"Witchcraft and Folk Traditions" by Roger J Horne is a fascinating exploration of the world of witchcraft and its deep roots in folk traditions. This book delves into the history, beliefs, and practices of witches, providing a comprehensive understanding of this mysterious and often misunderstood subject. Horne begins by tracing the origins of witchcraft back to ancient times, examining the role of witches in different cultures and societies. From ancient Egypt to medieval Europe, he highlights the common threads that connect these diverse traditions, emphasizing the enduring power of witchcraft. Throughout the book, Horne examines the various forms of witchcraft, including traditional folk magic, ceremonial witchcraft, and modern paganism. He explores the rituals, spells, and symbols used by witches, shining a light on their rich and complex traditions.
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Every episode will begin with Zebedee appearing at the roundabout and giving a brief summary to the viewers of what will happen before the episode starts. Every episode will begin with Zebedee appearing at the roundabout and giving a brief summary to the viewers of what will happen before the episode starts.
He explores the rituals, spells, and symbols used by witches, shining a light on their rich and complex traditions. He also delves into the different facets of witchcraft, such as healing, divination, and spell casting, providing insights into the practical aspects of this ancient craft. In addition to discussing the beliefs and practices of witches, Horne also explores the historical persecution and fear associated with witchcraft.
It’s time for bed again: French team bring back The Magic Roundabout
O nce upon a time, a girl called Florence with a penchant for big boots played with her weird friends: a dog called Dougal, a dopey rabbit called Dylan and an unusually speedy snail called Brian in a magic garden dominated by a brightly coloured merry-go-round.
The names might not mean anything to people born less than 40-odd years ago, but to those of a certain age they are instantly recognisable as characters from The Magic Roundabout, a French children’s TV show that achieved cult status in Britain in the 1960s and 1970s.
For more than a decade, Florence and friends charmed young and old alike with simple stories told with a witty adult sub-text every evening. Then the programme vanished into television history quicker than the talking, teleporting jack-in-the-box Zebedee could say “time for bed”.
Le Manège Enchanté (The Magic Roundabout) created by Serge Danot. Photograph: Photo 12/Alamy
A 2005 film based on the TV series, failed to revive its fortunes despite being voiced by a cast of A-list stars including Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Tom Baker, Joanna Lumley, Bill Nighy and Ian McKellen. It was described as “dumbed down” and a tragic bypassing of the cheeky 60s original and plans for a sequel were quickly binned.
Now, Florence and friends are set to enchant a new generation of pre-school youngsters with a series of 52 11-minute programmes produced by Mediawan’s Method Animation, the company behind The Little Prince and Robin Hood.
Producer Camille Oesch said there was huge global interest in reviving the programme, and that while the new series, expected to air in 2024, was aimed at a young audience of three– to five-year-olds, she hoped it would “recreate the magic of the Magic Roundabout”.
“We want to respect the characters, personalities and spirit of the original. It’s not a question of going back into the past, but of reviving this iconic work with the techniques of the present,” Oesch said.
“In England, The Magic Roundabout was not just an iconic programme of the 1960s it was a cultural reference in animation, but the context today isn’t the same as in the 1960s so we have to find a path between the two.
“The response to the news has been enormous. Many channels are interested.”
The Magic Roundabout started life as Le Manège Enchanté, created by Frenchman Serge Danot, a former decorator whose previous claim to fame was that he had helped paint the Eiffel Tower. His pink, red, blue and orange merry-go-round was set in a magic garden where the colour green, which he hated, was bizarrely absent.
From left: Mr Rusty, Zebedee, Florence and Dougal. Photograph: Photo 12/Alamy
In 2004, Danot’s widow Martine, now in her early 70s, recalled how Dougal (Pollux in the French version) was an unexpected star. “He was originally a minor character in the programme,” Danot told the Guardian back then.
“At first he didn’t say anything, he just made a strange noise. But after the first few programmes viewers began writing asking to see more of the dog, so he became the main character,” she said.
“Serge gave him a heavy English accent, which French people found enormously amusing. He went, ‘Bow- wow-wow’ [French dogs go, ‘Ouah, ouah’].” Dylan, meanwhile, was called Flappy and had a heavy Spanish accent, while Brian the snail was Ambroise and Ermintrude the cow, Azalée.
France’s state broadcaster originally commissioned 13 programmes, the first of which was broadcast in black and white in October 1964. It was an instant hit, and a further 50 episodes were ordered. In the end Danot made about 700 and The Magic Roundabout went global; it was translated into 30 languages and broadcast in more than 60 countries, including Iran and Japan.
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The BBC was initally unimpressed, rejecting the programme twice as charming but too “weird”, before agreeing to buy it in 1965. In the end, its success in the UK was credited to narrator Eric Thompson, the father of actor Emma Thompson, who was presenting BBC2’s Play School at the time. Thompson deemed the original French stories simplistic and dull. Instead of translating them, he turned down the French sound and made up the narrative as he went along.
While it was a huge hit with children, Thompson’s double entendres also appealed to adults. At its height, The Magic Roundabout, shown in the five-minute slot before the early evening news on BBC1, was attracting about 8 million viewers. To young fans, the hippy, guitar-strumming rabbit Dylan was just dopey – while it was evident to parents that he had clearly been smoking something. And what was in those sugar cubes that sent Dougal spinning in circles? Every episode ended with Zebedee (Ze Baddie, another Thompson invention) declaring: “Time for bed”.
Eric Thompson with characters from The Magic Roundabout. Photograph: David Newell Smith/The Observer
Danot was less happy with Dougal’s English name – he was convinced Thompson was having a sly dig at the French president Charles de Gaulle.
Jérôme Brizé, founder of Magic, co-producers of the new series, who manages the rights to the Magic Roundabout on behalf of Martine Danot, admits Thompson’s approach gave the British version a certain adult appeal, but doubts the celebrated actor and script writer would get away with doing the same these days.
“Eric Thompson would turn the sound down and make up his own story. I don’t think he even knew what the original was about; I guess he was sent the scripts in French but I don’t think they were translated,” Brizé said.
“He certainly took some liberties but this was part of his genius and contributed to it becoming such an iconic programme in the UK. I think the UK was the only place where the programme was addressed to adults as well as children.”
Brizé added: “We hope to recreate the spirit and English humour in it, but we will be taking it back to its original roots as a series for children.”
Oesch agreed this was a challenge. “We will be trying hard to find a balance between the French and English contexts,” she said.
Jérôme Brizé, founder of Magic, co-producers of the new series, who manages the rights to the Magic Roundabout on behalf of Martine Danot, admits Thompson’s approach gave the British version a certain adult appeal, but doubts the celebrated actor and script writer would get away with doing the same these days.
He delves into the dark history of witch trials and witch hunts, shedding light on the mass hysteria and superstition that led to the persecution of countless innocent people throughout history. Despite the persecution and negative stereotypes that surround witches, Horne presents a balanced view of witchcraft, highlighting the positive aspects of this ancient practice. He emphasizes the connection between witches and nature, exploring their reverence for the earth and the cycles of the seasons. He also discusses the spiritual and transformative aspects of witchcraft, highlighting the potential for personal growth and empowerment. Overall, "Witchcraft and Folk Traditions" is a comprehensive and informative book that provides a deep understanding of the world of witchcraft. Through his thorough research and engaging writing style, Horne sheds light on the history, beliefs, and practices of witches, challenging common misconceptions and offering a nuanced perspective on this ancient craft. Whether you are a practitioner of witchcraft or simply curious about this fascinating subject, this book is sure to captivate and enlighten..
Reviews for "Roger J Horne's Witchcraft and Folk Traditions: A Window into the Past"
1. John - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with this book by Roger J. Horne. I expected it to delve into the fascinating world of witchcraft and folk traditions, but instead, I found it to be quite superficial. The information provided was basic and generic, and it didn't offer any deep insights or unique perspectives. Additionally, the writing style was dry and uninspiring, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. Overall, I felt like I wasted my time and money on this book.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I have read numerous books on witchcraft and folk traditions, and unfortunately, Roger J. Horne's book fell far short of my expectations. The content lacked depth and failed to provide any valuable or meaningful information, making it difficult for me to learn anything new. Moreover, I found the organization of the book to be confusing and disjointed, jumping from one topic to another without much coherence. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in exploring the world of witchcraft and folk traditions.
3. Mark - 2 stars
I found "Witchcraft and Folk Traditions" by Roger J. Horne to be quite disappointing. The author's approach to the subject matter felt reductive and oversimplified, failing to capture the richness and complexity of these fascinating traditions. The book lacked depth and critical analysis, leaving me with the impression that it was merely scratching the surface. Additionally, I found numerous factual errors and inconsistencies throughout the text, which further diminished my confidence in the author's research and expertise. Overall, I was left unsatisfied and would not recommend this book to others.
4. Lisa - 1 star
As someone with a deep interest in witchcraft and folk traditions, I was truly let down by Roger J. Horne's book. The information provided was basic and largely recycled from other sources, without offering any unique insights or fresh perspectives. Furthermore, the writing style was dull and uninspiring, failing to spark my curiosity or engage me in any meaningful way. I was hoping to learn something new and be inspired by this book, but unfortunately, it fell flat on every level. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an in-depth exploration of witchcraft and folk traditions.