Flying on Broomsticks with Witches

As life provokes you to expect at any given time, one shouldn't shudder their shoulders uncomfortably at the thought of difference passing through their minds. One of the many aspects of living life as a (hormonal) human - and blogging teenager, of course) is that all of us have hidden depths which, if it were not for the occasions when they may come to the attention of others, would otherwise remain buried beyond the old papers and chocolate wrappers we secretly hide underneath our beds. Who couldn't deny the fact that life is indeed a massive adventure, even if we do experience boresome moments from time to time?

Today's adventure, however, will unfortunately not take you to the likes of a mountain thousands of miles away from a semi-decent Wifi signal or a quick rummage through the latest clothing sales to help boost the economy (and rob us of our hard-earned money). Contrary to what society chooses to promote from the persuasive manner featured in advertising to influential figures, adventures needn't embark to a foreign country or, as many believe, grow in age before we are supposed to get our hands upon an experience of a lifetime. In my opinion, nothing at all should block your ambitions of kickstarting an adventure wherever you live or when you reach a certain age - if anything, anybody is capable of exploring!

But, unlike an afternoon stroll in the woods which may or may not be home to so-called 'poisonous' snakes (at least in the village, so my reptile-loathing self hopes), my adventure doesn't involve going outside to get close and personal with a thrill associated with exploring nor even leaving my bedroom. From the moment my fingers begin the hourly process of typing to a journalistic fashion, it is fair to say that my adventure - at the very heart of my writing passion - has commenced, in which I embark on search for discovering unknown beliefs and reaching the other side as a more open-minded individual whose voice has been found and, most importantly, heard.

Long ago, I faced up to my slim-as-a-beansprout chances of television channels recruiting me to star in a new adventure programme as, unlike Bear Gryll's skills of setting up camp (and residing in a hotel with breakfast on the menu), my snappy attitude and agitation would even send a deadly alligator around the bend, though I've never professed a passion for the typically called 'great outdoors' in the first place. Instead, my adventure is one which was born out of interest and, thanks to my ability (as passed down by none other than my father) to choose wisely, good TV shows and films. The theme? Look no further than your modern day witch, whose extraordinary powers amaze the likes of oh-so-ordinary humans who wouldn't decline the opportunity to delve into a bit of magic.

Gone are the days of witches being stigmatized as evil, green-skinned creatures who would melt into an ice cream-like mush if a bucket of water was poured over them, as depicted in the 1939 classic film The Wizard of Oz. Although evil witches continue to be a popular costume choice at Halloween (even my six year old self dressed up as one, despite my dress being splattered with streaks of neon pink), we fantasy-lovers have looked beyond that out-dated and frankly embarrassing image, which is no longer relevant in modern day society. Why I have a fascination with these fictional creatures is simpler than several of the many questions I've been asked in the past because, to a certain extent, more people may relate or even wish for the same thing: I want to experience magic.

In modern books, films and television programmes, it never fails to amaze me when a girl - typically a young woman or teenager whose eye-catching prettiness wouldn't look out of place at a beauty pageant - digs deep into herself and unearths powers beknown to society, giving a glimpse into a fictional world which doesn't exist in the life as we know it. As many of us may have thought at one time or another, having some cool powers on speed dial wherever you are is something which we would love to have in reality, if not for the joy of playing around with magic for a while. And, as a permanent reminder of the things in which I used to believe in as a young child, magic brings back memories of the stories I would read at a young age but, instead of witches being downcast in comparison to innocent fairies (who are caught up in another fantasy altogether), modern day stereotypes are more relatable because they often lead similar lives to our own, albeit with a dash here and there of witchy powers.

For example, the television series, Charmed (1998-2006), followed the lives of three sisters living in San Francisco who, after discovering the Book of Shadows (otherwise known as a grimoire or book of spells) and reading a spell, unlock their powers, which make them aware to the fact that they are witches. What made the show highly interesting (and worthy of several seasons being purchased on DVD) was that it combined a mixture of ordinary life - scenes throughout a typical episode would feature the sisters' workplace or drama affecting personal relationships - and general 'witchiness', in which they would read spells in an ancient language and supernatural woo-ha would occur, often to their peril. Along with the good looks and pin-up beauty of the sisters, Charmed reinvented the image of witches and modernized them for the twenty first century, ridding our minds of the ugly pictures that used to haunt classic films and stories which were hardly child-friendly.

In general, I appreciate the benefits of residing in an evolving, continuously exciting century in which patience is no longer required as much due to technology improving (though the same cannot be said about public transport arrivals), there are times when I wonder whether magic ought to become a part of this world because it does look spectacular on the many shows and films that I've watched over the years. As an impressible teenager, is is a surprise that I've been wooed with the idea of developing powers that not even the smoothest talker could gain?

Among dedicating time towards revision and maintaining a balanced routine for life in general, teenagers have a craving for fun like nobody free of hormonal issues could anticipate and, on one too many occasions, we may take the wrong route towards letting our hair down, in spite of the countless warnings we are given. Unlike the dangers of drinking and partying like your life depends on it, gaining magical powers give somewhat the impression of being safe while retaining its entertaining image. But, as even the revolutionary iPhones have proved, is magic relevant in our society or are we strong enough to live without it? Considering that there doesn't appear to be a possibility of magic coming to life anytime soon, one cannot answer that question because magical powers don't exist.

In my eyes, magic appears as much of a fantasy as my future prospects of forking out thousands of pounds on a pair of diamond earrings which, after it dawned upon me that the economy has an enormous effect on my pocket money, I pushed aside to one corner because it was a faint, if not impossible dream. Despite my weird ideas and even more baffling interests, I know for sure that magic doesn't have a place in this world, though it seems to act as a comfort whenever I'm experiencing a day in which reality was pushing too near towards the edge. A part as small as my occasional fascination with football within myself sometimes holds onto the hope that magic - or indeed some 'witches' who aren't acquainted with white lies - exists because, as I remarked in my previous post, hope keeps sadness or disappointment away. I'm not in denial or unwilling to stop burying my head in the sand, but some fantasies - such as giant-sized scoops of ice cream containing no calories - ought to be kept alive, for the sake of my so-called 'inner child'. And, for the recorder, she can consume as much vanilla ice cream as she wants!

On the whole, I really enjoy going on my pocket-friendly break from reality and being transported to a book, film or television programme which tells the tale of a girl (comme toujours) who, despite being as ordinary as everybody else on the surface, possesses extraordinary magical gifts. What entails afterwards leaves me hanging on the edge of my seat, craving another hit of witchy magic one after the other. Like a penchant for all things vampire-themed, the same can be said about witches, though I'm glad to say that my fascination for supernatural creatures or magical powers doesn't extend any further; I jump in fright if a tiny dog barks, let alone run for my life if I catch a glimpse of a vicious werewolf on screen!

Most fictional witches are born with their powers, carrying magic to another generation of witches, who may or not lean towards the good side as one hopes. Despite being born with a different set of powers altogether - writing for hours on end without shifting a muscle - I didn't just enter the world with no powers to my name, but with an interest in fictional powers and creatures which was my source of inspiration for this entry. Even if I did have powers, I wouldn't think twice about using them for a good purpose and to help others, a message of which was always promoted on Charmed - but why deny myself some fun as well?

Witches come in all shapes and sizes - and, if The Wizard of Oz indicated such a thing, ordinary to green skin colour - but are unique, as exactly as humans like ourselves. Whenever I pick up a witch-themed DVD (a list of my favourites are featured below), I choose it because I seek adventure, excitement and a burst of magic to light up my day, but mainly because I have a weakness for anything supernatural. Forget broomsticks, pointy noses and an evil cackle: they couldn't be more out of fashion. Embrace what modern day witches has to offer, as many have already done with the likes of vampires and werewolves thanks to the recent popularity of Twilight, Teen Wolf and The Vampire Diaries. The journey will be spellbinding!

Favourite Witch Films/TV Shows

The Secret Circle (2011-2012)
Why this fantastic programme didn't live beyond a season continues to baffle me two years since it was cancelled, to my heartfelt disappointment. Perhaps people weren't quite ready to accept witches or move on from then then-popular vampire craze, which had reached its peak when The Twilight Saga was still dominating the film industry and fangs were all that we could think about. But, as thousands upon thousands of loyal viewers signed petitions to bring back the show, it proves that there is still a market for witches and, had The Secret Circle lived a bit longer, it would have perfectly fitted the bill.
The show is based around teenager Cassie Blake who moves to a town called Chances Habor in Washington, after her mother died in tragic, yet mysterious circumstances. There, she befriends several people who are later found out to be part of the Circle, whilst she deals with the discovery of being a witch. Altogether the show gradually developed a darker edge to it throughout the episodes, I along with my father (who watched it with me) thoroughly enjoyed it, so I was devastated when I heard about its cancellation shortly after the final episode was aired. If only I had the power to persuade TV executives to bring back this show, but nevermind...



The Craft (1996)
Now regarded as a cult classic and often listed as one of the most popular witch films of all time, The Craft has all the elements of an entertaining film, made even more so by the feature of teenagers drawn to witchcraft.
Since watching it for the first time at the age of twelve, my fascination by The Craft continues to grow because, upon reflection, it seems to be an ordinary teen film. A pretty girl starts at a new school and makes some new friends but, rather interestingly, they have captivated by something which has progressed into much more than a hobby: witchery.
Eager to avoid spoiling the plot and risk your enjoyment of watching the film, I won't exactly disclose what happens in The Craft, but all that I can say is that it is precisely what a witch-lover like myself would hope. And who wouldn't love to buy the equivalent of the uniform that the girls - or coven - wear throughout the film? I'm still looking for a replica of the pinafore three years on!



Practical Magic (1998)
For those wishing to remain tightly on their seats and not be scared out of the wits unlike The Craft (as mentioned above), Practical Magic is more suited to family fare, yet the witch theme is what makes this film worth mentioning and residing in my oh-so-plentiful DVD collection.
Featuring Sandra Bullock and pre-Oscar winner Nicole Kidman, Practical Magic tells the story of two adult sisters, Sally (Bullock) and Gillian Owens (Kidman), who have lived with their aunts since the death of their parents as children. For hundreds of years, the Owens women have been plagued with the curse of their true loves dying because a descendent casted a spell on herself to never fall in love, which later led to her death.
This curse then comes back to haunt the sisters when Sally's husband falls prey of the curse in an accident, which becomes the main theme throughout the film. Though some may regard it as a guilty pleasure, Practical Magic is the type of film that I fancy viewing when I'm in the mood to sit back and relax; despite my love of all things thrilling, there are moments when I crave the opposite of that.
In a certain way, Practical Magic is part romantic comedy and part fantasy, though the witch agenda is what keeps the film alive and its audience watching until the very end. It proves that witches are as ordinary as humans and crave normality, which says a lot for all of us.