The Megaminx: A Challenging Twist on the Magic Cube

Magic cube variants refer to different types of puzzles that are based on the concept of a Rubik's Cube. These puzzles have gained popularity among puzzle enthusiasts for their unique and challenging nature. One variant of the magic cube is the Mirror Cube, also known as the Mirror Blocks. In this puzzle, the outer shape of the cube remains the same as a standard Rubik's Cube, but the internal mechanism is modified. The result is a shapeshifting cube where each face has a different shape, making it more difficult to solve. Another popular variant is the Ghost Cube.

Cropper said the broad social and cultural scope of witchcraft is accepting of people from any walk of life and any form of practice.

Michelle said witchcraft is about controlling individual energy and working toward a certain goal or outcome, with a vast majority of practitioners doing so in a positive way, because we want to see positive change, because we want to see people unite and come together. Michelle said witchcraft is about controlling individual energy and working toward a certain goal or outcome, with a vast majority of practitioners doing so in a positive way, because we want to see positive change, because we want to see people unite and come together.

Another popular variant is the Ghost Cube. This cube is similar to the Mirror Cube in terms of its shapeshifting nature, but it is even more complex. The Ghost Cube has irregularly shaped pieces that are difficult to manipulate, requiring advanced problem-solving skills.

On Halloween, real witches set the record straight

PHOENIX – Flying broomsticks, evil spells and pointy hats usually come to mind when people think of witches. But Rosemary Szymanski-Lockett, a retired elementary school teacher, and Stefani Michelle, who has a communications degree, don’t fit that description.

Halloween is here, and so are the classic images of haggard green faces with big warty noses toiling over bubbling cauldrons. But practitioners of witchcraft want to set the record straight.

Szymanski-Lockett is the high priestess of the Sacred Spiral Pagan Church of Arizona, where witchcraft is about using the energy in the universe to help people acquire and achieve their goals.

“The craft is more about healing and just being thankful and being grateful for this beautiful planet we live on,” she said. “It’s not anything like you see in the movies.”

Negative images of witches in Western society go back as far as the 12th century, when religious leaders began to view the long, benign practice as dark and devil-worshipping. Over the centuries, the condemnation grew into witch hunts and trials, which led to the current stereotype of witches as scary, black-clad creatures emerging on Halloween to cast spells.

Witches in popular culture often are depicted as evil sorceresses, but some real witches embrace the stereotype and dress up that way for Halloween. (Photo by Sierra Alvarez/Cronkite News)

“I don’t have a wart on my nose,” said Michelle, a psychic witch, Reiki master and yogi who works at Vision Quest Psychic Bookstore in central Phoenix, where there’s no indication of the coming holiday – nary a tombstone or zombie in sight.

Michelle said witchcraft is about controlling individual energy and working toward a certain goal or outcome, with a vast majority of practitioners doing so in a positive way, “because we want to see positive change, because we want to see people unite and come together.”

Szymanski-Lockett was an elementary school teacher for 28 years, and she said she kept her spirituality hidden due to the stigma surrounding witchcraft and potential repercussions.

“They think of witchcraft as what you see in the movies; that we all dance around at midnight and summon the devil and all this stuff,” she said on a Zoom call from her kitchen, which is adorned with a spice rack and magnets on the refrigerator. “When in reality, we don’t even believe in the existence of the devil.”

Codey Cropper, local practitioner of witchcraft, was raised to believe that mysticism was evil, but he said he found love, acceptance and personal power through practicing.

“For the first time in my entire life, this was the first time I was able to pray and feel comfort in the divine,” Cropper said. “It is a little frustrating to see that at times, and it does suck to always see it be painted in such a negative light.”

Cropper said in any form of religion or practice there will always be people who take it too far.

Stefani Michelle, psychic witch and author, says one misconception of witchcraft is that it focuses on controlling energy in a negative way. (Photo by Sierra Alvarez/Cronkite News)

“Anything can be used to manipulate,” Michelle said. “There is a very small percentage of people who use it (witchcraft) in a manipulative way.”

There are many ways to practice, she said, including divination, prayers, spells and crystals. There’s green witchcraft, fairy witchcraft and kitchen witchcraft, to name a few.

Cropper said the broad social and cultural scope of witchcraft is accepting of people from any walk of life and any form of practice.

“I feel like it’s a perfect practice for people to grow and learn and fall into themselves,” he said.

And they don’t mind if you dress up like a witch on Halloween.

“If it makes you feel cool and it gives you empowerment, do it,” Cropper said.

“I love to see it,” said Michelle, adding that even her daughter is planning to dress as a witch. “I think it is wonderful.”

Olivia Munson expects to graduate in spring 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in women and gender studies. Munson, who has reported for the D.C. Bureau, Times Media Group, The State Press and The Arizona Republic, is working in the Phoenix News Bureau.

Breanna Isbell expects to graduate in May 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in sports journalism and a minor in fashion. Isbell, who is interning with RightThisMinute, is working for the Phoenix sports bureau.

Sierra Alvarez expects to graduate in May 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication. Alvarez is assigned to Cronkite News this semester.

Szymanski-Lockett was an elementary school teacher for 28 years, and she said she kept her spirituality hidden due to the stigma surrounding witchcraft and potential repercussions.

The Void Cube is another intriguing variant. As the name suggests, this cube has empty spaces in its center, which adds an extra layer of challenge to the puzzle. Solving the Void Cube requires careful manipulation and planning to fill the void spaces while maintaining the correct colors on each face. Other variants include the Fisher Cube, which is a cube with an additional cut through the center, and the Windmill Cube, which has rotating slices that can move independently from the rest of the cube. These variants provide additional challenges and add new dimensions to the puzzle-solving experience. Magic cube variants offer a way to diversify the puzzle-solving experience for Rubik's Cube enthusiasts. They require different strategies and techniques compared to the standard cube, making them appealing to those looking for a new challenge. With their unique shapes and mechanisms, these variants push the boundaries of what is possible with a Rubik's Cube and keep enthusiasts entertained for hours..

Reviews for "The Floppy Cube: An Enjoyable Twist on the Magic Cube"

1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with Magic Cube Variants. The game felt repetitive and unoriginal. The different cube variations promised excitement and challenge, but they all ended up feeling the same. The graphics were also quite basic, and the controls were clunky and unresponsive. Overall, I found it to be a boring and frustrating game.

2. Sarah - 1 star - Magic Cube Variants was a complete waste of my time. The gameplay was incredibly dull and lacked any kind of innovation. I expected the magic cube variations to offer unique and engaging puzzles, but they were all incredibly predictable and easily solved. The lack of creativity in this game was a major letdown. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an enjoyable gaming experience.

3. Michael - 2 stars - I really wanted to like Magic Cube Variants, but it just fell flat for me. The game lacks depth and complexity, and the different cube variations didn't offer much in terms of challenge. The levels felt too easy, and there was no sense of progression or satisfaction when completing them. The overall experience felt quite underwhelming, and I quickly grew bored with the game.

4. Emily - 2 stars - Magic Cube Variants failed to capture my attention. The gameplay was repetitive and lacked variety. The visuals and design were unimpressive, and the controls were frustrating to use. I had high hopes for this game, but unfortunately, it didn't deliver. There are far better puzzle games out there that offer more engaging gameplay and exciting challenges. Save your time and skip this one.

The Ghost Cube: The Hauntingly Difficult Magic Cube Variant