Time To Get A Little Witchy This Halloween
It is near the end of October and my favourite day of the season is rolling around. Everything about Halloween intrigues me. From the horror gory movies to the family fun costuming and decorations, to pumpkin-everything, there is something dark and mysterious about this day that is very appealing. My introduction to Halloween came in the form of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I remember watching this one episode where Dawn gets attacked by a vampire she is out on a date with during Halloween before she is rescued by the gang. All the kick-ass drama aside, I was most mesmerized by the houses decorated with pumpkin carvings, cobwebs and graveyard props. Since then I have seen my fair share of the American Halloween and lamented each year at New Zealand's lack of motivation to celebrate this date. Despite being in the wrong country, and the wrong half of the world, to celebrate the season, I still liked to commemorate the day the best I could. A parade of horror films or Halloween specials leading up to the date usually constituted a big part of my celebrations. My favouite ones would always be involved with anything and everything witchy.
The Good Witch: one of my favourite series and today's post's centrepiece. Image source.
My love for witches and magic began when I watched Hayao Miyazaki's Kiki's Delivery Service when I was little. Before that, my knowledge of witches all stemmed from the many western fairy tale stories I had read or heard; each of them portraying witches as ugly, evil and the antagonist. Kiki's Delivery Service was the first time I saw witches in a good light, helping others. By some strange twist of fate I was introduced to Matilda, the movie based on the book of the same name by Roald Dahl straight after. My mum was on her way out to the video store with my brothers when she asked what movie I wanted her to get for me. I replied her, "the one with the young witch". Instead of Kiki's Delivery Service she had brought home Matilda. I was a bit apprehensive about the new movie at first but ended up falling in love with it. Little did I know these two movies planted the seed of my love for witches that would later sprout and bloom when my family moved overseas to New Zealand.
My further exposure to the occult accelerated once my family arrived in New Zealand. It ranged from family movies like Halloweentown and Casper to TV series like Charmed and to books like Narnia, Harry Potter and T*Witches. There were also the thriller/horror films such as Practical Magic and The Craft once I was old enough. Let's also not forget my favourite childhood anime Card Captor Sakura, which in my eyes is the epitome of the magical girl genre in anime. Each and every one of them nurtured my love for the strange and wonderful and I found myself constantly searching for more, thirsting for more.
Last year I was trawling the internet for shows or films to watch when I came across The Good Witch. It turned out to be a whole series of films made by Hallmark Channel that further developed into a TV series. I gobbled up one movie after another and moved onto the series. My love for this series was so profound I just had to share it and just in time for a Halloween marathon.
Catherine Bell as Cassandra Nightingale, the "witch" of Grey House.
The Good Witch centres around Cassandra (Cassie) Nightingale, a mysterious woman who suddenly appeared in the town of Middleton one day and claimed ownership of the rumoured haunted house, Grey House. The movies follow her struggles as she find her place within the community of Middleton and a place to call home while she provides some much needed guidance to the town's inhabitants in her unconventional way. Her magical powers were never explicitly shown but only hinted at. Is it pure intuition and wise advice she has or is it truly magic?
The original family of the Good Witch. Image source.
The TV series serves as a reboot and continuation of the movies. While I have felt the magic factor had been toned down somewhat for the series, the essence of the movies is still present. There was also a slight cast change but nothing that one cannot become accustomed to. What really drew me to this series are Cassie's approach to life and the storytelling of growth and change that happens in everyday life. Watching the series gave me a sense of inner peace and there is always a lesson to take away from.
Cassie's shop "Bell, Book and Candles" that's always full of magic, opportunities and hope. Image source.
The cast of both the films and TV series were superbly chosen. I was very excited to find out Bailee Madison (young Snow White in Once Upon A Time) was cast as Cassie's daughter for the TV series. Each of the characters in Middleton has a story to tell and an obstacle or two to overcome. Like a cleverly woven spell the writers manage to deliver each of their stories equally. At the end of each episode it leaves me wondering how nice it would be to have someone like Cassie (and her shop) in our lives. Sometimes we all need a bit of guidance, whether it be magical or not.
Bailee Madison as Grace, the blossoming young witch with great potential. Image source.
A new Halloween special for the Good Witch (titled Secrets of Grey House) will be airing on the 22nd of October on Hallmark Channel. If you have not seen the series yet make sure you add it to your list of Halloween must-watch and get up-to-date before the new episode airs.
Get ready to be charmed by an all new Halloween special of the Good Witch. Image source.
Here is a list of the movies and TV series in chronological order to help you get up to speed:
1. The Good Witch
2. The Good Witch's Garden
3. The Good Witch's Gift
4. The Good Witch's Family
5. The Good Witch's Charm
6. The Good Witch's Destiny
7. The Good Witch's Wonder
8. Good Witch Season One
9. Good Witch Halloween: Something Wicked
10. Good Witch Season Two
11. Good Witch: Secrets of Grey House
I hope you will enjoy the series as much as I do. Leave a comment below to let me know what you think of the series and what else you would suggest for a witchy fan.
Live. Love. Laugh. Liberate.
- Avis Knows
