Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there was a magical mine hidden deep within the mystical forest. Its existence was known to only a few, as it was shrouded in mystery and protected by enchantments. The mine was said to hold immense power and treasure beyond anyone's wildest dreams. Legend had it that those who found the mine would be granted three wishes, but only if they proved themselves worthy. One day, a young and adventurous soul named Alex stumbled upon a hidden map that revealed the location of the magical mine. Filled with curiosity and a sense of adventure, Alex set off on a journey to find the mine and unlock its secrets.
Not only does the project help highlight the power of data science but also shows the capability of Wikidata to aid in the making of all of the different visualisations. Emma Carroll Equate Scotland Careerwise intern (or ‘Witchfinder General’)
The Survey of Scottish Witchcraft is the work of academics in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology, notably Julian Goodare and Louise Yeoman, who kindly lent their support and expertise to Emma and Ewan over the summer. At the centre of the story is a hunger from both Lux and Else to be allowed to be more than just one thing, to simply exist without worrying about what word or role will be used to define them.
Filled with curiosity and a sense of adventure, Alex set off on a journey to find the mine and unlock its secrets. Along the way, Alex encountered various challenges and obstacles, but with unwavering determination, overcame them all. After days of relentless pursuit, Alex finally reached the entrance of the mine.
Witch lit: how modern writers are reinventing the witch
Lucy Atkinson, a PhD candidate in our Department of English Studies, describes how modern writers are reinventing the witch.
From the fairy tales read to us as children to the costumes every Halloween, the figure of the witch has been with most of us for our entire lives. Unkempt and warty, the witch of our childhood was generally a repulsive creature flying on a broomstick beside her toad or black cat.
Yet recent years have marked a reinvention of this ancient character, giving her a modern twist in a new subgenre of literature that some are calling “witch lit”.
The novels that have been categorised as belonging to this new subgenre often take inspiration from historical events such as the witch trials of the medieval and early modern periods.
A.K. Blakemore’s award-winning novel The Manningtree Witches (2021), for example, is set in the town of Manningtree in 1643 just as Matthew Hopkins begins his hunt against witches. Jenni Fagan’s short novel Hex: Darkland Tales (2022) revolves, in part, around the story of Geillis Duncan, one of the first women to be accused of witchcraft in the North Berwick witch trials.
We can see this resurgence in film and TV too . In Netflix’s Wednesday (2022), the young protagonist learns about her magical heritage through her ancestor Goody Addams, who was accused of witchcraft in the 1600s.
Popular shows like Outlander (2014), The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018) and A Discovery of Witches (2018) also prominently feature historical witchcraft beliefs and practices.
The witches featured in this new media are rarely comparable to the dirty hags that appeared in older stories. The new witch is often beautiful, at once dark and gothic and ethereal and wild.
Even Disney’s sequel to Hocus Pocus (2022) features a more sympathetic version of the Sanderson sisters. Winnie Sanderson, although still a child-killing witch, now becomes a woman who values her coven of sisters above all else.
In all of this, one thing is clear: the story of the witch is being rewritten and a new type of tale is taking its place.
Kirsty Logan’s Now She is Witch
An important addition to the witch lit sub-genre is Kirsty Logan’s Now She is Witch (2023). It perfectly captures the magic of this kind of story. The novel follows Lux, a girl who sells poisons and poppets, and the mysterious Else who is seeking revenge against a lord who kills women for witchcraft.
Many of the elements we have come to expect from witchcraft literature are evident in this tale. Through her protagonist, Logan picks at the hypocrisy of the rhetoric used to condemn witches. As Else puts it: “Men desire women but it is not their fault, it’s because women are wicked”.
Lux is also on a journey of self-discovery. She is trying to understand the place that she occupies in the world and the names that have been given to her, be it maiden, mother, crone or witch. Where this novel really finds its brilliance, is in the moments that it strays from the path that has been set out for it in this genre.
The medieval setting of Logan’s story feels real and textured but there is also an otherworldly, almost carnivalesque feeling to the novel. The journey that Lux takes through woods populated by a colourful cast of characters, is almost reminiscent of the voyage Little Red Riding Hood takes to her grandmother’s house. Though Lux is as much a wolf as she is a lost little girl.
In her novel, Logan is making use of not only historical beliefs around witchcraft but also folklore and fairy tales. Her witch is complicated: powerful and somehow also powerless, woman and sometimes man and sometimes neither and sometimes both, real and made up, dangerous and innocent, girl and wolf.
At the centre of the story is a hunger from both Lux and Else to be allowed to be more than just one thing, to simply exist without worrying about what word or role will be used to define them.
Understanding the witch craze
It is not only in television and literature that the witch has gained popularity in recent years. Feminist activists and writers such as Silvia Federici and Mona Chollet are turning to the witch as a figure of injustice, power or rebellion.
One glance through the section of TikTok that has been affectionately named WitchTok reveals a number of people identifying as witches and calling out for power through the use of healing crystals or tarot cards.
At a time when female bodies are still policed in many parts of the world, the witch retains the power to speak through history and across generations. Perhaps this process of rewriting the witch is actually giving writers a new way to tell the stories of women.
Find out more
- This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
- Lucy Atkinson is a PhD candidate in our Department of English Studies, which is one of the few university English departments in the world who teach and research in literature produced in Britain from the early medieval period to the present day as well as in anglophone literature from across the globe. The department has been ranked Top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022.
- Interested in pursuing Creative Writing? Check out our MA and PhD programs.
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The entrance was unlike anything Alex had ever seen before; it was adorned with sparkling gems, shimmering with different colors, further igniting the excitement within. As Alex stepped inside, a warm and gentle breeze brushed against Alex's skin, filling the air with an aura of magic. The mine was vast and stretched deep into the earth, with tunnels branching off in every direction. Alex cautiously navigated through the intricate maze, following an inner compass that seemed to guide the way. With each step, the air became more charged, and the anticipation grew. Finally, Alex arrived at a chamber where a magnificent crystal stood, radiating an otherworldly light. It was said that this crystal held the power to grant the three wishes. Alex approached it with a mixture of awe and reverence, carefully contemplating what wishes to make. With great thought and consideration, Alex made the first wish - to bring joy and prosperity to the people of their village. The crystal shimmered and emitted a soothing glow, signifying that the wish had been granted. Over time, the village began to flourish, and its inhabitants lived in harmony and abundance. For the second wish, Alex asked for wisdom and knowledge beyond compare. The crystal glowed brighter, and a surge of enlightenment washed over Alex. With this newfound wisdom, Alex became a great teacher, guiding others towards a brighter and better future. As the final wish approached, Alex pondered deeply. The mine had brought so much goodness and fulfillment, but there was still one desire hidden within Alex's heart. With a determined resolve, the last wish was made - to unlock the secrets of the universe and bring enlightenment to all. In an instant, the crystal released a burst of energy that resonated throughout the mine, carrying with it the promise of infinite possibilities. As the days turned into years, Alex became known as a legendary figure, credited with the transformation of their village and the advancement of knowledge in countless fields. The magical mine had not only fulfilled Alex's wishes but had also sparked a ripple effect that impacted the lives of many. And so, the story of the magical mine and Alex's journey lived on, inspiring generations to chase their dreams, embrace the unknown, and unlock the magic within themselves. For in the deepest recesses of our hearts, lies the potential for incredible wonders and the power to shape our reality..
Reviews for "Exploring the Depths of My Magical Mine: A Quest for Adventure"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I found "My Magical Mine" to be incredibly boring and repetitive. The characters lacked depth and the plot was predictable. The magical elements in the story were also underdeveloped and didn't add anything substantial to the overall narrative. I felt like I was reading the same scenes over and over again, and the ending was extremely unsatisfying. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Mark - 1 star - "My Magical Mine" was a complete waste of time in my opinion. The writing style was juvenile and the storytelling felt shallow. The concept of a magical mine had potential, but it was executed poorly. The dialogue between the characters was cringeworthy, and the lack of character development made it difficult to feel any connection to the story. I struggled to finish the book and was left with a feeling of frustration and boredom.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "My Magical Mine" based on the premise, but it fell short in so many ways. The pacing was slow, and the plot dragged on without any real sense of urgency. The descriptions were overdone, making the story feel bloated and tedious. The dialogue felt forced and unrealistic, and the characters lacked depth. There was a missed opportunity to explore the magical elements of the mine in a more captivating and imaginative way. Unfortunately, this book just didn't live up to my expectations.