Small lavish witchcraft refers to the practice of indulging in luxurious and extravagant displays of witchcraft. It is the art of performing spells and rituals in an opulent and lavish manner, often using expensive materials and elaborate tools. In small lavish witchcraft, the emphasis is not only on the effectiveness of the spells but also on the aesthetics and grandeur of the practice. Practitioners of this style of witchcraft believe that by surrounding themselves with beauty and luxury, they can enhance their magical abilities and manifest their desires more effectively. These practitioners may use expensive crystals, precious metals, and rare herbs in their rituals, as well as ornate and beautifully crafted tools such as wands and athames. They may also incorporate elements of glamour and fashion into their practice, using elaborate costumes and accessories to enhance their magical presence.
I thought the title was misleading because Thrash’s fatness is not a major part of the storyline. It’s more about a journey, friendship, and standing up to a parent who doesn’t seem to understand you. Maybe that’s the point, to have a fat character have a journey that’s not about being fat.
In their world, set in a different North America separated into Thirteen States , witches are given one of four Gifts such as Sight , or Glamour that they study after getting their knacks and then they proceed along a specific pathway. When Thrash unexpectedly breaks a mirror with her mind, she discovers she has a knack for magic and will receive one of the three sanctioned Gifts Glamour, Growth, or Sight.
They may also incorporate elements of glamour and fashion into their practice, using elaborate costumes and accessories to enhance their magical presence. While small lavish witchcraft can be seen as a form of self-indulgence or materialism, its practitioners argue that the opulence and beauty of their practice serve a deeper purpose. They believe that by immersing themselves in luxury and focusing on the aesthetic aspect of their craft, they can tap into a higher level of consciousness and connect more powerfully with the spiritual forces they work with.
Fat Witch Summer
The publisher’s blurb says that Fat Witch Summer by Lizzie Ives (pub. June 13, 2023) is “Dumplin’ meets The Craft” — I’ve not read The Craft, but I think they’ve oversold the comparison to Dumplin‘. It is YA, and the lead character is fat, so maybe that’s enough?
Teenage Theodora has chosen the name Thrash (for some unknown reason–I didn’t care for the name and didn’t think it fit her as a character) and she has just gotten her “knack”–her ability to do magic. In their world, set in a different North America separated into “Thirteen States”, witches are given one of four “Gifts” such as “Sight”, or “Glamour” that they study after getting their knacks and then they proceed along a specific pathway. Thrash is a loner after one of her moms passed away a year ago, but a clique of three popular girls befriends her in the library after she gets her knack. They have a plan to choose their own Gifts, but they have to go across the country to get them, and Thrash agrees to go along with because she’s not so sure she wants the Gift of Glamour that her mother plans to give her.
I liked the friendship, and that the assumed cliquey girls welcomed her into their group and didn’t make a big deal about Thrash being fat. But also, in some ways, the characters could have engaged with Thrash’s fatness a little more. It seemed like more of an internal journey for Thrash herself, to accept that her fatness was part of her. I liked that each of the girls had something going on–Em, the mermaid, needed accommodations for her legs and needed frequent baths, Saki had anxiety, Cresca, tall and beautiful, was black from a family that didn’t have magic, and Thrash was fat, dealing with the death of the parent she was closest to. They each were dealing with something and could step up for the others when needed.
I thought the title was misleading because Thrash’s fatness is not a major part of the storyline. It’s more about a journey, friendship, and standing up to a parent who doesn’t seem to understand you. Maybe that’s the point, to have a fat character have a journey that’s not about being fat.
I was intrigued by the world–the Thirteen States–and the similarities between it and our current world, and I would like to see more stories–perhaps one dealing with each of the friends. I did enjoy that there was little romance but the story was focused on the friendship between the girls and on Thrash’s relationship with her mother.
In some ways, I really liked how Thrash’s fatness was just part of the story–she was a teenager doing teenager things, and her fatness didn’t affect many of the major choices she made–the ones about her Gift, or deciding to go on the trip–so it was good to see a fat character just being a person who happens to be fat. So that is progress!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the friendship, and that the assumed cliquey girls welcomed her into their group and didn’t make a big deal about Thrash being fat. But also, in some ways, the characters could have engaged with Thrash’s fatness a little more. It seemed like more of an internal journey for Thrash herself, to accept that her fatness was part of her. I liked that each of the girls had something going on–Em, the mermaid, needed accommodations for her legs and needed frequent baths, Saki had anxiety, Cresca, tall and beautiful, was black from a family that didn’t have magic, and Thrash was fat, dealing with the death of the parent she was closest to. They each were dealing with something and could step up for the others when needed.
It is important to note that small lavish witchcraft is not limited to a specific tradition or belief system. It can be practiced by individuals of various spiritual backgrounds who are drawn to the combination of magic and luxury. However, critics argue that small lavish witchcraft can be excessive and disconnected from the true essence of witchcraft, which is often associated with a more humble and earth-centered approach. They believe that true power lies in simplicity and focus, and that excessive materialism can detract from the authenticity and effectiveness of a witch's practice. In conclusion, small lavish witchcraft is a style of witchcraft that indulges in opulence and extravagance. Its practitioners believe that surrounding themselves with luxury enhances their magical abilities and manifests their desires more effectively. While it can be seen as materialistic, its proponents argue that the beauty and grandeur of their practice serve a deeper purpose. As with any form of witchcraft, individual beliefs and practices may vary, and it is up to each practitioner to find their own path and balance between luxury and authenticity..
Reviews for "Embodying Elegance: The Essence of Small Lavish Witchcraft"
1. John - 2 stars -
I found "Small lavish witchcraft" to be extremely confusing and hard to follow. The storyline jumped around too much and there were too many characters to keep track of. Additionally, the writing style was quite convoluted and made it difficult for me to connect with the characters or even understand what was happening. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star -
"Small lavish witchcraft" was a complete letdown for me. The premise seemed intriguing, but the execution was a total mess. The pacing was extremely slow and I found myself constantly waiting for something exciting or meaningful to happen, but it never did. The characters felt flat and uninspired, and the plot lacked direction. I struggled to finish this book and wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for an engaging witchcraft story.
3. Michael - 2 stars -
I had high hopes for "Small lavish witchcraft" but it ultimately fell short of my expectations. The writing style was overly flowery and pretentious, making it difficult to stay engaged. The characters were shallow and lacked depth, and the plot was disjointed and confusing. I found myself losing interest quickly and had to force myself to finish the book. Unfortunately, it just didn't resonate with me and I can't say I enjoyed it.
4. Emily - 1 star -
I couldn't get through "Small lavish witchcraft". The writing was unnecessarily complex and pretentious, with long-winded descriptions that added nothing to the story. The characters were unlikable and their actions often didn't make sense. The pacing was all over the place, leaving me confused and uninterested. I struggled to find any enjoyment in this book and had to give up on it halfway through. Definitely not my cup of tea.