Once upon a time, in a small village nestled in the heart of the deep woods, there lived a young woman named Eliza. Eliza was known for her practical nature and sharp wit, but she had a secret talent that set her apart from the other villagers. She was a witch, but not just any witch - she was a pragmatic witch. Eliza's pragmatic approach to witchcraft was quite different from the traditional practices of her time. While other witches relied on elaborate rituals and complex spells, Eliza preferred a more practical approach to solving problems. She would often use her knowledge of herbs and natural remedies to heal the sick and injured, or she would use her intuitive senses to offer advice and guidance to those in need.
She would often use her knowledge of herbs and natural remedies to heal the sick and injured, or she would use her intuitive senses to offer advice and guidance to those in need. One day, word spread throughout the village that the fierce dragon that had been terrorizing the nearby kingdom was headed their way. The villagers were filled with fear and sought the help of the local witch, Eliza.
Issue #61: Practical Magic for Pragmatic People
🎧 Taylor Swift’s new album ‘ Midnights (3 am Edition) ’: It feels fitting that I was still awake at midnight the night Taylor’s latest album, all about insomnia, came out. At 3 AM EST, she dropped seven additional songs (everything after “Mastermind”). The album is about everything that’s kept her up late at night: love (the album is full of references to Joe Alwyn, including a song she co-wrote with him), self-sabotage , revenge, and false friendships . I’ve been a devoted fan since the days I felt like “Fifteen” was speaking directly to me, but this album, and its accompanying “Anti-Hero” music video, has major ‘1989’ vibes and reminds me of Lorde’s album, ‘Solar Power’ (“Karma” in particular). Favorite songs include, “Lavender Haze,” “Maroon,” “Anti-Hero,” and “You’re On Your Own, Kid.” And, though it feels like poor timing… Carly Rae Jepson’s new album ‘ The Loneliest Time ’ also came out Friday and is, as the title suggests, all about her relationship with loneliness, written during pre-vaccine pandemic.
🎥 Bodies Bodies Bodies : I knew my best chance of making it through this movie, as with any scary movie, was to see it in theaters. Peer pressure is often the only power strong enough to keep me in my seat and outlast the scary parts. And it was scary, but mostly for Sarah DeLappe’s cutting dialogue. DeLappe, who I attended high school with, wrote the play, “ The Wolves ,” a Pulitzer Prize finalist comprised of conversations amongst a teen soccer team during warm ups. ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ applies her sharp dialogue to an Agatha Christie tale. A group of friends plays a Mafia-type game where one person “kills” people by tapping on their shoulder, that suddenly gets real when someone actually ends up dead.
It’s difficult to talk about what makes All the Murmuring Bones weaker, because it’s all tied up with the final quarter or so of the book, the culmination of Miren’s journey and the answers to the book’s Big Questions. To be honest? The entire ending felt…rushed. Cramped, like too much plot was forced into too few pages. A great deal just works out Because Plot, coincidences and easy answers just dropped into Miren’s (and the reader’s) lap in a way that was really unsatisfying. I didn’t object to the twists and subversions of the ending at all, but I object pretty strongly to how we get there and in how they’re presented to the reader. It took a story that had been darkly gleaming-gorgeous for most of the book, and watered it down to something you can barely taste.
When they arrived at her cottage, they were surprised to find her calmly tending to her garden. Eliza listened to their concerns with a knowing smile and assured them that she would handle the situation. Instead of conjuring a powerful spell or summoning magical creatures, Eliza simply asked the villagers to bring her buckets of water and damp cloths. Confused, the villagers did as they were told. Eliza then proceeded to mix a concoction of herbs and oils and instructed the villagers to soak the cloths in the mixture. She explained that the smell of the herbs would repel the dragon and discourage it from approaching the village. With the scented cloths in hand, the villagers stood at the edge of the forest, ready to face the dragon. As the creature approached, Eliza calmly led the villagers in waving the cloths and chanting a simple spell of protection. To their astonishment, the dragon stopped in its tracks and turned away, its fiery breath extinguished by the herbal scent. The villagers were amazed by Eliza's pragmatic approach and the effectiveness of her methods. They celebrated their victory and praised Eliza for her bravery and ingenuity. From that day forward, Eliza became a revered figure in the village, always ready to lend a helping hand or offer practical advice. Eliza's pragmatic approach to witchcraft showed the villagers that magic didn't always have to be flamboyant or inaccessible. It could be something practical and down-to-earth, something that anyone could understand and utilize. Her story became a legend, passed down through the generations, reminding everyone that sometimes the simplest solutions hold the greatest power..
Reviews for "The Pragmatic Witch's Sabbatical: Restoring Balance in a Busy World"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I couldn't stand the "Pragmatic Witchcraft Story". The characters were flat and uninteresting, the plot was predictable, and the writing was dull. It felt like a chore to read this book and I couldn't wait for it to be over. I was really disappointed by the lack of creativity and depth in the story.
2. Mark - 1 star - I can't believe I wasted my time reading "Pragmatic Witchcraft Story". It was one of the most boring books I've ever encountered. The concept sounded interesting, but the execution was terrible. The pacing was off, the dialogue was cringe-worthy, and there was zero character development. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Pragmatic Witchcraft Story" was such a letdown. I was expecting a thrilling and engaging read, but instead, I got a slow-paced and tedious story. The author didn't do justice to the witches and magic elements, and the main character lacked any sort of depth. The plot felt disjointed and the ending was unsatisfying. Overall, it was a forgettable book that I wouldn't bother revisiting.
4. Michael - 2 stars - I found "Pragmatic Witchcraft Story" to be incredibly underwhelming. The world-building was weak, the magic system was poorly explained, and the writing style was uninspiring. The protagonist was unrelatable and the supporting characters were forgettable. The story lacked any excitement or suspense that I anticipated from a witchcraft-themed book. It was a disappointment and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.
5. Megan - 1 star - I was bored to tears by "Pragmatic Witchcraft Story". The author had a great opportunity to explore an intriguing concept, but instead, they delivered a lackluster and unremarkable book. The plot moved at a snail's pace, the dialogue was stiff, and the characters felt like cardboard cutouts. There was no magic in this supposed witchcraft story. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this one.