Practical magic symbols are objects or designs that hold symbolic meaning and are used in various magical practices and rituals. These symbols are believed to have the power to harness and direct specific energies or forces in order to achieve desired outcomes. One of the most well-known practical magic symbols is the pentagram. The pentagram consists of a five-pointed star enclosed within a circle. Each point of the star represents one of the five elements: earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. The pentagram is often used for protection, banishing negative energy, and enhancing personal power.

Practical Magic: A Magical Media Analysis

Welcome to the first entry in the Magical Media Analysis series of posts. For this post, I will be taking a look at the magic within one of my all-time favorite films (and the book it is based upon), Practical Magic. The original book by Alice Hoffman spawned three subsequent volumes, really proving to flesh out the universe. Witches’ marks and witches floating in water instead of sinking are major plot points during later prequels. Both of these are rooted in witchy folklore going back centuries. In the Practical Magic book series witches’ marks are birthmarks that denote a natural-born witch, whereas in the old folklore, the mark was said to be where a witch fed her familiar. The floating in the water was why some witches attempted to be drowned during witch trials to prove that they were witches if they floated.

At the beginning of the film and the novel, a young Sally and Gillian watch the Aunts perform a love spell for a desperate woman. This included the woman pushing a needle into a bird and begging a man to love her to the point of obsession. In the book, it is elaborated that she got what she wanted, but was very unhappy as he was truly obsessed and she was miserable at being oppressed by his clinging obsession with her! As Aunt Jet said in the film “Be careful what you wish for.” She was not and bore the consequences. This whole scene shows a lot of the danger of love spells. The way the spell is shown to be cast is very rooted in old folk magic practices surrounding love and lust. After this, Sally casts her famous love spell hoping to conjure a man that does not exist, only to meet him one day many years later. The love spell that the Aunts cast on Sally is what led to her marriage and the birth of her daughters, along with her husband’s death due to the curse. The family curse is also rooted in misused love magic, as Maria Owens cursed her descendants by alchemizing her pain at having been betrayed in love into a spell that would prevent her from ever having her heart broken again.

Herbalism is used a lot in the film. Sally runs her own botanical shop where she sells witchy herbal remedies to the town folk, even if they do not like that she is a witch, and refuse to accept her fully into the community. We also see herbalism play an important role in Gillian’s story. She regularly used a small dose of belladonna to calm down her boyfriend Jimmy so that she could get some sleep. Ultimately, this belladonna is the cause of death for Jimmy, as Sally overdoses him, making the sedative take on its poisonous quality causing mortality! Belladonna is famously a sedative that is highly toxic in large quantities. It is this quality of toxicity that is well known of this herb that is called “pretty lady” in Italian which makes its use in the film and book so ideal, after all, it is given to Jimmy by a pretty lady ending in his demise!

Finally, I want to discuss Gillian’s brand of magic. She is not as adept at traditional magic as her family, or at least takes longer than Sally to learn when they are girls. Yet, Gillian has her own form of magic that none of the others seem to possess. She has a natural ability to use Glamour magic and sex magic. It is this natural allure that she used to empower her spells and her energetic influence is what caused so much to occur during the plot. I believe it can even be read that Jimmy’s obsession with her is due to her natural ability with Glamour and sex magic creating an aura of allure that would overpower his senses. In some ways, she is the most powerful of all the Owens. Even her famous snake tattoo twined around her wrist is a symbol of her sexual allure! Glamour is a favorite form of magic to me, as it is deeply associated with Faery women. The way that Gillian is able to attract men to her like moths to a flame are also how Faery women attract men in old folklore tales and Arthurian legends. Jimmy’s obsession along with the botched attempt to bring him back from the dead is what caused the spiritual haunting that is the climax of the plot. In the beginning, the first sign is the roses that spring up overnight, red roses as a symbol of romantic and sexual love (another herbalism and sex magic signal in the plot). Later this haunting would become more embodied and she would have to rely on the help of her sister, aunts, and other women in the community to give her strength to conquer her demons, in the form of her ex-boyfriend Jimmy! I adore the climax of the film as a sisterly love tale, as I am all for sisterhood and women helping one another, but I also adore that Gillian gets to fall in love with a worthy man in the novel’s plot. She finally learned what a healthy relationship was, one that was very sexual but still supportive and caring!

All in all, this is one of the best examples of Magical Media that has a basis in real-world magical practices and folkloric evidence! I highly recommend this as a good source to show what actually being a magical practitioner looks like in the real world. I hope you have enjoyed this first Magical Media Analysis. What is your favorite thing about Practical Magic? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Note on Image: The image at the top of the post is one of the covers of the novel. I found the image on https://alicehoffman.com/books/practical-magic/.

Note: I have a Donations Page here for any of my readers who would like to support this blog. If you enjoy what I do here on White Rose of Avalon (and what I do on my YouTube channel Enchantress of Avalon), I would appreciate you considering giving a small one-time donation to support my ability to continue to create content. Link to my Donations Page: https://whiteroseofavalon.life/donations-page/

Tarot Note: I have launched a page where I offer tarot and oracle readings for those of you interested in these services! I am very happy to be offering these readings to my treasured readers at White Rose of Avalon! Link to page: https://whiteroseofavalon.life/tarot-and-oracle-readings/

• Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
• Practical Magic (1998)

Practical Magic

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Symbols & Motifs

Black Soap

The aunts have a tradition of making black soap each year, which is supposed to have special beautifying properties: “Maybe it was the black soap she washed with that made her skin seem illuminated; whatever the reason, she was hot to the touch and impossible to ignore” (25). Today, charcoal-based beauty products are popular and can be found in health food stores worldwide. At the book’s publication of 1995, however, these were less common and likely would have been met with both intrigue and suspicion from its target audience—women concerned with beauty and aging. This shows that the aunts are not only ahead of their time but have the modern equivalent of sacred knowledge that is still out of reach for many people.

At the same time, this black soap becomes a symbol of the aunts, the Owens home, and their particular otherness. Once Gillian rejects her heritage, she rejects the black soap even though she once benefited from it. She can’t stand to be reminded of her past, so she throws the soap away as an embodiment of painful memories: “The black soap the aunts send as a present every year has been taken out of the soapdish and has been replaced with a bar of clear, rose-scented soap from France” (82).

Practical Sigil Magic: Creating Personal Symbols for Success

Practical Sigil Magic is widely regarded as the definitive guide to the topic. Unavailable for a number of years and long sought-after by magicians, this classic work is now available once again.

Sigil magic is one of the most efficient and economical of magical disciplines. It can be performed without complicated rituals or paraphernalia, is independent of philosophical and dogmatic premises, and can be learned easily and quickly. Most important, it will give even beginning magicians the chance to work with the power of the Will and enhance their own abilities. This classic reference work will provide magicians—from novice to adept— with instruction that will empower and advance their magical practice.

Praise:
"Frater U∴D∴ writes from a background of extensive practical achievement and theoretical knowledge to present a book of magical techniques for those who dare to use them."—Peter J. Carroll, author of Liber Null & Psychonaut

• Тело, разум и дух

The pentagram is often used for protection, banishing negative energy, and enhancing personal power. Another common symbol is the triquetra, also known as the trinity knot. This symbol consists of three interlocked loops that create a triangle shape.

Связанные категории

• Демонология и сатанизм
• Язычество и неоязычество
• Нью эйдж и духовность
• Occult & Paranormal
• Wicca / Witchcraft

Отзывы о Practical Sigil Magic

27 оценок 2 отзыва

The triquetra is associated with various concepts such as the triple goddess, the three stages of life, and the threefold nature of existence. It is used for balance, unity, and protection. The Eye of Horus, an ancient Egyptian symbol, is another practical magic symbol. It represents protection, healing, and intuition. The Eye of Horus is believed to provide spiritual guidance and ward off evil. The Celtic knot is a symbol with intricate patterns that signify eternity and interconnectedness. It is used for spiritual growth, love, and protection. The Celtic knot is often incorporated into jewelry, clothing, and tattoos. The ankh, an ancient Egyptian symbol resembling a cross with a loop at the top, is a widely recognized symbol of life and immortality. It is used for fertility, protection, and spiritual awakening. In addition to these symbols, there are many other practical magic symbols used in different magical traditions and practices. These symbols can vary in their specific meanings and uses depending on the practitioner and the intention behind their work. Overall, practical magic symbols serve as tools to focus energy, invoke specific qualities, and create a connection with the spiritual realm. They are an integral part of magical rituals and can be used to enhance intention, belief, and manifestation..

Reviews for "The Role of Practical Magic Symbols in Energy Healing"

1. Emma - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Practical Magic Symbols", but I was sorely disappointed. The book lacked depth and substance, and the symbols were hardly explained or explored. It was like a shallow overview of different symbols without any real insight or analysis. I found it to be a wasted opportunity to dive deeper into the intriguing world of magical symbols. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to those looking for a comprehensive and enlightening read on the subject.

2. Jason - 3 stars - While "Practical Magic Symbols" touched upon some interesting symbols, I felt like it was a rushed and superficial exploration of the topic. The explanations and descriptions were limited, leaving me with more questions than answers. I was hoping for a more in-depth analysis, but unfortunately, the book fell short. If you're looking for a basic introduction to magical symbols, this might be sufficient, but if you're seeking a more comprehensive and detailed understanding, I suggest looking elsewhere.

3. Sarah - 1 star - "Practical Magic Symbols" was a complete disappointment. The book lacked any real substance and felt more like a glossy magazine than an informative guide. The author failed to provide any meaningful explanations or interpretations of the symbols, leaving me frustrated and unsatisfied. It seemed like a lazy attempt to cash in on the popularity of magic without putting in any real effort. I would strongly advise against wasting your time and money on this book.

Exploring the Power of Numerology in Practical Magic Symbols