Every Friday, Meiko Nakahara, known as the "Friday witch," practices witchcraft in her small apartment in Tokyo. Despite living in a modern city, Meiko remains deeply connected to her ancestral roots and embraces her role as a witch. Her practice involves a combination of traditional Japanese rituals and modern witchcraft techniques. Raised in a family with a long history of practicing witchcraft, Meiko learned the art from her grandmother. She remembers as a child watching in awe as her grandmother would perform spells and create potions. Meiko's grandmother taught her the importance of connecting with nature and harnessing the energy of the universe.
As a result, she curses her own bloodline, so that none of her future family members have to suffer the painful consequences of love.
For those who have had the pleasure of reading the ever-popular Practical Magic series by Alice Hoffman, you ll know that they provide the perfect witchy vibes to get you in the mood for a spooky season. You can read them all as stand alone novels, but to get a better understanding of the books, and the history of the Owens family line, it s always best to start with Magic Lessons.
Meiko's grandmother taught her the importance of connecting with nature and harnessing the energy of the universe. Meiko's Friday rituals begin with meditation and reflection. She sets up an altar in her living room, adorned with various crystals, herbs, and candles.
Practical Magic Books In Order
Practical Magic is a series of paranormal romance novels written by Alice Hoffman. The books follow the adventures of two witches, Sally and Gillian, who are trying and failing to break away from their magical lineage.
The Practical Magic series is spent following the Owens sisters as they finally come to terms with the magic in their blood and the complexities that their lineage adds to their love lives. These novels have been commended for their charming characters, sweet stories, and the author’s magical writing style.
Alice Hoffman is an American author born in 1952 in New York City. She attended Valley Steam North High and Adelphi University. She wrote her first short story while studying at Stanford. The short story got the attention of an editor, who asked her to write a full-length novel.
Some people struggle to categorize the Practical Magic series. The novels deal with witches and magic, so words like “fantasy,” “paranormal,” and “supernatural” would definitely fit the bill, but the magic on display in the stories is quite subtle, so much so that one would be hard-pressed to call these fantasy novels. Additionally, emphasis is placed on the romance and the family drama that plays out between the characters.
Regardless of what anyone chooses to call these books, one cannot deny Practical Magic’s persisting popularity. The first novel in the series was published in 1995 to great fanfare. Its sequel took more than two decades to finally see the light of day, and yet Alice Hoffman’s fans were no less enthusiastic to return to the world that the first Practical Magic novel introduced.
These novels tell the stories of the Owens family. Back in the 1600s, Maria Owens fell for the wrong man. The affair finally ended when Maria was accused of witchcraft. Before her demise, Maria cast a spell that would doom every man who would ever fall for an Owens woman to a quick and horrible death.
Practical Magic, the first novel in the series, weaves the story of Sally and Gillian, who grew up well aware of the dark web of suspicion that hovered over their family name. For as long as they could remember, everything that went wrong in their rural Massachusetts town was blamed on the Owens family.
To an extent, Sally and Gillian’s neighbors couldn’t be blamed for their hostile reactions, because their aunts did nothing to dissuade suggestions that they were witches. If anything, they encouraged this talk. Sally and Gillian suffered the consequences and so after a while, they decided that they would escape the family name and all the rumors that came with it.
Gillian did this by running away. She was always the wild one, breaking men’s hearts, living her life to the fullest. Sally was far more practical. She decided to marry. Neither of them realized back then that, no matter how far they ran, their bonds would keep drawing them back together.
The Rules of Magic unfolds a saga beginning in 1620, when Maria Owens loved the wrong man and was charged with witchery as a result. Centuries later, Susanna Owens is doing everything in her power to keep her children safe from the same fate that befell their ancestor. They refuse to make things easy for her, and Susanna can tell that Franny, Jet, and Vincent are the farthest thing from ordinary. But that doesn’t mean she is ready to give up on them.
Of all the rules that Susanna has set for her kids, her restrictions on love are the most important. She forbids them from ever giving their hearts away to anyone unless they are ready to face the consequences.
Magic Lessons begins with Maria Owens in the 1600’s. Abandoned as a baby and cared for by Hannah Owens, Hannah sees that Maria has a gift and teaches Maria everything that she knows about the “Nameless Arts.” Maria learns the most important lesson from Helen, that she has to love someone who loves her back.
The Book of Magic, the conclusion of the Practical Magic series, begins when Aunt Jet hears the deathwatch beetle, knows she has only seven days to live, and feels that she has so much to do with her remaining time. Readers are introduced again to Aunt Jet and Aunt Franny; Uncle Vincent; Sally and Gillian; and Sally’s children, Kylie and Antonia.
+Adaptations
The first novel in the practical magic series was adapted into a 1998 romantic comedy film that featured Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. The movie was directed by Griffin Dunne.
3 Responses to “Practical Magic”
Taly Foox: 1 year agoWilma, the order of the books is right at the beginning of this article, at the top. Here it is again:
Alice Hoffman said that the books can be read either in the order they were written/published
Practical Magic (1995)
The Rules of Magic (2017)
Magic Lessons (2020)
The Book of Magic (2021) Or in the chronological order Magic Lessons (2020)
The Rules of Magic (2017)
Practical Magic (1995)
The Book of Magic (2021) Hope this helps. Reply
Meiko believes that these items help to amplify her energy and focus her intentions. She uses crystals such as amethyst and rose quartz for healing and protection, while herbs like lavender and sage are burned to purify the space. One of the key elements of Meiko's Friday witchcraft is divination. She uses tarot cards, pendulums, and scrying mirrors to gain insights into the future and receive guidance on her spiritual journey. Meiko places great importance on trust and intuition when interpreting the messages she receives, allowing her to make informed decisions and navigate through life's challenges. Another aspect of Meiko's practice is spellcasting. She believes in the power of intention and words, and often creates her own spells using herbs, candles, and incense. Meiko focuses her spells on healing, manifestation, and protection. She believes that by putting her intentions into the universe, she can create positive change in her life and the lives of others. Despite the misconceptions surrounding witchcraft, Meiko emphasizes that her practice is about love, positivity, and self-empowerment. She sees herself as a modern witch, blending ancient traditions with a contemporary mindset. Meiko encourages others to embrace their own spirituality, whatever form it may take, and to honor their ancestral roots. In a modern world filled with stress and uncertainty, Meiko finds solace and strength in her Friday witchcraft. Through her rituals, she connects with her inner self, nature, and the universe. As the Friday witch, Meiko continues to inspire others to explore their own spiritual journeys and find their own magic within..
Reviews for "Transforming Your Life through Friday Witchcraft with Meiko Nakahara"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Friday witchcraft with Meiko Nakahara". The show had a great premise, but the execution fell flat. The characters were poorly developed, and the plot was confusing and disjointed. I found myself losing interest and struggling to follow what was happening. The acting was subpar, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this show to others.
2. Emily - 1/5 stars - I can't even begin to describe how much I disliked "Friday witchcraft with Meiko Nakahara". The show was a complete waste of time. The storytelling was messy and lacked any coherence. The special effects were cheap and looked fake. The actors seemed bored and uninterested, delivering their lines with no emotion. It was difficult to connect with any of the characters, as they were one-dimensional and lacked depth. I regret watching this show and would not recommend it to anyone who values their time and sanity.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "Friday witchcraft with Meiko Nakahara" had so much potential, but it failed to live up to it. The plot was intriguing, but the execution was lacking. The pacing was slow, and the episodes felt unnecessarily long. I felt like the show could have been condensed into a shorter season to maintain the viewer's interest. The writing was also weak, with predictable twists and shallow character development. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied with this show and wouldn't recommend it unless you have a lot of time to spare.
4. Michael - 3/5 stars - While "Friday witchcraft with Meiko Nakahara" had its flaws, it also had some redeeming qualities. The visuals were stunning, and the cinematography added to the overall aesthetic of the show. However, the storyline was confusing and hard to follow at times. The characters lacked depth, and their motivations were unclear. The acting was hit or miss, with some performances standing out while others fell flat. I wouldn't actively recommend this show, but if you're a fan of the genre, you might find some enjoyment in it.