MovieChat Forums > The Good Witch's Garden (2009) Discussion > So how is the Good Witch 'witchy' exactl...

So how is the Good Witch 'witchy' exactly?

posted 14 years ago by scarletminded
6 replies | jump to latest

I've seen this movie and the one before it and I am a Roman Reconstructionist myself, so I don't want people to think I am putting down this movie, because I do like it. But it sort of bothers me that the witch character isn't that witchy.

She's a good gardener, she's a matchmaker, she helped the kids with their problems and talks to her cat. But none of these is really witchy to me.

The movie doesn't jump into the "hocus-pocus" witch of other stuff, like Sabrina the Teenage Witch, for example, but it doesn't explore Earth Religions either or any use of spells (that I saw). The Good Witch herself does have a good view on life, which I think is essential when one is pagan and also, to take care of the earth and people around her. But really, most people could do what she did in both films without being magical. I mean, parents give their children items like she did with the mirror to help them get over things, like a "magical" stuffed animal to ward monsters out from under the bed or in the closet, but neither of these is witchy or pagan really.

I'd just like to see her praying to a goddess or saying a prayer for the earth, something that could make me believe she's The Good Witch. I know I enjoy my Hollywood trappings, she doesn't have to float or blow a candle on, but I'd like to see a bit more witchiness in other ways.

At the same time, I can see the book suddenly appearing as magic in a way, I would just like to see someone do a spell beforehand, like the Good Witch saying a prayer to Artemis to not lose her home (maybe Demeter would be a better goddess to call or just the Lady or Mother Goddess) and then the book is found in the library.

To me, being a witch is a very religious thing and I would like to see the religion actually showed, beyond growing flowers well, owning a herbal shoppe of some sort (much like Practical Magic) and helping people out. I'd like to see actual worship of a goddess or lady/lord, etc...or celebrations of pagan holidays...something that would make it more believable to me that this people is really a witch since the movie seems to move a lot in the Wicca/pagan vein, as opposed to her being a witch of a different faith.

Again, not knocking the movie at all...I think the Good Witch shows pagans in a very good light and makes them like normal people, not people who should be feared or shunned in some way. I just wish it all was a bit more "witchy" in its writing, to show people more of what witches believe.

[–] JudeDeveraux 14 years ago

I don't think that Cassie was meant to be a true witch in the sense of spells & stuff like that....nothing Pagan either. She just puts out suggestions & ppl believe what they want & it happens. That nosy old Martha is part of the problem...she doesn't like change or anything different & Cassie is definitely different.

You should watch the prequel "The Good Witch" to understand more.

They are just cute fun movies.....

[–] scarletminded 14 years ago

So the witch title is just something other people in the town put on her rather than her own title?

[–] JudeDeveraux 14 years ago

Yeah...Martha Tinsdale was the instigator. Cassie never once said she was a witch or had magical powers. Her "potions" in her shop really were just Aromatherapy...things she had mixed together herself because they "smelt good".
One smelled like cinnamon buns....she told the lady to put some of it on candles & some on her husband's shirt collars....the smell would put him in a romantic mood...no spell put on him.
She just helped ppl that way...

There is supposed to be a 3rd Good Witch out either the end of this year or early next year. Can't wait!

[–] rissole65 14 years ago

Thats part of why this movie is so great.... Catherine Bell herself even said... that people arent sure whether she is a witch or not, she could just be in tune with everything around her.

She has never come out and said... "yes im a witch"..

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SEMPER FI

[–] ladyMoonEclipse 12 years ago

i've got to say, this is the best kept mystery on this show, i really can't tell! sometimes i feel like she is and its pretty obvious but other times i doubt it very strongly and refute everything i previously thought with logical explanation and it all has to do with fact she's very good at not being overtly "witchy" nor feels the need to...

it also reminds me of how perhaps salem witches who were hunted and burned might have just being these women who had special connection and understanding of earth and nature ,they were doctors of sort for the body soul and mind...

i read somewhere once that magic is just science and/or technology which hasnt been explained yet, and that once you uncover the mystery and mechanical process it takes away most of the wonder and magic !

my hunch is she's a witch but i guess we'll see, a lovely lovely series of film , its seriously refreshing from the gore of everyday tv now

"Let me not to the marriage of true minds admit impediments..." sonnet 116

[–] spinneyhex 14 years ago

What has witchcraft got to do with Gods or Goddesses? maybe some paths do but mine certainly has nothing to do with 'praying' to certain Goddesses. Witchcraft is certainly not my religion or most other witches I know. I think you may be getting all witchcraft mixed up with modern Wicca.