Once upon a time, in a land far away, there lived a magical unicorn named Myka. Myka had a beautiful coat of shimmering white fur and a long, flowing mane that glowed in the moonlight. She had a slender yet powerful body and a majestic horn that sparkled with all the colors of the rainbow. Myka was not an ordinary unicorn. She possessed extraordinary magical powers that allowed her to grant wishes and bring joy to those around her. Whenever someone in the kingdom was in need, they would call upon Myka to help them with their troubles.
Whenever someone in the kingdom was in need, they would call upon Myka to help them with their troubles. She would use her magic to heal the sick, comfort the lonely, and bring happiness to the hearts of those who were sad. One day, the king of the kingdom received news that a wicked sorceress had stolen the enchanted crystal that protected the land from darkness and despair.
Annie Palmer: The White Witch of Jamaica
Rose Hall, home of Annie Palmer, the White Witch of Jamaica. Connie Motz photo.
It was a hot humid afternoon on a lazy Jamaican day. My Mom and I had arrived by cruise ship at Montego Bay earlier that morning.
Annie Palmer, the White Witch of Jamaica
When faced with an abundance of choices for shore excursions, we decided to go with one of the most popular tourist attractions in Jamaica, the famous Rose Hall.
Located high on the hillside in lush St. James, Jamaica, Rose Hall is a dramatic-looking three-story whitewashed Great House, one time home to a famous Jamaican witch–Annie Palmer, the White Witch of Jamaica.
Dating from the late 1700s, this statuesque plantation home ominously stands atop the hillside overlooking the turquoise Caribbean Sea.
Rose Hall was nicknamed the ‘calendar house’ because it originally had 365 windows, 52 doors, and 12 bedrooms.
The Legend of the White Witch Begins
My Mom and I eagerly awaited our visit to the mysterious plantation (originally 6,600 acres in size) hoping the catch a glimpse of the famous Annie Palmer, the White Witch of Jamaica, who lived, or should I say ‘ruled’ the plantation and its inhabitants.
The balcony from which Annie Palmer viewed.
Annie was said to be a short woman, not even five feet tall, but was said to have been exceedingly beautiful. In 1820, at the tender age of 17, Annie became the wife of John Palmer and this is where the legend began.
We made our way up the limestone front steps and into the grand entryway – right into the dark and even more humid cellar.
After choking down a cup of Witches’ Brew (a strong drink of rum with a little bit of pineapple juice), we were taken upstairs by a guide to begin our tour.
A Voodoo Queen
Although there are many versions of the story, it generally goes like this: Annie moved to Haiti with her parents when she was ten years old. Her parents died of yellow fever and she was adopted by her Haitian nanny, who was rumored to be a voodoo queen.
Annie was keen to learn and loved the results that her newfound magical abilities produced. Her voodoo practices grew as well did her desire for control.
She consented to marry John Palmer, becoming the mistress of the great house in Jamaica.
But Annie Palmer was a hard woman to satisfy. Even though Rose Hall was a lucrative sugar plantation with an abundance of more than 2,000 slaves (which was considered a sign of great wealth), Annie still felt the need to turn to black magic voodoo practices as a means of manipulating those around her.
Love Affairs with Slaves
Apparently, as it has never been proven, Annie repeatedly had love affairs with her slaves, sometimes using secret passageways to her bedroom. If she wasn’t satisfied or simply became bored, she would kill them.
Annie’s bedroom, with an image on the armoire – photo courtesy of ReggaeShow.com
She ruled her domain using fear and cruelty; her power over the plantation was unmistakable.
The Witch is Dead
The story continues to say that Annie’s black magic powers continued to increase. Unfortunately for her, she murdered the intended son-in-law of her overseer, who was himself a practitioner of voodoo.
Through a combination of physical force and black magic, the overseer was able to get rid of Annie in her bedroom, but he did not survive the battle.
Even in death, her slaves were terrified the White Witch would use her powers from beyond the grave.
She was buried directly behind Rose Hall in a tomb designed to keep her there for eternity. A special voodoo ritual was designed and performed to ensure this would happen, but the legend says that the ritual was not fully completed, which allows the spirit of Annie to still walk the house and roam the plantation today.
Visitors to the Great House have seen Annie riding her horse at night on the plantation grounds looking for runaway slaves.
She has been seen standing on her balcony, still watching over the plantation even in death.
A Ghostly Presence
Visitors continue to hear voices, see bloodstains, hear footsteps, music, and babies crying.
Many visitors discover unusual photographs after visiting – all reminders that the presence of Annie Palmer is still evident today.
Annie was once again immortalized in the 1970s by Johnny Cash in his song, the ‘Ballad of Annie Palmer.’
His words explored the possibility of a burial site on the Rose Hall estate when he asks: “Where’s your husband, Annie, where’s number two and three? Are they sleeping neath the palms by the Caribbean Sea?”
The White Witch Golf Course – photo courtesy of Ritz Carlton
Rose Hall Restored
These tall tropical palms lazily sway in the ocean breezes near the beach below – a gentle reminder once again of the atrocious acts that are said to have been committed here.
Rose Hall had a few new owners after Annie’s death but the majestic Great House fell into ruins and was left abandoned for more than 125 years.
The grand 19th-century Georgian plantation home was saved and restored to its former beauty back in the 1960s by a former lieutenant governor of Delaware, John Rollins.
Care was taken to match the original style and furnishings of the home. One of the few original pieces of the home is said to be the ornately decorated mahogany mirror in Annie’s bedroom in which many guests have seen a reflection showing more than just themselves.
In more recent times, Ritz-Carlton resorts have purchased and expanded the Rose Hall property with an adjoining five-star resort hotel, three award-winning golf courses (one appropriately named White Witch), and several private residential developments.
You can own your own piece of Rose Hall – if you dare.
Connie Molz is a Certified Travel Consultant, freelance writer, and columnist. She is an avid traveler and mother of two who lives in southern British Columbia, Canada. She is also a Certified Pharmacy Technician and a volunteer for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Although there are many versions of the story, it generally goes like this: Annie moved to Haiti with her parents when she was ten years old. Her parents died of yellow fever and she was adopted by her Haitian nanny, who was rumored to be a voodoo queen.
The king was worried that without the crystal, the kingdom would be in grave danger. He called upon Myka to find the sorceress and bring back the crystal. Myka knew that it was a dangerous mission, but she also knew that she was the only one capable of saving the kingdom. She set off on her journey, galloping through meadows and forests, her horn guiding her way. Along the way, she encountered many challenges and obstacles, but she never gave up. She used her magic to overcome every hurdle that stood in her path. After days of searching, Myka finally found the wicked sorceress hiding in a hidden cave deep in the mountains. The sorceress was powerful and tried to attack Myka with dark magic, but Myka's pure heart and magical abilities were stronger. She used her powers to defeat the sorceress, retrieve the enchanted crystal, and return it to the king. The king was overjoyed to have the crystal back, and the kingdom was saved from darkness. The people celebrated Myka as a hero and thanked her for her bravery and selflessness. Myka had successfully fulfilled her mission and proved that with courage and determination, anything is possible. From that day forward, Myka became a beloved symbol of hope and inspiration in the kingdom. She continued to use her magical powers to help those in need, spreading love and kindness wherever she went. Myka's legacy as the magical unicorn who saved the kingdom will forever be remembered in the hearts of the people. And so, Myka the magical unicorn lived happily ever after, using her powers for good and bringing magic and joy to all who crossed her path..
Reviews for "Myka: The Unicorn Who Defied All Odds"
1. Jane - 2 stars: I was really disappointed with "Myka the Magical Unicorn". The storyline was weak and predictable, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The writing style was too simplistic for my taste, and I didn't feel engaged with the world that was created. Additionally, I found several grammatical errors throughout the book, which was distracting. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written fantasy novel.
2. Mark - 1 star: I couldn't get past the first few chapters of "Myka the Magical Unicorn". The writing was incredibly juvenile and it felt more like a children's book than a young adult novel. The dialogues were cringe-worthy and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Moreover, the plot was highly predictable and offered no surprises or intrigue. I found myself rolling my eyes multiple times while reading, and ultimately decided to put the book down. I would advise others to save their time and look for a more engaging fantasy novel.
3. Sarah - 2 stars: "Myka the Magical Unicorn" failed to meet my expectations. The world-building was quite generic and lacked originality, making it feel like a typical cliché fantasy setting. The characters were forgettable and their motivations felt forced. I also found the pacing to be off, with certain scenes dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, I didn't find anything unique or captivating about this book, and it left me wanting more depth and complexity in the story.
4. Michael - 3 stars: While "Myka the Magical Unicorn" had its moments, I didn't find it to be a standout fantasy novel. The writing style was average, and the plot was quite predictable. The character development also left much to be desired, as the main characters felt underdeveloped and didn't go through any substantial growth. I believe there are better options out there for readers looking for a more engaging and immersive fantasy experience.