Tarot cards have been used for centuries as a means of divination and self-reflection. The art of reading tarot cards dates back to the 14th century, but in recent years, there has been a resurgence in interest in this ancient practice. One particular branch of tarot that has gained popularity is contemporary witchcraft tarot. Contemporary witchcraft tarot is a modern interpretation of the traditional tarot deck that incorporates elements of witchcraft, paganism, and the occult. This unique approach to tarot draws on a wide range of influences, from ancient mythology to modern-day witchcraft practices. The cards in a contemporary witchcraft tarot deck often have illustrations that depict witches, fairies, and other magical beings, along with symbolic imagery that relates to the spiritual and mystical aspects of witchcraft.
That's because magic reeeally is wonderful!!Akko can't seem to pass her transformation magic test, which means she can't participate in the joint-dinner banquet with the prestigious students from Appleton. Having lost confidence, Akko has her eyes set to the northernmost part of campus for the Polaris Spring, which is said to grant witches tremendous power.
This allowed him to continue moving when Sting tried to Paralyze him, Break through dimensional space when Zero tried to BRF him to Hell, Free himself from Zeref s Umbrakinetic Bindings, charge through Zeref s Death Hax, and attack Dimaria when she literally Stopped Time. But the most broken one is Sucy, who has a variety of haxy powers including the ability to spatially warp her body, allowing her to make herself disappear, or even leave some of her functioning body parts floating in the area, basically going into another dimension overlapping our own like an umbran witch.
The cards in a contemporary witchcraft tarot deck often have illustrations that depict witches, fairies, and other magical beings, along with symbolic imagery that relates to the spiritual and mystical aspects of witchcraft. One of the key features of contemporary witchcraft tarot is its emphasis on personal empowerment and self-discovery. Unlike traditional tarot decks, which can be seen as more deterministic in nature, contemporary witchcraft tarot encourages individuals to tap into their inner wisdom and intuition to guide their interpretation of the cards.
The original Little Witch Academia short is traditional, yet satisfying
There’s only so many stories one can tell. If you can think of it, it’s been done before. Harry Potter wasn’t the first boy wizard to have dead parents who needed to confront the villain who killed them. Percy Jackson wasn’t the first demigod to go on adventures based on myths. Katniss wasn’t the first child to forced to compete in a fight-to-the-death with her peers that was broadcast on TV. And the protagonist of Little Witch Academia isn’t the first magical girl to struggle with her abilities and to fit in at school.
What makes the short stand out is how it handles these ideas and concepts.
The original Little Witch Academia is a 26-minute standalone short produced by Studio Trigger. It’s one of my favorite pieces of animation due to how in introduces and creates a very interesting world in a very short amount of time. The world we’re introduced is more interesting and more in-depth than some full-length films I’ve seen.
The backdrops and scenery are incredibly detailed. I especially love how the dormitory scene with the three main characters in their room. It just feels lived-in and comfortable. While the characters aren’t unique archetypes: the impulsive, under skilled but somehow overpowered protagonist, the nerdy friend, the friend with a dark sense of humor and the rich mean girl with a heart of gold; they play really well against each other.
Akko, our protagonist, attends Luna Nova Academy. Unlike most of the other students, Akko doesn’t come from a family of witches. She was inspired to go to the school by a performing witch known by Shiny Chariot. But this love doesn’t endear Akko to her classmates, who see Chariot as a fraud or sellout or insult to witchkind. It’s helped even less by the fact that Akko isn’t a great witch.
It isn’t clear how Akko got into the school, but she must have had some kind of magical ability in order to get in. Nor does it seem like magic is something everyone can do, but only a few get to learn; there’s definitely some kind of Pureblood/Muggle-type relations at play.
Her roommates Lotte and Sucy, well mostly Lotte, try to help her all they can, but they can only do so much to help her, especially when it comes to Diana Cavendish, the school’s local rich super-student.
From left: Sucy, Akko and Lotte
One day, the girls are tasked with the mission of going treasure hunting in the school’s labyrinth filled to the brim with monsters. The rarer the treasure, the more points they get. Akko is determined to win, but a mishap with Diana leads them to a room full of old junk, which just so happens to include Shiny Chariot’s old magic rod. Akko, of course, takes it despite the other characters considering it a piece of junk.
Meanwhile, Diana and her room/teammates accidentally release a magic-absorbing dragon. With every spell, potion or curse tossed at it, the dragon becomes more powerful. Diana tries to fight the dragon alone but quickly acquiesces and accepts the help of Akko, who is the one to defeat the dragon in the end.
Akko uses the Shiny Rod
Remembering the spell Shiny Chariot used in her show, Akko is able to defeat the dragon (and is saved by Diana.)
The short also gives us two small revelations that hint that a larger world was already planned; 1) Diana is secretly a fan of Shiny Chariot and 2) the girls’ teacher, unbeknownst to them, is Shiny Chariot, herself.
Like I said, it’s nothing unique and it doesn’t try to do anything different. There’s no surprising twists or commentary on the tropes of the genre. It’s just well-written, entertaining and extremely nice to look at. The animation, backdrops and character designs are all fabulous.
All the characters have unique designs which tell a lot about their personalities. From looking at Sucy, without seeing the show, I can tell you that she gravitates towards darker or more traditional forms of witchcraft, while Akko and Lotte are more feminine. Akko is more non-traditional in both her dress and approach to witchcraft while Lotte is somewhere in-between but more intellectual and bookish. That’s really cool; it’s hard to show who a character is by their looks alone with leaning towards stereotypes. Little Witch Academia avoids that trap.
Little Witch Academia clearly has its own identity, own rules and own characters. Setting-wise it’s obviously influenced by the Harry Potter series, but there aren’t any one-on-one comparisons that can be made for the plots or characters. Plot-wise, it’s a pretty typical YA novel/Shoujo/Shounen/Magical Girl deal.
You know what you’re getting and that’s not a bad thing. Besides, the short creates a lot of questions that invite viewers to explore the world more. One thing I’m interested in is the whole roommate situation.
From this short and Enchanted Parade, it seems to me that there is some sort of balance between skill and personality traits which are supposed to bring out the best in the students by grouping such different people together. And yet, just from this one look, Diana’s team is off balance. The two other girls are very similar to each other and don’t provide Diana with what she needs to be a better person.
I really hope the series proper goes into detail about this, especially since it seems Diana and Akko would be a very powerful duo.
Perhaps that’s a plot point the series explores? Maybe, she was supposed to be grouped with Akko originally and refused? Or her parents rejected it?
It’s a wonderful set up and story, that both works well on its own or as part of a series. It was interesting enough that I remember being super-excited about Enchanted Parade and even more psyched that it was developed into a full series.
(I’m only afraid of watching the series because I don’t want to be disappointed. I’ve put it off for so long, and have avoided as much info about it as possible, so I can go in with no expectations.)
I can’t wait though.
For now, that’s the scoop.
See you next week for my review of Little Witch Academia: Enchanted Parade.
If you like this review, check out: Mary and the Witch’s Flower
Release Year: 2013
Length: 26 minutes
Director: Yoh Yoshinari
Producer: Naoko Tsutsumi
Writer: Masahiko Otsuka
Voice Actors: Megumi Han, Fumiko Orikasa, Michiyo Murase, Yoko Hikasa, Hisako Kyoda, Minami Takayama, Eri Nakoa, Chinatsu Akasaki, Reina Ueda, Kenji Nomura, Noriko Hidaka
I can’t wait though.
This approach opens up a world of possibilities for self-reflection and personal growth, as individuals can use the cards to explore their own desires, fears, strengths, and weaknesses. Another important aspect of contemporary witchcraft tarot is its connection to the natural world. Many of the cards in a witchcraft tarot deck are inspired by the cycles of nature, incorporating symbolism related to the seasons, elements, and celestial bodies. This connection to nature helps individuals deepen their understanding of the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of living in harmony with the natural world. In addition to its spiritual and self-reflective aspects, contemporary witchcraft tarot can also be seen as a tool for spellwork and rituals. The cards can be used to guide individuals in creating personal rituals or to gain insights into the potential outcomes of specific actions or intentions. This practical aspect of witchcraft tarot makes it a versatile tool for those interested in incorporating witchcraft into their daily lives. Overall, contemporary witchcraft tarot offers a fresh and modern approach to the ancient practice of tarot reading. It combines elements of witchcraft, paganism, and the occult to create a unique and empowering experience. Whether used for self-reflection, spellwork, or simply for the enjoyment of connecting with the mystical, contemporary witchcraft tarot can be a valuable tool for those seeking guidance, empowerment, and a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them..
Reviews for "Exploring the Archetypes: Contemporary Witchcraft Tarot and Jungian Psychology"
1) Sara - 2 stars - I was really excited to try out the Contemporary Witchcraft Tarot, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The artwork was unimpressive and lacked the mystical and enchanting vibe that I was hoping for. Moreover, the interpretations of the cards were rather generic and didn't delve into the depths of witchcraft as much as I would have liked. Overall, it just didn't resonate with me and I found it to be a bit underwhelming.
2) Mark - 1 star - The Contemporary Witchcraft Tarot was a huge disappointment for me. The artwork was amateurish and seemed hastily put together. It lacked the intricate details and symbolism that I appreciate in tarot decks. Additionally, the guidebook that came with it was poorly written and provided superficial explanations for the meanings of the cards. I wouldn't recommend this deck to anyone serious about exploring witchcraft through tarot.
3) Emily - 2 stars - I have been an avid tarot enthusiast for years, but the Contemporary Witchcraft Tarot didn't make it to my list of favorites. The imagery felt forced and lacked authenticity. The choice of colors sometimes seemed odd and didn't evoke the desired emotions. The interpretations in the accompanying guidebook were also quite shallow and didn't provide the deeper insights I was hoping to find. Overall, it seemed like a rushed attempt at a witchcraft-inspired tarot deck, and I would rather stick to my trusted classics.
4) John - 2 stars - The Contemporary Witchcraft Tarot left me feeling unsatisfied. The artwork was lackluster and didn't convey the essence of witchcraft as I had expected. The interpretations of the cards felt watered-down and didn't provide the deep spiritual guidance I seek in tarot readings. I found it to be a superficial and underwhelming deck overall.