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ladybusinessIf you haven't checked out Claire's guest post and cool witchy book tag yet, you should do it! EYE can never resist a thinky book survey so I'm going to tag in with some TEXT RESPONSE. (There is also a cat picture, if you like that sort of thing.)
1. Hop on your broomstick and pick a favourite witchy setting.
The witch fiction I've seen has tended to be in fantasy settings. However, I'm an SF lady, and so while I was thinking about this I realized that there was literally no fantasy/SF setting I would want to live in. I never ever want to live in a fantasy setting that does not have modern medical equipment. SORRY I AM A SOFT MEAT PERSON. The world that's most tempting would be Infomocracy by Malka Older. It's a world that's moved beyond being shoved around by the United States (sorry, country, in my witchy setting you don't exist in the same way anymore and have lots less power), civic engagement is very different, and it would be very neat to have magic in a world of Extreme Maximum Democracy and the cool interpersonal tech of the future. Voting securely by your personal device? SIGN ME UP.
2. Whip out your wand and choose a favourite magic system.
This will surprise exactly zero (0) people, but I'm picking Sunshine by Robin McKinley. I always think of the people out there who haven't read this book and get envious they get to enjoy it for the first time, because the world building is so lush. The world itself is a supernatural post-apocalypse that's barely begin to put society back together (this is why it's not my #1 for setting), but the way magic works is so subtle and lovely. The main character, Sunshine, powers her magic through the sun and intent, while other people have different strengths and apply their magic in a myriad of ways. Anyway, I'm a sucker for baking + magic.
3. Gather up your magical herbs & occult ingredients, and pick some favourite tropes from witch stories.
I had to think about this a lot, because I never got super into witches as a Youth beyond The Craft. But I love discovery stories that are more intimate, like Halloweentown, otherwise known as one of the best witch movies of all time. It's rooted in family and magic and how those things can be complicated when mixed. Another trope I love is where witches discover brand new ways to do magic, like in Uprooted by Naomi Novik. I'm also partial to a solid sentient animal companion, like in Kiki's Delivery Service.
4. Open up your grimoire & pick a book of magic to help in your casting.
There's so many choices. I'm into the sentient books, like the Atlas from Garth Nix's Keys to the Kingdom series. There's also the Book from Hocus Pocus that handily turns to the correct spell Winifred wants every time. However, I would not sacrifice small children with it. I would only do good things, like tax the rich and inspire politicians to enforce anti-trust laws.
5. Stir that bubbling cauldron & choose a witchy brew and/or wizardy snack.
A FOOD QUESTION. My partner got me hooked on drinking chocolate, very much like this recipe, and now I'm never going to be able to go back to regular hot chocolate ever again. I think back to when I used to make my hot chocolate with water and shudder. I haven't tried it with a little cayenne yet, but I'm going to.
Snack wise, I love a good banana or pumpkin bread (if you can't get fresh, Starbucks bought is fine), slathered with butter.
6. Summon your familiar! Either show us your actual familiar and give them some scritches behind the ears OR tell us about your favourite fictional animal.
I summoned Pash, but she did not want scritches. XD
7. And finally, call to your coven by tagging some fellow Halloween loving book nerds.
If you're reading this I want you to do this tag. ;)
1. Hop on your broomstick and pick a favourite witchy setting.
The witch fiction I've seen has tended to be in fantasy settings. However, I'm an SF lady, and so while I was thinking about this I realized that there was literally no fantasy/SF setting I would want to live in. I never ever want to live in a fantasy setting that does not have modern medical equipment. SORRY I AM A SOFT MEAT PERSON. The world that's most tempting would be Infomocracy by Malka Older. It's a world that's moved beyond being shoved around by the United States (sorry, country, in my witchy setting you don't exist in the same way anymore and have lots less power), civic engagement is very different, and it would be very neat to have magic in a world of Extreme Maximum Democracy and the cool interpersonal tech of the future. Voting securely by your personal device? SIGN ME UP.
2. Whip out your wand and choose a favourite magic system.
This will surprise exactly zero (0) people, but I'm picking Sunshine by Robin McKinley. I always think of the people out there who haven't read this book and get envious they get to enjoy it for the first time, because the world building is so lush. The world itself is a supernatural post-apocalypse that's barely begin to put society back together (this is why it's not my #1 for setting), but the way magic works is so subtle and lovely. The main character, Sunshine, powers her magic through the sun and intent, while other people have different strengths and apply their magic in a myriad of ways. Anyway, I'm a sucker for baking + magic.
3. Gather up your magical herbs & occult ingredients, and pick some favourite tropes from witch stories.
I had to think about this a lot, because I never got super into witches as a Youth beyond The Craft. But I love discovery stories that are more intimate, like Halloweentown, otherwise known as one of the best witch movies of all time. It's rooted in family and magic and how those things can be complicated when mixed. Another trope I love is where witches discover brand new ways to do magic, like in Uprooted by Naomi Novik. I'm also partial to a solid sentient animal companion, like in Kiki's Delivery Service.
4. Open up your grimoire & pick a book of magic to help in your casting.
There's so many choices. I'm into the sentient books, like the Atlas from Garth Nix's Keys to the Kingdom series. There's also the Book from Hocus Pocus that handily turns to the correct spell Winifred wants every time. However, I would not sacrifice small children with it. I would only do good things, like tax the rich and inspire politicians to enforce anti-trust laws.
5. Stir that bubbling cauldron & choose a witchy brew and/or wizardy snack.
A FOOD QUESTION. My partner got me hooked on drinking chocolate, very much like this recipe, and now I'm never going to be able to go back to regular hot chocolate ever again. I think back to when I used to make my hot chocolate with water and shudder. I haven't tried it with a little cayenne yet, but I'm going to.
Snack wise, I love a good banana or pumpkin bread (if you can't get fresh, Starbucks bought is fine), slathered with butter.
6. Summon your familiar! Either show us your actual familiar and give them some scritches behind the ears OR tell us about your favourite fictional animal.
I summoned Pash, but she did not want scritches. XD
7. And finally, call to your coven by tagging some fellow Halloween loving book nerds.
If you're reading this I want you to do this tag. ;)
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Date: 2019-10-16 10:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-11-02 07:22 pm (UTC)