Discussion: Ask a Witch: Morgaine

"Got a hankering question about the show, True Blood's mythical inaccuracies, supernatural lore, or just the universe in general? Don't be shy! Query our clever resident witch, Morgaine — you know you want to..."

"She is conjuring up a spell to snare Alexander Skarsgard. ;)"

"She is conjuring up a spell to snare Alexander Skarsgard. ;)"

"Hey, y'all - I worked as a volunteer this weekend at a Regional Area Medical expedition where people in this area (Appalachia) were able to get free medical, dental and eye care. It was a big success, and I'm back now!"

"It was a good weekend. I met a lot of cool people and they helped a lot of people who really needed it. They only had 2 months to set this up, because another area cancelled, and considering that it was fantastic. The Lt. Governor and several state senators were there, lots of news media and some of the local churches and agencies provided free food for people, too. This is a really poor area so this was badly needed. They'll be doing one in a neighboring county in the summer - I might work at that one, too. "

"Yes, actually, a big one - the fact that vampires are not supposed to be visible in mirrors. That isn't true of modern mirrors, because they are no longer backed with silver. In the show, Bill says they created that myth as a way to cover themselves, and that's in direct conflict to standard lore. A silver-backed mirror is rare these days, and they are the ones that won't reflect a vampire. The idea that they can't be photographed also has to do with silver nitrate film. Digital photography would work just fine.

Bill talks about magick a little too much for my taste. I think maybe his character doesn't know the answer to a lot of Sookie's questions, so he uses the word magick as if there is no basis in nature for what they are. There is no such thing as unnatural or supernatural. Everything is a part of nature. Even magick - real magick - follows the physical laws of quantum mechanics. Just because it doesn't fit linear logic or Newtonian physics that doesn't mean there isn't logic to it. It just takes a broader understanding of how Nature works.

I'm a bit worried about the direction they might take where Witches are concerned. I didn't like the Gaia talk coming from Amy when she was so unable to empathize with the vampires. If you are aware that the planet is alive and conscious, you should be able to empathize with a sentient humanoid creature who feels pain and has his own will. Gaia consciousness is one of the most important concepts in our culture right now - our survival might depend on people understanding that our Mother Earth is a living, conscious, interactive being. I don't like seeing that reduced to a cliche about hippies. "

"There's a big difference in stereotypical tree hugger and a full on sociopath that could drain a living being of its blood and murder it.

TRUE BLOOD comes along at a time when for the last 8 years, my pResident has said that my religion is not a religion. The way they approach Wicce on the show may not help us a great deal, but it can hurt us by pertpetuating stereotypes, spreading falsehoods, confusing the situation. I don't expect them to advocate for us, though we certainly advocate for civil rights for gays and other minorities, but it would be nice if they'd just not make us look bad or spread misinformation.

For example, it's very popular in movies and TV to say that you have to believe in magick for it to work. That's nonsense. People who don't know what the law of gravity is don't float around because they don't believe in it. These are real, tangible forces and laws. Certain elements and actions will create specific effects - that's not a matter of belief, it's a matter of the real spiritual and physical powers and the direction they are given.

In the books, Hallow's group are actuallly Warlocks but they're called Witches and that makes us all look bad. They are unethical in the extreme and no real Wiccan would be involved with them, yet Wiccans are shown cooperating with them under duress. That would NEVER happen. I'd be happy if the show would at least get that right, and call them Warlocks. I'd also be much happier if they skipped the whole Bob the Cat bull shit - again, even if it were possible, there was no ethical reason for Amelia to be trying that kind of work - magick is not a game and we don't cast just for the hell of it or to see what we can do. Witches are the original pragmatists - we only do what is necessary and reasonable. We do what works and leave the rest alone. "

"Am I allowed to jump threads? LOL

Since Ball, et. al. are making some changes, perhaps they will adjust the Witches/Wiccans/Warlocks situation to be more realistic and/or politically correct. I don't mean in a bad way, but in the way that Ball (a Gay man himself) makes sure that Lafayette is such a kick-ass character, and is also clearly and proudly Gay.

We can hope? We shouldn't see Witches till the end of Season 3, so we have some time. :D"