🕑 WITCH CHALLENGE ~ Catch-Up!

[georgia]

@Amethyst

this is a horse to water situation.

I have updated my Energy Exchange posting, now that I see more clearly what is going on behind the scenes. Thanks to all who have given me the space to piece this together.

Challenge Entry 2

Blooming with the Moon- Virent Anima

This one is a little closer to our current experiences, though still there is a difference between the full moon of the original post and the new moon rising this weekend. I do have a bit of novelty to share which is blooming in my life.

Ever since accepting the guidance of my new Spirit Guide, Mouse, I have been noticing oddities in my peripheral vision. There has been motion, when there is nothing to see: patterns in the linoleum seem to shift on occasion. This may be caused by macular degeneration, which my eye doctor acknowledges and is watching, so I haven’t been startled by it. Until there is a cohesive message, I choose to notice, but stay quiet. My plan is to gather information so I can act from a point of wisdom when it is most needed.

The images in my peripheral vision have grown from basic movement into body shapes. I always considered those to be guardians in the past, and they have kept me safe and attentive when I needed them, working third shift at a gas station. Sometimes, they seem to grow, like someone behind the kitchen counter climbing on a ladder. Other times, they use physical objects, like the tower down the street, to hide or solidify their existence. This set of experiences is growing into an opening for Spirit connections, and I am grateful for it. Again, there is no message at the moment. I have been incommunicado for long enough that the images are just attempts at connection for the time being.

I have purchased mugwort flower essence. I take 4 drops before bed, in search of clearer dreams. These can cause a psychic opening, too, so I am keeping a path clear for the possibility of messages while being aware that no one else can see what I see. All messages will be researched for more info before being shared. I learned to do this at a young age. It feels good to get back to this pattern of learning, left only due to the responsibilities of RL. Since I had this ability in my youth, I acknowledge that the flower essence is only a temporary tool to aid in the return of the earlier ability.

I can see this as a whole- mouse secrets to peripherals to messages to further research- blooming into something which was intended for me from little up, I simply had to learn more about the process and how to use it for a higher good. The hardest part of it was learning that muggles consider it a form of insanity. Thus, the mousy/ magickal secret keeping process.

[georgia]

Challenge Entry 3

Salty Spellwork- Imperium Salis

An old definition of “salty” includes the sensation of being irritated at something minor. I thought I’d use this definition purely in fun after being awoken by the fifth call from a private number in one day. Business seem to be hiding their phone numbers in hopes the people called would answer out of curiosity, but this is becoming harassment. They don’t listen to instructions left on an answering machine, so I thought I’d leave a joke on mine.

“Welcome to your local witch hotline! Who can we hex for you today? For a special request, please leave a message at the beep. Thank you!”

Some businesses turn their phone numbers into letters to make them easier to remember. They use the alphabet on the phone dial pad. My area code turns out to be L0L! Otherwise, my number doesn’t really pan out alphabetically.

I also used numerology to alphabetize my phone number. That didn’t work, either. Oh well, it was fun trying.

[Amethyst]

@georgia

“Welcome to your local witch hotline! Who can we hex for you today? For a special request, please leave a message at the beep. Thank you!”

That is awesome! You win a gold star and a cookie!

[c11]

@georgia

“salty” witch hotline-that’s a good one!

this is very off topic but salty is how my husband often describes me…and is often accurate. Made me giggle

[Amethyst]

Often, I watch movies or TV shows, and something happens that the fans don’t like. We tend to describe ourselves as Salty.

[georgia]

@Amethyst

You win a gold star and a cookie!

Hey, if someone complains, I can say I put it up for Halloween and forgot about it!

@c11

Made me giggle

Challenge Entry 4

Cat Magic- Amicus Felium

This one may be the hardest challenge in the bunch for me. I enjoy cats, but I can’t have one with a bird in the house. Since moving, I have no idea where to find someone else’s cat for a fur fix.

Yet I am a Leo sun. … Why is it that with all the cat correspondences we have, astrology focuses on pride? I don’t get that at all.

I was going to write about allowing my circadian rhythm flow the way it wants to instead of trying to return to my former morning person schedule. Then I suddenly had a good night’s sleep! Oh well. Maybe it’s just temporary.

In an apartment complex, it is tricky to be a night person- like a cat with the zoomies. We have quiet hours to respect our neighbors. I have way too many things which need to get done, which cause noise. Besides, Albus Bird needs his beauty sleep so he isn’t cranky in the morning, so I dare not leave the lights on while I clean or work. I’m usually as quiet as I can be, opening the blinds to the street light outside my living room window when I need to see to plug in the internet, wearing headphones so I make no noise. It feels like Harry Potter on school break! Then Dobby comes along and gives me some tickle torture! I don’t know about anyone else, but I cannot laugh silently, and I enjoy singing along during movies.

If I’m in the bedroom, with Albus trying to sleep, and I’m making too much noise, he will play with his mirror, making it rattle against the wires of his cage. When he gets scared of something, like the back scrubber falling into the tub the other night, he will tap dance through the night. Then I have to leave the light on until he falls asleep.

Hmmm. I’m a Leo with a pet bird and a mouse as a spirit animal.

[Amethyst]

@georgia

Hey, if someone complains, I can say I put it up for Halloween and forgot about it!

That works! It’s Halfway to Halloween, or Springoween, however you call it! LOL!

[c11]

catch up challenge number 2 Bubbly Witch

for this challenge I have decided to do something similar to self love milk bath by Nhaama

Im going to use some goats milk from my girls, dried lavender and chamomile, place a couple rose quartz on the tub and light up my vanilla candle. Whilst in the tub I will do some breath work and some self love affirmations. I will probably update this later after I have completed my soak

So this is how it went down I got my water running, mindfully added a healthy splash of milk , a sprinkle of lavender and chamomile (I didn’t measure) placed my 3 rose quartz and candle on the side of the tub. Next I light my vanilla candle and did some deep breathing. Then as I was pouring water over myself I said “I release all negativity” with each pour. I had prechosen some affirmations but went with what felt right in the moment. Which was “I am grateful to be who I AM” and “I give and receive love in a health manner”. While I was affirming I held a crystal in each hand. After that I relaxed and let everything soak in. I ended my soak with some words of gratitude and extinguishing my candle.

[Jeannie1]

@katharina
Hi Katerina I am glad I got back on track and really happy to see your post! Your work is so inspiring and creative! I really hope maybe someday I can try making a skull like yours!!
Candle magic is important part of practice but it helps to add a lot of magic to the practice and I can see it takes time and preparation and see you have some skills ! I hope your practice goes along way and keep keeping your magic Magikal!

@georgia

@amethyst
My goal was to rally the community to support the ones who supported them

You’re so ambitious and that tenacious energy will help ! I believe you are making the right decision for yourself and that self care is powerfull! I’m glad you’re keeping others by your side ! Today I went to a group not for me, but for a friend who suffers with traumatic brain injury .
I’m thinking about trying Alanon for people who are co- dependent and also for helping others who have addiction issues. Hopefully some of your tenacity will rub off on me.! Positive vibes thanks for sharing your truth and being authentic!
@georgia

@georgia

My plan is to gather information so I can act from a point of wisdom when it is most needed.

@georgia

@georgia

This set of experiences is growing into an opening for Spirit connections, and I am grateful for it.

I am so happy for you, I hope someday I’ll have that opening and communicate with the other side!
I’m trying to find another challenge. I use to have better contact with the dead but I think I still got it!
Jeannie

[Moonbeam]

Challenge Entry 1 - Sleepy Spellwork - Dream Weaver

For my first entry I chose Dream Weaver as my first experience as a child (out of body) was the start of my journey which has grown with me. Secondly, good quality of sleep for myself, Husband and my dogs (as they sleep in our room) is essential for balance and health. I have therefore created an altar on my bedside shelf for this.

3 Crystals

Amethyst which represents purity of spirt, spiritual awareness, heightens psychic abilities and subconscious memory, relieves insomnia

Pink Opal - powerful healing, unlocks the heart chakra and imbues aura with calming, tranquil vibrations assists with emotional stress and anxiety is a stone of spiritual awaking

Moonstone - (of course) connected to the moon, new beginnings, divine feminine, enhanced intuition, a powerful crystal too much to list

3 Agate Svefnthorn Protection and Sleep Amulet

The Svefnthorn is a symbol that features in Norse Sagas and Folklore Magic to induce deep sleep and protection. i have the 2 green ones inside our pillowcases

Handmade from a TreeSeer in Wales Rune Oracle Bowl made of Hawthorn Wood which features 32 Anglo-Saxon Runes, Welsh Symbols & Elder Futhark Runes - I have two other pieces and I am starting to learn how to use them it is a different form of casting runes. You cast by feel.

2 Spell Bottles

Sleep & Restorative

Healing

3 Spell Bags

Deep Sleep & Restorative (I have placed one inside each of our pillowcases)

Dream Sigil Green Spell Bag incorporating rune magic, herbs and crystals to assist and travel the path to the spirt realm

1 Acorn

For strength of spirt grounding & stability balance, energy protection

A Glass of Moon Water

To clear negative energy in the room, helps with protection from nightmares, it is best to use a dedicated glass which you fill each night and discard down the sink in the morning

Plant

Hydroponic Ficus Elastica Robusta - good air purifier, symbol of abundance, prosperity and positive energy

One done more to go

Dreamful Blessings

[Moonbeam]

Challenge Entry 2 - Hedge Magick - Into the other realms - Hedge Witch

Following on from my experiences as a child to present day - Challenge 1.

I became aware that my gift of been able to spiritually connect with my ancestors, who have passed before I was born has been a blessing as my strong connection especially to my Mum and Nana give me support, guidance everyday. My first conversation was two days after she passed and wanted to know why I could not cry. My Mum simply said “I don’t want you to”. I know now. I also connect to my Husband’s parents and his Nana.

My experience being a Hedge Witch is opening an a locked door with a key the keys come in many forms from my dreams & un-subconscious, daytime. My Mum has an “Lladro Mime Angel Figurine” and I purchased two “Willow Tree Angels - Angel of Remembrance & Angel of Hope” my “Angel of Hope” moves every week and it gives me great comfort, messages, signs at certain times of the year, places, from nature, technology, repeating Angel numbers and senses and feelings it is hard to describe.

One an example of a key is the day prior to completion of my Mum’s house sale I had this strong sense and feeling that I had forgotten something. I could not think what as I had emptied the property and taken the final gas & electricity meter readings myself. The remaining thing was to hand keys to Estate Agents. The feeling just would not go.

My Husband came with me and went to my Mum’s home. We checked the house, gardens and could not see anything. We were perplexed. I decided before we left to check my bedroom again. We had removed the door to get my old bed and furniture out it was against the wall I thought I would just move it. There it was my missing item my Mum had attached my nameplate to the door when I was born. I knew that it was important to her that I found it and why I had to go back.

There are many more keys to find and conversations to have. My Mum reminded me that even the little things must not be overlooked and my gift to be able to see beyond the veil is a true blessing.

The picture is of my Mum’s teddy bear which is called “Ted” she bought for herself whilst she was visiting my Cousin in Shropshire she had it sat on her bed and my nameplate.

Blessings to my Mum, Nana & Ancestors

Love & Light

[Greenbriar]

Challenge Entry - Claws, Paws, Tails and Scales

The Bear as Spirit Ally in Witchcraft and Spellwork

In many witchcraft traditions, spirit animals are not mascots or aesthetic symbols—they are relational presences. They arrive as teachers, mirrors, and guardians, each carrying a distinct current of magic. For those who walk with the Bear, this ally offers a particularly potent blend of strength, introspection, and ancestral steadiness.

For me, Bear didn’t arrive with fanfare. It came during a season when I felt stretched thin—too many obligations, too many people tugging at my energy, too many old patterns trying to pull me back into the role of peacekeeper. One morning, while sitting out on the patio before the Texas heat got too oppressive, I felt this quiet, unmistakable presence settle around me. Not a vision, not a dramatic sign—just a deep, bodily knowing, like someone had placed a warm, steady hand between my shoulder blades. In that moment, I understood Bear as a reminder to return to myself. To stop bracing. To breathe into my own ribs.

The Bear’s magic begins in the body. It teaches witches how to inhabit their own physicality with confidence, how to root into the earth and move through the world with deliberate power. In spellwork, this translates into a grounded presence: the ability to hold one’s intention without wavering, to cast from a place of embodied certainty rather than scattered desire. Bear energy strengthens protective workings, boundary-setting rituals, and any spell that requires courage or resilience. When I began bringing that Bear presence into my own spellwork, I noticed something shift—my intentions felt heavier in my hands, more anchored, as if Bear itself was lending weight to my words.

Yet Bear is not only a creature of force—it is also a master of retreat. Its seasonal rhythm of hibernation models the sacred necessity of withdrawal, rest, and inner listening. Witches who work with Bear often find their intuition sharpening, their dreamwork deepening, and their shadow practices becoming gentler but more honest. In my own craft, Bear transformed my healing work: it became less about fixing myself and more about honoring the parts of me that needed rest. Bear taught me that retreat is not weakness—it is strategy, it is medicine, it is magic.

There is also an ancestral dimension to Bear magic. Across cultures, Bear has been honored as a keeper of lineage, a bridge between the living and the spirits who came before. When invoked in ritual, Bear can help a witch feel held by something older and wiser than the self—an energy that steadies the hands, clears the mind, and strengthens the heart. This makes Bear a powerful ally for workings involving heritage, protection of the home, and the weaving of personal and familial stories into one’s craft.

Ultimately, the Bear spirit teaches witches how to be both fierce and tender, both grounded and intuitive. It reminds us that true strength is not loud or performative—it is the quiet, steady knowing that we can meet life as we are. Since that first morning, whenever I feel myself slipping into old habits of over-responsibility or emotional vigilance, I call on Bear. Not to fight for me, but to remind me of my own strength, my own boundaries, my own right to take up space. In spellwork, this presence becomes a companion that steadies intention, deepens insight, and helps the witch move through the world with clarity and unshakable inner authority.

The above was written with the help of Co-Pilot. Below is an image originally posted here in the forum by @Cosmic_Curiosity in his Exploring Spirit Animals post.

[Amethyst]

Witch Challenge for Amethyst - Symbols and Sigils:

Well, since I couldn’t figure out what badges I needed, I decided to work on a skill I need. I want to work on my sigils; it’s an easy way to cast magick. Plus, it’s used in both Chaos magic and Pop Culture magic, and I’m getting interested in both. Mainly the Pop Culture one.

I want to work on being awake and having more energy during the day. So I did a sigil based on the sentence I have Vitality. It looked like this:

Then, since I wanted to add a bit of Pop Culture magic, I added the symbol for one of Tony Stark’s arc reactors. Energy enough to power the Iron Man suit!

It’s difficult to see where I wrote it; I used a gold pen. If I work in sigils more, I think I’m gonna need a set of gel pens.

I’m going to burn it in the morning during my ritual. I may add something to say, but it’ll be off the cuff. After all, Tony Stark doesn’t stick to cue cards! LOL!

Anyway, I think this will help! Hope you all like it!

[julie8]

CHALLENGE ENTRY - BOOKWYRM

In deciding to undertake this challenge I also managed to shock myself. I know I love books especially collecting hard copies, but I also have digital books as well. I have lots!!! But will only concentrate on books relating to the craft or related activities.
So, the types of books I have collected include:

• Astrology (currently undertaking study with Sydney Astrology School)
• Crystals (I have a huge collection of crystals and specimens)
• Sabbats
• Herbalist
• Witchcraft
• Spell Books
• Lisa Chamberlain Series of witchcraft books
• Feng shui
• The complete Hachette Learn and Understand Astrology Magazine collection
• Meditation and Mindfulness
• Runes, divination, oracles and tarot

I have counted well over 100 hardcopy books that I found, and I was not counting the Hachette magazines as individuals only each collection which is approximately 8 binders. Will I read them all - of course not - not in this lifetime. But my books are awesome reference guides when I want to research something. I have also estimated over 80 digital books as well on Audible.

OMG!! I would not have believed it if I did not count. I dare not count my cookbooks which way outnumber my craft books. I have just downloaded this app called “Cookshelf” for cookbook collectors which merges your physical book collection with a searchable digital catalogue. So, ultimately, I would also love something that would catalogue all my craft books for an easy searchable reference guide.
So, asking if anyone has any idea’s if anything does exist to create a digital catalogue of all you book collections.

Blessed Be - Bookwyrm’s

[Moonbeam]

Challenge Entry 3 - The Veil Between Worlds - Witch of the Veil

Following on from Challenge Entry 2, I would like to share another

Years have passed but it feels like it happened only yesterday as I can see every detail. My Mum’s family had to relocate from Plymouth after they lost their home during the Second World War they rented a property in Lancashire. My Nana lost my Grandad (whom I never met) early in their marriage she never remarried and my Uncle lived with her. I was very close to both of them. When my Nana passed my Uncle moved into a ground floor flat with support by a Community Warden.

A couple months after my Nana had passed I felt a strong pull to go to their home. The house was being renovated she slept in the downstairs front room. The window pane was broken and there was just stone walls and floors, rubble and nothing else. I was remembering what her room looked like it had a very large wooden fireplace with pictures and she always had some fresh flowers from her garden on her bedside table, there was a curtain that took you through to their living room. We used to have so much fun running and hiding through the curtain. I felt a sense of peace, being touched on my head and a strong smell of violets, TCP Antiseptic she was always using it. Then pipe-smoke. They had been apart for over 50 years and I knew that they had been reunited. My Nana could not remember where he was buried in the cemetery as there was no headstone as she could not afford one. I was so happy that I could tell my Uncle that everything was alright as he had been fretting.

My connection to my ancestors is generally easygoing and I just speak to them. There are times that I set up a little altar if feel I need more guidance and reassurance. Our family have always had dogs I have never lived without one and so it is important to me that they are remembered and honoured. I have seen orbs in my Mum’s gardens and my own and little dog sweaks and sound of nails whilst upstairs when my dogs Mille & Bronte were downstairs, dragonflies inside, robins and a few weeks ago a group of three birds flew in a triangle directly over me. There was no other birds in the sky it was totally silent as we had a storm. It was the anniversary of my Nana’s passing and I was thinking about her and asked for a sign. Nature provided.

I attach a photo of my temporary altar.

3 Willow Tree Angels “Angel of Remembrance, Angel of Hope, Angel of Friendship” (as my Mum and Nana had their own in their homes);

1 White Candle

1 Lavender Incense Stick

Pentacle Agate Slice & Amethyst Heart & Sphere

Selenite Sphere - this is a very important crystal as it know as “The Heavenly Key” it is the keeper of magic and unlocks magic you cannot see.

MANTRA - take your piece in your hand and say “I cleanse, I heal, I retouch and rebalance the heaven in and all around me 3 times”

My Nana sixpence that she gave me as a child and her Owl Brooch that she wore everyday on her pinny which she left me with a letter.

Acorn - Connection to nature and Forest spirts and ancestral wisdom - Affirmation “I am steady rooted and strong, my spirt is grounded in ancient wisdom So Mote It Be”

Willow Wood Bindrune & Talisman - sacred to the Moon, enhancing psychic ability and finding the right path

2 cups of tea - a lovely memory is that the kettle was always on and a teapot covered in a cosy was on the kitchen table in the living room at my Nana’s. I honour them by sitting down and having a chat and a cup of tea

Blessings to my beloved family

With love & light

strong text

[Moonbeam]

Hi everyone

I am sorry that I havre not commented on all your entries so far. Individually. My Husband is going away tomorrow morning and getting things sorted for his trip along and trying to get straight at work before I take the same time off to look after my dogs and fish it has been a little hectic.

I have enjoyed reading and looking at your photos of all your entries so far. I am looking forward to seeing what other ones you all choose.

blessings to you all

[BryWisteria]

One week to go!

I’m not sure where the days have been sneaking off to, but we’re already on the homestretch. Only a week to go until the challenge archive closes to entries! A big thank you to everyone who has jumped in to explore an area of magick (or two, or three, or more) so far. Thanks for sharing your entries!

For those still pondering about the theme, rest assured that plenty of time remains on the challenge clock. There is one more week until this challenge closes.

Looking forward to reading your entries!

Blessed be

[Moonbeam]

Challenge Entry 4 - Moon Magic - Moon Witch

I had to do a Moon one and decided to recreate with the crystals I have the phases of the Moon which are.

New Moon - Silver Sheen Obsidian
Waxing Crescent - Girasol Quartz
First Quarter - Rainbow Moonstone
Waxing Gibbons - Selenite
Full Moon - Clear Quartz
Waning Gibbons - Moonstone (small)
Last Quarter - Moonstone (large)
Waning Crescent - Yellow Quartz

Other items included in my altar are

Moon Water Bottle with Rose Quartz
Green Bag - Happiness
Two Spell Bottles - Density and Dream Bottle, Good Luck Spell Bottle for home/business/career
Hare & Moon Items - Wood Agni Prasada Burning Wish Pebble, Lapel Pin, my Wand & Bag as this is my spirt animal
Phases of the Moon Green Agate Slice
Purple Pentacle Agate Slice
Selenite Cleansing Wand

I also added two spells as follows:-

FULL MOON CRYSTAL CHARGED PROSPERITY POTION

Items you need are

• Glass filled with Moon Water
• Sprng(s) of Organic Mint - depends how minty your liking
• Crystals - definitely clear quartz as a Master Crystal and whatever crystals you like

INSTRUCTIONS

• Place crystals around your glass & mint Moon Water - RECITE “I call upon the Full Moon, let success come swift and soon” leave glass for 2 hours.

• Remove mint from water, crush the leaves, put them back in the water and swirl them in water clockwise

• Drink Potion focus your intent on drawing in success, abundance and prosperity

CRYSTAL CAIRN BALANCE & HARMONY SPELL

My Mothers side is Scottish (McDonald Clan) and this comes from Scottish Gaelic “Cairns are manmade and have been used throughout history and are still used today as visual guides, spiritual, symbols of balance”

Items Needed -Crystals that invoke balance

I used what I had as the majority of mine are Spheres

• Pink Tourmaline - associated with the heart chaka
• Sea Glass - transformation, emotional balance
• Serpentine - aligns all the chakras
• Selenite Crescent Moon - connections to the moon and is the heavenly key

INSTRUCTIONS

• Place the crystals on top of each other and

RECITE “I set this calm with patience in place to invoke balance within my space”

• Close your eyes and take a few long breaths in and out and focus on the areas in your life that need more balance and the steps you will make to achieve this

• Carefully remove the crystals one by one and

RECITE “This crystal Cairn I now displace and accept all change that comes with grace
For balance must shift with passing of time
To maintain harmony and peace of mind.
So Mote It Be

Blessings Moon

[c11]

Entry number 3 Nordic Magic/Norse Practitioner

For this challenge I will be reading Neil Giaman’s Norse Mythology when I have the time and energy. Also for this entry I would like to share my little offering ritual I guess you could call it I did for Odin. I have not previously worked with deities so this is pretty new to me. I have left an offering to Odin once before. I share that here Offerings to odin

This time was similar. I chose to leave a bit of cooked meat at the altar. I sat with the lights off and just the salt lamp going. Holding my (a sort of triangle shaped rock a little smaller than my hand with written in black sharpie) I took some deep breaths and recited a prayer from the Odin lesson a few times. I also basically asked permission to keep reaching out/getting to know Allfather and asked if he would send me a pretty obvious sign (Im not too good at “reading signs”) if it wasn’t and I would respect his decision. To end I just thanked him for his time and for hearing me. So far I haven’t experienced any “signs” relating to this…I think… however it has only been a day later. Ill keep you posted

[georgia]

Getting lost, here. My brain has been easily confused, lately. I think I’m on

Challenge Entry 6

Your Magickal Roots - Peritus viatorem

I awoke wanting to share a story my grandmother told me, long ago.

My great great great grandma Mary Boeuf married into the Jetmore family as she moved away from France. When the wedded couple was still young, her husband rode home late at night in a storm. He put the horse to bed without drying it or walking it to cool off from the hard run. The horse got sick. Mary pulled the illness out of the horse and put it into a rose bush which grew near the barn door. The horse got better, and the rose bush died. Mary told her husband to make sure he never did that again: the power used to save the horse took years off her life.

When I heard the story, I decided that living a short life well was much preferable to living a poor or mediocre life for a long time. It was one of the first lessons I learned from witchcraft, and one of my first big decisions in life.

Thank you for your time.

Challenge Entry 7

Books, Times, and Tales

I have been reading a series called The Three Investigators. There are 44 books to the series, penned by several authors. I’m still finishing off the last couple, but I’d like to review the series in case others are interested. This is my opinion, so others may think differently on the subjects.

First, the books were obviously written by Brits, some of whom had never been to America, complete with spelling and naming issues which broke the spell of good writing for me. Set in California. The kids never grow up over the years. No age is specifically stated for the boys, but timing goes back and forth over school holidays until it seems like either many years are passing or too many things are happening in a very short period of time. This form of error in time happens with Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys as well, so I chose to overlook quite a bit.

Witchcraft was mentioned in several of the books. Despite being used by the bad guys, thus including the books in typical Hollywood ideas of the Craft, there was an attitude of encouraging the readers to research the subjects. These books could have taken the mysteries to a much darker place, so I am grateful to the writers for a gentler than usual handling of the belief systems mentioned.

I usually read young adult mysteries when I’m healing from an illness- to separate myself from the weaknesses of my reality until I’m strong enough to resume normal life. These books were tricky in that resolve. They took me only a few hours to read, which is perfect, and were light enough in content that I didn’t have emotional issues in connection with them (no murder, no gore- perfect for me), though talk of lorries and petrol instead of trucks and gas did pull me out of the illusion too often.

Would I read the books again when the occasion arrived? Not sure as yet. I’ll hold onto my copies a while until I know for sure.

Did they advance my path in any way? They were intended to hypnotize me for the illusion of health until I could physically return to work. Instead, they may have pulled me in far enough to hold me still a bit longer than necessary, but that may have been my fault. This was the first time I’d read them, so I kept going, purely out of curiosity and because I had them in my collection of books to read.