What Practical Magic Gets Right and Wrong About Practical Magic

When Practical Magic hit theaters back in 1998, it cast a spell on movie-goers that has lingered in our collective consciousness for decades.

Based on the novel by Alice Hoffman, the romantic fantasy film starring the dynamic duo of Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman explores the whimsical yet emotionally complex story of two sisters, Sally and Gillian Owens, who come from a long line of witches. While Sally is rooted in her desire for a "normal" life, Gillian embodies a free-spirited rebellion. Still, the magic in their bloodline continues to weave its way into both of their lives in unexpected ways. 

Its release in the late '90s didn't just give us a Halloween staple; it also redefined the way we associate the aesthetics of 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 the sisters themselves, it exudes a matriarchal warmth and mystery and is the ultimate space for sisterly rituals like their famous midnight margaritas.

It’s no wonder Practical Magic resurfaces every autumn, 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

One of Practical Magic's most 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

In the film, the Owens family curse takes center stage, dooming any man who loves an Owens woman to an early and untimely death. This curse is symbolized by the ominous sound of a deathwatch beetle, which Sally hears tapping away before her husband's tragic accident.

Historically, deathwatch beetles were indeed seen as harbingers of death, especially in European folklore, where the ticking sound they made in wooden walls was believed to signal the impending passing of someone in the home. However, in reality, the beetle's tapping is merely a mating call, not so much a warning.

While the beetle itself is an exaggerated element of the film, curses can still be considered real in various spiritual and cultural traditions. Many believe that curses — when fueled by negative energy or intent — can create misfortune or bad luck for the person they're directed at. Though there's no deathwatch beetle signaling doom, the idea of a curse still resonates because negative energy and belief in a curse can shape outcomes and influence manifestations.

Some call it witchcraft, others call it the law of attraction, but the truth is that if we believe we’re cursed, we may unconsciously attract bad luck. The power of belief can shape our experiences, and in modern-day witchcraft, the energy and intention behind a curse can manifest misfortune if someone allows that negative energy to take root in their mind or life.

Anything you do with intention has the power to manifest itself

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 of manifestation is 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

One of the most climactic scenes in Practical Magic is when Sally and Gillian — desperately trying to save themselves from the chaos caused by Jimmy Angelov — attempt to bring him back to life after accidentally poisoning him with too much Belladonna.

Despite the sisters' best efforts, resurrecting the dead leads to disastrous consequences, as Jimmy returns not as the tumultuous lover Gillian once knew but as a dark and unnatural demon who intends on fully possessing her. 

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

In Practical Magic, the phrase "blood on the moon" is used to signal that trouble is looming. The sight of a red-tinted moon is often linked to bad omens in folklore, but a "blood moon" simply refers to a lunar eclipse — which is when the Earth's shadow causes the moon to appear a reddish hue — so its association with danger is purely superstitious.

Astrological events like eclipses are viewed as powerful catalysts and harbingers of change and transformation, but nothing to be afraid of. The film heightens the tension by tying the blood moon to danger, adding a layer of drama, but in reality, it's more symbolic of significant shifts than imminent disaster.

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

In Practical 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.