Who made practical magic? Practical magic, also known as the craft, is the practice of using supernatural abilities to manipulate elements and create desired outcomes. It has a rich history and can be traced back to ancient civilizations and cultures around the world. However, pinpointing the specific individuals who made practical magic into what it is today is a challenging task. Throughout history, various individuals and groups have contributed to the development and popularization of practical magic. Shamans, medicine men, and spiritual leaders in ancient societies were among the first practitioners of practical magic. They believed in the existence of a spiritual realm and sought to connect with it through rituals, spells, and other mystical practices.
What's most notable, 25 years on, is how a film that centers women and kills off the male love interests would feel like an outlier today. (Except for Aiden Quinn, the John Corbett of his day; just ask a Gen X-er.) The Lilith Fair energy was strong in the late '90s, but without the girl power fervor that made Practical Magic a mainstream hit back then, it would likely be merely a Netflix blip today. Filmmakers made the movie in Washington because the Salish Sea islands are undeniably stunning and believably magical. As a state whose best-known movies are a snooze or total cringe, we could do worse than claiming Practical Magic as our own.
Head down memory lane with the spellbinding Owens family and the personalities of Maria s Island, and check out what the stars have been up to since the cult classic hit theaters on Oct. When Sally s husband dies and she s deeply depressed and can t get out of bed, Gillian crawls under the covers with her and they lay there together and talk for what seems like hours.
They believed in the existence of a spiritual realm and sought to connect with it through rituals, spells, and other mystical practices. These ancient practitioners laid the foundation for the future development of practical magic. Over time, different cultures and regions developed their unique practices and traditions within the realm of practical magic.
What 'Practical Magic' taught me about life, love and the importance of sisterhood
Practical Magic came out in 1998, when I was 9 years old. And it was a fixture of my childhood and high school years.
It feels like every fall, I would pop the movie into my VCR and get absorbed into a world of magic.
Marielle Segarra is the host of Life Kit, NPR's home for all the best tips and tricks. Brandon Watson for NPR hide caption
toggle caption Brandon Watson for NPRMarielle Segarra is the host of Life Kit, NPR's home for all the best tips and tricks.
Brandon Watson for NPR
The film is set in New England, and most of the action takes place in a gorgeous old house on a cliffside. Sunlight trickles through glass windowpanes into the house, where the occupants grow herbs for their spells and light candles by blowing on them.
Those occupants are witches, of course: two sisters named Sally, played by Sandra Bullock, and Gillian, played by Nicole Kidman, as well as their aunts, played by Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest.
I watched them with dreamy, wide eyes. Sandra Bullock in her loose-fitting jeans, a sweater, and white sneakers always looked casually, effortlessly cool. Nicole Kidman was striking with her impossibly long, bright red hair and chic black-on-black outfits.
And then you had the aunts, who were never afraid to be themselves — and showed that in their fashion choices. In one scene, Stockard Channing walks around town, shielding herself from the sun with a red parasol.
These women were strong. They were powerful. And they were playful. They ate chocolate cake for breakfast. They frolicked naked under the full moon. They blended up margaritas at midnight and danced around the kitchen in their pajamas to "Coconut" by Harry Nilsson. (Side note: the Practical Magic soundtrack is a treasure. Stevie Nicks. Joni Mitchell. Faith Hill's "This Kiss.")
I think, as a kid, that this was the extent of it. I loved how these characters made me feel.
It's funny, though, how a movie you've gone back to over and over since childhood can mean different things to you over time.
Learning a valuable lesson
As I got into middle school and high school, I started to pick up on some of the movie's other themes.
I remember watching it one October with a friend my sophomore year of high school. I'm pretty sure we were watching a VHS, and the resolution was grainy.
And then the scene came on. After a build-up of significant sexual tension, two characters share a passionate kiss. Sitting on my friend's bedroom floor, I felt butterflies in my stomach. I wanted to be kissed like that.
I related a lot to Gillian, Nicole Kidman's character.
At the beginning of the film, a desperate woman comes to the aunts and asks them to perform a love spell. Sitting in the kitchen, she throws down a wad of cash and says: "I want him to want me so much that he can't stand it." Then she takes a needle and stabs a bird — part of the spell.
Nicole Kidman's character Gillian throws herself into every romantic connection she can find. Warner Bros/Maximum Film/Alamy hide caption
toggle caption Warner Bros/Maximum Film/AlamyNicole Kidman's character Gillian throws herself into every romantic connection she can find.
Warner Bros/Maximum Film/Alamy
Sally and Gillian are young girls at this point, and they're sitting on the steps watching this unfold.
"I hope I never fall in love," Sally says.
"I can't wait to fall in love," Gillian says.
Sally is so determined to never fall in love that she casts a spell. She conjures up an image of a man who doesn't exist. He can ride a pony backwards. He can flip pancakes in the air. He'll be marvelously kind. His favorite shape will be a star, and he'll have one green eye, and one blue. Her logic is that if this man doesn't exist, she'll never fall in love, and she'll never have a broken heart.
And as she grows up, Sally stays afraid of romantic love. Afraid of feeling so deeply and then getting hurt. And for good reason.
Meanwhile, Gillian throws herself into every romantic connection she can find. It's like an addiction.
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Later, one of Gillian's relationships turns abusive. In a scene at the house, she describes love to her niece, Sally's daughter.
"Do you ever put your arms out and spin and spin and spin really, really fast? Well that's what love is like," she says. "It makes your heart race. It turns the world upside down. But if you're not careful, if you don't keep your eyes on something still, you can lose your balance. You can't see what's happening to the people around you. You can't see that you're about to fall."
This movie introduced me to the idea that love could be dangerous. That you should learn to protect yourself.
But that's not the only lesson I learned.
A love worth taking a chance on
You remember the spell Sally cast? Well, I guess we're doing spoilers here — it turns out that he does exist. And he's her happy ending.
Watching Practical Magic now — and I still do watch it every October — it occurs to me that, yes, that is a Hollywood twist. You can't dream up a list of specific characteristics and go out in search of that person. And love isn't just about happy endings. It's an ongoing choice to treat someone else with care and respect.
But what I've learned is that real love is even more beautiful. Because when you do grow to love someone, all their idiosyncrasies and their details become so sacred to you, so imprinted on your heart, that it's almost like you'd dreamed them into existence.
That's worth taking a chance on.
There's an unbreakable bond between Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian (Nicole Kidman). Warner Bros/Cinematic Collection/Alamy hide caption
toggle caption Warner Bros/Cinematic Collection/AlamyThere's an unbreakable bond between Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian (Nicole Kidman).
Warner Bros/Cinematic Collection/Alamy
The magic of friendship
The other theme in Practical Magic that's become more meaningful to me over time: friendship. Specifically, sisterhood.
There's an unbreakable bond between Sally and Gillian. When Sally's husband dies and she's deeply depressed and can't get out of bed, Gillian crawls under the covers with her and they lay there together and talk for what seems like hours.
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Her presence allows Sally the space to fully open up. "I was really, really happy," she says, choking back tears.
It can be heartbreaking to say out loud how much a loss hurts. But it's one of the first steps in healing, and it often comes only after someone has done you the kindness of sitting with you in your grief.
I rewatched Practical Magic last week with one of my best friends. She came over and we laid under a blanket on my couch, with a candle lit.
This friend is like a sister to me. She's been a steady presence in my life: in times of joy, but also in moments of grief, like when romantic love has fallen apart.
If the witches taught me anything, it's that life isn't so scary when you have the love of a sister.
Also to always throw spilt salt over your left shoulder. And fall in love whenever you can.
You remember the spell Sally cast? Well, I guess we're doing spoilers here — it turns out that he does exist. And he's her happy ending.
In Europe, for example, the medieval period saw the rise of cunning folk and witchcraft. Cunning folk were individuals who claimed to possess magical abilities and offered their services to the community. They would provide charms, spells, and remedies for various purposes, such as healing, protection, and love spells. During the witchcraft trials of the 16th and 17th centuries, many women were accused of practicing practical magic to harm others. These trials and persecutions played a significant role in shaping the historical perception of practical magic. While the majority of those accused were innocent victims of mass hysteria, their stories have contributed to the mystique and fascination surrounding practical magic. In modern times, the popularization of practical magic can be attributed to various individuals and groups. One notable figure is Aleister Crowley, an influential occultist and writer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Crowley's work explored ritual magic, metaphysics, and mystical practices, and he founded the religion of Thelema. His teachings and writings have had a profound impact on the modern occult movement and the practice of practical magic. In recent decades, practical magic has gained widespread attention and popularity through various mediums, such as books, movies, and television shows. Authors like Scott Cunningham, Raymond Buckland, and Silver RavenWolf have written extensively on the subject, making practical magic more accessible to a broader audience. Additionally, movies like "Practical Magic" and television shows like "Charmed" have portrayed practical magic in a glamorous and intriguing manner, further fueling public interest in the craft. While it is challenging to pinpoint the specific individuals who made practical magic into what it is today, it is clear that countless practitioners, writers, and cultural influences have contributed to its development and popularity. Practical magic continues to evolve and adapt, with new practitioners and traditions emerging all the time. The craft remains a deeply personal and diverse practice, with individuals finding their unique path within the realm of practical magic..
Reviews for "The Founders of Practical Magic: Unraveling their Contribution"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Who made practical magic". While the concept seemed intriguing, the execution fell flat. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard for me to connect with any of them. Additionally, the pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. Overall, I found the story to be lackluster and unengaging.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars - "Who made practical magic" was a complete waste of time for me. The plot was confusing and convoluted, making it difficult to follow along. The writing style was also a major deterrent, with long-winded descriptions and excessive use of flowery language that added nothing to the story. I couldn't find any redeeming qualities in this book and would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high expectations for "Who Made Practical Magic", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype. The story started off promising, but quickly became predictable and cliché. The characters lacked depth and their actions felt forced. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it hard to believe in the relationships and interactions between the characters. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and would not recommend it.
4. John - 2/5 stars - "Who made practical magic" was not my cup of tea. The plot felt disjointed and confusing, with too many subplots that were never fully explored or resolved. The pacing was also inconsistent, leading to a lack of suspense or tension. The writing itself was average, with unremarkable descriptions and dialogue that felt forced. While the concept had potential, the execution fell short for me, resulting in a disappointing read.
5. Rachel - 3/5 stars - I didn't hate "Who made practical magic", but I also didn't love it. The plot had interesting elements, but they were overshadowed by the slow pacing and lack of character development. The story had potential, but it felt like it was missing something. I would recommend it to those who enjoy atmospheric reads, but for me, it fell short of my expectations.