Witches, both historically and in contemporary belief systems, adhere to a set of doctrines that guide their practices and beliefs. These doctrines vary across different traditions and covens, but there are some core principles that are commonly accepted among witches. One of the central doctrines of witches is the belief in the interconnectedness of all things. Witches see the world as a web of energy, with everything and everyone being connected on a spiritual level. This belief is often referred to as animism, and it forms the basis for many of the rituals and practices witches engage in. Another key doctrine of witches is the belief in the power of nature.
Another key doctrine of witches is the belief in the power of nature. Witches have a deep reverence for the natural world and often view it as a source of wisdom and guidance. They believe that nature provides them with tools and ingredients for their spells and rituals, and they strive to live in harmony with the earth.
The Magic School Bus’s Body Episodes Really Freaked Me Out
When I think back and ponder my youth, some of the best days in first grade were the ones spent watching The Magic School Bus on a giant black TV monitor strapped to a cart. The teacher would roll it into the room, hit the lights, and we’d circle up on the rug. As the opening theme song blared, I’d whisper to my friends about which cartoon child — Arnold or Ralphie, Wanda or Keesha — we all had crushes on, while twirling my pigtails. The opportunity to watch the magical teacher Ms. Valerie Frizzle (Lily Tomlin — yes! Of Grace & Frankie!) take her students on unorthodox field trips that were borderline child abuse dazzled me.
Advertisement ADVERTISEMENTAnd when I found out The Magic School Bus show was having it’s 25th anniversary, after premiering on September 10, 1994, (the books came out in 1986) I knew I had to write about the educational and mysterious series that brought me so much joy. The best place to start was obviously the human body episode.
When I dove into the series, I learned there are at least two episodes in which Frizzle shrinks the bus down to the size of a raisin and takes all the kids into the body of one of the other little rugrats. I watched both episodes: “The Magic School Bus for Lunch” and “The Magic School Bus Inside Ralphie,” which are available on Netflix. It was a tad disturbing to think about these little children exploring the actual guts of their friends, but it was also extremely informative. Ultimately, it was an illuminating trip down memory lane. For those who don’t remember the human body episodes, there are many dramatic twists and turns. Here is my unfiltered review of all the weird shit that occurs.
“The Magic School Bus Inside Ralphie”Plot: Ralphie has to stay home sick, but he was supposed to be leading the “broadcast day” project. So — in a totally unchill move — the class gets on the bus and comes to his home. He sees them coming from his window. They all creepily wave at him in unison from his yard, Children of the Corn style. The class needs to film something for broadcast day, so they set up cameras and monitors in his room. Then they decide to go inside of him through his mouth. “We’re live from the scene of a natural disaster of major proportions: My poor sick body,” Ralphie quips. Soon, they get to his throat and see his swollen vocal chords. But sadly, he coughs up his little friends with some flem. And that isn’t even the worst part.
Advertisement ADVERTISEMENTThey then decide it’s too dangerous to go in through the throat, so Frizzle leads the children into Ralphie through an open wound on his hairy, scraped knee. He peels back a bandaid, and his friends dive into his blood and pus, eventually finding themselves in his bloodstream. They note that the liquid is actually clear, and it’s the red blood cells that make it red. They observe “jaggedy things” called platelets, which help the body heal cuts.
They follow the illness-fighting white blood cells to Ralphie’s throat. Then the kids go scuba diving with actual flippers on their actual feet, totally going rogue inside of their friend’s bacterial infection. They learn about how medicine and white blood cells fight off bacteria together to cure infections. Soon their bus is marked by antibodies as an intruder and the white blood cells try to destroy the children and their bus. They have to get out. So they go to his nose, and he shoots them out with a snot rocket.
If you took away the cute animations and cheesy jokes, you could absolutely make this plot into a horror movie.
What I learned: I now have a new understanding of antibodies, the body’s Y-shaped proteins that help your body recognize and fight toxins and bacteria. Also, Frizzle really hits home with the point that it’s not as easy for germs to get into your body as you might think — unless they’re riding on a school bus.
A central tenet of witchcraft is the belief in personal responsibility and the power of free will. Witches believe that every individual has the ability to shape their own destiny and create change in their lives. This belief is often manifested in rituals and spells aimed at empowering individuals to take control of their own lives and achieve their goals. Witches also hold a strong belief in the power of magic and energetic manipulation. They believe that through rituals, spells, and divination, they can tap into unseen forces and manipulate energy to bring about desired outcomes. Magic is seen as a natural and inherent ability that can be honed and developed through practice and study. Additionally, belief in the existence of deities or spirits is a common doctrine among witches. These deities and spirits are often seen as guides, protectors, and sources of inspiration and wisdom. Different traditions may have different pantheons or specific deities they work with, but the belief in the existence of these beings is a shared doctrine among witches. Finally, many witches adhere to an ethical code known as the Wiccan Rede, which is often summarized as "An' it harm none, do what ye will." This doctrine emphasizes the importance of causing no harm to oneself, others, or the natural world. It promotes the idea of using one's magical practices and powers for positive and constructive purposes. In summary, the doctrines of witches revolve around interconnectedness, the power of nature, personal responsibility and free will, the belief in magic and energetic manipulation, the existence of deities or spirits, and adherence to an ethical code. While there may be variations within different traditions and individual beliefs, these doctrines reflect the core principles that guide witches in their spiritual and magical practices..
Reviews for "The Goddess and the God: Investigating the Doctrinal Deities of Witchcraft"
1. John - 2/5 - I found "What are the doctrines of witches" to be very superficial and lacking in depth. The author barely scratches the surface of the topic and fails to provide any substantial evidence or research to support their claims. It feels more like a personal opinion piece rather than an informative book. I was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter, but unfortunately, this book did not deliver.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I was highly disappointed with "What are the doctrines of witches." The author's writing style is confusing and difficult to follow. It feels as if they are jumping from one idea to another without any coherence or structure. Additionally, the book lacks proper citations or references, making it difficult to verify the information presented. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a comprehensive and well-researched exploration of witchcraft doctrines.
3. Mike - 2/5 - While "What are the doctrines of witches" attempts to explore the doctrines of witches, it falls short in providing a balanced perspective. The author seems biased and only focuses on negative aspects and stereotypes associated with witches without considering their rich history and diverse beliefs. The book lacks depth and fails to present a well-rounded view of the subject matter. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an unbiased and comprehensive exploration of witchcraft doctrines.
4. Emily - 2/5 - "What are the doctrines of witches" is a shallow and uninspiring book. The author fails to engage the reader with their writing style and lacks the ability to present the information in an engaging and captivating way. The chapters are poorly organized, and the content feels repetitive at times. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and did not provide the comprehensive exploration of witchcraft doctrines that I was hoping for.