Roald Dahl's "The Magic Finger" is a children's book that tells the story of a young girl with a unique power. The main character, known only as the girl with the magic finger, has the ability to zap people and objects with her finger, causing them to change in a magical way. However, she struggles with controlling this power and uses it only when she becomes really angry. The story begins with the girl and her family living next door to the Greggs, a family that loves hunting. The girl becomes furious when she sees the Greggs hunting innocent animals, and she decides to use her magic finger on them. She zaps the Greggs and turns them into birds, leaving them helpless and unable to harm any other creatures.
She zaps the Greggs and turns them into birds, leaving them helpless and unable to harm any other creatures. The Greggs find themselves in a difficult situation, as they are now the hunted and must face the hardships they once imposed on others. They experience firsthand the fear and pain that animals go through when hunted.
Spell Candle Magick for Beginners
Candle magic (or magick) is one of the simplest forms of spellcasting. The person performing the spell decides on a goal, visualises the end result and focuses their intent to turn their idea into reality.
What are Spell Candles?
Spell candles are candles used to perform candle magick and are available in a range of different colours and sizes for a wide variety of intentions. In colour magick, each colour represents a specific meaning or intent, but be aware that these meanings can differ slightly between sources.
What do the different colours represent?
| White | Happiness* | Dark Blue | Wisdom |
| Black | Protection | Purple | Prosperity |
| Red | Love | Pink | Friendship |
| Orange | Confidence | Brown | Balance |
| Yellow | Success | Silver | Intuition |
| Green | Luck | Gold | Fortune |
| Blue | Peace |
*white candles are the most popular as they can be used to substitute any other candle colour or intent
How do you use spell candles?
To begin, the person performing the spell needs to select the colour candle best suited to their end goal. It is recommended that a fresh candle is used for each new spell, but previously burnt candles can be used for the same intent. The reason for this is that is it said that candle pick up vibrations from other objects around them whilst burning and a new candle is therefore more effective.
Each candle must be dressed before use. This can include coating in oil (also called anointing), rolling in magickal herbs or carving the candle with words and intentions.
The person casting the spell must then focus their energy on the candle for a few minutes before it is lit. While visualising their intent, the candle is then lit and the intent amplified whilst the candle burns.
WARNING: Please take care when lighting candles and never leave a burning candle unattended.
Once the candle is no longer of use it can be disposed of safely. Some practitioners advise that spell candles should be allowed to burn down or put out with a snuffer. This is because blowing out the candle will blow the intention away, making the spell unsuccessful.
Large or Small Candle?
Spell candles come in all shapes and sizes, as do spells. It is important to pick the candle that best meets the end goal of the spell being cast. For example, some complex spells require a candle to burn for 3 hours or more and therefore a large candle is ideal. On the flip side, if a spell requires a candle to be burnt completely, a 3 hour candle will not be appropriate.
Amplifying the energy
Whilst a simple spell candle is the best way to begin on the journey to spell casting, more advanced users add blends of herbs, flowers, crystals and oils to increase the energy and strengthen the spell.
Writing It Down
Another way to help manifest a goal is to write it down on a piece of coloured paper, the same colour as the spell candle being used. The candle is then used to light the paper which is then placed in a cauldron or fireproof bowl to burn out.
Of course, this is not the only way to begin with candle magick. There are many resources online and we encourage individuals to research the rituals best suited to them.
Another way to help manifest a goal is to write it down on a piece of coloured paper, the same colour as the spell candle being used. The candle is then used to light the paper which is then placed in a cauldron or fireproof bowl to burn out.
Through this transformation, they gain empathy and ultimately learn a valuable lesson. "The Magic Finger" highlights the theme of empathy and the consequences of one's actions. It teaches children the importance of treating all living beings with kindness and respect. The girl with the magic finger serves as a symbol of standing up against injustice and using one's power for the greater good. Overall, Roald Dahl's "The Magic Finger" is a thought-provoking children's book that encourages empathy and compassion. It emphasizes the power of actions, both positive and negative, and the potential for change and growth..
Reviews for "Symbolism in Roald Dahl's The Magic Finger"
1. Alice - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Roald Dahl the magic finger". The story lacked the charm and creativity that I usually associate with Roald Dahl's work. I found the plot to be dull and unoriginal, and the characters were one-dimensional. Overall, the book failed to capture my attention and I struggled to finish it.
2. David - 3 stars - I have been a fan of Roald Dahl's books for a long time, but "Roald Dahl the magic finger" left me feeling underwhelmed. While the concept of the magic finger was intriguing, the execution fell flat. The story felt rushed and lacked the depth that I've come to expect from Dahl's writing. Additionally, I found the ending to be unsatisfying and predictable. It's not a terrible book, but it's certainly not one of Dahl's best.
3. Emma - 2 stars - I found "Roald Dahl the magic finger" to be incredibly juvenile and lacking in substance. The characters were uninteresting, and the plot was too simplistic to hold my attention. The book felt like it was written for a much younger audience, and I struggled to connect with the story. Overall, I was disappointed in this novel and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating read.
4. Michael - 2 stars - "Roald Dahl the magic finger" was a letdown for me. The story was predictable and lacked the clever twists and turns that I love about Dahl's writing. Additionally, I found the writing style to be too simplistic, even for a children's book. While I appreciate the message of standing up against injustice, I feel that it could have been conveyed in a more engaging and memorable way. Overall, I was not impressed with this book.