SELLEST OSAST
Double, double, toil and trouble… or just powerful women being themselves? Join Clair and Rachel as we reimagine the wicked witch and uncover why her story still casts such a long spell.
Why are so many powerful women in our stories cast as villains? From fairy-tale stepmothers and cartoon witches to Baba Yaga herself, we dig into how culture punishes female autonomy, why the “ugly = evil” trope is so sticky, and what modern re-tellings are doing to complicate the narrative.
We talk about how these stories shaped us, why witches remain magnetic figures of independence and rule-breaking, and what it means to rewrite the endings.
This week’s takeaway: notice the shorthand, expand your bookshelf, and let characters—and people—be more than two boxes.
Action Item:
We’d love to hear the witch stories you grew up with—and which characters you were most drawn to. Share your reflections with us at askthedragons@dragonhood.world or in the comments.
Keep Soaring with Additional Resources:
- The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman
- In Defense of Witches: The Legacy of the Witch Hunts and Why Women Are Still on Trial by Mona Chollet
- From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life by Arthur C. Brooks
- Maleficent movie (2014)
