Kidman, as well as their aunts, played by Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest.
I watched them with dreamy, wide eyes. Sandra Bullock in her loose-fitting jeans, a sweater, and white sneakers always looked casually, effortlessly cool. Nicole Kidman was striking with her impossibly long, bright red hair and chic black-on-black outfits.
And then you had the aunts, who were never afraid to be themselves — and showed that in their fashion choices. In one scene, Stockard Channing walks around town, shielding herself from the sun with a red parasol.
These women were strong. They were powerful. And they were playful. They ate chocolate cake for breakfast. They frolicked naked under the full moon. They blended up margaritas at midnight and danced around the kitchen in their pajamas to "Coconut" by Harry Nilsson. (Side note: the Practical Magic soundtrack is a treasure. Stevie Nicks. Joni Mitchell. Faith Hill's "This Kiss.")
I think, as a kid, that this was the extent of it. I loved how these characters made me feel.
It's funny, though, how a movie you've gone back to over and over since childhood can mean different things to you over time.
Learning a valuable lesson
As I got into middle school and high school, I started to pick up on some of the movie's other themes.
I remember watching it one October with a friend my sophomore year of high school. I'm pretty sure we were watching a VHS, and the resolution was grainy.
And then the scene came on. After a build-up of significant sexual tension, two characters share a passionate kiss. Sitting on my friend's bedroom floor, I felt butterflies in my stomach. I wanted to be kissed like that.
I related a lot to Gillian, Nicole Kidman's character.
At the beginning of the film, a desperate woman comes to the aunts and asks them to perform a love spell. Sitting in the kitchen, she throws down a wad of cash and says: "I want him to want me so much that he can't stand it." Then she takes a needle and stabs a bird — part of the spell.
Nicole Kidman's character Gillian throws herself into every romantic connection she can find. Warner Bros/Maximum Film/Alamy hide caption
toggle caption Warner Bros/Maximum Film/AlamyNicole Kidman's character Gillian throws herself into every romantic connection she can find.
Warner Bros/Maximum Film/Alamy
Sally and Gillian are young girls at this point, and they're sitting on the steps watching this unfold.
"I hope I never fall in love," Sally says.
"I can't wait to fall in love," Gillian says.
Sally is so determined to never fall in love that she casts a spell. She conjures up an image of a man who doesn't exist. He can ride a pony backwards. He can flip pancakes in the air. He'll be marvelously kind. His favorite shape will be a star, and he'll have one green eye, and one blue. Her logic is that if this man doesn't exist, she'll never fall in love, and she'll never have a broken heart.
And as she grows up, Sally stays afraid of romantic love. Afraid of feeling so deeply and then getting hurt. And for good reason.
Meanwhile, Gillian throws herself into every romantic connection she can find. It's like an addiction.
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Later, one of Gillian's relationships turns abusive. In a scene at the house, she describes love to her niece, Sally's daughter.
"Do you ever put your arms out and spin and spin and spin really, really fast? Well that's what love is like," she says. "It makes your heart race. It turns the world upside down. But if you're not careful, if you don't keep your eyes on something still, you can lose your balance. You can't see what's happening to the people around you. You can't see that you're about to fall."
This movie introduced me to the idea that love could be dangerous. That you should learn to protect yourself.
But that's not the only lesson I learned.
A love worth taking a chance on
You remember the spell Sally cast? Well, I guess we're doing spoilers here — it turns out that he does exist. And he's her happy ending.
Watching Practical Magic now — and I still do watch it every October — it occurs to me that, yes, that is a Hollywood twist. You can't dream up a list of specific characteristics and go out in search of that person. And love isn't just about happy endings. It's an ongoing choice to treat someone else with care and respect.
But what I've learned is that real love is even more beautiful. Because when you do grow to love someone, all their idiosyncrasies and their details become so sacred to you, so imprinted on your heart, that it's almost like you'd dreamed them into existence.
That's worth taking a chance on.
There's an unbreakable bond between Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian (Nicole Kidman). Warner Bros/Cinematic Collection/Alamy hide caption
toggle caption Warner Bros/Cinematic Collection/AlamyThere's an unbreakable bond between Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian (Nicole Kidman).
Warner Bros/Cinematic Collection/Alamy
The magic of friendship
The other theme in Practical Magic that's become more meaningful to me over time: friendship. Specifically, sisterhood.
There's an unbreakable bond between Sally and Gillian. When Sally's husband dies and she's deeply depressed and can't get out of bed, Gillian crawls under the covers with her and they lay there together and talk for what seems like hours.
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Her presence allows Sally the space to fully open up. "I was really, really happy," she says, choking back tears.
It can be heartbreaking to say out loud how much a loss hurts. But it's one of the first steps in healing, and it often comes only after someone has done you the kindness of sitting with you in your grief.
I rewatched Practical Magic last week with one of my best friends. She came over and we laid under a blanket on my couch, with a candle lit.
This friend is like a sister to me. She's been a steady presence in my life: in times of joy, but also in moments of grief, like when romantic love has fallen apart.
If the witches taught me anything, it's that life isn't so scary when you have the love of a sister.
Also to always throw spilt salt over your left shoulder. And fall in love whenever you can.
This movie introduced me to the idea that love could be dangerous. That you should learn to protect yourself.
This period saw a surge in witch-hunts and trials, with women often being accused of practicing dark magic. It was also during this time that grimoires, or books of magic spells and rituals, gained popularity. These grimoires contained instructions on how to summon spirits, cast spells, and create amulets and talismans. The Renaissance period marked a shift in the perception of practical magic. It became closely intertwined with science and alchemy. Prominent figures such as Paracelsus and John Dee practiced practical magic alongside their scientific pursuits, believing that the manipulation of natural forces could lead to advancements in medicine, chemistry, and other fields. In the modern era, practical magic has evolved into various forms such as Wicca, modern witchcraft, and ceremonial magic. Wicca, a modern pagan religion, incorporates rituals, spells, and invocations to honor nature and connect with the divine. Modern witchcraft, often referred to as "the Craft," emphasizes personal empowerment, healing, and the use of natural elements in spellwork. Ceremonial magic, on the other hand, draws upon ancient rituals and symbols to connect with higher spiritual beings and unlock hidden knowledge. Throughout history, the practice of practical magic has always been a blend of mysticism, spirituality, and practical knowledge. It has served as a means of seeking guidance, protection, and personal transformation. While the perception and understanding of magic have evolved over time, its underlying principles continue to resonate with individuals seeking a deeper connection with the unseen forces of the universe..
Reviews for "The Role of Practical Magic in Folklore and Legends"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "The history of practical magic". The book promised to delve into the origins of practical magic and provide an in-depth exploration of its practices, but it fell short. The information provided was basic and lacked depth. I was hoping for more detailed explanations and historical accounts, but instead, I found myself slogging through vague descriptions and repetitive information. Overall, it was a letdown and did not satisfy my expectations.
2. John - 2/5 stars - I found "The history of practical magic" to be quite underwhelming. The writing style was dry and unengaging, and it felt more like a textbook than an intriguing exploration of magic. The author failed to bring the subject matter to life and I was left feeling bored and uninterested. Additionally, the book lacked thorough research and provided only surface-level information, leaving me with more questions than answers. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating read on practical magic.
3. Emily - 1/5 stars - "The history of practical magic" was a complete waste of my time. The book lacked structure and organization, jumping from one topic to another without clear transitions. It felt like random bits of information thrown together without any cohesion. Furthermore, the content was shallow and failed to provide any meaningful insights or analysis. I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in learning about the history of practical magic, as there are much better resources available that delve deeper into the subject. Save your money and skip this one.
4. Michael - 2/5 stars - As someone intrigued by the subject matter, I was excited to read "The history of practical magic", but it left me unimpressed. The writing style was inaccessible and difficult to follow, making it hard to fully grasp the concepts presented. Additionally, the book did not offer any new or unique perspectives on the history of practical magic. It felt like a rehash of commonly known information without adding anything fresh or thought-provoking. I would recommend looking for alternative sources for a more rewarding exploration of this topic.