Compassion is a quality that is often associated with witches, as many practitioners of witchcraft are believed to possess an innate understanding of empathy and the interconnectedness of all beings. However, there is a common misconception that all witches are compassionate, while in reality, witches, like any other group of individuals, can vary greatly in their capacity for compassion. Some witches indeed align themselves with compassionate practices and beliefs. They emphasize the importance of using their powers for healing, protection, and helping others. These witches may be drawn to working with herbs and natural remedies, as well as engaging in rituals and spells that promote love, kindness, and empathy. They strive to create harmony and balance in their individual lives and in the world around them.
Witch Officer: Almost done, ma'am.
Cauldron s book and using it to trap her in magic bubbles, Garfield arriving at the School of Witchery and Witchcraft to find Abigail and Odie, Abigail turning Garfield into an elephant, and the former s punishment for doing so. They say that this second witch wanders the sea of Fragments endlessly, searching for any Fragment that can revive her master from the pits of death called boredom, if even for a moment.
They strive to create harmony and balance in their individual lives and in the world around them. On the other hand, there are also witches who may have a more neutral or even seemingly heartless approach. These witches might prioritize their own personal growth, self-protection, and development of their magical abilities above all else.
Bewitched: The Heartless Witch/Transcript
This part opens with a recap of parts 1 and 2: Meeting Mrs. Cauldron, the witch, and her niece, Abigail, the end of Varicella's story, Garfield stealing Mrs. Cauldron's book and using it to trap her in magic bubbles, Garfield arriving at the School of Witchery and Witchcraft to find Abigail and Odie, Abigail turning Garfield into an elephant, and the former's punishment for doing so. Part 3 opens with the two witch police officers using their wands to free Mrs. Cauldron and the Raven.
Mrs. Cauldron: How much LONGER is this going to take?
Witch Officer: Almost done, ma'am.
Mrs. Cauldron: I must get to the School of Witchery and Witchcraft! The fate of the world depends on it!
(Meanwhile, at the School of Witchery and Witchcraft, Abigail is busy writing "I will not use magic carelessly" 50 times on the chalkboard as part of her punishment)
Abigail: "I will not use magic carelessly. I will not use magic carelessly. " (She sighs, exhausted from the work) There, that was the last one.
(Garfield stands behind her, with Odie's cage next to him)
Garfield: (to Abigail) Great, now you can use your wand to de-bat Odie (he reaches into the cage) so we can finally go home. (Odie hums casually, as if waiting for something) Hellooooo? I'm talking to you. (he points at her) Yes, you! Yo!
Abigail: You're trying to tell me something, aren't you, cat?
Garfield: Ahem. (he nods his head yes)
Abigail Wait, there's a spell for this. (Garfield taps his foot impatiently)
Garfield: (To the audience) Hey, do me a favor. If she turns me into anything degrading, turn off the TV.
Abigail: (unsure of herself) Blah-Blah-Blum-Tocka-Tick-Tock? (Purple mist appears around the fat cat. When it fades, he starts speaking French)
Garfield: Mon ami. (He looks down and wiggles his toes) Je suis, (He grabs his tail and continues speaking French until he realizes what happened) Gasp!
Abigail: Oh wait, it's not "Tocka-Tick-Tock" it's "Tocka-Tack-Tock"? (the same purple mist reappears, and Garfield speaks Spanish. He crosses his arms before raising his right hand to his head, frustrated) Oh, now I remember! It's "Tock-Tock-Tock"! (She hits the fat cat with a similar dose of magic. This time, he speaks English)
Garfield: Can you hear me? One, two, three, one, two, three?
Abigail: It worked! I can understand you!
Garfield: You can? Good! (Odie laughs) Then listen up! You gotta turn Odie back into a dog! He needs to be romping about, barking and fetching sticks, (he grabs the top of the cage) not hanging upside down in a cave.
Abigail: I didn't mean to cause all this trouble. When my bat escaped, I didn't know what to do. (She sits in the floor, depressed. Garfield looks saddened for her) I try to be a good witch, but I always get my spells all mixed up! That's why I don't have any friends. (Garfield lets Odie out of the cage. He flies over to the young witch in training) Zippety-Zing! (Odie is transformed back to normal)
Odie: Wow! Bark! (He puts his front paws on Garfield and slurps his face)
Garfield: (Laughing) Oh, it's good to see you too, Odie! Huh? (He notices a downtrodden Abigail. Odie gives a slight whimper also as he turns around and sees her)
Abigail: (tearfully) I'm fine. just go! (She turns around and cries)
Garfield: You heard her, Odie! Let's go! (Garfield walks in front of the pooch, excited to leave. Odie, however, isn't so quick to follow his fat feline friend)
Odie: Mutters
Garfield: (After opening the door) C'mon! The pizza Jon made will be cold by now!
Odie: Oh. (The compassionate canine isn't so keen on leaving his new friend, Abigail, but he slowly trots after Garfield, whimpering all the while)
Garfield: Maybe we can get him to make 12 fresh ones.
Odie: Whimpers
(Back on Earth, Mrs. Cauldron and the Raven are freed from their bubble prison)
Witch Officer: Rescue from magic bubble completed. (a clipboard floats over to Mrs. Cauldron) Please sign here and initial here. (She starts to sign, but quickly hops on her vacuum instead)
Mrs. Cauldron: Sorry, but this is an end-of-the-world emergency! (She speeds off into the darkness of night)
(In the meantime, at the school, Abigail is scrubbing the floor by hand, with a sponge and a bucket of soapy water as she was instructed she couldn't use magic. The Magic Book that Garfield brought with him and left behind in the classroom floats over to her)
Book: Wouldn't that be easier with a little MAGIC? (The book's edges curl up, as if it was smiling)
Abigail: Thanks, but I can't. I promised my aunt I would try to be a good witch. (She grabs the bucket and walks away from it)
(Meanwhile, Garfield and Odie walk down the main hallway. Odie is still looking down, whereas Garfield is determined to get home)
Odie: Mutters quietly
Garfield: (looking back at the pup) Odie, I said cut it out! This is none of our business. Let's just find another flying broomstick and get outta here!
Odie: (stopping dead in his tracks) Huh? (He looks back at the door they came from, and turns around. Garfield doesn't make it too far before seeing that his friend stopped) Whimpers Oh.
Garfield: (walking up to Odie) OK, (He pets Odie's head, who pants happily) so maybe I was a little harsh with the kid. Maybe I should go back and talk to her.
Mrs. Cauldron: You are not going ANYWHERE until you give me back my book! (The pets turn around, surprised, and notice the witch standing at the other end of the hallway)
Garfield: AAAHHHH! (Odie hides behind the fat cat)
Mrs. Cauldron: (walking up to Garfield) Where is it?
Garfield: (quivering in fear) We left it with your niece, Abigail.
Odie: Bark! Bark!
Mrs. Cauldron: (now nervous) Please tell me you did not use its magic for your own selfish needs.
Garfield: Me? Do something selfish? Of course not! (Odie's eyes narrow, as if to say "Oh ReAlLy?") Well, I would have, but there wasn't time.
Mrs. Cauldron: Good! Now we must stop Abigail from doing that! Take me to her.
Odie: Bark! (He turns around and runs toward the other end of the hall. Mrs. Cauldron follows, and Garfield stands by, totally confused and shrugging his shoulders)
Mrs. Cauldron: One selfish act and it will release Varicella from her prison in a book! (The Raven pushes Garfield toward Odie and Mrs. Cauldron)
(While this is happening, a trio of students decide to prank Abigail by creating a trash can and having its contents dump in the middle of the classroom)
Students: Hey! You missed a spot! (They laugh as they peek at Abigail from behind the door before leaving and shutting it)
Abigail: (Cries) It's not fair.
Book: Being good is overrated. Maybe you were meant for something different, Abigail. Something. bigger. (The book "smiles" again)
Abigail: You're that witch Auntie Esther told me that story about, aren't you? The one they trapped in a book so they couldn't cast a spell on the world?
Book: (stammering) Oh. well. sort of. But there are two sides to every story. (The young witch grabs the book, only for it to pry itself away from her grasp) Abigail, wait! Don't you want people to fear you, respect you?
Abigail: I suppose.
Book: (While spinning above and around her) Give me a chance to talk to you, just the two of us. I have great wisdom to impart! Unless. you'd rather spend your life writing on the blackboard or scrubbing the floor.
Abigail: Wait! I wanna hear more. How do I do this?
Book: All you have to do is wish for it out loud. Wish for me to be free. Abigail, wish for me to be free, and I'll tell you all!
Abigail: (slowly) I. wish you. (the screen shifts to the book, which curls into a bigger, more "pagey" smile, similar to an evil grin) to be. free!
(A split-second later, Mrs. Cauldron bursts in to the room, the animals following right behind)
Mrs. Cauldron: Abigail, NO!
(She runs over to her niece, Odie and Garfield line up next to them. The quartet of characters look up at the magic book as lightning and green smoke emit from itself)
Odie: Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! (The Book laughs evilly and a shape of a witch appears in the smoke. Odie's tongue hangs out as he barks at Garfield) Bark! Bark! Bark!
Garfield: I'm not sure what just happened, but I know it's not good.
(The smoke clears, and Varicella appears in front of them)
Varicella: I'm free! Free from the prison of that dusty old book! (Garfield and Odie scream, and the pooch hides behind the tabby. The evil witch cackles before coughing and breathing into an inhaler) Sorry, my evil cackle is a little stale. (She approaches Mrs. Cauldron) It's been a while, hasn't it, sis?
Garfield: Sis? Like in sister?
Abigail: (to Mrs. Cauldron) Wait, this means, Varicella is also my aunt? (she blinks twice and her mouth stands open in surprise)
Varicella: You never told her I was your sister?
Mrs. Cauldron: I spent 1,000 years trying to forget it! (The two sisters growl at each other. In the background, Garfield tries to slip away, Odie remains behind him mimicking his every move)
Garfield: Let's get outta here before it gets any uglier.
Odie: Mutters in agreement
Mrs. Cauldron: Yes, she's my sister. We share a name, and also matching lockets from the realm of our parents. (She takes her heart-shaped necklace off and holds it in front of her sister. Varicella screams) I don't suppose you kept YOUR heart, Varicella.
Varicella: I got rid of mine more than 1,000 years ago.
Mrs. Cauldron: Yes. I suppose you did! (The doorbell rings, and Mrs. Cauldron glances over at the door. Garfield reaches for the handle, and chuckles nervously. The door swings open, crushing the pets between it and the wall. Winona walks in, and practically everyone gasps in surprise)
Winona: Who let Aunt Varicella out of the book?
Abigail: I'm afraid it was me.
Varicella: Well, this is a lovely family reunion. But if you'll excuse me there's some unfinished business I must tend to, like THIS! (Electricity shoots out of her fingers. Winona screams and is turned into a toad. She looks at herself in shock) Nice to see that after 1,000 years, I haven't lost my touch! (Abigail puts her hands to her mouth, and Mrs. Cauldron simply looks on)
Mrs. Cauldron: You monster! I once trapped you in my Magic Book, and I can do it again!
Varicella: Not if you're a crystal statue! (She shoots more magical lightning from her fingers, hitting her sister. Mrs. Cauldron's locket bounces toward the door)
Mrs. Cauldron: NOOOOOO. (Varicella's magic slowly turns her into a statue) Abigail, remember, the strongest magic doesn't come from a wand. (She is transformed completely into an inanimate object before she can finish)
Raven: Neverm. EEEK! (Upon landing on Mrs. Cauldron's hat, he too becomes crystalized)
(On the other side of the room, the door closes and Odie falls on the floor. Garfield lands on top of him, and the pup sees the heart-shaped locket in front of them)
Odie: Gasp! Mutters
Garfield: That's Mrs. Cauldron's locket!
Abigail: (now on her knees) Auntie Esther!
Varicella: What did she mean about the "strongest magic"?
Abigail: (with her voice quivering) Doesn't come from a wand, it comes from the heart.
Varicella: The heart? Please! I lost mine to black magic long ago, and I've never felt better. (She beats her hand on where her heart should be, only for a metal CLANG to be heard instead)
Garfield: (while putting the locket around Odie's neck) Here, you hold on to it until we get her back, assuming we ever do. (Odie looks nervous at Garfield's last statement)
Abigail: (becoming angry) I've got to stop you! (Varicella approaches her, much to Garfield's and Winona's dismay. Winona then jumps up and kicks Varicella in the back. Garfield runs up and headbutts her and Odie stands behind her, causing her to trip. As she loses her balance, Odie runs off toward Abigail, and Winona hops on the evil witch. Abigail and Odie recover the book while Garfield stands by the door, urging the others to vamoose)
Garfield: This is a good place for us not to be! (He books it, with Odie and Abigail right behind. Varicella gets up, a bit woozy, when Winona jumps on her hat, and hops after the others)
Winona: Hey, wait for me!
Varicella: Give it to me, you little pest! (She leaves the classroom and walks down the hallway, unsure as to where the heroes have gone)
(Outside, on a castle tower, bursts open a door and looks around for them. She has no luck, as Garfield, Odie, and the witch cousins are far below, leaving the main door and running down the stairs to the ground)
Garfield: (panting while off-screen) I don't like these longer episodes. (the camera pans to him and the others) too much running!
Varicella: (from the top of the tower) I'll get you, Abigail, and your little cat and dog, too! (She starts coughing before she whips out her inhaler and breathes into it. She then speaks to the audience) You see, this is what happens when you spend half of eternity trapped inside a moldy old book!
(Outside, Winona leads Abigail and the pets across the bridge to the smaller floating island. The rope bridge sways precariously as they cross)
Abigail: Are you sure she's not following us?
Garfield: Positive, otherwise we'd all be munching on flies like Winona.
(One of the wooden planks gives way, and Odie is left clinging for his life)
Odie: Oh, AAAAAHHHHH! (Garfield turns around and sees the dangling dog. He grabs Odie's paw, Abigail grabs his other paw, and the two of them start pulling, with Odie whimpering while they do so. They soon pull Odie out, and he flies through the air before landing further ahead on the bridge. He mutters and gives a thumbs-up to the team) Ta-da!
(On the other side of the bridge, a Stonehenge-like structure stands with magic dust floating from its center upward. Winona has already crossed and stands on a rock on the other side. She eats a passing fly)
Winona: Hey, these aren't bad.
Abigail: What are we gonna do?
Garfield: What is this "we"? I don't want any part of this Witch War. (he turns to Odie) C'mon, Odie. We're going home. (Odie does not share Garfield's sentiment, as he just looks sad to be leaving his friends)
Abigail: Garfield, if we don't stop her, there won't be any home to go back to.
Winona: She's right. If Varicella unleashes the Forbidden Moon, the world will be plunged into eternal darkness and every mortal will be turned into, well, this. (she points at herself and eats another fly)
Garfield: Kid's got a point.
(Garfield starts imagining his life in a world where everyone has turned into frogs. Jon is in the kitchen preparing dinner)
Jon: (offscreen) Garfield, dinner's ready! (Garfield runs into the kitchen, only to be shocked to see that Jon has become a frog)
Garfield: AAHHH!
Jon: I made your favorite: fly lasagna! (He pulls out a disgusting-looking dish of food from behind his back)
Garfield: AAAAHHHH! (His imagination scene ends, and he returns to the Witch World) OK, you got me. (He and Abigail shake hands) How do we stop her?
Abigail: In Auntie Esther's story, Varicella needed three magical items to complete the spell. (She walks over to a rock where she sits down and reads the magic book. Garfield and Odie take a few steps in her direction) First, there's the Broom of Sorrow. It can travel magically to any place you can think of. Then, there's the Mercury Slippers. (By now, the trio of animals has gathered around Abigail) Whoever wears them is immune to magic. And that's the Lilith Wand, (while she reads, Garfield leaves the scene and stands of front of his friends) the most powerful artifact in the entire magic realm!
Garfield: Let's find those trinkets before Varicella gets her grubby hands on them!
Abigail: Here's a map! (Garfield walks up and glances at the map. He waves his tail as Abigail reads) According to this, the Broom of Sorrow was hidden deep in the Gnarly Forest! That's about an hour's walk from here.
Garfield: Do they have cabs around here?
Winona: I think we're gonna have to walk, or in my case, hop.
Garfield: (addressing the audience, he sighs) Walk. I hate these longer episodes.
(The four of them walk across a massive, bendy, thorny vine. They finally reach another floating island covered with more vines and trees)
Garfield: (now exhausted) This must be the gnarly forest. Well named. (Odie whimpers behind him, but they progress into the forest anyway) Let's find this magic broomstick and get outta here. (Before they can get too far inside, Abigail puts her hand out and stops the pets from advancing) What now?
Abigail: I just remembered. witches aren't welcome here.
Winona: Well this is where wood comes from to make flying broomsticks, and since witches are always cutting down trees, the remaining trees see us as enemies. Duh.
Garfield: Trees? (He chuckles) What can trees do to ya?
Abigail: This. (she steps forward, and the trees start walking too) Oh! (One tree tries to grab Abigail in its branches, but she dodges it just in time. Other trees also take swipes at her, but they all miss. Abigail runs away from them, but they slowly follow her)
Garfield: (to Odie) After you?
Odie: Oh. Howls (Winona has already ventured into the forest of chanting trees. Odie and Garfield do the same, and Part 3 ends before they can get too far)
TO BE CONTINUED.
Garfield: You heard her, Odie! Let's go! (Garfield walks in front of the pooch, excited to leave. Odie, however, isn't so quick to follow his fat feline friend)
They may be less concerned with the well-being of others or less inclined to use their powers for benevolent purposes. This does not necessarily mean that these witches are "evil" or "heartless," but rather that their individual practice and focus may differ from those of more compassionate witches. It is important to understand that the practice of witchcraft, like any spiritual or magical path, is highly personal and subjective. Each witch journeys their own unique path, guided by their own beliefs, experiences, and intentions. While compassion can be a deeply enriching and fulfilling aspect of witchcraft, not all witches may resonate with or prioritize this quality. Ultimately, the important question is not whether one is a "compassionate witch" or a "heartless witch," as these labels oversimplify the complexity of individual beliefs and practices. Instead, the focus should be on understanding and respecting the diversity within the witchcraft community and recognizing that compassion, like any other quality, can be expressed and understood in a multitude of ways. In conclusion, while compassion is often associated with witchcraft, it is not a defining characteristic of all witches. Some practitioners may prioritize compassion and use their powers for the betterment of others, while others may have a different focus or perspective. The diversity within the witchcraft community should be acknowledged and respected, as each witch follows their own unique path guided by their individual beliefs and intentions..
Reviews for "Becoming a Compassionate Witch: Cultivating Empathy in Your Craft"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Are you a compassionate witch or heartless witch". The title promised a thought-provoking exploration of witchcraft and morality, but the book fell flat for me. The author's writing style was dry and lacking in depth. I was hoping for more nuanced discussions on compassion and empathy within the context of witchcraft, but instead, the book seemed to offer shallow and clichéd examples. Overall, I found it to be a missed opportunity and would not recommend it to others.
2. Michael - 1 star - I have to say, I found "Are you a compassionate witch or heartless witch" to be one of the worst books I've read in recent times. The author seemed to lack any real understanding of both witchcraft and compassion. The concept of the book was interesting, but the execution was poor. It was filled with oversimplifications and generalizations that left me feeling frustrated. I expected a more thoughtful and nuanced exploration of the topic, but unfortunately, this book failed to deliver.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I was initially intrigued by the premise of "Are you a compassionate witch or heartless witch", but I ended up feeling underwhelmed by the content. The writing style was disjointed and the author seemed to jump from one topic to another without providing a coherent framework. It lacked in-depth analysis and often felt like a surface-level overview of witchcraft. I was hoping for a more engaging and informative read, but this book left a lot to be desired.
4. David - 2 stars - As someone interested in witchcraft and spirituality, I was excited to read "Are you a compassionate witch or heartless witch". However, I found the book to be quite underwhelming. While it touched on some interesting ideas, it lacked the depth and substance I was expecting. The author seemed to rely on personal anecdotes rather than providing a comprehensive exploration of the topic. Overall, I felt that the book missed the mark and failed to offer any substantial insights into the subject matter.