Books and Broomsticks by Erin Curley

  Potions     Something I was surprised wasn’t discussed more heavily in our texts was the role of potions in witchcraft. In modern depictions like  Hocus Pocus, Wicked,  and other films it seems that witches are constantly toiling over their latest brew in a cauldron. However, this didn’t as feature heavily in any of our reading as I expected.  A History of Magic, Witchcraft and the Occult  mentioned a few love potions, healing potions, and some Renaissance-era potions featuring snakes and chickens. The book also mentioned that modern Wiccans today continue to make potions as part of their regular practice. So while potions were definitely used in historical witchcraft, it seemed to be different and more targeted than the witch whipping up a quick potion for any ailment or problem, as often depicted in films.    In looking for potions online, I came across a few things that are thought to heal the drinker. A  “healing potion”  I fo...

  Last October, I read a novel called   The Ex Hex,  which tells the story of Vivienne Jones, a witch who puts a spell on an ex of hers, Rhys Penhallow, and has to deal with the many unexpected consequences of her spells, before using magic again in collaboration with her ex to reverse the damage and havoc that she has caused. Though I didn’t recognize them at the time, the book was full of many witchy-archetypes that we’ve learned about through our popular media presentations over the course of the semester. Vivienne has a familiar, a cat named Sir Purrcival.     She lived in a coven of sorts with her best friend Gwyn and Vivienne’s aunt Elaine, who are both practicing witches.     Her aunt went all out for Halloween every year, and they attended the town festival that occurred every October, and was a centerpiece of the town’s social scene. As I read the book, it reminded me of a mix between   Halloweentown , due to both works taking place in to...