The Young Witch Tarot Deck is a mystical and enchanting set of tarot cards that is specifically designed for young practitioners, beginners, and those who are new to the world of tarot reading. Created by emerging artist Kati Hervo, this deck offers a fresh and contemporary interpretation of traditional tarot symbolism. Each card in the Young Witch Tarot Deck features bold and vibrant illustrations that bring to life the rich imagery and archetypal characters found in traditional tarot decks. The use of bright colors and intricate details captivates the imagination and invites the reader to explore the meanings and messages behind each card. One of the unique aspects of this deck is its focus on diversity and inclusivity. The characters depicted in the cards represent a wide range of ethnicities, body types, and gender expressions, offering a more inclusive and representative approach to tarot reading.
The characters depicted in the cards represent a wide range of ethnicities, body types, and gender expressions, offering a more inclusive and representative approach to tarot reading. The guidebook that accompanies the Young Witch Tarot Deck provides detailed explanations of the symbolism and meaning of each card. It also offers suggestions for various tarot spreads and tips for conducting readings.
The Candy Witch
For months a family in England has been haunted by a ghost known as the candy witch. A pair of paranormal investigators, a psychic and his girlfriend, agree to try to help the family get rid of the ghost so they can film the events for their online following. Time is running out as the ghost becomes more violent, and the investigators uncover more and more secrets.
The Candy Witch is the latest film directed by Rebecca Matthews (Pet Graveyard, The Watcher 2) and written by Scott Jeffrey (The Bad Nun, The Watcher 2). There are many layers in this film drawing focus to different areas. There is the couple who does paranormal investigations and shares them on social media. Reece, the psychic, tries to use his ability to help people, but it takes a toll on him. There is the family being haunted. They seem like any normal loving family that only wants to be rid of this malevolent presence. Then there is the legend of the candy witch herself. What is interesting about this plot is that the witch who is haunting the family isn’t some urban legend from olden days. Instead, she is the ghost of a woman who once worked for the family as a nanny. As rumors spread about her murdering children, she turned into the mythical “candy witch.” These various subplots come together surprisingly well to create a story with several interesting twists and turns.
While the overarching story in The Candy Witch is entertaining, there are some definite bumps along the way. As I mentioned, I like that the ghost is of someone the family actually knew, taking it away from the stereotypical haunted house scenario. The problem is that the urban legend around the nanny being a candy witch feels incomplete. The rumors about her abusing children and murdering kids makes sense, but there isn’t really any point in time when they explain where the candy aspect came into play in her legend. Despite it never being explained, we see candy often used throughout the film. When we see the candy witch, she is often holding a giant, jagged-edge candy cane and she typically murders people using candy. It unfortunately makes most of the kill scenes comical when they are clearly not meant to be. It’s hard not to laugh when a ghost is killing someone by shoving handfuls of cotton candy down their throat until they choke to death (which I also feel realistically wouldn’t work with how quickly cotton candy dissolves in your mouth).
There is also a vagueness surrounding Reece. We learn about his ability to see and speak with the dead, but that it somehow takes a physical toll on him. Specifically, it seems to damage his ability to hear. We also learn that his father had the same gift. These are all things mentioned fairly early on in the film and seem like they are of some importance, but then never discussed again or resolved. Why does his gift make him lose his hearing? It seems like these are things have some significance, but the audience never gets to learn what the significance is.
Similar to the plot, the performances have high and low points, but generally speaking they are enjoyable to watch. Jon Callaway (The Mermaid’s Curse, Cupid) stars as psychic medium and paranormal investigator, Reece. This character is the most calm and collected of everyone because his abilities give him insight about the dead normal people don’t have. Callaway plays that quite well, but I wish when things take a turn for the worse he would ramp up the intensity, although I suspect this is an issue related to directing more than his performance. Heather Jackson (The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall) plays the matriarch of the family, Ruth. At first, Jackson’s portrayal of Ruth comes across as a bit false. As the plot progresses, Jackson’s performance stands out for all the right reasons and even makes her portrayal of Ruth earlier in the film better. The true standout performance comes from Will Stanton (Silent Place) as Ruth’s son, Tom. There is a sincerity of Stanton’s performance that makes the climax of the film all the more thrilling. The single biggest negative I can say of the cast isn’t related to any performance. It’s that the film takes place in England, yet only one of the main characters/actors is English. The filmmakers could easily have used the same cast and had it take place in the US, especially since the location isn’t significant to the plot.
When it comes to the visuals of The Candy Witch, there isn’t a lot to discuss. The sets are great, especially the house where the haunting takes place. It is a beautiful old estate that feels rich, but is also old enough to feel a bit sinister. It also looks like a home that could easily be in England. The design of the ghost seems very much to be a physical embodiment of the rumors about the nanny. She looks like a stereotypical witch with somewhat greenish skin and warts or boils all over her face. The practical effects to make the witch aren’t the best, but the effects for the wounds she inflicts are fairly well done.
The Candy Witch tries to tell an interesting story, but ultimately can’t overcome the holes in the plot. There is a seed of a good film within Matthews’ and Jeffrey’s work. There are simply too many things set up that either don’t make sense or don’t get the resolution they deserve. The performances are adequate and the effects are decent. Most of the issues with the film stem from the candy witch herself. From her look, to her method of killing, to her origin story, it seems as though the filmmakers cared more about injecting a memorable villain rather than creating a compelling and cohesive plot. There are enough unique aspects of the plot to make it an interesting watch, but too many drawbacks to make it a truly successful film.
OVERALL RATING: 4.5/10
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When it comes to the visuals of The Candy Witch, there isn’t a lot to discuss. The sets are great, especially the house where the haunting takes place. It is a beautiful old estate that feels rich, but is also old enough to feel a bit sinister. It also looks like a home that could easily be in England. The design of the ghost seems very much to be a physical embodiment of the rumors about the nanny. She looks like a stereotypical witch with somewhat greenish skin and warts or boils all over her face. The practical effects to make the witch aren’t the best, but the effects for the wounds she inflicts are fairly well done.
The guidebook is written in accessible language, making it easy for beginners to understand and navigate the world of tarot. With its modern and relatable imagery, the Young Witch Tarot Deck offers a fresh perspective on traditional tarot reading. It encourages young practitioners to trust their intuition, explore their own unique interpretations, and connect deeply with the cards and their messages. Overall, the Young Witch Tarot Deck is a captivating and empowering tool for young witches and those who are curious about exploring the world of tarot. Its vibrant illustrations, diverse representation, and accessible guidebook make it a valuable resource for beginners and experienced readers alike. Whether used for self-reflection, guidance, or divination, this deck invites users to tap into their inner magic and unlock new insights along their spiritual journey..
Reviews for "A Divination Tool for the Modern Witch: The Young Witch Tarot Deck"
1. Name: Emily
Rating: 2 stars
Review: I was really excited when I first got the Young Witch Tarot Deck, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The artwork is beautiful, but the symbolism and interpretation of the cards are lacking. I found it difficult to connect with the messages in the cards and they felt superficial. The guidebook provided was also very basic and didn't offer much insight or guidance. Overall, I was disappointed with this deck and wouldn't recommend it to serious tarot enthusiasts.
2. Name: Michael
Rating: 1 star
Review: The Young Witch Tarot Deck is not for serious tarot readers. The artwork is juvenile and lacks depth. The cards seem more like a novelty item than a tool for divination. The guidebook is flimsy and doesn't provide enough information or guidance on the meanings of the cards. I was hoping for a more sophisticated and nuanced deck, but this one fell short. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a serious tarot deck.
3. Name: Sarah
Rating: 2 stars
Review: I found the Young Witch Tarot Deck to be underwhelming. The artwork is nice, but the symbolism is unclear and inconsistent. The deck feels rushed and lacks a cohesive theme. The guidebook doesn't provide enough depth or interpretation of the cards, leaving the reader to rely solely on personal intuition. While it may appeal to beginners or those looking for a more casual approach to tarot, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a more profound and insightful experience.