In various cultures and historical periods, hand gestures have played an important role in the practice and symbolism of witchcraft. These gestures, often known as witchcraft hand gestures or witches' hand signs, are believed to enhance the power and focus of spells and rituals performed by witches or practitioners of magic. One widely recognized hand gesture in witchcraft is the "horns of the moon" or "horns of the goddess" symbol. This gesture involves extending the index and pinky fingers while keeping the middle and ring fingers folded against the palm. The extended fingers represent the crescent moon and the divine feminine energy associated with goddess worship. It is commonly used in rituals to invoke the goddess and harness her power.
Do you love movies? Fan casting? myCast is the place for you!
Although there is a possibility that this one tale has actually happened in real life, as the witch was documented on Journal 3 As the Palm Reader , and the hand that Stan had in his shop was seen moving on their own after he dropped it. This story, however, appears to be fake and created by Stan to sell merchandise, with the Witch seemingly just being someone who sells watches in reality.
It is commonly used in rituals to invoke the goddess and harness her power. Another frequently seen witchcraft hand gesture is the "hand of glory" symbol. This gesture is created by folding the thumb and index finger to form a circle, while extending the three other fingers.
Gravity Talks: “Little Gift Shop of Horror” [Review]
Welcome back to Gravity Talks, our review series for Gravity Falls with a release schedule that’s just as sporadic as the show. Apparently this premiered on Friday instead of on a Monday like they said this season would. The real mystery of Gravity Falls is when does this show even air.
This week, “Little Gift Shop of Horrors” gives us some short stories, claymation, and the second best guest star in animation history. Probably. I didn’t research that last part too much, if we’re going to be honest. As always, we’re going to have plenty of mild spoilers, even though this episode is allegedly non-canon.
In the vein of The Simpsons‘s “Treehouse of Horror” and last season’s “Bottomless Pit!”, “Little Gift Shop of Horrors” is an anthology episode as told by Grunkle Stan pitching products to a faceless customer whose point of view gives a slightly disturbing perspective on the Pines family we’d rather not see again.
We’re once again taking a detour from the main mystery of the show and at this point I should just accept that season two of Gravity Falls isn’t going to be as consistenly ruthless as I had anticipated with “Into the Bunker” and “Sock Opera”. Still, “Little Gift Shop of Horrors” proves to be as entertaining an episode as any other one, if only because it simply goes all out.
The first short, ‘Hands Off’ follows the time-tested formula of following Stan around and letting him be his terrible amoral self. After stealing a wrist watch from a Hand Witch, Stan loses his hands and is pretty annoyed, eventually caring enough about the situation to go find the Hand Witch and get his digits back. Again, just letting Grunkle Stan wander around and be his morally bankrupt self is enough for any episode so scenes like Stan asking for his hand back so he can flip off the witch or getting Mabel to build him new hands so he doesn’t have to talk to the witch are just delightful.
Also of note is the Hand Witch herself who earns her place as the breakout character of the episode. Note: I love how the Gravity Falls team is so skilled at crafting compelling characters that you can actually have a “Breakout Character of the Week” award and actually award one for each episode. In the Witch’s case, she’s an instantly likable old crone by Stan who’s following rules of magic that she basically makes up on the spot, like how the only way to break the curse is to make out with her, please make out with her.
Even though this episode and its stories are allegedly noncanon, we’ve reached the point in Gravity Falls where these might as well have happened. Isn’t the Hand Witch as credible as Soos’s yandere waifu? We like to think so, and as such we’re kind of dying to see Hand Witch in future episodes, hopefully with her hunky mountain climber she acquired at her story’s end.
Speaking of characters who are unfortunately relegated to never showing up in another episode again, “Abaconings” featured Waddles the pig having his intelligence boosted to the point where he’s voiced by Neil deGrasse Tyson.
This was a thing that happened and it went precisely as spectacular as you’d expect. Tyson’s not the best voice actor (not to diss him, he has a thousand other achievements more important than being good at making cartoon pig voices) but his natural charm and personality are so unnaturally perfect for Waddles and his lazily adorable persona. The story itself feels a little rushed, with a nice emotional ending that concludes everything just a bit too soon and without much discussion, but at the very least the best supporting character on Gravity Falls got his time in the spotlight and, I cannot reiterate this enough, was voiced by Neil deGrasse Tyson.
The final short of the episode is no less impressive, as “Clay Day” gives tribute to the claymation of Ray Harryhausen by delving into Mabel’s fear of claymation monsters like those seen in Jason and the Argonauts. The relatively simple premise swiftly takes off as the Pines family and Soos find Harry Claymore, the creator of the claymation films, who reveals that he actually use black magic to bring his monsters to life.
Claymore’s monsters then predictably attack the Pines which results in a remarkably impressive show of animation. Gravity Falls has always had some excellent animation but the integration of the claymation, done by Stoopid Buddy Stoodios, is flawless. The monsters feel like they belong in Gravity Falls, like they’re not just green screened onto the show. And it’s made all the more impressive when Mabel climbs on top of the Cyclops and mushes his face up. Though it’s writing wise the most simple of the stories, technically it’s an artistic milestone for Gravity Falls in terms of animation.
“Little Shop of Horrors” proves just how flexible Gravity Falls can be as a series. Though it stumbles at moments, it’s an excellent demonstration of the imagination that fuels the adventures of the Pines family, even if they’re just showing off their expensive claymation segments.
Final Verdict: 8.4 – Neil deGrasse Tyson voiced Waddles. What more do you want?
//TAGS | Gravity Talks
Share on
James JohnstonJames Johnston is a grizzled post-millenial. Follow him on Twitter to challenge him to a fight.
In the episode "Little Gift Shop of Horrors", Stanley Pines tells a story about his encounter with the witch. He saw her selling watches at a carnival, and stole one. As punishment, the Hand Witch cursed him so that his hands vanished. Wanting to remove the curse, Stan took Dipper and Mabel to the Hand Witch's lair and asked forgiveness by returning the watch. The Hand Witch demanded a kiss as an apology, but Stan refused. However, the Pines learn that lifting the curse has nothing to do with a kiss, and that the witch was just lonely. Dipper and Mabel offer to help her search for love by decorating her cave lair, and the satisfied witch returns Stan's hands. After the Pines leave, a hiker stumbles upon the cave and seems instantly taken with the witch. This story, however, appears to be fake and created by Stan to sell merchandise, with the Witch seemingly just being someone who sells watches in reality.
The hand of glory represents power and protection, and it is often used in spells and rituals related to spiritual defense, banishing negative energies, or warding off harm. Some witchcraft hand gestures also involve specific finger placements or movements. For example, touching the thumb to the middle finger while extending the remaining fingers is known as the "witches' pyramid" or "witches' sign." It is a gesture used to invoke the four elements (earth, air, fire, and water) and connect with the energies of the natural world. Additionally, the "four-finger sign" is a witchcraft hand gesture that involves extending the thumb, index, ring, and pinky fingers while folding the middle finger against the palm. This gesture is often used in rituals to focus intention, increase personal power, or enhance magical abilities. It is important to note that the use of witchcraft hand gestures varies across different witchcraft traditions and individual practitioners. While some gestures may have shared meanings or associations, others may be specific to certain traditions or personal practices. The interpretation and significance of hand gestures in witchcraft can also be influenced by cultural beliefs, historical context, and personal symbolism. Overall, witchcraft hand gestures serve as a visual and physical expression of power, intention, and connection with the spiritual realm in the practice of witchcraft. They add depth and symbolism to rituals and spells, allowing practitioners to channel and direct their magic in a focused and meaningful way..
Reviews for "The Language of Symbols: Hidden Meanings in Witchcraft Hand Gestures"
1. John - 2 stars - I am not a fan of the "Witchcraft hand gestures" book. I found the instructions to be unclear and confusing. It seemed like the author assumed the reader already had a deep understanding of witchcraft, and as a beginner, I felt lost. Additionally, the illustrations in the book were poorly drawn and didn't help with understanding the gestures at all. Overall, I was disappointed and wouldn't recommend this book to others.
2. Emily - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with the "Witchcraft hand gestures" book. It lacked depth and substance. The gestures described were basic and lacked any real meaning or significance. It felt like the author was just going through the motions without providing any real explanations or insights. I was hoping for a book that would help me deepen my understanding of witchcraft, but this book fell short.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I found the "Witchcraft hand gestures" book to be misleading. The title made it seem like it would provide a comprehensive guide to hand gestures in witchcraft, but instead, it only covered a few basic gestures. The information provided was surface-level and lacked the depth I was hoping for. I was left wanting more and had to turn to other resources to find the information I was looking for.
4. Michael - 3 stars - While I didn't hate the "Witchcraft hand gestures" book, I didn't find it particularly useful either. The descriptions of the hand gestures were vague and lacked any real instructions. It felt like the author was withholding information or assuming the reader already knew how to perform these gestures. I think this book would be better suited for someone who already has a solid understanding of witchcraft, but for beginners like me, it was disappointing.