Which witch are you? Are you the kind of witch who brews potions and casts spells in a secluded cottage deep in the woods? Or are you the modern witch who uses crystals and tarot cards to tap into unseen energies? Maybe you're the mischievous witch who enjoys playing tricks on unsuspecting humans. No matter which witch you are, it's clear that witchcraft has captured our imaginations and found a place in popular culture. Throughout history, witches have been both feared and revered. In ancient times, they were often seen as wise women who possessed knowledge of healing herbs and the ability to commune with nature. However, as Christianity spread, witches became associated with evil and were persecuted. The Salem Witch Trials in the 17th century are a prime example of this dark time in history.
Poisoned Apple, from the book CROWNED, which casts Black children as the central characters in fairy and folk tales. (CROWNED)
Perhaps the most striking element in the picture is Asha s hair, a structure of carefully placed black braids and white pearls piled high on top of her head. From the New York Times bestselling authors of GLORY, Kahran and Regis Bethencourt of CreativeSoul Photography, comes CROWNED, a collection that completely reimagines how we see our favorite and most beloved childhood fairy and folk tales.
The Salem Witch Trials in the 17th century are a prime example of this dark time in history. But in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in witchcraft. Books like "Harry Potter" and "The Craft" have popularized the image of the witch as a powerful, magical being.
A Husband and Wife Reimagine Fairy Tales with Black Children in Mind
Bathed in a golden light, she looks out from a photo resembling a fashion magazine spread with a commanding stare, surrounded by massive teddy bears. Instead of yellow curly hair, she wears thick, afro-textured, honey blonde locs.
This is the Goldilocks of from the Diaspora by husband and wife photographers Kahran and Regis Bethencourt. The two have reimagined familiar stories with photographs of Black children and, occasionally, new plot points, in an elaborate book of 141 photos.
It’s the sequel to 2021’s GLORY: Magical Visions of Black Beauty.
The book is broken down into three categories: Classic fairy tales, African and African American Folktales and original stories. The couple intentionally casts Black children of different ages, skin tones and hair textures in traditionally white roles, like Cinderella.
Cinderella becomes Asha in this retelling. (CROWNED)
In the retelling of Cinderella, “Asha the Little Cinder Girl,” Asha wears an extravagant blue gown with purple tulle shooting from the bottom as Jamal, her Prince Charming, slides on a white high-top sneaker instead of a glass slipper.
SponsoredPerhaps the most striking element in the picture is Asha’s hair, a structure of carefully placed black braids and white pearls piled high on top of her head.
“I think it’s important for, specifically, Black and brown kids to be able to see themselves reflected in the stories that they read growing up,” Kahran said.
The Bethencourts began their photography careers in Atlanta in 2009. For a while, they worked in the children’s fashion industry, capturing headshots for adolescent actors and shooting campaigns for kids’ brands. But they noticed a specific and unsettling pattern among Black children in the industry.
Poisoned Apple, from the book CROWNED, which casts Black children as the central characters in fairy and folk tales. (CROWNED)
“We realized that a lot of the kids that had natural Afro hair would come in to get their headshots and the parents would have their hair straightened because they thought that’s what they needed to do to get their kids into the industry,” Kahran said.
“We thought, ‘Gosh, wow! At an early age we’re teaching our kids that they’re not acceptable, that their looks are not good enough.'”
The two began doing personal projects where Black children were encouraged to wear their natural hair in fashionable settings. Staying connected to the industry helped them build enough clientele to create their own photography company, CreativeSoul.
Candyland, from the book ‘CROWNED’, which retells familiar stories with Black children. (CROWNED)
CROWNED is a visual representation of the CreativeSoul original mission: celebrate and embrace natural Black beauty. But the book also showcases Regis and Kahran’s ability to imagine and translate new worlds.
“Goldi: The Girl with the Golden Locks” was the favorite story for Regis to retell because the original story “didn’t really have a lesson at the end.”
“It pretty much was a story about a privileged girl going in and just eating everything and just leaving and going back home,” he said. “No lesson learned.”
In CROWNED, Goldi is still a privileged girl, but she is welcomed into the bears’ home. The bears don’t have much, but they have each other and a once-haughty Goldi leaves the house with three new friends and an appreciation for nurturing her relationships.
Changing the ending “was so cool for me because I feel like we’re actually changing history,” Regis said.
Treasures from the sea nestle in the little mermaid’s rosy hair as she strikes a royal pose. (CROWNED)
The book was released May 23, three days before the live action film The Little Mermaid premiered with Halle Bailey, a Black woman with natural locs, as Ariel, a princess and the main character.
Like the live-action adaption of The Little Mermaid, the Bethencourts’ version is setting the standard for Black representation in traditionally white spaces.
The husband and wife duo dress Aliyah, the little mermaid, in silver jewels and colorful pearls from head-to-toe. As she floats under the sea, she plays in her big red flowing hair filled with loose braids, shells, leaves and bright red tulle.
Aliyah holds her head high in every shot like the most confident, royal figures. She stares off into the distance and also directly at the camera, as if to say this story was always her own.
CROWNED is a visual representation of the CreativeSoul original mission: celebrate and embrace natural Black beauty. But the book also showcases Regis and Kahran’s ability to imagine and translate new worlds.
Modern witches embrace witchcraft as a way to connect with the natural world, harness their own intuition, and create positive change in their lives. There are many paths within witchcraft, each with its own practices and traditions. Some witches focus on herbalism, using plants and their magical properties for healing and spellwork. Others prefer divination tools like tarot cards or runes to gain insights into the future or uncover hidden truths. Some witches incorporate astrology into their practice, using the movements of the stars and planets to guide their actions. In addition to their individual practices, witches often come together in covens or circles to celebrate the cycles of the moon and the turning of the seasons. These gatherings can involve rituals, spellcasting, and the sharing of knowledge and experiences. They provide a sense of community and support for witches on their spiritual journeys. Whether you identify as a witch or simply have an interest in witchcraft, it's important to approach the subject with respect and an open mind. Witchcraft is a deeply personal and individual practice, and what works for one witch may not work for another. It is a constantly evolving, living tradition that has been passed down through generations. So, which witch are you? Are you drawn to the ancient practices of traditional witchcraft or do you resonate with the modern, eclectic approach? Perhaps you are still exploring and discovering your own path. Whoever you are, remember that witchcraft is a personal journey of self-exploration and growth. Embrace the magic within you and let it guide you on your unique path..
Reviews for "The witch's garden: Discovering your green thumb in witchcraft"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really excited to try "Which witch are you" as I love quizzes and anything related to magic. However, I was disappointed with the quiz. The questions were too vague and didn't provide enough options to accurately determine which witch I was. Additionally, the results seemed random and didn't make sense based on my answers. Overall, it was a letdown and I wouldn't recommend it if you're looking for an accurate witch assessment.
2. Sarah - 1 star - This quiz was a complete waste of time. The questions were incredibly generic and didn't really delve into any specific characteristics or traits. It felt like a surface-level quiz that anyone could create in minutes. The results were even worse. I ended up with a witch archetype that didn't match my personality at all. It was obvious that the quiz lacked any sort of thought or effort, and I regret taking it.
3. Emily - 2 stars - As a fan of witchcraft and magic, I was really looking forward to finding out which witch I am. Unfortunately, this quiz was a letdown. The questions were poorly phrased and seemed to repeat themselves. Additionally, the options for each question were limited and didn't cover all possible answers. The result I got at the end was completely off and didn't align with my beliefs or interests. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time on this quiz if you're genuinely interested in discovering your witch identity.
4. Michael - 1 star - I found "Which witch are you" to be an incredibly shallow and uninformative quiz. The questions were too basic and didn't provide enough depth to truly understand someone's witch personality. The results were even worse. I ended up with a generic answer that didn't give me any true insight into my witch identity. Overall, it was a disappointing experience and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a legitimate witch assessment.