Once upon a time, in a beautiful forest, there lived a magical bunny. This bunny was no ordinary bunny, for it had the ability to grant wishes. Its fur was as white as snow, and its eyes sparkled like diamonds. The creatures of the forest adored the magic bunny and sought its assistance whenever they needed help. One day, a little deer named Daisy ventured deep into the forest and stumbled upon the magical bunny. Daisy had lost her way and was feeling scared and helpless.
1. Parabram Greeting/
2. Dwellers Of The Threshold 3:13
Freezing spell to calm the detractors This is a chill pill for the frenemy who has a penchant for spreading rumours, or a colleague who can t stop stealing your ideas. Now as a general rule We don t usually hand out no flowers But as I recall it was said near and far The old man he had powers May your death find you some love And may your rest find you some peace For your life to begin, ole money bags Your life will have to cease.
Daisy had lost her way and was feeling scared and helpless. When she saw the bunny, hope filled her heart, and she approached it cautiously. The magic bunny sensed Daisy's distress and hopped over to her with a friendly smile.
Trees and Plants used in Witchcraft
I once took home a bundle of Arum Lilies, discarded from the greenhouses of a local nurseryman. Only once. The moment my mother spotted them she threw a tantrum of monumental proportions and bodily evicted myself and the blooms. Why? Because in her view Arum Lilies are the Death Flower, and their presence in the home is an unerring harbinger of death in the family (though she could accept their popularity as a bridal bouquet flower without question).
Lilies, however, weren’t the only flower to draw my mother’s disapproval, as well as that of many of her generation. For instance, she wouldn’t allow may blossom in the house before May morning had passed. Nor were milkmaids (cuckoo flower or lady’s smock) permitted because it was recognised as a fairy flower. It was said that milkmaids were the only flowers excluded from may garlands for fear that the wearer would be dragged under the hill to Faeryland.
White bryony is said to scream when pulled from the ground, in the same way as mandrake (which it’s often falsely called), and was also claimed to be unlucky in the house. Yet in Cambridgeshire white bryony’s human torso-shaped root was the object of a pub competition to find the most womanly specimen. The winning womandrake, as it was often called, was hung in the bar until an even more realistic sample could be found. The runner-up roots in these ribald contests weren’t wasted, however; and were stashed in their finder’s money boxes to ensure increases to the family income.
Cow parsley is often called Devil’s parsley; its close resemblance to hemlock (a highly poisonous white flower closely linked with witchcraft) may have some bearing. Like sweet woodruff, cow parsley has the reputation of “breaking your mother’s heart”. This adage is said to have come about because the tiny white blossoms drop quickly. In the days before vacuum cleaners, the temptation for mothers to ban these work-generating posies from the parlour was understandable.
There’s little doubt that many superstitions have similarly prosaic origins. Pollen dropped from lily stamens will stain almost anything; hence, perhaps, the aversion to arums. My mother was a Welsh Chapel stalwart, and as stoic and sensible as they come. To accuse her of being superstitious would have brought on a tsunami of denial.
Ignoring any extra housework, white flowered plants have their practical aspects. Chamomile tea is famous for its calming properties, and its relative, Feverfew, has long been advocated as an efficient remedy for migraine. White horehound is said to be an efficient cough cure, and ramsoms (wild garlic) is proffered as the cure for almost anything if you consult enough herbals.
Many plant-based myths seem to involve protection from, or for, witches and fairies, which in turn are euphemisms for ancient deities and their acolytes; today’s Wiccans hold white to be the colour of the Goddess. Four trees in particular are associated with the old religion and so, by default, with Witchcraft.
Blackthorn
Blackthorn (sloe – pictured right) is often referred to as a witch’s tree. As late as the 1940s, anyone seen to carry a blackthorn walking stick was suspected of being a witch. A blackthorn staff pointed at a pregnant women or animal was said to cause immediate miscarriage, or cause crops to whither. In contradiction to this, in many places (e.g. Sandwich, Kent) blackthorn staffs are carried as a badge of civic office.
May
It wasn’t just my mother who wouldn’t allow may blossom in the house too early in the year. May, or hawthorn, brought into the house before Mayday is widely associated with bad luck. In many places, however, the first person to bring flowering may indoors on Mayday was assured of good fortune. May was said to bloom at the festival of Beltane (Mayday) to mark the return of summer, although the calendar changes of the 18th century did mean that may flowered before then. This Goddess tree was used to decorate springs and glades – and that belief was transferred to Christianity to adorn holy wells (often the same as pagan springs), the most famous Christian Hawthorn being that of Glastonbury.
Rowan
In most places, rowan is well known for its protective qualities against witches and fairies, and is believed to be the primary tree of power by ancient Celts. It was called the moon tree in northern myths, when the frosts at the winter solstice, would leave stars clustered among the upper branches in what may well have been the forerunner of our Christmas tree tradition.
Rowan (and hawthorn) boughs were laid across lintels on solstice days to reinforce the beneficial qualities of the plants and to bestow good fortune on the dwelling.
A mature Rowan tree. Author: Eeno11. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
Elder
Elder has a myriad medicinal uses from cough syrup to insect repellent, but one little-known folklore connection is that dried elder leaves were used in place of tobacco and were said to be preferred because of their relaxing properties; however botanist and physician William Withering reported in 1776 that the plant “should be avoided, and not slept under or near, due to its narcotic smell”. Perhaps the elder’s most famous folklore connection comes from the Rollright Stones in Oxfordshire where it was traditional on midsummer eve to gather around the King Stone and cut the elder flowers (‘bleed the elder’). The King Stone would then move his head. This arises from the legend that a Danish king, going to fight for the English crown, asked an elder tree witch what his fate would be. She replied by turning the king and his army into stones, thus preventing them from going into battle. The stone circle is surrounded by elders to this day.
Just four examples of trees associated with witchcraft; and all have white blossom. However, white has been the traditional colour of purity and innocence in western cultures for centuries, as well as being a symbol of healing.
Wouldn’t the world be a drabber place without a little white magic?
Daisy explained her predicament to the bunny, hoping it would be able to grant her wish to find her way home. With a wave of its tiny paw, the bunny cast a spell, and suddenly a gentle breeze blew through the forest. The breeze whispered directions directly into Daisy's ear, guiding her back to her family. Filled with gratitude, Daisy thanked the magic bunny before bounding away happily. News of the magic bunny's amazing powers quickly spread throughout the forest. Animals from all corners came to the bunny with their wishes. Whether it was healing an injured bird, bringing rain during a drought, or granting a squirrel a nut-filled tree, the magic bunny never disappointed. As time went on, the magic bunny became not just a helper but also a cherished friend to all the creatures of the forest. They would gather around, singing songs and sharing stories, basking in the warmth of the bunny's presence. But as with all good things, rumors of the magic bunny reached a group of wicked foxes who sought to possess its powers. The foxes set out to capture the bunny, hoping to use its magic for their own gain. Word of the foxes' plan reached the bunny's ears, and it knew it had to protect itself and the forest. With its magic, the bunny concocted a clever plan. It used its powers to create a thicket of thorny bushes around its den, making it impenetrable to those who wished to harm it. When the foxes arrived, they were met with an unexpected challenge. The thorny bushes blocked their path, causing them to retreat in defeat. The magic bunny had successfully defended itself and the forest, and peace was restored. With time, the magic bunny's fame grew beyond the boundaries of the forest. People from far and wide started visiting, seeking its wisdom and guidance. The bunny happily shared its magic and brought joy to all who visited. And so, the tale of the magic bunny spread far and wide, becoming a legend that would be told for generations to come. The bunny's selflessness, kindness, and willingness to help others remained an inspiration to all who heard its story..
Reviews for "From Hogwarts to Wonderland: Magic Bunnies in Popular Culture"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - The Magic Bunny fell flat for me. The storyline felt predictable and unoriginal, with no real surprises or twists. The characters were also one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with them or care about their journey. Additionally, I found the writing style to be bland and lacking in creativity. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars - The Magic Bunny was a total letdown. The plot was incredibly slow-paced, and it seemed like nothing really happened until the very end. I also found the dialogue to be weak and unrealistic, with characters talking in a way that didn't feel natural at all. Furthermore, the ending felt rushed and unsatisfying, leaving me feeling unfulfilled and wondering why I even bothered reading the book in the first place. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking an engaging and exciting read.
3. Jessica - 2/5 stars - I was not impressed with The Magic Bunny. The story lacked originality and felt like a rehashed version of other fantasy novels I've read before. The world-building was also lacking, with little to no description of the magical elements that were supposed to bring the story to life. Additionally, the pacing was off, with the plot dragging on in some parts and rushing through others. Overall, I found this book to be forgettable and would not recommend it to avid readers looking for a captivating and unique story.
4. David - 3/5 stars - The Magic Bunny had its moments, but overall, I was underwhelmed. The characters were decently developed, and there were a few intriguing plot twists that kept my attention. However, the writing style was inconsistent, switching between overly simplistic and unnecessarily complex at times. The pacing was also uneven, making it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story. While this book had potential, it ultimately fell short of my expectations.