There have been various television shows and movies I’ve watched about witches. Most of my favorites take place in the 90’s, and I have noticed some very amusing parallels between them. Below I will explain some of the themes I noticed in this media and I will explain my personal belief on why I’m seeing these parallels.
————- The Power of Three ——————————-
Before I can delve into these silly similarities, first I must disclose my opinion that I don’t believe these to be accidental. Whether it is a lack in creativity or the idea that witches function better this way is uncertain. The idea of three being a powerful number obviously plays a huge role in the wiccan faith due to the three fold law. The number three is powerful in many other faiths representing the mind body and spirit, the father the son and the holy ghost, and the balance between the physical the metaphysical and the self. It is therefore not horribly shocking to see witches in the media portrayed as needing to work in groups of three.
Hocus Pocus and Charmed both focus on three sister witches. Sabrina the Teenage Witch has three main character witches including Sabrina and her two aunts. The three main hero’s of Harry Potter solve everything together, and Disney’s Halloweentown series uses the power of three Cromwells to save their world several times.
————————– Education ———————
All the above mentioned media teach us the value of respecting magic. They show us Magic’s limitations, consequences of spell casting, and the power of being well armed against your opponent. However the most important lesson our hero’s have to teach us is that magic is not always the answer to our problems, and that the strongest “spells” we have to cast simply come from extending a helping hand and open heart.
Additionally, education is important in these movies and TV shows in demonstrating the importance of arming yourself with knowledge before defeating an opponent or solving a complex magical problem. It is also wise to honor strength in numbers and to call upon your support system or friends you trust when you need help.
———————SECRECY———–
A lack of open-mindedness towards the magical is a common theme in all of these shows and media. Keeping secrets of the magical world and of the witches who protect the mundane is a must. I think in part this contributes to the narrow-mindedness of our world and how people would respond if magic in this capacity was something they witnessed in their life. Having to balance an identity of two worlds is very common as a theme in these shows and movies. I would like to think that the world has become a bit more tolerant and that if the sisters of charmed saved the world and walked amongst my streets that people would be more receptive to knowing about their gifts.
These shows and movies started me on my path well before I understood what I was. These heros bring me strength and comfort and though I can not fly across the sky on brooms like they can, I am proud to call myself magical as they do.