As someone whose sympathies lie with trans individuals, I couldn’t help but look on in dismay when JK Rowling aired her TERF views. 😢 In all honesty, I’ve never really considered the Harry Potter franchise to be particularly diverse. BIPOCs were mostly token characters in both books and movies, and while Dumbledore’s true sexuality was later revealed (but not directly addressed in the books), it seemed very much like an afterthought, almost a retcon. And that’s even before you take into account the accusations of cultural appropriation. Despite that, I couldn’t help but be swept up in the magic of Harry Potter’s world. ✨
Whilst it’s true that JK Rowling has contributed a great deal to women’s rights, I cannot understand her animosity towards a group of people far more marginalised than the so-called fairer sex. 🙄 And when you take into account the fact that trans people only make up a tiny fraction of the community, the time and resources Rowling spends on vilifying them appears even more disproportionate. Why is this a hill she wants to die on? You’d think someone who writes about witchcraft would be more open and tolerant. 🌈 The threat that transgenders pose to women is insignificant compared to that of cisgendered males. I’m sure there are the odd exceptions (like there is with everything) but in general, I have never felt I was in any danger from a trans person. You can be certain that taking advantage of women is the very last thing on their minds (if at all) when undergoing the challenging process of transitioning.
That being said, I’ve never been a supporter of cancel culture, and I’m not going to start now. When it comes to the works of controversial (or even criminal) figures, I treat them as separate entities, and believe they should stand on their own merit… similar to how I would not judge children by the actions of their parents. Once released to the public, they take on a life of their own, engaging with the rest of the world beyond the influence of their creators. Sure, I sometimes marvel upon how anything wonderful can come from such evil, but life is not all black or white, and I can take the good with the bad. 🤷🏻♀️ I still listen to the music of R Kelly, appreciate the art of Caravaggio, and read books written by David Eddings etc. However, if the profits of these endeavours are actively contributing to harm, and in Rowling’s case, going towards the oppression of minorities, the matter then becomes a weight on the conscience.
I know I’m not the only Harry Potter fan struggling with this. Many have decided that boycotts are the answer, but these works are rarely the product of one person and tend to involve the labour of others, some of whom may not have the privilege of choosing their jobs. Should they also suffer? Personally I think the best approach is by purchasing second-hand items, or from small independent retailers. 🛍️ After all, you can’t do anything about merchandise that has already been sold. This way, not a single penny goes into Rowling’s pocket. If you want to go a step further, you can do what I did and donate the same amount you spent (or more) to a relevant charity, like Trans Actual. 🏳️⚧️
Alternatively, you can save some money and go down the DIY route, which brings us to a lighter topic…
POTION BOTTLES ☠️
There are so many Harry Potter craft and recipe ideas out there, but the many videos I have watched of potion bottles being made have captivated me, so when I had some days off work I thought I’d have some fun experimenting and mixing my own! ⚗️They’re so pretty and make great Halloween decorations too. 🧙🏻♀️
What you will need:
• Jars / Bottles
• Water
• Clear Glue
• Food Dye -optional
• Glitter – I used a mixture of fine edible powders along with non-edibles in chunkier sizes
• Labels/Paper
• Twine – optional
• Candles / Wax – optional
The key to keeping glitter suspended for as long as possible is by ensuring there is enough glue in the potion. Most people recommend at least 1 part glue to 3 parts water (so a quarter of the vessel). 💦 If the bottle or jar is not entirely watertight, you can seal the edges of the lid with a bit of hot glue and then cover it up with assorted decorations such as cloth, twine, or wax. Obviously the label goes on last. I printed mine on brown kraft paper for that rustic apothecary vibe. Here are the download links if you want to use the ones I designed:
• Felix Felicis Potion
• Polyjuice Potion
The most painstaking part of this project was gluing twine to the screwtop bottle cap. It does take some time, and my efforts (I had to redo it twice) were a complete mess. 🤦🏻♀️ However, quite by happy accident, I discovered that stringy hot glue can create an effect that resembles cobwebs when it dries, so I didn’t bother to clean it off. 😅 The creepier it looks the better, right?! 🕸️
ORIGAMI GOLDEN SNITCH
This is a very simple project, and is based on the origami balloons many of us learnt to make as children. 🎈 Because of the little opening at the top, it also allows the snitch to be easily attached to a piece of string so you can hang it wherever you want.
What you will need:
• Gold Origami Paper
• String / Thread / Fishing Wire
• Toothpick / Bamboo Skewer
Folding instructions can be found in this video. 📽️
When blowing into it, I have found that short hard bursts are more effective than continuously blowing into it like a balloon. 😮💨 To turn it into a hanging decoration, knot the string/wire around a small piece of bamboo (or any little stick), secure it with a bit of hot glue if you want, and then insert the stick through the hole at the top of the snitch.
BUTTERBEER 🍻
No one actually knows what the real thing tastes like, so I picked a recipe that had the least faff, and is also non-alcoholic. I doubt the Three Broomsticks would have served this to students from Hogwarts if it had alcohol in it. But then again, Quidditch 🧹 poses a far greater risk than a bit of booze, yet kids in the story were encouraged to take part in those matches, so who knows?!
What you will need:
• Cream Soda
• Butter
• Soft Brown Sugar
• Whipping Cream
• Vanilla Essence – optional
Start off with the butterscotch sauce by melting butter in a pan and then adding sugar to it. Once it has all melted and caramalised, pour in some whipping cream and a few drops of vanilla essence. Keep it over the heat and stir until the sauce thickens. ♨️ Meanwhile, whip some of that cream up till it’s thick and frothy. Put a few spoonfuls of the butterscotch sauce into a glass and loosen it with a bit of water. Fill the rest of the glass with cream soda and top it off with some whipped cream to create a foamy beer head. 🍺
In the UK, cream soda is actually clear (unlike in the US). This means it’s trickier for us to get the colouring of the beer right. The butterscotch sauce does help a little, but you won’t get that clear golden hue. However, you could always add a bit of colouring, or use ginger beer instead of cream soda.
I don’t usually go trick or treating, but did stop by at a Halloween party 🎉 before the ME/CFS fog hit me, so I got to show off my Ravenclaw costume for a little longer. It was just a cheap knock-off from eBay (except for the scarf as I accio’d that from my daughter’s room, with her permission of course), but the best accessory is the light-up wand. 🪄 Apparently, it’s a replica of Luna Lovegood’s which is the reason I chose it, since I identify most with her character. There is another wand I covet that casts a real-life incendio spell. 🔥 Alas, it was a little out of my budget, not to mention also more dangerous! Oh well, maybe another year… Before I apparate off to bed, let me leave you with something else that’s just as expensive. 😆 Happy Halloween everyone! 🎃
