Once upon a time, in a small village, nestled deep within the woods, there lived a powerful witch. She was rumored to possess magical abilities and could cast spells with a mere flick of her wrist. The villagers were afraid of her and believed that she had bewitched the woods to protect herself and keep unwanted visitors away. Legend had it that anyone who entered the woods would become lost in its tangled paths, unable to find their way out again. The witch herself was shrouded in mystery. No one knew where she came from or how she had acquired her powers.
I carried the poison apple theme into another piece, the Live Deliciously Garter Belt , but also had another film on my mind: The 2015 film, The VVitch. This film seems so a part of the modern witchcraft lore that is almost feels as if it’s a story that has existed in our collective lexicon forever. It makes use of the apple in several scenes and casts the apple as a symbol of witchery. After the family in the film moves to a desolate plot of land at the edge of a wood, the father and son often talk of finding apples to surprise their family with. They hunt for apples in the wood, but are not successful in finding any. But once the son, Caleb, is taken by a (very hot, very deceiving) witch in the wood, he finally finds his apple. He is returned to the family “witched,” talking in tongues and very ill, and soon spits up a whole apple before dying. Here, the apple is a nod to the classic poison apple, as well as to the sensuality and “deliciousness” that had lured Caleb to the witch in the wood. The witch was dangerous because of her sexuality, and Caleb fell pray to her malice. I had to nod to The VVitch with my Live Deliciously Garter Belt which uses those same outstretched tree branch-arms and a juicy apple as the imagery, and features the words “live deliciously” to capture what Black Philip offers Thomasin at the end of the film. Why wouldn’t we want to bite into a juicy apple and live deliciously?
And, well, I have to give a shoutout to my favorite show for teenagers, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina , where in the first episode Sabrina seeks out a malum malus, or apple of evil, drawing on that similarity in etymology again. So, if you want to send a healing message to a friend in need, remove bad luck, protect your home or bring love, money or success into your life, then let The Witch of the Woods be your essential grimoire.
No one knew where she came from or how she had acquired her powers. Some believed she had made a pact with dark forces, while others thought she had been gifted her powers by the spirits of the woods. Regardless of her origins, the villagers feared her and avoided her at all costs.
The Witch of The Woods: Spells, charms, divination, remedies, and folklore (Hardcover)
Be empowered by the magic of nature and transform your life by embracing everyday spiritual practices with this authentic guide to folk magic from TikTok sensation Kiley Mann @kileymann.
Kiley Mann, one of a long line of folk witches, brings a fresh poetic voice to the ancient practices of wortcunning, divination, spellcrafting and folk lore. Her traditions lie deep in the swamp lands, forests, and hills that surround her in her northern homeland. Intuitive and compelling, she explains her relationship with nature, the traditions that have been passed down to her from her mother and how she learnt about the land through her barefoot wanderings—the best way to connect and communicate with nature. With chapters devoted to magical creatures, omens, herbs, spirit work, divination and folk remedies and spells you will learn both the traditions and the practical implementation and power of folk magic using the cycles of the moon, hag stones (stones with a hole running through them), crystals, herbs and more. So, if you want to send a healing message to a friend in need, remove bad luck, protect your home or bring love, money or success into your life, then let The Witch of the Woods be your essential grimoire.
About the Author
Kiley Mann is currently in her third year studying for a degree in Fine Arts. She is nineteen years old and has been studying spirituality and religion for about a decade but started her journey into witchcraft at a young age when she was gifted a set of runes aged ten. She shares what she has learned with her million plus followers on TikTok @kileymann. She also has a strong online presence on Etsy and Instagram and is now building a Patreon audience. Kiley lives in Michigan.
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Magick Studies
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Channeling & Mediumship
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Mindfulness & Meditation
- Body, Mind & Spirit / Witchcraft
Whereas most of the characters of Into the Woods give voice to their deepest wishes at some point in the opening “Prologue,” the Witch notably keeps her innermost thoughts private. Her visit to the Bakers sets in motion a plot that will ultimately bring her the youth and beauty she so ardently desires, but even this personal agenda is not made obvious until the climactic moment when she takes the potion and is transformed. However, this superficial wish for youth and beauty masks a deeper, more human desire – the need for a family. The Witch is rarely able to articulate this wish, and yet her musical language voices the thoughts that she is otherwise unable to express.
The woods themselves were dark and foreboding. Thick foliage blocked out the sunlight, creating an eerie gloom that permeated the air. Strange creatures could be heard rustling in the underbrush, and whispers seemed to follow those foolish enough to venture too far into its depths. It was said that the witch used these creatures as her companions, commanding them to do her bidding and further ensnare those who wandered into her domain. However, there were some brave souls who refused to be intimidated by the witch and her supposed bewitching of the woods. They saw the beauty in the dense canopy and the vibrant wildlife that called it home. They longed to explore the depths of the woods and uncover its secrets, regardless of the risks involved. One day, a young woman named Lily decided to defy the village's superstitions and ventured into the woods alone. She was determined to discover the truth behind the witch and the supposed enchantment she had cast over the land. Armed with curiosity and a sense of adventure, Lily followed a secret path she had discovered, leading deeper into the heart of the forest. As she ventured further, the atmosphere grew increasingly mysterious. Shadows danced on the forest floor, and strange sounds echoed in her ears. Lily's heart raced with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. She knew the witch could be watching her from a distance, waiting for the perfect moment to reveal herself. Suddenly, out of the corner of her eye, Lily caught a glimpse of movement. She turned and saw a figure standing amongst the trees. It was the witch – pale and ethereal, her eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. However, instead of feeling fear, Lily felt an odd sense of connection. She saw in the witch's eyes a reflection of her own curiosity and longing for adventure. With a wave of her hand, the witch beckoned Lily closer. As she approached, the woods seemed to come alive with magic. Flowers bloomed at her feet, and the air whispered secrets only she could hear. The witch smiled knowingly and began to speak. "My dear child," she said, her voice soft and melodic. "I have not bewitched these woods, but merely protected them from those who would cause harm. There is a delicate balance here, and I am its guardian." Lily listened with rapt attention as the witch explained the true nature of her powers and the responsibilities she bore. She learned that the witch had been chosen by the spirits of the woods to preserve its magic and ensure its longevity. The creatures and enchantments that frightened the villagers were not meant to harm but were instead safeguards to keep the woods undisturbed. Moved by the witch's story, Lily promised to share the tale with her fellow villagers, to dispel their unfounded fears and allow them to see the woods for what they truly were – a sanctuary of magic and wonder. She left the woods that day with newfound knowledge and a sense of purpose. From that day forward, the villagers no longer saw the witch as a sinister enchantress but as a protector of the woods. They learned to appreciate the beauty and mystery of the forest, and even ventured in themselves to experience its magic. The witch and her woods were no longer feared but revered, their enchantment adding to the village's sense of wonder and unity. In the end, the witch's bewitching of the woods had not been to harm or deceive but to protect and preserve. And through the bravery and open-mindedness of one young woman, a new understanding was reached, and harmony was restored..
Reviews for "The Witch's Spellbook: Ancient Wisdom in Forest Settings"
1) John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Witch bewitching the woods". The plot was confusing and all over the place, making it hard for me to follow what was going on. The characters were also quite underdeveloped, and I found it difficult to connect with any of them. The writing style felt unfocused and lacked depth. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend this book to others.
2) Sarah - 1 star - "Witch bewitching the woods" was a complete waste of my time. The story was predictable from the beginning, leaving no room for surprise or excitement. The dialogue was cheesy and unrealistic, making it hard for me to take the characters seriously. Additionally, the pacing was incredibly slow, and it took forever for anything interesting to happen. I regret picking up this book and would not recommend it to anyone who enjoys well-written and engaging novels.
3) Emma - 2 stars - I found "Witch bewitching the woods" to be quite underwhelming. The world-building was lacking, leaving me with a lot of unanswered questions about the setting and the magical elements of the story. The romance felt forced and lacked chemistry, making it hard for me to root for the main characters' relationship. The writing style was mediocre at best, and I found myself losing interest multiple times throughout the book. Overall, I was not impressed and would not read another book by this author.