Half magic, also known as half human and half magic, refers to a concept often explored in various mythologies, legends, and literature. It revolves around individuals who possess a mixed heritage of both human and magical beings. The term "half magic" commonly refers to half-human and half-fairy or half-human and half-elf beings. In these mythical tales, the result of such unions often leads to unique individuals with extraordinary abilities and characteristics. These half-magic beings are believed to inherent traits from both human and magical sides of their lineage, resulting in a combination of strengths, weaknesses, and even physical appearances. Their nature is often seen as a blend of two worlds, with all the advantages and complications that come along with it.
A rare film in which one of film's most intelligent visual stylists fails to find even a basic foothold in the material - poorly dressed second rate actors line up in rows in front of painted backdrops so close to the camera lens you can practically feel the flat physical texture. Would love to claim an auteurist or formalist rationale for this but it just seems like Sirk was defeated by the design (Jack Palance gives his all as Attila the Hun but his brown-face makeup is one of the most ludicrously awful in all of Hollywood, and that's saying something) and the muddled script, all Christian religiosity and lukewarm Roman psychodrama.
And not even just legally - this film is next to impossible to find in America even in some of the sketchier backrooms I ve searched for these Sirk pictures. At best, the film is a romp of technicolor exotica, but it is just too dry, notably lacking the sensuous quality that would inspire someone Jack Smith, for instance to uncover and reclaim its image-power.
Their nature is often seen as a blend of two worlds, with all the advantages and complications that come along with it. Half-magic beings in stories and folklore are often depicted as having enhanced physical attributes, heightened senses, and abilities like heightened agility, improved healing, or even elemental powers. They may possess a deep connection to the magical realm and possess knowledge or skills usually associated with magical beings.
The Sign of the Witch
The witch is a uniquely powerful image in Western society. It is a symbol alternately vilified, ridiculed and idealised by differing sectors of society and is a powerful symbol in Western mythology. This book traces the evolution of the modern representations of Witchcraft and Paganism from the popular imaginings of witchcraft in 16th-century England to their contemporary manifestations amongst neo-Pagan and Wiccan religious movements in America, Australia and Great Britain today. Tracing how this symbol is continually constructed and reconstructed by the neo-Pagan movement is indicative of broader social, political and cultural issues arising out of the interaction of Romantic and Enlightenment epistemes in Western society.
Central to this process is the locating of representations of witchcraft within the twin discourses of romanticism and enlightenment modernity. Beginning with the aftermath of the English witch hunting craze of the 17th century, the book examines how the witch transformed from a symbol of ridicule during the enlightenment to an idealised symbol of romantic rebellion which led to its systemic adoption by romantic religious and political movements. Along the path it examines the development of the neo-Pagan movement from 19th-century Romantic pagan revivals, to Gardner's Wiccan movement, the sixties counter culture, the rise of eco-feminist neo-Paganism and the contemporary phenomena of "teen witches" and pop commercialization.
This book is part of the Ritual Studies Monograph Series, edited by Pamela J. Stewart and Andrew Strathern, Department of Anthropology, University of Pittsburgh.
"Modern Paganism is still in the process of finding its history. Dr. Waldron brings to the quest a very wide knowledge of all aspects of the subject and a good grasp of cultural theory. He is fair to all the players in a notoriously complex and fractious field, and covers it deftly and evenly, deploying his learning and his intellectual models with a light but sure touch." — Ronald Hutton, Professor of Historical Studies, Bristol University
"Waldron's identification and critique of the core aspects of the modern Witch's identity provide what should be seen as an invitation for practitioners to remove our rose-coloured glasses approach to our own history and instead to take on board the results of rigorous investigation. For the general public, by whom Witches are so often misunderstood, an academic examination of the movement can only enhance the likelihood of tolerance and understanding that are the essence of religious pluralism." — Caroline Tully, Witchcraft Magazine
"David Waldron has done the scholarly community, neo-Pagans, and anyone interested in the study of neo-Paganism and Witchcraft a great service with this volume. In addition to its historical, cultural, and social overview of the subject matter, it makes for an interesting study in the construction of identities and symbolism within witchcraft. I highly recommend this book." — John W. Morehead, Senior Editor, Sacred Tribes Journal and Director, Western Institute for Intercultural Studies
"[Waldron] does an excellent job of summarizing the history of the English witch trials, their end, and the development and commercialization of the witchcraft and Pagan movements. The book will be useful for those who want to begin exploring that history as well as to scholars of ideas who want to consider and investigate his basic thesis of the relationship between the Romantic and the Enlightenment epistemes." — Helen A. Berger, West Chester University, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion
Comp Copy If you are a professor teaching in this field you may request a complimentary copy.
Roman centurion Marcian is captured by Attila the Hun en route to Constantinople, but escapes. On arrival, he finds the eastern Roman emperor Theodosius plotting with Attila to look the other way while the latter marches against Rome. But Marcian gains the favor of Pulcheria, lovely sister of Theodosius, who favors a united Empire.
Despite their exceptional abilities, half-magic individuals are also portrayed as struggling with their dual nature. They often face challenges in finding their place in society and reconciling their human and magical sides. This internal conflict becomes a central theme in many narratives, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the search for acceptance. In literature, popular examples of half-magic characters can be found in J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" series, where characters like Arwen, Aragorn, and Legolas are portrayed as half-human and half-elven. Their mixed heritage grants them unique abilities and positions within Middle-earth's complex world. Overall, half magic face fems represent intriguing figures that bridge the gap between humanity and the supernatural. Their stories captivate our imagination and offer insight into the dynamic nature of identity and the complexities of duality..
Reviews for "Half Magic Face Fem Heroes Saving the World: The Power of Collective Action"
- Sarah - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Half Magic Face Fems". I found the plot to be confusing and the characters lacked depth. The writing style also didn't engage me as a reader, making it difficult to stay interested in the story. Overall, it felt like a poorly executed attempt at fantasy literature. I don't recommend it.
- John - 2 stars - "Half Magic Face Fems" was not my cup of tea. The story seemed to drag on and I found myself bored throughout most of it. The characters were one-dimensional and the dialogue felt forced. The ending was also lackluster and left me unsatisfied. I was really hoping to enjoy this book, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me.
- Emily - 1.5 stars - I didn't enjoy "Half Magic Face Fems" as much as I thought I would. The writing style was disjointed, making it difficult to follow the plotline. The characters felt underdeveloped and their motivations were unclear. The pacing was also off, with certain parts feeling rushed while others dragged on unnecessarily. Overall, it was a disappointing read.