The narrative of black magic has captivated societies across the globe for centuries. Black magic, often associated with witchcraft and occult practices, is a topic that elicits curiosity, fear, and fascination. It is believed to harness supernatural powers for personal gain or to cause harm to others. Throughout history, black magic has been intertwined with religion, mythology, and folklore. Ancient civilizations such as the Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans had their own versions of black magic practices. These included casting spells, making potions, invoking spirits, and performing rituals to manipulate the natural or spiritual world.
Goal! Jack and Annie have tickets to one of the most exciting soccer games ever—the 1970 World Cup! They are sure the famous soccer player Pelé will tell them a “secret of greatness.” The game is nonstop action and the stands are packed. But how will they find Pelé in a crowd of 100,000 soccer fans? Have they failed their mission? Or will the answer come when they least expect it?
When Jack and Annie and Roberto admit to each other that they are enthusiastic, but not very good players, Jack decides that they might as well use the Mist of Avalon to make them great players for a little while. And there, as they celebrate on that muddy field in the warm drizzle of Mexico City, Annie and Jack discover the last secret of greatness, when Roberto exults Enthusiasm is everything.
These included casting spells, making potions, invoking spirits, and performing rituals to manipulate the natural or spiritual world. In medieval Europe, black magic became synonymous with witchcraft. The infamous witch trials of the 15th to 18th centuries resulted in countless innocent individuals, mostly women, being accused and executed for practicing black magic.
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With the note they find two tickets to the final World Cup game in Mexico in 1970, along with the tiny bottle of the magic Mist of Avalon that can grant them one hour of great skill at whatever they choose, and the Ring of Truth. Jack makes the wish and they spin back through years to the final match in Mexico City.
Jack and Annie are surprised to find that they emerge in their same shorts and tees. It seems those haven't changed much since 1970. They also find that their pockets are full of pesos and they set out to navigate the subways and trams of the huge Mexican capital to Aztec Stadium where the final game between Brazil and Italy is to be played. The crowds are overwhelming for the two kids from Frog Creek, Pennsylvania, but they meet up with a big city boy named Roberto, also on his way to the match, with his birthday ticket and with his own mission--to remember everything and hurry home to tell his eight brothers and sisters everything that Pele' does. With Roberto steering them from subway to subway to trolley, they arrive with only a few minutes to spare before the game. Jack and Annie have great seats in the second row, but Roberto's seat is near to top of the stadium, barely visible. As he bids them farewell, Jack and Annie have an idea.
"Everybody says it's the game of a lifetime," Jack said.
"Roberto! We have to trade seats," said Annie. "Because it's your birthday. If you have a good seat, you can tell our brothers and sisters and your parents all about it."
It is an amazing game, but in the huge crowd of fans around the victorious Pele' and his team, Jack and Annie can find no way to speak to the great player and learn his secret of greatness. Disappointed, they let Roberto show them the way to a bus stop near his aunt's house to catch a less-crowded ride back downtown. The three meet up with a group of Roberto's friends playing "futbol" who invite them to join the game. When Jack and Annie and Roberto admit to each other that they are enthusiastic, but not very good players, Jack decides that they might as well use the Mist of Avalon to make them great players for a little while. And there, as they celebrate on that muddy field in the warm drizzle of Mexico City, Annie and Jack discover the last secret of greatness, when Roberto exults "Enthusiasm is everything!" and sets the Ring of Truth to glowing brightly.
Mary Pope Osborne's latest Magic Tree House book, Magic Tree House #52: Soccer on Sunday (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) (Random House, 2014), completes Annie and Jack's Merlin Mission to discover the secrets of greatness--humility, hard work, purpose, and enthusiasm. Author Osborne obviously has shown those qualities in accomplishing fifty-two installments in this best-selling series of beginning chapter books which so successfully combine history, biography, and geography with fantasy adventure.
Veteran artist Sal Murdocca has been along for the whole ride, bringing Pope's adventuring brother and sister to life in his trademark illustrations for the many, many readers who have transitioned to independent reading through this blockbuster series. Pair this one with its nonfiction companion book, Magic Tree House Fact Tracker #29: Soccer: A Nonfiction Companion to Magic Tree House #52: Soccer on Sunday (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)) (Random House, 2014).
posted by GTC at 12:30 AM
This deeply rooted belief in the power of dark forces led to widespread paranoia and hysteria. The narrative of black magic continued to evolve during the 19th and 20th centuries with the rise of occultism and spiritualism. Figures such as Aleister Crowley and Madame Blavatsky brought attention to the practice of black magic as a means of spiritual enlightenment or personal empowerment. Their writings and teachings influenced countless individuals interested in exploring the depths of the human psyche and the mysteries of the universe. In popular culture, black magic has been portrayed in various forms, from literature to films. The image of the dark, cloaked sorcerer casting spells to control or harm others has become a trope deeply ingrained in our collective imagination. Fictional narratives often exploit the allure of black magic to create suspense, fear, and fascination. However, it is crucial to note that black magic is not solely a fantastical concept. It continues to be practiced by some individuals and communities to this day, albeit in a more clandestine manner. Believers in black magic claim to have witnessed its effects firsthand, while skeptics dismiss it as mere superstition. The narrative of black magic persists due to its ability to tap into our primal instincts and our yearning for power and control. It represents the human fascination with the unknown, with the desire to transcend the limitations of the physical world. Whether viewed as a dangerous, evil force or as a means of achieving hidden knowledge, the narrative of black magic continues to captivate and divide..
Reviews for "Dance of the Witches: A Narrative of Black Magic in Folklore and Mythology"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "Narrative of black magic" to be a tedious and confusing read. The story seemed disjointed and lacked a clear plotline. The characters were poorly developed, and I struggled to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style was overly verbose and convoluted, making it difficult to follow along. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I couldn't finish "Narrative of black magic" as it simply did not capture my interest. The storyline was slow and uneventful, leaving me bored and unengaged. The author's attempt at creating an atmosphere of mystery and intrigue fell flat, as the book lacked any real suspense or excitement. The characters were one-dimensional, and I felt no emotional connection to them. In my opinion, this book was a complete miss and I would advise readers to look elsewhere for an intriguing and well-written novel.
3. Robert - 2 stars - "Narrative of black magic" was a disappointment for me. The writing style was pretentious, and I found myself struggling to understand what the author was trying to convey. The plot was convoluted and made little sense, leaving me feeling confused and frustrated. Additionally, the pacing was incredibly slow, and it took me a long time to finish the book because I kept losing interest. Overall, I did not enjoy this reading experience and would not recommend it to others.
4. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Narrative of black magic" but was ultimately let down. While the concept of black magic was intriguing, the execution fell short. The narrative was confusing, with abrupt shifts in perspective and timeline that left me feeling disconnected from the story. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to care about their fate. Despite its promising premise, this book failed to deliver a satisfying reading experience.