White magic, often referred to as benevolent magic or light magic, is a form of magical practice that is associated with positive and constructive energies. It is rooted in the belief that magical energy can be harnessed for the betterment of oneself and others, without causing harm or infringing upon the free will of others. While the origins of white magic are difficult to trace, it is said to have been practiced by ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians and the Greeks. Over the centuries, white magic has continued to evolve and adapt, incorporating elements from various spiritual and religious traditions. One of the key principles of white magic is the belief in the interconnectedness of all things. Practitioners of white magic believe that by aligning themselves with the natural forces of the universe, they can manifest positive change in their lives and the lives of others.
Practitioners of white magic believe that by aligning themselves with the natural forces of the universe, they can manifest positive change in their lives and the lives of others. This is often achieved through rituals, spells, and incantations that are intended to invoke specific energies or entities. Unlike black magic, which is associated with dark and harmful intentions, white magic focuses on healing, protection, and spiritual growth.
Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina (manga) Vol 1 Review
Based on a series of light novels by Jougi Shiraishi, Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina is a manga that embodies the saying: “It’s not the destination, it’s the journey.” Beautifully illustrated by Itsuki Nanoa, Wandering Witch brings readers along for the ride, as the titular Elaina takes a fantastical trip to places unknown.
Synopsis:
As a child, Elaina adored a book series that chronicled the real-life adventures of a witch, named Nique, as she traveled to interesting places and experienced extraordinary things. Elaina studied hard and, thanks to her determination and natural abilities, she achieved the status of witch at an unusually young age and set out on her own journey to see the world. Elaina encounters all kinds of strange phenomena and meets a wide variety of people along the way, sometimes lending them a helping hand and other times simply observing the wonders (or horrors) of this magical land before moving on to her next destination, never knowing what new adventure might be awaiting her next.
Review:
Wandering Witch is a road-trip manga, with each chapter featuring a new locale and characters with unrelated problems for Elaina to solve, or at least bear witness to. The tenor of each of these self-contained stories varies, with some being cute and sweet, while others are creepy and tinged in horror. This can result in some tonal whip-lash, but I liked all of the stories and seeing the bright, talented and self-assured Elaina tackle all of these different situations with aplomb. As there’s no overarching plot or goal behind Elaina’s travels, aside from a desire to explore and a vague hope of meeting up with her former teacher and mentor again, there’s no urgency to Elaina’s journey and the manga has an overall leisurely feel to it that I found made for a pleasant reading experience.
Probably my favorite story in this volume was the last chapter, which showed us a flashback to Elaina’s time training as an apprentice under Fran, the Stardust Witch. The fact that Elaina advanced so quickly rubbed many members of the Mage community the wrong way and her reputation as an uppity brat made it difficult for Elaina to find a master willing to train her. As a result, when Fran takes on her apprenticeship, Elaina winds up putting up with a lot of odd and unfair treatment from her, until her master finally pushes her to her breaking point. However, this all turns out to have been a ruse in service of teaching Elaina a lesson about standing up for herself. Up until this point, I would have said that arrogance was Elaina’s main flaw, as she often acts full of herself and can be a bit condescending. Fran sees through all of this and recognizes that Elaina is a hard worker and mature for her age. She also realizes that Elaina thinks there’s nothing that she can do about the resentment that her success has earned her and has resigned herself to just putting up with it. Rather than trying to take Elaina down a peg, the Stardust Witch instead encourages her pupil to speak out against injustice and advocate for herself. I loved seeing a young lady encouraged to speak up for herself, rather than being punished for being proud of her skills and talent. It’s a moving scene and the emotional high point of the volume.
I’d describe Wandering Witch: The Journey of Elaina as a relaxing, rather than exciting, manga, but the variety of stories helped to keep things engaging and Elaina proved to be a fun and loveable lead character. I think I’d like to continue to accompany Elaina on her journey and I’ll be picking up the next volume in order to see where her travels will take her next.
Final Score: 7.5 out of 10
For more information on this series, visit Square Enix Manga’s website.
What did you think of this manga? Has anyone read the original light novels? Let me know in the comments.
Wandering Witch is a road-trip manga, with each chapter featuring a new locale and characters with unrelated problems for Elaina to solve, or at least bear witness to. The tenor of each of these self-contained stories varies, with some being cute and sweet, while others are creepy and tinged in horror. This can result in some tonal whip-lash, but I liked all of the stories and seeing the bright, talented and self-assured Elaina tackle all of these different situations with aplomb. As there’s no overarching plot or goal behind Elaina’s travels, aside from a desire to explore and a vague hope of meeting up with her former teacher and mentor again, there’s no urgency to Elaina’s journey and the manga has an overall leisurely feel to it that I found made for a pleasant reading experience.
It is often used to bring about positive outcomes in areas such as love, career, health, and personal development. White magic practitioners may also use divination tools, such as tarot cards or crystal balls, to gain insights and guidance. Ethics play a crucial role in white magic. Practitioners are expected to adhere to a strict code of conduct that prohibits the use of magic for selfish or harmful purposes. The intent behind every spell or ritual must be pure and in harmony with the greater good. This emphasis on ethical behavior sets white magic apart from other forms of magical practice. It is important to note that white magic is not a quick fix or a means to control or manipulate others. It is a spiritual practice that requires dedication, patience, and a deep understanding of the forces at work. The practice of white magic can be empowering, helping individuals to tap into their own inner wisdom and intuition. In conclusion, white magic is a form of magical practice that harnesses positive and constructive energies for the betterment of oneself and others. Rooted in a belief in the interconnectedness of all things, white magic aims to bring about positive change while adhering to a strict code of ethics. Through rituals, spells, and divination, practitioners of white magic seek to align themselves with the natural forces of the universe, thereby manifesting their intentions in a harmonious and beneficial manner..
Reviews for "Using Crystals and Gemstones in White Magic Rituals"
1. John - ★☆☆☆☆
I was really disappointed with "A compendium on white magic". The book promised to provide comprehensive information on white magic, but instead, it was filled with vague and basic explanations. There was no in-depth analysis or practical tips on how to practice white magic. I felt like I wasted my time and money on this book, as it provided little to no value.
2. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆
I had high hopes for "A compendium on white magic", but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The book lacked structure and coherence, making it difficult to follow along. The content was also overly repetitive, with the author reiterating the same points multiple times without providing any new insights. Moreover, the examples and case studies mentioned in the book were not relatable or practical. Overall, I found it to be a frustrating read that didn't offer much value in terms of learning or understanding white magic.