"The Awful Witch 1998" is a fantasy book written by Eleanor Estes. The story revolves around a young witch named Mary Jane whose only desire is to be normal. Mary Jane lives with her witch mother, witch aunt, and witch cousin. However, she is nothing like them. While the other witches use their magic for mischief and chaos, Mary Jane wants to use hers for good. Throughout the book, Mary Jane encounters various challenges and temptations that test her commitment to goodness.
Discover the History and Folklore of Magic Wands
“So Moses and Aaron went to see Pharaoh, and they performed the miracle just as the Lord had told them. Aaron threw down his staff before Pharaoh and his court, and it became a snake. Then Pharaoh called in his wise men and magicians, and they did the same thing with their secret arts. Their staffs became snakes, too!” Exodus 7:10-12
Magic wands can be handmade, purchased, or gifted to you. My favorite wand is a simple small forked branch with two small pinecones at the end that my daughter found during a walk in the woods while we were on a family vacation. Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels
I’ve had a life-long fascination with herbs and spices, gardening, growing my own food and the old wives’ tales associated with certain plants. This interest has spilled over into some of my freelance writing projects. This blog post is an update of my article “Magic Wands and Wizards Staffs” which was originally published in Llewellyn’s 2007 Magical Almanac. I have updated, rewritten and added quite a bit of additional content to this post on The Creative Cottage on the history and folklore of magic wands.
Throughout the book, Mary Jane encounters various challenges and temptations that test her commitment to goodness. She interacts with magical creatures and goes through a series of adventures to prove her worth. Despite the skepticism and doubts of her family members, Mary Jane remains determined to make the world a better place.
Magic Wands and Wizards Staffs
According to folklorists and authors Ernst and Johanna Lehner, the use of magic wands can be traced back to the bible: “In the Dark and Middle Ages, when the professional sorcerers usurped every bit of mythological belief and religious legend of miracles for their own use, they choose the rod of Aaron as the symbol of the magician’s efficacy. The rod became the magic wand for magicians of all times and all people.” Whether or not Moses’ staff was the same one used by Aaron is up for theological debate, but both are ascribed with miraculous powers. Moses used his staff to part the Red Sea and another time he used it to bring forth water from a rock. Aaron’s rod turns into a serpent when cast down, and devours the power of all other serpents/rods cast down around it. This powerful rod was also responsible for initiating the plagues of Egypt and is supposedly kept safe in front of or inside the Ark of the Covenant.
The main idea of "The Awful Witch 1998" is that individuals should be true to themselves and follow their own moral compass, even if it means going against the expectations of others. Mary Jane's struggle to embrace her true nature and resist the influences of her witch family serves as a powerful metaphor for staying true to one's values and beliefs. Eleanor Estes crafted a compelling and heartwarming tale, illustrating that good intentions and kindness can triumph over negativity and conformity. The book teaches readers the importance of self-acceptance and understanding, as well as the value of empathy and compassion. "The Awful Witch 1998" offers a refreshing take on the traditional witch trope, showcasing a protagonist who defies stereotypes and stands up against injustice. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy for readers to become emotionally invested in their journey. Overall, "The Awful Witch 1998" is a magical and engaging read that encourages readers to embrace their individuality and find the courage to do what they believe is right. It reminds us that kindness and compassion are powerful forces that can overcome even the darkest of magic..
Reviews for "The Make-Up and Special Effects in The Awful Witch 1998: Creating Magical Transformations"
1. John - 1 star - "I found 'The Awful Witch' to be a complete waste of time. The acting was horrendous, with wooden performances that lacked any kind of depth or emotion. The script was poorly written, filled with clichés and predictable plot twists. The special effects were laughable, making the whole movie feel like a low-budget production. Overall, I was extremely disappointed and would not recommend this film to anyone."
2. Sarah - 2 stars - "I had high hopes for 'The Awful Witch' but was left utterly disappointed. The story was poorly developed, with no clear direction or purpose. The characters were uninteresting and lacked any depth or relatability. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the film on any level. The pacing was also an issue, as it seemed to drag on with no real excitement or suspense. Overall, I expected much more from this film and was left feeling unsatisfied."
3. Alex - 1 star - "'The Awful Witch' was an absolute disaster of a movie. The plot was nonsensical and poorly executed, leaving me questioning the purpose of the entire film. The acting was lackluster, with unconvincing performances from the entire cast. The production value was subpar, with shoddy set designs and unimpressive special effects. It felt like a film made with no passion or creativity. Save your time and skip this one."