WhatPractical MagicGets Right and Wrong About Practical Magic

Mar. 15, 2025

What Practical Magic gets wrong or right about about practical magic.Photo:Getty (2)

Getty (2)

Its release in the late ’90s didn’t just give us aHalloweenstaple; it also redefined the way we associate theaestheticsof magic and witchery.The Owens’ family home, perched atop a seaside cliff, with ivy-covered walls, creaking wood floors and an overgrown garden filled with herbs and flowers used for spells and potions, feels alive. With almost just as much character in the film as thesistersthemselves, it exudes a matriarchal warmth and mystery and is the ultimate space for sisterly rituals like their famousmidnight margaritas.

It’s no wonderPractical Magicresurfaces everyautumn, aligning perfectly with our collective longing for transformation, introspection and magic as the leaves begin to change color. However, when considering the “practical magic” depicted in the film — particularly how it portrays witchcraft and the mystical powers at play — many of us were left to wonder: How much of it reflects genuine magical principles, and where is it merely cinematic fantasy?Let’s dive into what the movie gets right and wrong about modern-day witches and mystics.

There’s a little witch in every woman

Sandra Bullock in ‘Practical Magic’.Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock

Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock

One ofPractical Magic’smost memorable quotes comes from Aunt Jet Owens, who says, “There’s a little witch in all of us.”This sentiment is introduced early on as we follow Sally Owens, who’s already displaying signs of her magical abilities. Meanwhile, her sister Gillian is portrayed as having more subtle powers, with her magic described as something that “will emerge in time.”It is believed within the concept of the “Divine Feminine” that every woman possesses her own unique kind of magic, even if it’s not always immediately recognizable.

Sally’s powers are tangible and rooted in her day-to-day practices of owning an apothecary, while Gillian’s strength lies in her charisma, allure and emotional depth. This reflects the reality of the feminine experience: magic isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some women express their power through intuition, others through creativity and empathy and others with their sheer resilience.

The essence of magic, much like womanhood, is diverse, personal and multi-layered. Gillian’s latent abilities as a young girl are a testament to the fact that not all power is visible at first, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there.

Curses are real, but not because of a deathwatch beetle

Practical Magic Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, 1998.Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection

Anything you do with intention has the power to manifest itself

Practical Magic 1998 Camilla Belle and Lora Anne Criswell in Practical Magic.Warner Bros

Warner Bros

In one of the film’s most memorable scenes, young Sally casts a true love spell called “Amas Veritas” to summon a man who, in her eyes, couldn’t possibly exist. Someone who can flip pancakes in the air — with “one green eye and one blue” — so she’ll never have to fall in love and suffer the same fate as her mother, who died of a broken heart.

In modern witchcraft practices, love spells (much like anything done with intention) have the power to manifest and come to fruition, even if the results aren’t exactly what we expect. It is believed that the fundamental principle ofmanifestationis to focus on what you desire with strong intent and emotion. Whether love spells, affirmations or continuous prayer, energy flows where intention goes, and this ultimately has the potential to shape one’s reality.

You can’t bring people back from the dead

1998 Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman stars in the new movie Practical Magic.Getty

Getty

While magical traditions acknowledge the existence of spirits, ghosts and the energy of those who have passed on, there’s a distinct line between communicating with the dead and physically resurrecting them.

In the movie, this theme is played out as Jimmy’s spirit grows more and more malevolent, showing that disrupting the natural order of life and death isn’t just a faux pas in the realm of witchcraft but a dangerous road that can never truly lead to happiness or closure.

Blood moons don’t necessarily signal trouble ahead

1998 Nicole Kidman stars in the new movie Practical Magic.Getty

Intuition is real

One of the most magical moments in the film is when Sally senses Gillian’s presence in the rearview mirror, feeling her sister’s gaze amid a dangerous situation. “The Belladonna, it’s in my bag.”

This taps into the powerful intuition and unspoken connection between women. Many believe strong emotional ties, particularly among close family members, can create an almost telepathic connection. Whether it’s sensing when a loved one is in danger or knowing when something is wrong, these “gut feelings” are often attributed to the deep, energetic bonds shared between people.

For witches, this type of intuitive insight is part of their magical practice, enhancing their ability to protect and care for one another.

A broom falling signaling company is just a superstition

Practical Magic, Stockard Channing, Dianne Wiest, Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, 1998.

InPractical Magic, a broom falling over is seen as a sign that company is on the way, echoing an old superstition that dates back centuries. This belief plays out during the iconic “midnight margaritas” scene when Aunt Jet declares, “Company’s coming!” after the broom falls, and sure enough, the ghost of Jimmy Angelov begins to make its presence known.

While this moment adds to the film’s eerie atmosphere, there’s no actual basis for a falling broom predicting a visitor’s arrival. Brooms, often associated with witches, have long been seen as symbolic tools for sweeping away bad energy, but it’s more of a household superstition than actual magic.

source: people.com