Amulet is a graphic novel sequence created by Kazu Kibuishi that tells the story of a young girl named Emily and her adventures in a post-apocalyptic world. The series consists of eight books, with each book adding more depth and complexity to the overall narrative. The main idea of the Amulet graphic novel sequence is the journey of self-discovery and bravery that Emily goes through as she becomes the savior of a hidden world. At the beginning of the series, Emily and her family move to their ancestral home in order to start anew after the tragic death of her father. While exploring the house, Emily discovers a magical amulet that grants her incredible powers. As the story progresses, Emily learns that there is a hidden world beneath the surface of our own, inhabited by creatures both good and evil.
You can impose conditions that would be a curse in a fairy tale, but are not mechanically curses.
וַיֵּצֵא בֶּן אִשָּׁה יִשְׂרְאֵלִית וְהוּא בֶּן אִישׁ מִצְרִי בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּנָּצוּ בַּמַּחֲנֶה בֶּן הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִית וְאִישׁ הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִי יא וַיִּקֹּב בֶּן הָאִשָּׁה הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִית אֶת הַשֵּׁם וַיְקַלֵּל וַיָּבִיאוּ אֹתוֹ אֶל משֶׁה וְשֵׁם אִמּוֹ שְׁלֹמִית בַּת דִּבְרִי לְמַטֵּה דָן. I have used custom conditions that must be resolved by a MacGuffin frequently, and my players are never surprised when it takes far more than a low level remove curse or dispel magic to break it.
As the story progresses, Emily learns that there is a hidden world beneath the surface of our own, inhabited by creatures both good and evil. With the help of her friends and newfound abilities, Emily becomes embroiled in a battle against an evil sorcerer who seeks to control both worlds. Throughout the series, Emily faces numerous challenges and encounters various fantastical creatures, all while grappling with her own insecurities and doubts.
Women on the Land
Make the Utmost Effort to Avoid Inadvertently Cursing Anyone
I am blessed that I have almost never been cursed. I also don’t recall ever being privy to someone cursing anyone else. Sadly, the only example I recall of hearing a person curse was our Hebrew teacher in the Jewish elementary school. Since we, students, were very unruly and did everything in our power to disrupt the class, the teacher naturally became very frustrated. He would often let out an outburst of a stream of curses. This happened almost in every class- and not only when a thumbtack was placed on his seat. I still, to this day – half a century afterward, recall the words coming out of his mouth: “I’m going to dance on your grave!” yelled in a heavy Swedish accent. I have only compassion for this teacher, may his soul be elevated! He was unaware that although I don’t remember anything from his formal classes, he actually taught me a great deal about the importance of refinement of speech and by all means avoiding curses – the worst kind of negative speech. Since Hashem created the world with speech, words are powerful, and have an effect upon ourselves, on our environment, and upon other people. When Ya’acov said to Lavan, “…whoever has your gods shall die” (Bereishit 30:32) his words inadvertently caused Rachel’s untimely death. Therefore, I always try to be careful with the use of my words and I won’t let anyone say even unmeaningly something like, “If you don’t sleep enough, you will get sick, etc.” I always correct people to say, “if somebody doesn’t sleep enough, he will get sick,” and the like. I believe that it is important to avoid using any negative term to refer to the person we speak with, even if using it as an example. A tzaddik decrees and it becomes established, as it states, “You will decree, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on all your ways” (Iyuv 22:28; Yalkut Shimoni, Shemot 2:165). Since we don’t know for sure that we are not a tzaddik, it is of utmost importance to accustom ourselves to continually bring words of blessings to our lips.
What are Some Segulot (Spiritual Remedies) to Overcome a Possible Curse?
In my practice as a spiritual healer, clients occasionally come to me because they feel they may have been cursed since everything in their lives just seems to go wrong. They, therefore, ask me to reverse the curse and its effects. First of all, I calm my clients by explaining that the power of good always outdoes the power of evil. When you are connected to Hashem and keep the Torah and mitzvot, you are spiritually protected. Mostly, it is the fear that lowers a person’s vibration to be susceptible to negative energy from others. So, strengthening our emunah is the first step of taharat klalot (curse purification or removal). The Lubavitcher Rebbe, of blessed memory, held that, nowadays, there is no reason to be concerned about curses. In order to draw down Hashem’s blessings, and to counteract negative judgment, G-d forbid, we must strengthen our Torah and mitzvah observance. A powerful spiritual remedy, especially for women, is to be careful to light the Shabbat candles in time (18 minutes before sunset)! Also, make sure to look at the candles again after dark. Another important spiritual protection is to check your mezuzot at least twice in seven years (Shulchan Aruch, Yoreh Deah 291:1). Some people are even more strict and have their mezuzot checked every year (Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef, Yehaveh Da’at, Vol. 1, No. 49). If everything seems to be going wrong in somebody’s life (note I didn’t write “in our lives”), it's recommended to have the mezuzot checked if more than a year has passed since they were last checked.
How does Parashat Emor Center Around Speech?
Parashat Emor means “Speak.” Both the beginning and the end of the parasha centers around ‘speech.’ It opens by commanding Moshe to speak to the Kohanim and tell them not to allow themselves to become impure by contact with the dead, except for close relatives (Vayikra 21:1-2). It continues by warning us against blasphemy which is also through speech, “You shall not desecrate My Holy Name… (Vayikra 22:32). Even the middle of the parasha, about the Jewish holidays, is connected to speech since they are called מִקְרָאֵ֣י קֹ֑דֶשׁ/Mikrei Kodesh meaning “they are called or pronounced holy” (Vayikra Chapter 23). The end of the Parasha describes the man who employed the ultimate misuse of speech by cursing G-d:
וַיֵּצֵא בֶּן אִשָּׁה יִשְׂרְאֵלִית וְהוּא בֶּן אִישׁ מִצְרִי בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּנָּצוּ בַּמַּחֲנֶה בֶּן הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִית וְאִישׁ הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִי: (יא) וַיִּקֹּב בֶּן הָאִשָּׁה הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִית אֶת הַשֵּׁם וַיְקַלֵּל וַיָּבִיאוּ אֹתוֹ אֶל משֶׁה וְשֵׁם אִמּוֹ שְׁלֹמִית בַּת דִּבְרִי לְמַטֵּה דָן
“Now, the son of an Israelite woman and he was the son of an Egyptian man went out among the children of Israel, and they quarreled in the camp this son of the Israelite woman, and an Israelite man. 11 And the son of the Israelite woman pronounced the [Divine] Name and cursed. So, they brought him to Moses. His mother’s name was Shlomit the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan" (Vayikra 24:10-11).
Rashi explains that this blasphemer was the son of the Egyptian man, whom Moshe killed using the Divine Name, because he was going to murder a Jew. He came to Moshe complaining that he killed his father by means of the Holy Name. For that reason, “they brought him to Moshe.” When Moshe saw that, immediately, “they put him in custody” (Vayikra 24:12). Both father and son fell into Moshes’ hands (Zohar 3:106a).
Why does the Torah Only Mention the Name of Blasphemer’s Mother?
The fact that the Torah doesn’t mention the name of the blasphemer, but only that of his mother, teaches us that his mother was instrumental in affecting the nature of her son, to become a person who curses. He learned his misuse of words from his mother. There is a strong bond between mother and child due to the fetus being formed within her and remaining there for the entire period of gestation. Even after birth, the baby receives his main nourishment from her. When a person is righteous, modest and virtuous, it is often a result of his mother’s positive influence. The opposite is unfortunately also true. Although we try not to blame the victim, Rashi explains that Scripture hints, through the meaning of her name, that Shlomit was self-disposed towards being assaulted. The name Shlomit is related to the Hebrew greeting, “Shalom,” and Dibri to the word דַּבֵּר /daber – ‘speech.’ She was called Shlomit bat Dibri because she was always babbling: “how are you?”, “how are you?”, and “how are you?” She was a bat Dibri; talking with any man in the street. This is what eventually caused her to get into trouble (Rashi, Vayikra 24:11). Shlomit bat Dibri, was an extremely attractive woman. One day, an Egyptian taskmaster, in charge of one hundred and twenty Jewish slaves, noticed her, when he went on his usual rounds to the homes of his workers, in order to assemble them. With his eye on Shlomit, he called her husband out to work and returned to her house, pretending to be her husband. When Shlomit’s husband saw the Egyptian man exit his house, he was concerned and asked his wife whether he had touched her. She answered, “Yes, but I thought that he was you.” Once the taskmaster found out that Shlomit’s husband was aware of what had taken place, he whipped him. This was the Egyptian man that Moshe killed. He could see with Ruach HaKodesh that the taskmaster deserved death for committing adultery (Midrash Tanchuma, Shemot 9; Rebbetzin Chana Bracha, Women at the Crossroads pg. 113).
The Kohanim Blessing as a Powerful Curse Reversal in the Torah
One of the main lessons to take home from Parashat Emor is the importance of avoiding the misuse of speech. Too much chatter can have a very negative ripple effect. In this life, there is blessing and there is curse. We must continually bless our Creator, that He may continue to bless us. In spiritual healing, we recite blessings in order to remove curses. The most powerful blessing in the Torah is Birkat HaKohanim – the Kohanim blessing. With this blessing. parents bless their children Friday night. My teacher, Chana Luke, taught us that to undo a curse, we bless the person with the Birkat Hakohanim:
:יְבָרֶכְךָ הָשֵׁם וְיִשְׁמְרֶךָ יָאֵר הָשֵׁם פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיחֻנֶּךָּ יִשָּׂא הָשֵׁם פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וְיָשֵׂם לְךָ שָׁלוֹם
“May Hashem bless you and watch over you. May Hashem cause His countenance to shine to you and favor you. May Hashem raise His countenance toward you and grant you peace” (Bamidbar 6:23).
We say it two times and as always, when reciting any blessing and Torah verse, we must say the phrases with the proper intention. Recite the letters and Names in their correct order and with great focus. When pronouncing the holy Names, attempt to become fully aware of the divine spark in all Life. Reciting Torah verses for spiritual healing is no pretense or witchcraft to be dismissed as a superstitious rite. For what is holy is tremendously powerful. Handled with deep reverence and the greatest caution, Hashem will heal and protect us through the Holy words of His Torah.
Adding to the vagueness is the wording of Counteracting Hazards. "Some magical hazards can be counteracted using dispel
magic and the counteracting rules found on page 458.
These hazards’ spell levels and counteract DCs are listed
in their stat block. Counteracting a hazard otherwise
works like using a skill check to disable the hazard."
She must learn to harness her powers and find her own strength in order to fulfill her destiny as the Stonekeeper and protect the world from destruction. The Amulet graphic novel sequence is known for its stunning artwork and richly imagined world. Kibuishi's illustrations are vibrant and immersive, bringing the story to life in a visually captivating way. The series combines elements of fantasy, adventure, and interpersonal relationships, making it appealing to readers of all ages. In addition to its engaging story, the Amulet graphic novel sequence also explores deeper themes such as grief, loss, and resilience. Emily's journey mirrors the challenges that many young readers face in their own lives, and her determination to overcome adversity serves as an inspiring example. Overall, the Amulet graphic novel sequence is a captivating and thought-provoking series that seamlessly blends stunning artwork with a compelling narrative. It explores themes of bravery, self-discovery, and the power of friendship, making it a must-read for fans of fantasy and graphic novels alike..
Reviews for "The Amulet Graphic Novel Sequence: An Immersive Reading Experience"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I picked up the Amulet graphic novel sequence based on all the rave reviews, but I was sorely disappointed. The artwork was beautiful, I'll give it that, but the storyline felt overcomplicated and disjointed. The characters lacked depth and the dialogue felt forced. I struggled to connect with the story and found myself losing interest quickly. Overall, I don't understand the hype surrounding this series.
2. John - 1 star - I cannot comprehend why people enjoy the Amulet graphic novel sequence. The plot is cliché and predictable, offering nothing new or exciting. The illustrations are the only redeeming factor, but even they couldn't save this lackluster series. The characters are one-dimensional and the dialogue is wooden and unremarkable. I regret wasting my time on this series and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating graphic novel experience.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - As a fan of graphic novels, I was expecting great things from the Amulet series, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The storyline felt rushed and the plot holes were hard to ignore. The characters lacked development and I found it difficult to empathize with them. The artwork was undoubtedly stunning, but it couldn't compensate for the lacking storyline and flat characters. I wouldn't recommend investing time or money into this series.