Tom Little and the Magic Mirror is a children's book written by British author Brian Patten. The story follows the adventures of a young boy named Tom Little, who comes across a magical mirror in his attic. One day, while exploring his attic, Tom finds an old mirror covered in dust. As he wipes away the dirt, he is surprised to see his reflection in the mirror speaking to him. The mirror tells Tom that it has the power to transport him to different worlds and show him things he has never seen before. Excited by the prospect of adventure, Tom steps through the mirror and finds himself in an enchanted forest.
The moon in Wicca is similar in importance to the cross in Christianity. It is one of the most central symbols of our faith and a source of spiritual power and inspiration that guides our magickal lives. It represents Divine power and is Divine power. It can bless and banish. It can reveal the wisdom of the spirit world to us.
You ll also find plenty of original, authentic spells designed to enhance your life and strengthen your practice through the spiritual energies of the moon. Who hasn t looked out upon a Full Moon with awe at how the scenery is made beautiful by the gentle shimmering light, much kinder than the harsh light of day.
Excited by the prospect of adventure, Tom steps through the mirror and finds himself in an enchanted forest. He encounters talking animals, friendly fairies, and even a mischievous gnome. Tom learns that the mirror can only provide him with glimpses of other worlds but cannot fully take him there.
Witches and the Moon
Readers, please enjoy this guest blog post by Lisa McSherry, author of the new Witch’s Guide to Crafting Your Practice.
Witches have long been associated with the Moon in history and lore. It’s easy to see why, as the Moon is the primary symbol of the Goddess. Its progress through the sky, ever-changing as it moves graciously through its phases echoing the cycle of life itself, creates a sense of wonder in us. Casting our eyes on the world around us, we see that lots of things within nature are timed around the phases of the Moon.
There are the tides that her presence causes (helping provide a cleansing of the seashores and provide a host of creatures with a renewing habitat), and even the timing of reproduction (just look at the female fertility cycle of approximately 28 days). Add to that the sheer beauty of the Moon herself, providing a focus for meditation, a source of inspiration, and the gentle and beautiful light that the Moon provides for us, renewing the world around us by night into a beautiful place that inspires all of us.
The eternal rhythm of the Moon exerts a powerful influence over Earth and all her creations. The phases of the Moon, along with the astrological signs she moves through, create a framework by which we can time our magical workings. People who track the moon keep a record of its phases, its location in relation to astrology, and even numerology. In trying to understand what the flow is, and work with it, many non-magical people work with lunar energies, such as farmers, gardeners, and hunters.
To witches, the phases of the moon have special meaning, giving structure to the levels of energy available for magical workings. The phases are modified by the position of the moon within the lunar and the zodiac years. With all these correspondences, it may seem quite confusing as to when you can focus on specific workings.
A general guideline is that phasing correspondences (Full, Dark, waxing, waning, etc.) are the strongest influences, followed by the Moon’s placement within the lunar year, and lastly by the astrological month. Think of it like the effects of three magnets upon a metallic pendulum, with the Phase being the strongest magnet, followed by the Position within the Lunar Year as a smaller magnet, and the Astrological Correspondence being the weakest one still. All three have their part to play in deciding where the pendulum will come to rest, but in lessening degrees. When they all align together it is a portent of very strong energy for the task that is indicated.
Whenever you have need of anything,
once in a month, and better it be
when the moon is full,
you shall assemble in some secret place
and adore the spirit of Me
who is Queen of all the Wise.
—From Aradia, Queen of the Witches
You may recognize the above lines of poetry, attributed to the Goddess as Her words to all witches. In one sense, they are the earliest directive as to why we hold lunar rituals. Often called esbats, these rituals are rarely static in nature. In many ways they are best when they constantly change, expressing our changing needs and inner workings.
Those of us with astrological calendars have probably noted a lunar phase—the void moon—and this is usually a bad time to work magic. As the Moon moves through each sign of the zodiac, she makes aspects to other planets. She is called void-of-course when she has completed all the aspects she can within that zodiac sign but has not yet entered the next. These void passages can last anywhere from hours to a day or two.
During a void-of-course Moon, things are in neutral so the gears can shift into the next sign, making it a time to kick back and relax. This is a time when the energy seems to produce false starts and errors, and this is not the time to do magic for things you want to have long-lasting, concrete, and tangible effects. However, this can be an excellent time for astral projection, trancework, meditation, divination, and other purely mental and inward-facing magic.
Who hasn’t looked out upon a Full Moon with awe at how the scenery is made beautiful by the gentle shimmering light, much kinder than the harsh light of day? It becomes easier to understand the veneration Witches (and so many others) have for the Moon.
Our thanks to Lisa for her guest post! For more from Lisa McSherry, read her article, “On the Nature of Tools in Witchcraft.”
Within the pages of Moon Magick of the Triple Goddess, you'll find everything you need to understand the spiritual qualities of the moon and how you can incorporate them into your own magickal practice.
Throughout his journey, Tom learns valuable lessons about friendship, bravery, and the importance of imagination. He also learns to appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around him. As Tom continues to venture through the mirror, he encounters more magical creatures, such as unicorns, mermaids, and even a dragon. Each encounter teaches Tom something new, helping him grow as a person. Finally, after many adventures, Tom realizes that the mirror is more than just a portal to other worlds. It is a gateway to his own imagination and creativity. He learns that he can create his own adventures and that the real magic lies within himself. The story of Tom Little and the Magic Mirror is a whimsical and enchanting tale that encourages children to explore their imagination and embrace the power of storytelling. It reminds readers of the importance of curiosity, friendship, and self-belief. In the end, Tom returns home from his adventures but carries the memories and lessons he learned with him. The book ends with a hopeful note, suggesting that there are endless possibilities waiting to be discovered both within and outside the magic mirror..
Reviews for "Through the Looking Glass: Tom Little's Expedition with the Magic Mirror"
1. Emily - 2/5
I was really disappointed with "Tom Little and the Magic Mirror". The characters felt flat and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with them on any level. The plot also felt disjointed, with random events happening without any clear purpose or connection. I found myself questioning why certain scenes were included and how they contributed to the overall storyline. Additionally, the writing style felt clunky and awkward, making it hard for me to stay engaged in the story. Overall, I did not enjoy this book and would not recommend it.
2. Lucas - 1/5
I cannot express how much I disliked "Tom Little and the Magic Mirror". The story was predictable and uninspiring, with no surprises or twists to keep me engaged. The dialogue between characters felt forced and unrealistic, making it difficult for me to believe in their relationships. The pacing was also incredibly slow, and I found myself constantly checking how many pages were left until the end. I had high hopes for this book, but it fell far short of my expectations. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an exciting and engaging read.
3. Sophia - 2/5
"Tom Little and the Magic Mirror" was a letdown for me. The writing style was basic and lacked some creativity, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The characters were one-dimensional, lacking any real complexity or growth. The plot also felt disjointed, with random events thrown in without any clear purpose or resolution. Additionally, the dialogue between characters felt stilted and unnatural. Overall, I found this book to be quite underwhelming and would not recommend it to others. There are many better options out there.