Infusing Magick into Your Witchcraft Altar Display

A witchcraft altar display is a sacred and personal space where witches and practitioners of witchcraft can connect with their craft and their chosen deity or deities. It is a physical representation of their beliefs, intentions, and power. The altar display typically consists of various items and symbols that hold significant meaning to the witch. These can include candles, crystals, herbs, feathers, bones, and other natural objects. Each item is carefully chosen and placed on the altar to create a specific energy or intention. Candles are often a central element in a witchcraft altar display.

And here lies the key to my review: if anything had been explored more, it would've ended up being such a cool book, instead it tried to be so much that it became very little. I really see where it was trying to go, but I would have appreciated less elements added to the story and more exploration of the ones that could have made it a quite unique pirate book.

I have DNF d a book with a very similar premise to this for this reason alone, and I have not done so here because I wanted to give a new to me author of color a chance. I m not saying there is any reason why the romance can t be light and sweet, but at least make it feel like an actual romance and not just insta love.

Candles are often a central element in a witchcraft altar display. They represent fire and provide a source of light during rituals and spellwork. Different colored candles can be used to correspond with different intentions or aspects of magic.

The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea

The pirate Florian, born Flora, has always done whatever it takes to survive—including sailing under false flag on the Dove as a marauder, thief, and worse. Lady Evelyn Hasegawa, a highborn Imperial daughter, is on board as well—accompanied by her own casket. But Evelyn’s one-way voyage to an arranged marriage in the Floating Islands is interrupted when the captain and crew show their true colors and enslave their wealthy passengers.

Both Florian and Evelyn have lived their lives by the rules, and whims, of others. But when they fall in love, they decide to take fate into their own hands—no matter the cost.

Maggie Tokuda-Hall’s sweeping fantasy debut, full of stolen memories, illicit mermaid’s blood, double agents, and haunting mythical creatures conjures an extraordinary cast of characters and the unforgettable story of a couple striving to stay together in the face of myriad forces wishing to control their identities and destinies.

About The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea

In a world divided by colonialism and threaded with magic, a desperate orphan turned pirate and a rebellious imperial lady find a connection on the high seas.

The pirate Florian, born Flora, has always done whatever it takes to survive—including sailing under false flag on the Dove as a marauder, thief, and worse. Lady Evelyn Hasegawa, a highborn Imperial daughter, is on board as well—accompanied by her own casket. But Evelyn’s one-way voyage to an arranged marriage in the Floating Islands is interrupted when the captain and crew show their true colors and enslave their wealthy passengers.

Both Florian and Evelyn have lived their lives by the rules, and whims, of others. But when they fall in love, they decide to take fate into their own hands—no matter the cost.

Maggie Tokuda-Hall’s sweeping fantasy debut, full of stolen memories, illicit mermaid’s blood, double agents, and haunting mythical creatures conjures an extraordinary cast of characters and the unforgettable story of a couple striving to stay together in the face of myriad forces wishing to control their identities and destinies.

Also by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

Also by Maggie Tokuda-Hall

Product Details

Category: Teen & Young Adult Fantasy Fiction | Teen & Young Adult Fiction | Teen & Young Adult Action & Adventure

Paperback | $10.99
Published by Candlewick
May 10, 2022 | 368 Pages | 6 x 9 | Young Adult | ISBN 9781536215892

Category: Teen & Young Adult Fantasy Fiction | Teen & Young Adult Fiction | Teen & Young Adult Romance

Hardcover | $19.99
Published by Candlewick
May 05, 2020 | 368 Pages | 6 x 9 | Young Adult | ISBN 9781536204315

Stormbreak

Untethered

The Forbidden Wish

The Afterward

The Camelot Betrayal

House of Dragons

Lady Knight

Traitor to the Throne

A Queen of Gilded Horns

A Poison Dark and Drowning (Kingdom on Fire, Book Two)

Praise

Careful prose juxtaposes gentleness and brutality, contrasting the tender emotions between Flora/Florian and Evelyn and the violence of a pirate’s life. Set against the backdrop of colonial expansion, this nautical fantasy goes beyond mere swashbuckling to examine the impacts of imperialism and misogyny on a diverse cast of varying ethnicities, sexualities, and gender identities. Witches, mermaids, and secret operatives add layers of magic and intrigue to the queer romance at the heart of this book…Absolutely enthralling.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

This intriguing premise blooms into an enchanting, complex tale that explores politics, piracy and the magic of storytelling itself…Queer and gender nonconforming characters are everywhere, and their normalization within the world of the book is remarkable and praiseworthy. A strikingly original and accomplished debut, The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea reads like an undiscovered classic with impressively modern flair.
—BookPage (starred review)

Maggie Tokuda-Hall (Also an Octopus) has crafted a brooding, magical adventure with a healthy dose of intrigue. Her prose is delightful, by turns delicate and brutal, as her plot demands. At the heart of this tale about learning when to stand out and when to blend in, lies the importance, imparted by first mate Rake, of "know[ing] your truth, not your story."
—Shelf Awareness for Readers (starred review)

“The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea will take you on the journey of a lifetime. Maggie Tokuda-Hall has created characters I’ve never seen before, then put them in an adventure that feels more real than real life and twice as unpredictable. I wanted to live in the world of this book forever, and I can’t stop obsessing about the rich tapestry of pirates, mermaids, witches, and conniving nobles who inhabit it. The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea might just remind you of why you fell in love with adventure in the first place and change how you think about the genre forever. I envy anyone who’s getting to experience this incredible book for the first time.”
—Charlie Jane Anders, author of the Nebula Award–winning novel All the Birds in the Sky

“An utterly romantic and breathless adventure that wouldn’t let me sleep until I’d devoured every last word. It’s a journey of love, magic, and self-discovery unlike any I’ve ever read.”
—Dahlia Adler, author of Under the Lights and editor of His Hideous Heart

"Arrrrr you ready for the swashbuckling, gorgeous, action-packed world of The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea? I’ve been in love with Maggie Tokuda-Hall’s writing for a long time, and I’m thrilled that you get to fall in love with it, too. A stunning fantasy that breaks all the rules—and hearts—in the best of ways."
—Sara Farizan, author of Here to Stay and If You Could Be Mine

“The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea is a beautiful confrontation of a book. Maggie Tokuda-Hall explores the cost of violence from every conceivable angle, trusting the reader to follow her intricate story and the complicated characters who inhabit it. Everything has a price, and every adventure takes its toll. The Mermaid, the Witch, and the Sea asks what parts of ourselves we’re willing to sacrifice, and who we’re willing to sacrifice them for.”
—Sarah Gailey, author of Magic for Liars and When We Were Magic

Not just mermaids, a witch, and the sea, Tokuda-Hall also covers pirates, double agents, and the lure of forgetting…this is a dark and creative story, laced with romance, and not for the faint of heart.
—School Library Journal

Tokuda-Hall aptly explores themes of gender identity and misogyny while illustrating colonialism’s horrors, in which even children must steal from and harm each other to survive. Interstitials by the sea lend a global viewpoint that ripples through the story without disrupting the narrative.
—Publishers Weekly

Moderate pacing and short stories peppered throughout balance out the more graphic scenes of violence and torture, which may be more appropriate for older readers. Though the romance develops quickly, readers will easily warm up to the tenacious protagonists as they grapple with identity, discover themselves, and stop at nothing short of freedom.
—Booklist

The non-Western-centric orientation is refreshing, and Tokuda-Hall’s stinging critiques of colonialism and toxic masculinity hit home. Readers willing to stick with the story will be well rewarded.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

Told from the point-of-view of several characters, teachers could use this book as a springboard to talk about perspective in writing. It would also work well in a unit on fairy tales since the structure is riddled with small details and side tales that move the plot forward.
—School Library Connection

Awards

Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book AWARD 2020

School Library Journal Best Book of the Year AWARD 2020

My second problem, which I noticed when I was about halfway through the book, was that I. didn’t really care about the characters? In fact, when there were side characters whose POVs were included near the end, I was more invested in them than the actual protagonists. Which is an issue, to say the least!!

For example, a red candle may be used for love spells, while a green candle can represent abundance and prosperity. Crystals and gemstones are also commonly found on witchcraft altars. These natural objects are believed to hold unique energies and can be used for healing, protection, and divination. Each crystal has its own properties and associations, so witches will select the stones that resonate with their desired intentions. Herbs and plants play a vital role in witchcraft, and many practitioners incorporate them into their altar displays. These can include dried herbs, flowers, or even living plants. Certain herbs are believed to have magical properties and can be used in spellwork, potions, and rituals. Other objects, such as feathers, shells, and animal bones, are often included in a witchcraft altar display to connect with nature and the spiritual realm. Feathers can symbolize air and communication with the divine, shells represent the element of water and intuition, and bones can represent connection to ancestors and the cycle of life and death. In addition to physical objects, a witchcraft altar display may also include symbols or imagery that a witch resonates with. These can include tarot cards, sigils, deity statues or images, or any other representation of one's spiritual beliefs or practices. Overall, a witchcraft altar display is a deeply personal and sacred space for witches to connect with their craft and channel their intentions and energy. It is a place of reverence, magic, and manifestation..

Reviews for "Using Tarot Cards in Your Witchcraft Altar Display"

1. Emma - ★☆☆☆☆

I was really disappointed with the Witchcraft altar display. It felt like a cheap and tacky attempt at creating a mystical atmosphere. The props and decorations looked like they were from a dollar store and lacked any authentic or intricate details. The whole display seemed more focused on shock value rather than actually portraying the essence of witchcraft. Overall, I found it underwhelming and not worth the visit.

2. Jack - ★★☆☆☆

I visited the Witchcraft altar display with high expectations, but unfortunately, it fell short. The ambiance and lighting were decent, but the actual altar setup was lacking in creativity. The items on display looked like generic Halloween decorations rather than items used in real witchcraft practices. It felt like a missed opportunity to educate visitors about the historical and cultural significance of witchcraft. I left feeling unimpressed and wishing for a more authentic and educational experience.

3. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆

I didn't particularly enjoy the Witchcraft altar display. While the idea behind it was intriguing, the execution was lacking. The display felt overly theatrical and gimmicky. It seemed more interested in creating a spooky atmosphere rather than providing any meaningful insight into witchcraft practices. Additionally, the lack of information or guidance made it difficult to understand the significance of the items on display. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wanting more substance from the exhibit.

Personalizing Your Witchcraft Altar Display: Making it Your Own