The sugar witch is a figure from folklore and mythology who is said to have magical powers over sugar and sweets. In many stories and legends, she is portrayed as a mysterious and powerful sorceress who can conjure up delectable desserts and sugary treats with just a wave of her wand. She is often depicted as an old woman with wild, flowing white hair and a mischievous smile. Some tales describe her as being dressed in robes made entirely of candy wrappers, while others portray her as having a magical cauldron that is always filled with molten sugar. The sugar witch is said to reside in a hidden cottage deep in the forest, where she spends her days concocting sugary delights and granting wishes to those who seek her out. Legends about the sugar witch often involve brave or curious children who stumble upon her cottage while lost in the woods.
More than four centuries ago, in 1566, a 40-something Agnes Waterhouse became the first woman to be executed for being a witch in Essex, England. Not much is documented from the time, but it is likely that Waterhouse — called “Mother Waterhouse” by the locals — was likely a single woman with a respectable position in society who was compassionate, helpful, wise and a healer.
Moniraj says it then becomes important to question how a woman is branded a witch If there is crop failure or if an individual gets sick or harm befalls the community, the blame falls not upon a virus or crop disease, but upon an alleged witch. Another involved the accusation of witchcraft against irregular practitioners, such as old wives, writes researcher Leigh Whaley in The Wise-Woman as Healer Popular Medicine, Witchcraft and Magic.
Legends about the sugar witch often involve brave or curious children who stumble upon her cottage while lost in the woods. In these stories, she tests the children's character and kindness before offering them a taste of her magical sweets. Those who pass her tests and show respect and gratitude are granted a wish, while those who are greedy or disrespectful are punished with a curse.
A Cultural Movement And Embrace Of Witchcraft By A Younger Generation
Washington Post columnist Christine Emba argues a resurgence in occult spiritual practices such as astrology, tarot and crystals is the younger generation's response to a larger cultural moment.
SACHA PFEIFFER, HOST:
Witchcraft is having a moment. We don't mean the pointy black hat, cauldron and broomstick kind of witchcraft. We're talking about curated sets of crystals, bespoke decks of tarot cards and TV reboots of "Charmed" and "Sabrina The Teenage Witch."
CHRISTINE EMBA: Yeah. You do see witches everywhere.
PFEIFFER: That's Washington Post opinion columnist Christine Emba. She recently wrote a piece headlined, "An Entire Generation Is Losing Hope. Enter The Witch." Her hypothesis is this - as younger generations leave organized religion at higher rates, they're on the lookout for something else that could help them make sense of these challenging times.
EMBA: These young people do long for meaning. They want to understand the world in at least a spiritual sense. Atheism isn't quite doing it for them. So they turn to older traditions. And witchcraft is one of these.
PFEIFFER: Witchcraft is loosely defined. It could be spells and hexes and special candles or going deep into astrology and harnessing energy from crystals.
EMBA: It's increasingly customizable. You can sort of pull different aspects of different traditions and put them together to create something of your own.
PFEIFFER: If you're not into DIY, there was a starter witch kit from the beauty retailer Sephora, although that never actually made it to store shelves because hardcore witches complained. But that hasn't stopped other companies from trying to cash in.
EMBA: Pretty much anywhere you go, you can find something that's, you know, crystal-infused or a set of, you know, specific candles for aura purposes or even bundles of sage or palo santo.
PFEIFFER: But like the weather, the season of the witch may also be cyclical.
EMBA: You see it at almost every time of crisis. You know, during the Civil War there was a renewed resurgence in spiritualism. It's said that Mary Todd Lincoln would hold seances in the White House. And then again in the '60s and '70s, New Age took off. But there has always been an interest in spiritual things.
PFEIFFER: Or maybe the current embrace of witchy things has less to do with spiritualism and is just trendy. As Christine Emba, the Washington Post columnist says.
EMBA: In fact, at this point, it's just kind of cool.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)
Copyright © 2018 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.
NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.
“When I say that witchcraft is queer, I mean that it exists outside the charmed circle of spiritual [practice] in our culture, but beyond that, I mean that queerness of sexuality and gender are intrinsic to the [knowledge] and [practice] of witchcraft,” explains Magdalene.
The sugar witch is believed to have a deep connection with nature and the changing seasons. Some tales suggest that she is responsible for the creation of sugar from the sugar cane plant, while others claim that she has the ability to control the growth and ripening of fruits and crops. In this aspect, she is seen as a symbol of abundance and fertility, with her sugary treats representing the harvest and the joy of indulgence. In modern times, the sugar witch has become a popular figure in children's literature and media. She is often portrayed as a quirky and kind-hearted character who uses her magic to spread joy and happiness. Her stories teach children the importance of gratitude, sharing, and moderation when it comes to indulging in sweet treats. Overall, the sugar witch is a captivating and enchanting figure from folklore who embodies the magic and sweetness of sugar. She represents the joy and pleasures of indulging in sweets, while also reminding us to appreciate and savor these pleasures in moderation..
Reviews for "The Sweet Symphony: How the Sugar Witch Turns Ordinary Cakes into Edible Works of Art"
1. Jane Doe - 2 stars - The Sugar Witch was a disappointment for me. I found the story to be slow-paced and lacking in excitement. The characters were one-dimensional and I struggled to connect with them. The plot seemed predictable and there were no real surprises or twists. Overall, it felt like a wasted opportunity for an intriguing witch-themed storyline.
2. John Smith - 1 star - I couldn't finish The Sugar Witch. The writing style was confusing and disjointed, making it hard to follow the narrative. Additionally, the author seemed to rely too heavily on cliches and tired tropes, which made the story feel unoriginal and uninspired. I was expecting a captivating witch tale, but instead, I found myself bored and uninterested in what was happening. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a gripping read.
3. Sarah Johnson - 2 stars - The Sugar Witch was not my cup of tea. The pacing felt off, with the story dragging in some parts and rushing through others. The supernatural elements of the book were not well-developed, and I struggled to suspend my disbelief. The characters also felt flat and lacked depth, making it hard for me to care about their fates. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Michael Thompson - 1 star - The Sugar Witch was a complete letdown. The writing was subpar, with clunky dialogue and repetitive descriptions. The plot meandered without clear direction, and I found myself losing interest early on. The book failed to capture my attention or engage me in any meaningful way. I would advise readers to skip this one as there are far better witch-themed novels out there worth their time.