The Amulet series is a highly popular graphic novel series written and illustrated by Kazu Kibuishi. The series follows the adventures of Emily and Navin, a brother and sister who discover a mysterious amulet in their ancestral home. This amulet has the power to transport them to a magical world called Alledia. In this world, they encounter strange creatures and powerful adversaries, all while trying to unravel the mystery of their amulet and save their mother, who has been kidnapped by a tentacled creature known as the Elf King. One of the main themes of the series is the power of family and the strong bond between siblings. Emily and Navin must rely on each other and work together to overcome the challenges they face in Alledia.
A wealth of paintings and photographs document the obsession with these animals and their connection to the occult in the state and I am delighted to share them with you on this Hallowe’en since so many of you have reacted positively to the ones I have posted on my Instagram account.
The history of the European settlement of North America goes hand in hand with the history of occult practices particularly witchcraft on the continent. By the 1820s, however, the Witching Cats found a resurgence in the vogue for alternately amusing and frightening paintings made by self-schooled Primitivist or Naïve painters in rural areas, notably the Pine Barrens.
Emily and Navin must rely on each other and work together to overcome the challenges they face in Alledia. They learn to trust in their own abilities and harness the power of the amulet to protect themselves and those they love. Kibuishi's artwork is stunning and visually captivating, bringing the world of Alledia to life with vibrant colors and intricate details.
The Witching Cats of New Jersey
The history of the European settlement of North America goes hand in hand with the history of occult practices—particularly witchcraft—on the continent. A large and unfamiliar land with an indigenous population that had recently died out under mysterious circumstances (now of course known to be largely due to disease brought by contact with Europeans) and in which esoteric movements were tolerated was fertile territory for individuals and groups with practices of worship at the edges of Christianity and even beyond. While at the archives at the Germantown College Archives in New Germantown, New Jersey, I recently had an opportunity to visit the noted Witchcraft Collection. Visually, the record is dominated by a peculiar obsession with cats reputedly engaged in witchcraft in the “Mosquito State.”
Silas “Grim” Cole, Cat owned by Hattie Simpson of Cape May, 1782, courtesy the Witchcraft Collection of the Germantown College Archives, New Germantown, New Jersey
A wealth of paintings and photographs document the obsession with these animals and their connection to the occult in the state and I am delighted to share them with you on this Hallowe’en since so many of you have reacted positively to the ones I have posted on my Instagram account.
Cats are the most popular pets in the world, and certainly on the Internet, but the history of domestic felines is inevitably linked to the idea of the witch’s familiar. Cats are mysterious creatures (I suppose) that are active at night (not mine) and often, especially when in heat, make otherworldly sounds (Roxy is guilty as charged). Given their further association with femininity, they wound up historically linked with witchcraft.
The Witch and her Familiar, American Primitivist Painting, Artist Unknown, Morristown, New Jersey c. 1824.
DALL·E 2022-07-30 22.15.22 – A thomas cole painting of __ “a black cat with white belly and white paws” dressed like an evil witch
DALL·E 2022-07-30 22.15.33DALL·E 2022-07-30 22.24.33 – A thomas cole photorealistic oil painting of __ “a black cat with white belly and white paws” dressed like an evil witch, 1810
DALL·E 2022-08-01 11.07.19 – A thomas cole painting of __ “a black cat with white belly and white paws” dressed like an evil witch, 1810 (2)
DALL·E 2022-08-01 11.08.18 – A thomas cole folk horror painting of __ “a black cat with white belly and white paws” dressed like an evil witch, 1810
DALL·E 2022-08-01 11.08.18 – A thomas cole folk horror painting of __ “a black cat with white belly and white paws” dressed like an evil witch, 1810 (1)
DALL·E 2022-08-01 11.08.19 – A thomas cole folk horror painting of __ “a black cat with white belly and white paws” dressed like an evil witch, 1810
DALL·E 2022-08-02 20.38.44 – primitivist painting of a “a black cat with white belly and seven white paws” 1610 Blair witch carcosa wicca thomas cole (3)
New Jersey, unlike Massachusetts, was not settled by a single, religious community, thus diverse faiths were tolerated here. Moreover, the colony was not originally British but originally was composed of New Sweden (by the Delaware river) and New Netherlands (by the Hudson), becoming a colony only in 1664. A land for free-thinkers, the colony embraced Huguenots fleeing from France, as well as Baptists and Presbyterians from Ireland and Scotland, as well as other faiths while Quakers crossed the Delaware from Pennsylvania and brought their beliefs here as well. The Presbyterian leader of the First Great Awakening, Gilbert Tennant (1703-1764) came “to blow up the divine fire lately kindled there.” Thus began the colony’s early affliction with the supernatural, something made vividly clear in a young Benjamin Franklin’s accounts of the Mount Holly Witch Trials in 1730. If witches were a source of pre-revolutionary terror, by the late eighteenth century, archivist Alistair Cailleach-Crone told me, the burgeoning New Jersey merchant class in New Jersey began to commission portraits of their cats as witch’s familiars or “witching cats.” There is little documentation left of this fashion, save for this text by one Pieter Heks, 1783:
There are, and ever have been, cats and other felines, who converse Familiarly with the Spirit Realm and while some say they thus receive Power to both hurt and deceive, others claim them as happy mediums who, by their very being, keep a home free from plague, louse, and the lyke. Others, particularly, the wives of merchants in our land, keep these animals dear and hold them the pride of their house even, as the fashion holds, having portraits made of them.
Odd as it may seem, the best artists of New Jersey’s first decades as a state were involved in this work, as well as artists from the neighboring states of Pennsylvania and New York. After scolding sermons and threats from Presbyterian ministers, the fashion of Witching Cats fell out of favor among the wealthy, who soon went back to commissioning portraits of themselves, their children, their families, and noted racehorses. More than one artist was relieved. Famed painter Benjamin West, whose paintings of the subject have been lost, wrote unaffectionately in his notebook: “Damned cats and their owners. To the devil with them! These Jersey brutes love their animals but to have them sit for you would try any man’s patience. And half do seem to be possessed by the devil. I will never lose the scars from these accursed creatures, all claw and fang.”
DALL·E 2022-10-31 12.42.25 – American primitivist folk horror painting of a drunken black cat with white belly and white paws dressed like an evil witch wicca thomas cole
The characters are well-developed and relatable, and readers will find themselves emotionally invested in their journey. The series also incorporates elements of fantasy, adventure, and supernatural abilities, making it an exciting and compelling read for both children and adults. Throughout the series, the importance of friendship, bravery, and perseverance is emphasized. Emily and Navin must make difficult choices and face their fears in order to fulfill their quest and find a way to save their mother. Their determination and courage serve as inspiration for readers of all ages. The Amulet series has been lauded for its engaging storytelling, strong characterization, and beautiful artwork. It has received numerous awards and accolades, and has become a beloved and enduring series among fans of graphic novels and fantasy literature. The series is currently ongoing, with eight books released to date, and the final installment eagerly anticipated by fans around the world. Overall, the Amulet series is a captivating and enchanting journey that explores themes of family, friendship, and bravery. It's a must-read for fans of graphic novels and a testament to Kazu Kibuishi's talent as both a writer and an artist..
Reviews for "The Amulet Series: A Masterclass in World-Building"
1. William - 2 stars
I really didn't enjoy "The amulet series". I found the plot to be overly complicated and confusing. It felt like the author was trying too hard to create a unique and intricate world, but it just ended up being convoluted and hard to follow. Additionally, I didn't connect with any of the characters and found them to be quite one-dimensional. Overall, I was disappointed with this series and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Emily - 1 star
"The amulet series" was a complete waste of time for me. The writing style was bland and lacked any sort of depth. The characters felt like generic tropes, and I couldn't bring myself to care about their fates. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself constantly bored and struggling to stay engaged with the story. I was expecting an exciting adventure, but all I got was a dull and uninteresting read.
3. Jessica - 2 stars
I have to say, "The amulet series" just didn't resonate with me. The world-building was weak and didn't feel fully fleshed out. It seemed like the author had some interesting ideas, but they weren't executed well. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard for me to immerse myself in the story. I also found the romance subplot to be cliché and unnecessary. Overall, I found the series to be underwhelming and would not recommend it to others.
4. Michael - 3 stars
"The amulet series" was not my cup of tea. While I appreciated the unique concept, I found the execution to be lacking. The pacing was inconsistent, with some parts dragging on while others rushed through important plot points. The writing style also felt overly simplistic and juvenile. I was hoping for a more mature and complex story, but unfortunately, this series missed the mark for me.
5. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "The amulet series", but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The characters were shallow and lacked growth throughout the series. The plot felt predictable and lacked originality. I found myself constantly comparing it to other fantasy series, and it just didn't measure up. The ending also left me unsatisfied and wanting more resolution. Overall, I found the series to be forgettable and wouldn't recommend it to others.