The Magic Tree House Merlij Missions is a series of children's fantasy books written by Mary Pope Osborne. It is a spin-off of Osborne's popular Magic Tree House series. The Merlij Missions follows the adventures of Jack and Annie, two siblings who discover a magic treehouse filled with books that can transport them to different times and places. In the Merlij Missions, they are joined by Teddy, a wizard-in-training, as they are recruited by the legendary magician, Merlijn, to complete various missions. The missions take the trio to different historical time periods, such as ancient Egypt, medieval Europe, and the Wild West. Each mission requires the children to solve puzzles, gather clues, and overcome challenges in order to accomplish their goals.
Varying Unnatural Marks (depending on demonic sire)
Vast Magical Knowledge
Distinctive Scent (depending on demon parent)
Immortality (eternal youth + healing)
Sterility
Physical attractiveness (most; sometimes through spells)
Warlocks are born from demons and Witches, usually from rape or deceit, from demons, disguised as humans or a human s loved one or an object of sexual desire. Warlocks themselves, as a caveat of their demonic ancestry, are likewise unable to be heard by these divinities as they cannot invoke prayer without their mouths literally burning from the effort - causing them to rely only on their innate powers for salvation.
Each mission requires the children to solve puzzles, gather clues, and overcome challenges in order to accomplish their goals. Along the way, they meet historical figures, learn about different cultures, and navigate through magical realms. The Merlij Missions combine elements of history, fantasy, and adventure, making them engaging and educational for young readers.
Witches in History
Located in a dark room within Second Sight: Witchcraft, Ritual, Power are three small prints. They are easy to overlook. Monochromatic and diminutive in size, they are not as attention-grabbing as some of the much bolder images on display. But I would urge viewers to look for these prints, as they are responsible for establishing some of the most important imagery that we still associate with witches and hold the key to understanding Second Sight.
Hans Baldung Grien, The bewitched groom (c.1544), Reproduced courtesy The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Rogers Fund, 1917.
Hans Baldung Grien, The bewitched groom (c.1544), Reproduced courtesy The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Rogers Fund, 1917.
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, Circe with companions of Ulysses changed into animals (1650-1651).
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, Circe with companions of Ulysses changed into animals (1650-1651).
Albrecht Dürer, Witch riding backwards on a goat (1501-1502), Reproduced courtesy of The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington.
Albrecht Dürer, Witch riding backwards on a goat (1501-1502), Reproduced courtesy of The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington.
For most people today, witches are the stuff of Halloween or Disney. But only 300 years ago, witchcraft was a crime punishable by death. During the early modern period (1450–1750), 45 000 women and men were executed in Western Europe under legislation specifically against witchcraft. Another 45 000 were tried but not convicted. In the eyes of the law, and in much of society, witches were people who had made a pact with the Devil and who had then used their newfound demonic powers to harm their neighbours. Witches were most often believed to be women, frequently elderly, poor, widowed or childless. They were accused of killing children, making men impotent, ruining crops, causing storms and shipwrecks, attending the sabbath, and working together to cause evil and discord. Of course, most of these accusations were only true in the minds of accusers, but that didn’t stop the vast majority of men and women from believing in witchcraft.
But where did these ideas come from? Although witches were believed to exist in medieval Europe, it wasn’t until the fifteenth century that the idea of witchcraft as a diabolical crime rose to prominence. Key texts were influential in establishing this concept, such as Heinrich Kramer’s notorious Malleus Maleficarum (The Hammer of Witches) of 1486 and a number of lesser known texts from the 1430s. But one of the main ways in which ideas of witchcraft circulated was through visual culture. In Second Sight, we are lucky enough to have three early visual depictions of witchcraft: Albrecht Dürer’s Witch Riding Backwards on a Goat (1501–1502); Hans Baldung Grien’s The Bewitched Groom (1544); and Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione’s Circe with Companions of Ulysses Turned into Animals (1650–1651).
All of these works feature aspects of the now stereotypical witch. For example, Dürer’s witch is depicted as a strong, muscled figure who looks wholly in charge while riding the goat. Her position riding backwards shows the inverse and unnatural role of witches in the world. Similarly, her hair flows in the opposite direction than it should, highlighting that she is outside nature. She is both physically repellent through her masculine body but also strongly sexualised. The distaff (a feminine object used to spin wool or flax) placed prominently between her legs, her long hair and open mouth (all signifying lust), and her suggestive grasping of the goat’s horn all associate her with transgression and sexual desire. Fifteenth- and sixteenth-century treatises on witches associated them with deviant sexuality, with many authors describing the unnatural orgies in which witches were believed to partake. At the sabbath, witches were believed to engage in supposedly unnatural sexual acts with the Devil, with other witches, and even with their own children. This concept of the lustful witch is also visible in Grien’s The Bewitched Groom; although the witch is off to the side, her exposed breast is visible to all. Grien’s work also highlights anxieties about sexuality. Central to the piece is the bewitched groom’s prominent codpiece; this motif is echoed by the horse’s uncovered genitals, revealed through a brief movement of its tail. Although the witch is not central, it is clear that her presence is tied to dangerous sexuality.
Although warlocks do exercise free will and are capable of remorse and compassion, all are driven in some form - be it subtle or overt - to indulge in the more sinister elements of their deul natures; often forming covens of their own which center on shady activities or using their gifts to manipulate others to their advantage. This has made warlocks a truly unpredictable and often untrustworthy faction within the arcane world, with some of the most influential practitioners of black magic being of this race.
The books also emphasize the importance of teamwork, problem-solving, and perseverance. Overall, the Magic Tree House Merlij Missions is a captivating series that takes readers on exciting journeys through time and space. It combines magic, history, and adventure to create an entertaining and educational reading experience for children..
Reviews for "The Magic Treehouse Merlij Missions: Journey to Unknown Worlds"
1. Lily - 2/5 stars - I found "Magic Treehouse Merlij Missions" to be quite disappointing. The story felt rushed and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and their actions often felt forced. The writing style was also underwhelming, with awkward dialogue and repetitive descriptions. Overall, I had high hopes for this book but it fell short of my expectations.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - I regret reading "Magic Treehouse Merlij Missions". The plot was predictable and unoriginal, with no real surprises or twists. I found it hard to connect with the characters, as they were poorly developed and had little personality. Additionally, the narrative was messy and poorly structured, making it difficult to follow and enjoy. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking an engaging and well-crafted story.
3. Sarah - 2.5/5 stars - "Magic Treehouse Merlij Missions" was quite lackluster in my opinion. The premise had potential, but the execution fell short. The writing style was simplistic and lacked depth, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The plot felt disjointed and inconsistent, with random events that didn't contribute much to the overall narrative. While I appreciate the effort put into this book, it failed to capture my interest or leave a lasting impression.
4. Ethan - 2/5 stars - I was not impressed with "Magic Treehouse Merlij Missions". The story felt formulaic and unoriginal, following a predictable pattern that offered no surprises. The dialogue was dull and uninspired, making it hard to stay engaged with the characters' interactions. The pacing was also uneven, with slow moments that dragged on and lacked excitement. Overall, this book didn't live up to the hype surrounding it and left me feeling disappointed.