With Halloween just around the corner, it's the perfect time to get creative and have some fun with playtime. One classic symbol of Halloween is the witch's broomstick, and it can make a fantastic addition to playtime activities. Whether your little ones want to dress up as witches or enjoy imaginative play, a broomstick can enhance their experience. A **witch's broomstick** can add a touch of magic and excitement to playtime. It allows children to step into the shoes of witches and explore their imaginations. They can pretend to fly around the room, casting spells, and embarking on exciting adventures.
The Hierophant is traditionally depicted by a male character in a Christian religious role. And while this version deviates with a female Hierophant key symbolic images remain:
Each card of the Minor Arcana is illustrated and closely mirrors the representations in the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot, but of course with its own modern twist. Despite my visceral reaction to the Strength card, I will say that Sterle does include cards that rarely if ever have Black or dark-skinned femmes like The Magician and Temperance, to name just a few.
They can pretend to fly around the room, casting spells, and embarking on exciting adventures. To make a **witch's broomstick** for playtime, you can use simple materials found around the house. Start by gathering a long stick or dowel, about the height of your child.
Tarot of the QTPOC Deck Review: Modern Witch Tarot
The Modern Witch Tarot is a fresh take on an ancient tradition.
It all began with the creation of the Ten of Swords card which was posted to Twitter by Lisa Sterle and immediately sparked the interest of tarot readers everywhere. It was clear even then there was something special about this new relatable rendition of the tarot.
What sold this project to me was Sterle’s amazing version of The Magician card featuring a young Black girl- something I’d frankly never seen in before. This was just around the beginning of the indie tarot deck boom, and we were yet to be spoiled by an influx of inclusive decks that crowdsourcing made possible.
Since then Sterle’s tarot deck has become an incredibly inclusive fresh take on a tradition that’s been exclusionary to many folks. In the Modern Witch Tarot, more folks are able to see themselves in the cards, building deeper relationships with their practice. Sterle intended this deck to be a source of power for women and girls, clearly evident in the art choices she makes throughout the deck.
The idea that there’s this wealth of power within you, that you just need to trust yourself to tap into, is an inspiring thought that also definitely ties into feminism for me. — An Interview with Lisa Sterle (Liminal 11)
Aces, from the Modern Witch Tarot
Look & Feel:
The production quality of this deck is outstanding.
It comes with a gorgeous velvet tarot bag that would be almost unnecessary if it wasn’t embroidered so wonderfully because the box holding the deck is rock solid. The colorfully illustrated, two-piece box is blessedly easy to open and close and securely holds both the deck and guidebook with no issue. It’s got wonderful details, with the interior of both pieces covered in suit symbols- it’s details like this that charm, and you’ll find more attention to detail throughout the deck itself.
The deck’s guidebook is sized to fit in the box which y’all know by now is always a point of hallelujah for me. While the hardcover (yes, a hardcover LWB) is full color, the pages are black and white which doesn’t take away from the whole package in any way.
The card stock is #thicc.
When holding the deck in hand, you feel a substantial difference that usually only shows up in decks with larger-sized cards. I’ll note that it didn’t hinder me and my tiny hands from shuffling the deck because while the cardstock is hefty, the cards are standard sized and fit easily in my palms.
My one qualm with the card stock is that its glossy- but that is a teeny tiny qualm. Especially since that was probably an artistic choice to really bring out the pop art/comic book color palette and style Sterle uses throughout the deck. The gloss makes it so the cards sometimes stick together but because of the thickness of the card stock, they are easy to separate with little issue. Honestly, not enough of an issue to worry about it and with regular use, that stickiness should dissipate if not completely disappear.
All in all, the quality of this deck is undeniable and unquestionably intentional. You get the sense that there was thought in every little detail, which I can’t help but deeply appreciate.
a selection of favorite cards, from the Modern Witch Tarot
Imagery & Content:
The art speaks for itself.
It’s gorgeous, color rich, and modern with a touch of vintage charm. Mixed in with known tarot symbols are modern accoutrements like cellphones and laptops. These additions don’t take away from the card meanings, if anything I find they add to the cards.
I think it’s brilliant that a new generation of tarot readers will be able to access the tradition with symbology that looks like their reality, not just those of the past. That mix of modern and traditional makes this a unique deck to read with. I can’t help but wish that I had a deck like this when I first started tarot- honestly my resistance to the RWS might have been substantially eased had I been able to see more of myself in the cards.
And that’s really the core of the Modern Witch Tarot, for women and femmes to see themselves represented in the cards; a deck that looks like its readers- across ages, bodies, races, and gender expressions. Sterle makes an interesting choice with gender, I noted. This deck is an ode to the feminine- all expressions of it, including non-binary iterations. It is an intentional prioritization and I don’t think that Sterle ever makes that ambiguous in any part of this deck.
In the description of the court cards, Sterle only uses ‘she’ and ‘they’ form of pronouns with the Page & Queen referred to with ‘she’ and the Knight and King referred to as ‘they’. Not to say that non-women or non-femmes can’t read with the deck, not at all, just pointing out that there is a particular project in the Modern Witch Tarot: a spotlight on the power of women and femmes to reflect and affect both their destinies and that of the world.
art that asks questions, from the Modern Witch Tarot
I do have to admit that there were cards that I didn’t at all take to. Particularly the Strength card. Seeing Black or dark-skinned femmes of color in this card is very “florals for spring, how groundbreaking” for me. Devil Wears Prada references aside, it’s actually a pretty disturbing trend in tarot decks that I’ve painfully noticed.
In fact, I think I’ll have to write up a post examining this issue across decks more closely because it really is shocking how often this happens-look through your own collection and see- even with the best of intentions. The conflation of Black women and Strength (and also the suits of Wands and Pentacles) stemming from the “strong black woman” stereotype is harmful. It dehumanizes us, robs us of the space to be vulnerable and positions us as the world’s burden bearers.
I know it may sound like those of us asking for representation are constantly moving the finish line but is that really a bad thing?
How far is too far to ask for our humanity to be represented without harm? We’re slowly moving from whitewashing and tokenism, and now that we’re here it’s still imperative to improve. The work is not done until it’s done.
Despite my visceral reaction to the Strength card, I will say that Sterle does include cards that rarely if ever have Black or dark-skinned femmes like The Magician and Temperance, to name just a few. In fact, it was The Magician that first drew me to this deck- a version of Black girl magic that didn’t feel token or gimmicky. I’m glad that there are more decks working to be inclusive- I am also asking that creators continue to do better with nuances.
a selection of the Courts, from the Modern Witch Tarot
In the description of the court cards, Sterle only uses ‘she’ and ‘they’ form of pronouns with the Page & Queen referred to with ‘she’ and the Knight and King referred to as ‘they’. Not to say that non-women or non-femmes can’t read with the deck, not at all, just pointing out that there is a particular project in the Modern Witch Tarot: a spotlight on the power of women and femmes to reflect and affect both their destinies and that of the world.
This will serve as the handle of the broomstick. Next, find some long, thin pieces of twine or string. Attach one end of the twine to the top of the stick, and then wrap it tightly around the length of the stick, leaving a small portion at the top untied. Once the twine is wrapped to the desired length, tie it securely at the top to create the bristles of the broomstick. You can trim the excess twine to achieve the desired broomstick shape. For added decoration, consider tying a colorful ribbon or attaching small, lightweight objects like feathers or beads to the top of the broomstick. When the broomstick is complete, encourage your child to use their imagination and engage in pretend play as a witch. They can soar through the imaginary skies, casting spells on friends and family, and embarking on magical journeys. Aside from imaginative play, a **witch's broomstick** can also be used for fun activities like broomstick races or relay games. Set up a simple obstacle course and have children take turns racing on their broomsticks, trying to complete the course in the shortest amount of time. This can be a great way to promote physical activity and friendly competition among siblings or friends. Remember to always supervise children during playtime and ensure that they are using the broomstick safely. Remind them not to swing the broomstick at others or engage in rough play that could cause injury. In conclusion, a **witch's broomstick** can bring a touch of magic and excitement to playtime. It allows children to explore their imaginations, engage in pretend play, and enjoy fun activities like broomstick races. So, gather some materials and let the enchanting adventures begin!.
Reviews for "Playtime Enchantment: How a Witch's Broomstick Can Transport You to Another World"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the witches broomstick for playtime. The quality was extremely poor and it broke within the first hour of use. The bristles started falling off and the handle was flimsy. I had bought it for my daughter's birthday party and it was a huge disappointment. I would not recommend this product to anyone.
2. John - 1 star - The witches broomstick for playtime was a complete waste of money. It didn't look anything like the picture advertised and was much smaller in size. The materials used felt cheap and it didn't hold up well during play. My son was left extremely disappointed and I regret purchasing this item.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the witches broomstick for playtime, but it didn't live up to my expectations. The bristles were falling off as soon as we opened the package and the handle was too short for my child to comfortably hold. It also didn't provide the sound effects that were promised. Overall, it was a letdown and not worth the money spent.
4. Mark - 1 star - The witches broomstick for playtime was a complete disaster. The bristles were falling off before we even got a chance to play with it. The paint on the handle was chipping off and it didn't look as realistic as I had hoped. My kids were so disappointed and it was a waste of money. I would not recommend this product.