The Worst Witch is a 1998 TV movie based on the book series of the same name by Jill Murphy. The movie follows the protagonist, Mildred Hubble, as she attends a magical boarding school called Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches. However, Mildred is often seen as a hopeless and bumbling witch, constantly getting into trouble and causing chaos. The main idea of The Worst Witch 1998 Company is the portrayal of the character Mildred Hubble as a clumsy and imperfect witch. This idea is emphasized throughout the movie, as Mildred's well-intentioned spells frequently go awry, leading to hilarious and disastrous consequences. Her struggles and mishaps are a recurring theme, highlighting her self-doubt and the challenges she faces in trying to fit in and prove herself among her more skilled and confident peers.
A coven usually has one or two leaders, known as the High Priestess and/or High Priest, and each coven is usually autonomous and makes its own decisions (depending on the particular tradition it follows). Some covens are very democratic in their practices; some are very hierarchical, strongly regimented and autocratically run. When a coven grows too large to be manageable, it may split or "hive". In Wicca, a newly made High Priest or High Priestess (with 3rd Degree ordination) may also leave to start their own coven, and strike off in new directions.
In Wicca and other similar forms of modern Neopagan witchcraft, a coven is a gathering or community of witches, a group of believers who gather together for ceremonies of worship, such as Drawing Down the Moon or celebrating the Sabbats. Folklore tells of the Lincolnshire witch, said to have a bee as her familiar, and another witch from Scotland who was said to shapeshift into the form of a bee, poisoning a foes child.
Her struggles and mishaps are a recurring theme, highlighting her self-doubt and the challenges she faces in trying to fit in and prove herself among her more skilled and confident peers. Despite her frequent failures, Mildred's determination and genuine kindness make her a relatable and endearing character. She often finds herself in situations where she has to think on her feet and rely on her resourcefulness to overcome obstacles.
The Witch and the Bee
The witch and the bee, a more magickal union there could not be! Witches have enjoyed a long and enchanting relationship with the bee, sharing many rituals, as well as other magickal traits that they have in common. Bees as you know provide us with so many blessings, honey and wax are only the beginning of those blessings. Mead… which I am in love with and brew, is similar to wine, only it’s brewed from the bee’s honey instead of sugar. It is an ancient beverage, and part of many witches brews and libations. Bees are such amazing little creatures, using elaborate dances to communicate locations. Witches have used tantric and shamanistic dance for centuries, either to raise energy for spell work, or to achieve hedge flight into other realms.
Bees are sensitive to electromagnetic fields, which enables them to predict and react to weather changes, and to navigate. Witches as we know, have been known to have their own ways to predict and react to these changes as well. The white noise, (noise that cancels out other sounds) that beehives make, has been thought to have connections to Chaos magick, adding yet another connection to the witch. Bees have a strong connection with electricity in many unique ways. For instance they can sense the Earth’s magnetic field, using this ability to navigate, like the witch who grounds and centers to connect to the Earth. Bees were thought to have special knowledge, and the ability to foretell or see into the future. In Greek mythology the God Apollo was taught how to see into the future by the Thriae: the three pre-Hellenic Bee Goddesses, Melaina, Kleodora and Daphnis.
Bees in history have appeared in Mycenaean tomb decorations, with tombs that were shaped as beehives. Making one speculate that these people believed bees to possibly be psychopomps, or messengers of the dead. Transforming the human soul into bee after their passing.
Deities such as Aphrodite, Cybele, Freya, Odin, Pan, and Thor, have associations with the bee as well.
In folklore it is said that if one dreams of bees, they will therefore be blessed with good omens. Which makes sense when you think of all the positive things bees contribute to our planet. The Witchcraft Museum in Boscastle even retails a charm, promising health, happiness and good fortune, containing three little ceramic bumblebees in a bag. I myself was gifted from a dear friend, a very old magickal spell that came with 5 little golden bees in a bag, which I truly cherish. Then doing the same, gifting this bee spell to another dear witch friend of mine, therefore continuing this delightful tradition.
Folklore tells of the Lincolnshire witch, said to have a bee as her familiar, and another witch from Scotland who was said to shapeshift into the form of a bee, poisoning a foes child. Or the tale from Nova Scotia, whereas a male witch was accused of killing a cow by sending a white bee to land on it, therefore stinging the cow sadly to its death. Omens and folktales have been read into the flight of bees for centuries. It is said that when bees begin to swarm for no apparent reason, it is most likely a sign of a bad omen, and if bees are to swarm into a dead tree, it is the foretelling of a death of one of the family members who resides near the trees location.
Like butterflies, and dragonflies, bees are symbol of the soul, and its ability to fly between the worlds. In is said the voice of the soul is thought to be the buzzing sound of the bee. In Germanic folklore, it is believed that when one is sleeping, they can take leave from their body by transforming into the bee, therefore taking their leave by way of the mouth. Take heed though… for if this shapeshifter within bee form is trapped or killed, then so shall the soul be unable to make it’s return to its body.
Besides the witch, bees also have connections to the fae, due to their winged nature, and frequency to be located in, or around flowers. Bees… like the fae, are thought to be preservers of the natural world, due to of course their vital role in the pollination of so many plants. I myself see another connection to the bee and the fae. This would be the Mars energy, that in my opinion both the bee and the fae share. Bees can sting, bringing forth that fire of Mars, and that firey energy can be used for hexing, cursing, and protection. The fae, are wild, untamed, and often very dark unpredictable creatures, being known for their firey Mars energy as well.
And finally there is an old folktale that I adore, called the “Telling of the Bees.” A very old English folk custom, whereas honeybees are believed to be members of the family, and so are kept up to date with all the families news and doings. As is the tradition, the bees would be informed when someone in the family, especially the bee’s keeper had passed on, but traditionally all family life events such as births, marriages, separations, etc., even news about upcoming visitors to the home, where reported to the bees as a courtesy. It was believed failure in doing so, would swiftly result in the bees flying away and leaving their hive for good, dying, or stopping all their honey making activities.
In both Britain and America, honeybees were on the guest list to both Weddings and Funerals, and if for any reason the bees could not attend these festivities, then food and libations would be left for them at their hive. So witches have long shared their magick, and practices with the bee, even refering to their coven as “The Hive.” One never knows the next magickal path the bee may take, but you can rest assured the bee and the witch will fly it together…. )0(
Many covens also have some system of degrees or ranks based on the level of expertise or experience of the members (although these vary significantly between traditions). Typical degree divisions might be: Neophyte (a student preparing for basic initiation as a witch); First Degree (a witch who has been initiated, but has not yet undertaken any advanced study); Second Degree (a witch who has an intermediate knowledge of the craft, which in some traditions may also confer priesthood); Third Degree (a witch who has studied the craft in depth, and is capable of teaching others and/or serving as High Priest/High Priestess); Elder (in some traditions, a witch of advanced knowledge and who has been active for a number of years).
While she may not possess the natural talent of the more talented witches, she learns to embrace her uniqueness and discovers her own strengths along the way. The Worst Witch 1998 Company also introduces a number of other memorable characters, such as Miss Hardbroom, the strict headmistress, and Ethel Hallow, a rival witch who often belittles and bullies Mildred. These characters provide additional depth and humor to the story, as well as highlighting the various dynamics and relationships within the magical school. Overall, The Worst Witch 1998 Company is a delightful and entertaining movie that celebrates the power of perseverance and the importance of staying true to oneself. It teaches valuable lessons about the importance of embracing imperfections, overcoming obstacles, and finding one's own unique path to success. Despite being the worst witch, Mildred Hubble's journey is a heartwarming reminder that even the most flawed individuals have the potential to achieve greatness..
Reviews for "From Book to Screen: The Worst Witch 1998 and Jill Murphy's Literary Influence"
1. John - 1 star -
I watched "The Worst Witch 1998 Company" with high hopes, as I had fond memories of the original show. However, I was sorely disappointed. The acting was subpar, with the main characters lacking depth and charisma. The storyline felt disjointed and rushed, making it difficult to fully engage with the plot. Additionally, the special effects were extremely outdated and often took away from the overall experience. Overall, I found "The Worst Witch 1998 Company" to be a lackluster remake that failed to capture the magic of the original.
2. Emily - 2 stars -
"The Worst Witch 1998 Company" fell short in many aspects. The casting choices were questionable, with some actors struggling to bring the characters to life. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the story. The special effects were also underwhelming, appearing dated and unimpressive. While the production design showed potential, it was not enough to salvage the overall disappointment of the film. "The Worst Witch 1998 Company" ultimately lacked the charm and enchantment that made the original show so beloved.
3. Sarah - 1 star -
I had high hopes for "The Worst Witch 1998 Company," but unfortunately, it failed to live up to expectations. The acting was lackluster, with the main protagonist delivering a wooden performance that lacked emotion. The script was poorly written, with predictable plot twists and uninspiring dialogue. The special effects were cheap and unconvincing, further detracting from the overall viewing experience. "The Worst Witch 1998 Company" felt like a half-hearted attempt to cash in on the success of the original series, and it ultimately fell flat.