A love spell is also used to encourage Sally to fall in love with Michael (though the aunts never knew it would go as far as it did). Hot Witch: Sally, in spite of herself. Gillian, quite deliberately. (The Aunts were apparently quite the lookers in their days, as well.) If there’s one thing * is now certain of, it’s house you can amaze yourself by the things you’re willing to do.

The Rules of Magic, the Practical Everything We Know About The Rules of Magic, the Practical

Sally's daughters mirror this in a Generation Xerox fashion. With Kylie being a Fiery Redhead with no qualms about using her magic and Antonia being more levelheaded and concerned about hurting others.Real After All: The reality of the Owenses' magical powers is never in doubt, but those powers are relatively subtle. The town rumor that the Owens Women fly from the roof of their house every Halloween seems like a ridiculous exaggeration by stupidly superstitious people. Nope. When one of the Aunts sees Gilly's bruise, she says "a little mugwort will clear that right up." Ironically, witch-hazel, which really is used for healing bruises, scrapes and wounds, would have been more appropriate. Superpowerful Genetics: Witchcraft follows bloodlines. During the climax however, other women in the town help them perform a spell so magic doesn't seem to be 100% genetic.

Practical Magic Series - Alice Hoffman

Granola Girl: Sally has a few of these tendencies, with her all-natural, oatmeal-based shampoos, soaps, and body lotions. Even moreso in the books, where she becomes a vegetarian after witnessing the bird-killing love spell, and great detail is used in describing her cooking. In an unforgettable novel that traces a centuries-old curse to its source, beloved author Alice Hoffman unveils the story of Maria Owens, accused of witchcraft in Salem, and matriarch of a line of the amazing Owens women and men featured in Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic. Domestic Abuse: Jimmy was extremely possessive of Gillian and eventually punched her during an argument. Later, he tries to brand her with his skull ring. Balkan Bastard: Jimmy from Bulgaria (Angelov is a Bulgarian surname, as correctly noted in the film) is definitely this. The aunts recite the famous "eye of newt" spell from Shakespeare while putting ingredients into a blender to make margaritas.The aunts look like they might also have fit this trope before their hair grayed. Justified, in that the family curse doesn't necessarily allow for more than a pair of daughters in a generation. Spell Book: The Aunts have a very old book of spells that appears to have been passed down through the generations. Devil in Plain Sight: Jimmy Angelov, whom, in Gillian's own words, "has this Dracula cowboy thing" going for him.

Alice Hoffman Home - Alice Hoffman

They could see how love might control you, from your head to your toes, not to mention every single part of you in between. She put her hand to her throat as though someone were strangling her, but really she was choking on all that love she thought she’d needed so badly. Young Sally Owens: Summoning up a true love spell called Amas Veritas. He can flip pancakes in the air. He'll be marvelously kind. And his favorite shape will be a star. And he'll have one green eye and one blue. Also, Sally and Gillian slice their palms and clasp hands to cure Gillian's Demonic Possession. Their joined hands and shared blood cures Gillian and breaks the family curse. Alice Hoffman was born in New York City on March 16, 1952, and grew up on Long Island. After graduating from high school in 1969, she attended Adelphi University, from which she received a BA, and then received a Mirrellees Fellowship to the Stanford University Creative Writing Center, which she attended in 1973 and 74, receiving an MA in creative writing. She currently lives in Boston.In an unforgettable novel that traces a centuries-old curse to its source, beloved author Alice Hoffman unveils the story of Maria Owens, accused of witchcraft in Salem, and matriarch of a line of the amazing Owens women and men featured in Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic. Avoid men who call you Baby, and women who have no friends, and dogs that scratch at their bellies and refuse to lie down at your feet. Wear dark glasses; bathe with lavender oil and cool fresh water. Seek shelter from the sun at noon.” Serial Killer: Jimmy tries to brand and strangle Gillian. Gary Hallet reveals that he's done this to previous girlfriends. She preferred cats to human beings and turned down every offer from the men who fell in love with her.