Welcome to the magical creatures academy! In this preview, we will give you a glimpse into the enchanting world of the academy and the fascinating creatures that reside within its walls. The magical creatures academy is a prestigious institution that aims to educate and train individuals in the art of understanding and interacting with magical creatures. It is a place where students with a passion for magical creatures can come together to learn, explore, and develop their skills. At the academy, students will have the opportunity to study a wide range of magical creatures, from majestic unicorns and mischievous fairies to fearsome dragons and elusive phoenixes. Each creature is unique and has its own characteristics, habitat, and magical abilities. **The main focus of the academy is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of magical creatures and their importance in our world.
In some stories, she helps the hero. Though she is still portrayed as a crone, she shows flashes of maternal instinct. Sometimes, she’s even likened to Mother Nature — a powerful force that can seem harsh and capricious.
However, others claim that this legendary witch is more complex, especially since she s been featured in numerous different stories in different ways. Over Labor Day weekend, Stephen and I took the younger two teenagers to their second World Science Fiction Convention Chicon 8 San Jose was their first Worldcon in 2019.
**The main focus of the academy is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of magical creatures and their importance in our world.** Through a combination of theoretical courses, practical hands-on experiences, and fieldwork, students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to care for, communicate with, and protect these extraordinary beings. **In addition to studying magical creatures, students at the academy will also learn about their role in the wizarding world.
Words and Witchery: Some References for Slavic Mythology
Over Labor Day weekend, Stephen and I took the younger two teenagers to their second World Science Fiction Convention: Chicon 8 (San Jose was their first Worldcon in 2019).
Both of us were on panels (usually at the same time), and I was delighted to be on the Slavic Mythology panel with moderator Dr. Jeana Jorgensen, Alex Gurevich, and Alma Alexander. (Unfortunately Alex Shvartsman did not make it to the panel.)
We had a really wonderful and engaged audience, and at the end of our discussion, someone asked for additional references about Slavic Mythology. I agreed to post a list of resources published in English on my blog.
Slavic Mythology panel at Chicon 8.
I’ve done my best to collect them here. I will try to remember to update the post as I acquire new books, or as new media come to my attention.
A small disclaimer: Many books have been published recently about Slavic magic and Baba Yaga. I have not included anything as a nonfiction reference here that I have not personally read and reviewed. Some of the fiction and films, on the other hand, come from other panelists and audience members. I cannot speak to the accuracy of their portrayal or sources.
Nonfiction :
- Slavic Folklore: A Handbook by Natalie Kononenko
- Encyclopedia of Russian and Slavic Myth and Legend
by Mike Dixon-Kennedy - The Bathhouse at Midnight: An Historical Survey of Magic and Divination in Russia by W. F. Ryan
- Mother Russia: The Feminine Myth in Russian Culture by Joanna Hubbs
- Baba Yaga: The Ambiguous Mother and Witch of the Russian Folktale by Andreas Johns
- Fairy Tales of the Russians and Other Slavs: Sixty-Eight Stories Edited by Ace G. and Olga A. Pilkington
- Witchcraft in Russia and Ukraine, 1000–1900: A Sourcebook (NIU Series in Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Studies) by Valerie A. Kivelson and Christine D. Worobec
- Ukrainian Minstrels: Why the Blind Should Sing: And the Blind Shall Sing (Folklores and Folk Cultures of Eastern Europe)
by Natalie O. Kononenko - The Paths of Folklore: Essays in Honor of Natalie Kononenko
by Svitlana Kukharenko, Peter Holloway - The Gods and Goddesses of Old Europe: 7000 to 3500 BC myths, legends and cult images by Marija Alseikaitė Gimbutas
Folklorica: An open-access peer-reviewed journal produced by the Slavic, East European & Eurasian Folklore Association. The Slavic, East European, and Eurasian Folklore Association (SEEFA) is devoted to an exchange of knowledge among scholars interested in Slavic, East European and Eurasian folklore.
Fiction that draws from Slavic mythology:
- Night Witches by L.J. Adlington
- The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
- Shadow and Bone series and Grisha trilogy by Leigh Bardugo
- Rusalka, Chernevog, and Yvgenie by C.J. Cherryh
- The Age of Witches by Marina & Sergey Dyachenko
- American Gods by Neil Gaiman
- “Viy” by Nikolai Gogol (Mykola Hohol)
- Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors by Mykhailo Kotsiubynsky (translated but difficult to find)
- The Silence of Trees by Valya Dudycz Lupescu
- Sticks & Bones: Home Is Where the Hearth Is (comic) by Valya Dudycz Lupescu & Madeline Carol Matz
- Uprooted and Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
- The Secret History of Moscow by Ekaterina Sedia
- Deathless by Catherynne M. Valente
- The Forest Song by Lesya Ukrainka (play, translated by Percival Cundy)
- Mesopotamia by Serhiy Zhadan
Television & Film
- American Gods (Starz)
- Shadow and Bone (Netflix)
- Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (1965 – Ukrainian: Тіні забутих предків, directed by Sergei Parajanov)
- The Witcher (Netflix)
Articles :
- “The White Tree of Gondor: A Brief Overview of Modern Ukrainian SF&F” by Volodymyr Arenev and Mykhailo Nazarenko, translated by Alex Shvartsman (Clarksworld)
- “Ukrainian Gods: Slavic Myths and Legends for Fantasy Writers” by Michael Burianyk (Locus)
Published by Valya
Valya Dudycz Lupescu has been making magic with food and words for more than 20 years, incorporating folklore from her Ukrainian heritage with practices that honor the Earth. She’s a writer, content developer, instructor, and mother of three teenagers. Valya is the author of MOTHER CHRISTMAS, THE SILENCE OF TREES, and the founding editor of CONCLAVE: A Journal of Character. Along with Stephen H. Segal, she is the co-author of FORKING GOOD: An Unofficial Cookbook for Fans of The Good Place and GEEK PARENTING: What Joffrey, Jor-El, Maleficent, and the McFlys Teach Us about Raising a Family (Quirk Books), and co-founder of the Wyrd Words storytelling laboratory. Valya earned her MFA in Writing from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and her poetry and prose have been published in anthologies and magazines that include, The Year's Best Dark Fantasy & Horror, Kenyon Review, Culture, Gargoyle Magazine, Gone Lawn, Strange Horizons, Mythic Delirium. You can find her on Twitter @valya and on Mastodon.social @valya
Though Baba Yaga is not exactly depicted as a kindly grandmother in this particular story, her “gift” ultimately ends up helping Vasilisa in the long run. The fiery skull burns down Vasilisa’s house, killing the evil stepmother.
** They will delve into the history, mythology, and cultural significance of magical creatures, exploring their connections to various magical practices, rituals, and traditions. One of the highlights of the academy is the ability for students to form magical bonds with certain creatures. These bonds are deeply personal connections that allow students to communicate with and understand the desires, emotions, and needs of their chosen creature. **This bond is a fundamental part of the academy's curriculum and is emphasized as a way to foster a deep sense of empathy and respect towards magical creatures.** The academy also offers a wide range of extracurricular activities and clubs for students to further engage with magical creatures. Students can join the Dragonology Club, where they will have the chance to study and care for dragons, or the Herbology Club, where they will learn about magical plants and their relationship with creatures. In conclusion, the magical creatures academy provides a unique and immersive educational experience for individuals passionate about understanding and connecting with magical creatures. **Through in-depth study, practical experience, and the formation of magical bonds, students will develop a deep appreciation and respect for these incredible beings that inhabit our world.**.
Reviews for "Student Life at the Magical Creatures Academy: Clubs, Competitions, and Societies"
- Samantha - 2 stars - I was really excited to read Preview of the magical creatures academy because I love books about magic and magical creatures. However, I was sorely disappointed by this one. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with them. The plot was also predictable and lacked any real twists or surprises. Overall, I found the book to be mediocre and would not recommend it to others.
- Michael - 3 stars - I had high hopes for Preview of the magical creatures academy, as the premise sounded interesting and promising. Unfortunately, the execution fell short for me. The pacing of the story was uneven, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The world-building was also lacking, and I struggled to fully visualize and understand the magical creatures and their academy. Additionally, the romance in the story felt forced and out of place. While there were some moments of potential, the overall book didn't live up to my expectations.
- Emily - 2 stars - Preview of the magical creatures academy didn't capture my attention as much as I had hoped. The writing felt flat and lacked the descriptive language needed to bring the magical world to life. The dialogue between characters also felt stilted and unrealistic, making it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story. The plot was also quite predictable and offered few surprises. Overall, I found the book to be a forgettable read and wouldn't recommend it to others.