Big witch energy is a term used to describe a powerful and confident presence usually associated with women. It is a concept that celebrates the strength, independence, and autonomy of women. The term "witch" in this context is not meant to be taken literally, but rather as a metaphor for a woman who is unafraid to embrace her true self and tap into her inner power. Big witch energy is about reclaiming and embracing the traits that have historically been associated with witches, such as intuition, wisdom, creativity, and empathy. It is about rejecting societal expectations and norms that may try to diminish or suppress these qualities in women. Instead, it encourages women to fully embrace their authentic selves, no matter how unconventional or non-conforming that may be.
And here’s the important part: the magic, and the monsters, too, are never fully the point of the stories. Often it isn’t magic that ultimately wins the day, and the monsters are rarely the end of the world. Instead, it’s the characters who solve problems using real life skills that win and save the day. Magic is secondary, for instance, at the end of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. In reality, it is athleticism that aids Harry in catching the key, strategic thinking that leads Ron to a win at wizard chess, and logic that helps Hermione work out which potions will move Harry forward to the showdown and her backward to safety. Athleticism, strategy, logic: things that are within reach to many kids in one form or another, and that can be applied in their real-world lives.
For a reader, part of the work of enjoying these books is learning the rules of the system, often alongside the characters as they figure out how to make that system work for them. It s impossible for our kids not to be affected by tensions in the world around them media is everywhere and by the time kids are in middle school, they are, if anything, more connected to it than adults.
Instead, it encourages women to fully embrace their authentic selves, no matter how unconventional or non-conforming that may be. This concept has gained popularity in recent years as a way to challenge patriarchal norms and redefine femininity in a more empowering and inclusive way. It is a celebration of the magic that women possess and the unique strengths and abilities that they bring to the table.
Monsters and magic can help kids through tough times. Here’s how.
In fiction, dystopias come and go, but magic and monsters are forever.
During times of real-world upheaval, tales of fantasy can provide a useful escape into wonder. But can these stories also provide real, useful coping mechanisms to kids muddling through difficult times?
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We say, emphatically, yes.
Last March, one of us (Fran) spent a day at Ridge Elementary in Richmond, Va., teaching a writing workshop to 80 fifth graders, soon after some pretty scary world events.
The school’s theme that year was Superheroes and Ridge Elementary’s hallways and library were filled with bright Bam! and Pow! posters. Even a library mascot, a horse, wore a red super-cape. Fran walked into the library and the students were waiting, wondering what the heck a fantasy author had to do with superheroes, the challenges they were facing at home, at school, and what was happening in the world. (Fran notes: I have to admit I was wondering about that, too …)
‘Superheroes! Pretty great right?’ she said. She got nods all around, some smiles. A few kids played with their pencils and elbowed each other. Then she asked, ‘You guys want to make some monsters?’ You could hear a pencil drop. From the back, she heard a whispered, ‘YESSSSS.’ And for the next hour, they walked through how Fran built monsters in her books by taking a familiar thing, mixing it with something scary, figuring out its weaknesses and fears, then setting it loose.
At the end, students shared their monsters: from flying washing machines, impervious to everything except blackouts; to lots of giant spiders, variously armored; a clown with flames for hair; and a basketball with teeth. The students talked about why their monsters were the scariest, and then they all set out to see if they might overcome the monsters together. That’s when the room got really interactive, with kids helping each other solve problems related to defending against the monsters they’d built out of things that scared them.
AdvertisementMonster building is a great way to talk with young students and our own children about the creative process. It’s also a problem-solving exercise that helps with real-world fears: If you can imagine how to make a monster, you can figure out how to disassemble one, too.
The world is confusing, especially right now. Even though both of us have nominally been adults for some time now we still look at the world outside our own walls and feel confusion, if not actual fear, at what we see. It’s impossible for our kids not to be affected by tensions in the world around them: media is everywhere and by the time kids are in middle school, they are, if anything, more connected to it than adults. They’re living with the same confusion and fears these days that we are, and they have fewer tools for understanding and coping with it.
Reading about and making up monsters can help kids build real-world problem-solving skills to address those fears. So can magic, in very similar ways, by teaching about complex systems and how to use them.
Writers often start the work of creating a magical world by putting together a logical system with consistent rules to govern it. For a reader, part of the work of enjoying these books is learning the rules of the system, often alongside the characters as they figure out how to make that system work for them. Just like with the monster workshop, this kind of engagement involves problem-solving and creative thinking. It involves figuring out how to function in a place that is much bigger than one small person, and how to survive there until you can figure out how to thrive there, or to change it for the better.
AdvertisementAnd here’s the important part: the magic, and the monsters, too, are never fully the point of the stories. Often it isn’t magic that ultimately wins the day, and the monsters are rarely the end of the world. Instead, it’s the characters who solve problems using real life skills that win and save the day. Magic is secondary, for instance, at the end of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. In reality, it is athleticism that aids Harry in catching the key, strategic thinking that leads Ron to a win at wizard chess, and logic that helps Hermione work out which potions will move Harry forward to the showdown and her backward to safety. Athleticism, strategy, logic: things that are within reach to many kids in one form or another, and that can be applied in their real-world lives.
Magic enchants readers while underscoring the fact that heroes can win by using tools that we, too, possess. Monsters teach similar things.
When engaging with magic and monsters, young readers (and young writers too) are studying some really important stuff: how to persevere and solve problems, even when the world seems unfamiliar and scary or strange.
Magic enchants readers while underscoring the fact that heroes can win by using tools that we, too, possess. Monsters teach similar things.
Big witch energy is about owning one's power and using it to make a positive impact on the world. It encourages women to stand up for themselves and others, to challenge injustice, and to create change. It is about fostering a sense of sisterhood and empowerment among women, recognizing that together they are stronger and more capable of creating a more equitable and just society. This concept is a reminder to women that they have the power to shape their own destiny and define their own worth. It encourages them to reject societal expectations and live life on their own terms, embracing their authentic selves without fear or apology. In conclusion, big witch energy is a celebration of the strength, power, and autonomy of women. It is about rejecting societal expectations and embracing one's true self. It encourages women to tap into their inner power, stand up for themselves and others, and create positive change in the world. Ultimately, it is a reminder that women have the power to shape their own destiny and redefine femininity in a way that is empowering and inclusive..
Reviews for "The Witching Hour: How Big Witch Energy is Revolutionizing Energy Storage"
1. Richard - 2 stars: I was really looking forward to reading "Big Witch Energy" after hearing so many positive reviews, but I was left disappointed. The story felt predictable and cliché, and the characters were one-dimensional. I struggled to connect with any of them, which made it hard to become invested in the plot. Overall, it was a lackluster read for me.
2. Emily - 3 stars: "Big Witch Energy" had an interesting concept, but I found the execution to be lacking. The pacing was slow, and the story dragged on without much development. The world-building was also superficial, and I felt like I never truly understood the rules and dynamics of the magical world the author created. While I appreciated the feminist themes and strong female characters, it wasn't enough to salvage the overall reading experience for me.
3. Sarah - 2.5 stars: I had high expectations for "Big Witch Energy," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The writing style was uninspiring, and the dialogue often felt forced and unnatural. The plot lacked originality, and I found myself predicting major twists and turns early on. Additionally, the romantic subplot felt forced and didn't add much depth to the story. Overall, it was a mediocre book that didn't live up to its potential.
4. Michael - 2 stars: I struggled to finish "Big Witch Energy" as I found the story to be overly convoluted and confusing. The author introduced too many unnecessary subplots and characters, which made it difficult to keep track of who was who and what was happening. The dialogue was flat and uninteresting, and the humor didn't land for me. I wish I could say I enjoyed this book, but it just wasn't for me.
5. Emma - 2.5 stars: "Big Witch Energy" had an intriguing premise, but unfortunately, the execution was underwhelming. The writing lacked depth and failed to immerse me in the story. The characters felt superficial and lacked development. Additionally, I found the pacing to be uneven, with slow parts interspersed with rushed action sequences. While there were some enjoyable moments, overall, I was left wanting more and ultimately disappointed by this book.