Buoyant witch legs refer to the concept of witches in folklore and mythology having the ability to float or levitate above the ground by using their legs. This notion has been depicted in various forms of literature, film, and art, contributing to the popular image of witches as magical beings with supernatural abilities. The idea of buoyant witch legs is often associated with the portrayal of witches flying on broomsticks. According to the legend, witches fly on broomsticks with their legs extended outward, which enables them to stay afloat in the air. This notion has been popularized in various cultural representations of witches, including Halloween decorations, costumes, and cartoons. The origin of the concept can be traced back to medieval European folklore, where witches were believed to have the power to defy gravity and float through the air.
The origin of the concept can be traced back to medieval European folklore, where witches were believed to have the power to defy gravity and float through the air. The broomstick became a common motif in these tales, symbolizing the connection between witches and their ability to fly. In some interpretations, buoyant witch legs are seen as a metaphor for the freedom and independence that witches embody.
The Witches Are Back: “Hocus Pocus 2” Resurrects the Iconic Sanderson Sisters
It was a dreary, cold Saturday morning. I was sick, my throat aching and my nose running, and was trying to find solace in a London Fog from Perk on Main. I had been planning to go out to the movies, but instead decided to settle in with my boyfriend and watch “Hocus Pocus 2,” the twenty-nine-years-later sequel to the iconic 1993 Halloween movie “Hocus Pocus.” It was the best medicine I could have asked for. The moment my eyes and ears were met by the singing and dancing Sanderson sisters, my illness was cured, my grades all improved, and my spirits were lifted as high as a flying Swiffer.
In parallel to its predecessor, the film, directed by Anne Fletcher, opens in late 17th-century Salem, Massachusetts. We are introduced to a young Winnifred (Taylor Henderson), Sarah (Juju Journey Brener), and Mary (Nina Kitchen) Sanderson as Winnie is throwing a tantrum about being forced to be wed by the deeply puritan Reverend Traske (Tony Hale). It is here that we learn how the Sandersons became witches in the first place, as a mysterious witch in the forbidden woods (the incomparable Hannah Waddingham) literally smells the potential of the trio. Waddingham’s character gives Winnifred the iconic Book, and, lo, the Sanderson witch coven is born.
Fast forward to Salem, 2022. We meet our protagonist, Becca (Whitney Peak), and her best friend, Izzy (Belissa Escobedo), preparing to celebrate their usual ritual on Halloween—which also happens to be Becca’s 16th birthday. After learning that their ex-best friend Cassie ( Lilia Buckingham) is standing them up for her own Halloween party with her meathead boyfriend, Becca and Izzy resolve to practice Becca’s birthday ritual by themselves. They visit a Sanderson-sisters-themed tourist trap housed in the witches’ cottage and are given a special birthday candle by the shop’s owner, Gilbert (Sam Richardson).
When the pair go into the woods for Becca’s ritual, they light Gilbert’s gift only to find that it is—drumroll please—a fabled black flame candle! Lit by a virgin on Halloween under a full moon, the candle revives the Sandersons as head-bopping music plays from an unknown source.
The now-adult Sanderson sisters Winnifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Kathy Najimy) are thrilled to be up and kicking again, with Winnie shouting, “Lock up your children! Yes, Salem, we’re back!” They perform “The Witches are Back”—a parody of Elton John’s “The Bitch is Back”—for what they assume is an audience of no one, and once again vow to wreak havoc on the town of Salem.
Becca and Izzy are initially able to trick the trio into thinking that the teens are actually 40-year-old witches who just aged very well. They distract the sisters for a short while, letting them loose in a Walgreens where hilarity ensues. Eventually, when their fiction is uncovered, they’re chased back to the Sanderson cottage and learn that Gilbert was a witness to the events of the original “Hocus Pocus” and has been trying to bring them back ever since.
Winnifred arrives and declares her intent to cast the ominous spell “Magicae Maxima,” an enchantment that would make her the most powerful witch in the world. She forces Sanderson superfan Gilbert to help her gather some ingredients, going after the chief element herself: the blood of her greatest enemy. Conveniently, it turns out that the Reverend from her first life is the ancestor of Mayor Traske (who, even more conveniently, is Cassie’s father, also played by Tony Hale). Now, Becca and Izzy must try their best to stop the Sandersons before they can enact their wicked plan.
Throughout the film, the Sanderson sisters engage in their usual ridiculous hijinks. Mary uses two Roomba vacuums as jet-pack shoes instead of a flying broomstick, the trio is convinced that they can consume Walgreens skincare products instead of human souls, and they even participate in (and lose) a Sanderson sisters look-alike pageant.
(Side note, but this is where we get cameos from RuPaul’s Drag Race contestants Ginger Minj, Kahmora Hall, and Kornbread “the Snack” Jeté, a moment that made my boyfriend and I jump and scream.)
And, of course, it wouldn’t be a “Hocus Pocus ” installment without a mind-controlling musical number. The sisters overtake the pageant’s stage and, performing their own version of “One Way or Another” by Blondie, enchant the townsfolk into searching for the mayor with a performance that would’ve had me clapping and dancing along to their evil schemes, too.
Going into the movie, I worried that the sequel would either be a direct copy of the original “Hocus Pocus” or an unrecognizable deviation. I was more than pleasantly surprised, as the film carefully blended its nostalgic callbacks with its fresh plot and a newer cast of characters.
Becca, our fearless, witchy, and witty protagonist is a smart foil to Winnifred on the writers’ part. Both are leaders of their own personal covens that struggle with keeping their sisterhoods together (in Winnie’s case, because she literally dematerialized Sarah and Mary by accident), eventually reconciling and reuniting.
And, as we learn at the end of the film, both are truly powerful witches, with Becca tapping into magic she didn’t know she had and accentuating it through her friendship with Izzy and Cassie. In the end, the three teenagers learn that “magic has a way of uniting things that ought to be together,” reconciling with each other and vowing to be closer to each other.
All the while, Winnie realizes that all the power in the world can’t make her feel complete if her sisters aren’t with her and chooses to vanish into the nether world and be with them forever (or so we think). The audience learns at the end of the film that Gilbert made another black flame candle, so perhaps we’ll be seeing more of the Sandersons however many years down the road.
Is the movie cheesy? Yeah. Does it have some deep, complex theme to it? Not really. Will I watch it again every Halloween? Absolutely. While it’s not nearly as funny or charming if you skipped its predecessor, “Hocus Pocus 2” is a delightfully happy haunted watch and will be added to my annual rotation of spooky movies. The film’s nostalgic charm, wholesome message, and iconic characters all worked together to make it one witchin’ good time.
Sam Hilton can be reached at [email protected].
And, of course, it wouldn’t be a “Hocus Pocus ” installment without a mind-controlling musical number. The sisters overtake the pageant’s stage and, performing their own version of “One Way or Another” by Blondie, enchant the townsfolk into searching for the mayor with a performance that would’ve had me clapping and dancing along to their evil schemes, too.
By defying gravity and floating above the ground, witches symbolize a departure from societal norms and expectations. They are often depicted as powerful and unconventional figures who challenge traditional conventions. In contemporary culture, buoyant witch legs have become an iconic image associated with witchcraft. They are often used to represent the mystical and magical aspects of witches, appearing in various forms of media, such as literature, films, and artwork. This imagery has become an integral part of the visual language surrounding witches, reinforcing their otherworldly nature. Overall, buoyant witch legs are a symbolic representation of the supernatural abilities attributed to witches in folklore and mythology. By defying gravity and floating above the ground, witches symbolize freedom, power, and the ability to transcend earthly limitations. This concept has become deeply ingrained in popular culture, playing a significant role in shaping our understanding and depiction of witches..
Reviews for "The Symbolism of Buoyant Witch Legs in Wiccan Traditions"
1. Jessica - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Buoyant witch legs" after seeing all the hype, but I was sorely disappointed. The storyline was disjointed and confusing, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. The humor fell flat and often felt forced, making the whole experience quite dull. Overall, I found it to be a tedious read that didn't live up to its quirky premise.
2. David - 1/5 - I've never been so bored reading a book before. "Buoyant witch legs" lacked any sort of depth or substance. The plot was shallow, the writing was uninspired, and the characters were one-dimensional. I couldn't find any redeeming qualities in this book and struggled to finish it. It's safe to say that it was a waste of my time.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I simply didn't understand the appeal of "Buoyant witch legs." The story meandered without purpose or direction, leaving me frustrated and confused. The attempts at humor felt forced and fell flat, dragging down what could have been an interesting concept. Overall, I found it to be an unimpressive and forgettable book.
4. Michael - 3/5 - While "Buoyant witch legs" had its moments of entertainment, it ultimately failed to leave a lasting impression. The characters lacked depth, the plot was predictable, and the writing felt uninspired. It was an average read at best, but didn't offer anything unique or compelling to make it stand out from other books in the genre.
5. Emily - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Buoyant witch legs," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The pacing was slow, and the story lacked a cohesive narrative. The characters were flat and uninteresting, making it difficult to invest in their journey. Overall, I found it to be a frustrating and forgettable read.