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I'm noticing this time around how clever Cooper is to show these events through the Drews' eyes, rather than Will's. The second book was of Will discovering and growing into his power; now we see him fully grown, as it were, relaxed and confident in his role as Old One, and the Drew children's outside perspective on him is invaluable. When he coolly deflects Simon's boyish attempts to quarrel, the way he treats Merriman as a peer--in the previous book, from Will's own point of view, these would seem perfectly natural. But when we see them through a normal human child's eyes, we are reminded of how alien, and how remarkable, he is. The icing on the cake is truly them saying that "This yearning [for the simpler time of the past] isn’t nostalgia, which is a longing for an airbrushed memory. It is a genuine subconscious draw to knowledge that has been obscured by innovation, progress, and improvement"; when you blatantly rewrite the truth of history (as best we understand it) at your whim so as to suit false historical narratives and push an undeserved complex of superiority and non-existent persecution... What you are participating in may not be nostalgia, insomuch as you were never there to experience something to be nostalgic about later in the first place... But I promise that what you're doing is certainly far, far worse. It's grating to the last drop. But the history is really where the author just completely fails in every single regard.
But I'm not so much outside it all as she is. Not her fault. She just comes from such a long way away, she isn't plugged in. Like all those people who go to the museum and look at the grail and say, oh, how wonderful, without the least idea of what it really is." Greenwitch by Susan Cooper is the second in the Dark is Rising series. I disagree with making Over Sea, Under Stone the first in the series. It's really more of a standalone. I'd call it a prequel except it was written before the other four. The events of OSUS relate to this book so it's helpful to read it, but not necessary. This book at least had forward momentum, but the ins and outs of this magical world are still as enigmatic as they were at the beginning. The Old Ones can't be hurt, so there's no sense of danger there. The Dark can't directly hurt any mortals, so there's no danger there since no mortals have even been indirectly harassed.The book also contains a myriad of meditations; energy sensing techniques; spells and recipes; all of which are suitable for witches of any experience level. It covers methods of initiating yourself as a solitary green witch, to methods of deepening your practice, making it over all the perfect book for anyone looking to get started on the green witch's path. It's also highly readable, with easily understandable language, allowing the reader to fly through. I particularly enjoyed the portrait of Greenwitch as a petulant and very dangerous elemental being subject to its own seething, unpredictable nature. A kind of child, but one that cannot be bullied - only swayed, with kindness. The confrontation between Greenwitch and a rogue agent of the Dark was riveting. Some people really shouldn't sass the Green, let alone try to boss them around. They might find themselves trapped and tormented on a ghost ship until the end of time. Oops, spoiler alert!
The Green Witch Community on Tumblr: Many users share their personal experiences, spells, and herbal wisdom on this platform. Note on the sound recording: narrator is ok--not the best, but not distracting from the story--but he apparently can't decide what part of America the Stantons are supposed to be from; their accent wanders obnoxiously over the map. Fortunately they don't do much talking. I can't speak to the Cornish accent, but he does differentiate well between Simon and Barney's voices, which is helpful. In the words of Prof. Iain Provan, who said it far better than I ever could in Convenient Myths: The ‘Axial Age’, Dark Green Religion, and the World That Never Was: Elemental Magic: While many witches work with the classical elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit), Green Witches might have a particular affinity for the Earth element.
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Picture your living room transformed into a green oasis with potted plants, hanging baskets, and perhaps a terrarium. Indoor plants like pothos, snake plants, or spider plants not only beautify your space but also purify the air and bring in nature’s vibrancy. Caring for them can be a daily ritual, a way of honoring the green world even within walls. Phyllis Curott: A Wiccan priestess and author who often emphasizes the importance of connecting with the Earth and its cycles. Jane is the focal point of this book. Merriman and Will are there, fighting the good fight for the Light, but the success of their quest centers on Jane. She, of course, does not know this. Which I like. The fate of the Light depends on one thing, and that's the kindness and empathy of a young girl. Not on how brainy she is or how well she knows her magical potions, but just common kindness. It's this simplicity that again charms me. Convoluted fantasy plots with lots of magical utterings are always fun, but what does it usually come down to? The choices characters make based on who they are despite all their magical know-how. Additionally, there are numerous directions to further reading on the subjects covered, allowing for a deeper exploration of the various topics. This is particularly useful for those who, like myself, decided upon reading this book that they'd like to know more. Green Witchcraft 1, 2, and 3 by Ann Moura is a favorite among Wiccans and Green witches alike. If you learn more towards Wicca, you’ll love Ann Moura’s books. 3. Grimoire for the Green Witch
Robert Macfarlane's introduction to this edition emphasises the spellbinding qualities of the series which he recognised from his youth and which he appreciates even more now. The spellbinding comes of course from words, from archaic rhymes and from the nature writing, as at the start of Chapter Three, and elsewhere: Want to learn more about wildflowers and their energies? Read Wildflower Folklore by Laura C. Martin. Green Witch Blogs 1. Sarah Anne Lawless For covens who prefer meeting outdoors, perhaps in a garden or a deep forest clearing, The Green Witch is a delightful guide to nature magic. It’s filled with practical recipes for herbal blends and potions, the properties of essential oils, and lots of ideas for healing and relaxation.” —BustleI love the location of this book: a fictitious fishing village on the coast of Cornwall. Cooper describes the village so well I can hear the seagulls and smell the fishing boats. I'll be traveling to Cornwall next year and the primary reason for my going (other than to see Cornwall, an area of exceptional natural beauty) is because of this book. My initial interest in England (and the greater UK) can be attributed to my first readings of this series. Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness Picture yourself shopping and being given the choice between a plastic or a reusable bag. You’d instinctively choose the latter, not just for convenience but out of genuine concern for Mother Earth. Green Witches often lead the way in eco-friendly and sustainable practices. While other paths might value and respect nature, Green Witchcraft often goes a step further in actively advocating for the Earth’s well-being, integrating eco-conscious decisions into daily life and magical practices. While I’ve given up any pretence of trying to catch up with the readalong of the wonderful Dark is Rising sequence hosted by Annabelle at AnnaBookBel, I am of course continuing to read the books, which I am enjoying very much. This will however, be the last of the books I will be able to review this year. In the book while Simon, Jane and Barney are ordinary humans, who are in a sense ‘protected’ from the truth of the old ones, and the full extent of the fight being Dark and Light, they all play important roles without which even the Light can’t defeat the Dark. Simon uses his memory and wits while Barney has powers that even he isn’t himself aware of, besides his artistic skills, now emerging. But of the three Jane, perhaps, surprises us the most. She is the first one who is able to see that Will isn’t quite the 11-year-old boy he appears to be (and even before this, it is her first who wants to be kind to him, where the others simply wish to avoid him) and it is her compassion, sensitivity and kind heart that do what no one else can. It’s common for a Green Witch to have their own garden in which they may grow their own food, spices, and remedies. The process of growing a plant instead of buying it allows the Witch to establish a deeper connection with each herb and its purpose or Magical use.
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