In certain cultures, straw voodoo dolls are used as a form of sympathetic magic. These dolls are believed to have the power to affect the well-being of a person. Like traditional voodoo dolls made of cloth, straw voodoo dolls can be used for healing or for causing harm. The practice of using straw voodoo dolls can be traced back to ancient times when people believed in the power of sympathetic magic. The main idea behind this practice is that by manipulating a doll that represents a person, one can influence the events and experiences of that person's life. The straw voodoo dolls are typically made from natural materials such as straw, sticks, and leaves.
Text copyright © 2003 by Jonathan Stroud
When Nathaniel is embarrassed in front of other magicians by Simon Lovelace, the boy sets to work, secretly studying his master s magic texts and planning his comeuppance. But when a devious hot-shot wizard named Simon Lovelace ruthlessly humiliates Nathaniel in front of his elders, Nathaniel decides to kick up his education a few notches and show Lovelace who s boss.
The straw voodoo dolls are typically made from natural materials such as straw, sticks, and leaves. They are often crafted to resemble a human figure and are used in rituals or ceremonies. Those who believe in the power of straw voodoo dolls often use them for personal healing or for casting spells.
The Amulet of Samarkand (The Bartimaeus Trilogy, Book 1)
Harry Potter fans, rejoice. Here's the first of The Bartimaeus Trilogy, a crackling and original English fantasy that takes place in an alternate London. The viewpoint alternates between the overblown, self-possessed, wisecracking and sometimes put-upon narrative of a 5,000-year-old djinni, Bartimaeus, and an omniscient narrator who follows Nathaniel, a twelve-year-old boy-magician-in-training. In the very first chapter, Bartimaeus is less than pleased to be summoned into the middle of a pentacle by a scrawny kid, shaking like a leaf, who pipes, "By the constraints of the circle, the points on the pentacle, and the chain of runes, I am your master! You will obey my will!" Nathaniel commands him to bring back the Amulet of Samarkand, an ancient artifact now reposing in the house of Simon Lovelace, a powerful and vengeful magician politician, and the djinni has no choice but to bow to the boy's foolish command.
Nathaniel, who was sold by his parents to the government when he was five, has been apprenticed since then to Mr. Underwood, a peevish and unpleasant low-level bureaucrat of a magician who works for the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The only bright spot in his life is Mrs. Underwood, a motherly woman who is his sole source of tenderness or kindness. When Nathaniel is embarrassed in front of other magicians by Simon Lovelace, the boy sets to work, secretly studying his master's magic texts and planning his comeuppance. Once Bartimaeus succeeds in stealing the magical amulet for Nathaniel, the whole of London is drawn into a political intrigue of power-hungry magicians, corruption, and even murder that could topple the entire magician-run government. This is a hefty but fast-paced, thrilling, and often very funny novel that will keep readers up at night, and lead them to the other books in the trilogy: The Golem's Eye and Ptolemy's Gate. Also check out The Ring of Solomon, published after the trilogy, which recounts one of Bartimaeus's previous adventures, the time he was forced to work in the court of the Biblical King Solomon.
Reviewed by : JF.
Themes : ENGLAND. FANTASY. MAGIC & MAGICIANS.
I rubbed my beak doubtfully against a knot of wood. As expected, there was a good deal of powerful magic at work here. I’d heard of Lovelace. He was considered a formidable magician and a hard taskmaster. I was lucky I had never been called up in his service, and I did not much want his enmity or that of his servants.
These dolls are believed to act as a conduit for energy and can be manipulated to bring good luck, to heal a specific ailment, or to cause harm to an enemy. The use of straw voodoo dolls is controversial, as many people view it as a form of witchcraft or superstition. However, for those who believe in the power of sympathetic magic, these dolls are a powerful tool for manifesting intentions and influencing the world around them. Whether one believes in the power of straw voodoo dolls or not, it is clear that they have a rich history and cultural significance in certain regions of the world..
Reviews for "The Connection Between Straw Voodoo Dolls and Poppets in Witchcraft"
1. Jane - 2 stars
I found "Straw Voodoo Doll" to be a deeply disappointing and lackluster read. The writing felt disjointed and the characters lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them or invest in their story. The premise held promise, but it ultimately fell flat as the plot meandered without clear direction. Moreover, I found the ending to be anticlimactic and unsatisfying. Overall, "Straw Voodoo Doll" failed to captivate me and left me feeling underwhelmed.
2. Mark - 1 star
I cannot express how much I disliked "Straw Voodoo Doll". The plot was convoluted and confusing, leaving me unable to follow along and understand what was happening. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting, making it difficult to care about their fates. In addition, the prose was choppy and awkward, and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. I struggled to finish the book and by the end, I was left feeling frustrated and disappointed. This was a complete waste of time and I would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Straw Voodoo Doll", but unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations. The story started off promising, but quickly became predictable and cliché. The pacing was uneven, with long periods of boredom followed by rushed and poorly executed action scenes. The characters lacked depth and their motivations were unclear, making it hard to connect with them on any level. I was hoping for a thrilling and engaging read, but instead, I found myself counting down the pages until it would be over. A disappointing read.