Secret Lair: Black is Magic is a unique and groundbreaking Magic: The Gathering release that celebrates and showcases Black culture and Black creators. This limited-edition set was released on February 22, 2021, and features brand-new artwork from 25 talented Black artists from around the world. Black is Magic is more than just a card set; it is a powerful and important recognition of the diverse voices and artistic talent within the Magic: The Gathering community. The release aims to amplify and elevate Black creativity and storytelling within the game. This set consists of five different drops, each featuring different themes and artworks that explore Black culture, folklore, and traditions. The collection showcases iconic and beloved characters from Magic's history, reimagined with a unique artistic perspective that honors the Black experience.
By Dr. Maria Wheeler-Dubas, Research and Science Education Outreach Manager
A resource of Biophilia Pittsburgh , bioPGH is a weekly blog and social media series that aims to encourage both children and adults to reconnect with nature and enjoy what each of our distinctive seasons has to offer. -The Weird Sisters, Macbeth When the wood gnarls and twists, And branches are balled up like fists, And twigs outward spray In a spooky, spiky way, Twisted by a pathogen s gloom Well, it might be witch s broom.
The collection showcases iconic and beloved characters from Magic's history, reimagined with a unique artistic perspective that honors the Black experience. In addition to the stunning artwork, each card in Secret Lair: Black is Magic comes with a special silver-stamped signature of the artist, further emphasizing the individuality and impact of their work. The quality and attention to detail in the production of these cards are exceptional, making them highly sought after by collectors and players alike.
What is a witchws broom callrd
By Dr. Maria Wheeler-Dubas, Research and Science Education Outreach Manager
A resource of Biophilia: Pittsburgh, #bioPGH is a weekly blog and social media series that aims to encourage both children and adults to reconnect with nature and enjoy what each of our distinctive seasons has to offer.
“Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.”
-The Weird Sisters, Macbeth When the wood gnarls and twists,
And branches are balled up like fists,
And twigs outward spray
In a spooky, spiky way,
Twisted by a pathogen’s gloom
Well, it might be witch’s broom!
-The Weird Maria, Phipps
Perhaps we won’t see witches actually flying on brooms this weekend, but you’re very likely to see a witch’s broom on a walk in the woods. “Witch’s broom” is a generic term for a plant condition that looks like a mass of tangled, twisted twigs and small branches clumped on a tree branch. These “brooms,” are named as such because they look like they belong to a spooky witch, of course. But what causes the mass? And are they are a problem for the plant? Pull up a toadstool and let’s chat by cauldron!
Witch’s brooms can occur on a number of different species of tree and shrubs, and a variety of different pathogens can cause them. For example, two different kinds of fungi can cause witch’s brooms on cherry trees, mites can do the same to hackberry trees, and phytoplasms (a group of bacteria that only attack plant vascular tissue) can create gnarly masses on a variety of a trees. Viruses and mutations within plant cells themselves can also lead to witch’s brooms.
How can these different infections all cause twisted masses of branches? It’s a little physiologically complicated, but essentially, the pathogen (whether a virus, bacteria, fungus, etc.) will interrupt a normal point of growth, like at a bud. Then, through a process that involves hijacking plant growth hormones, the pathogen induces unusual plant growth in a variety of directions — hence twigs and branches growing every which way around the mass of infection. In some cases, witch’s brooms seem to divert nutrients and thus be detrimental to plant; but in other cases, the masses don’t seem to be a problem for the tree. They can actually be ecologically beneficial as birds and squirrels use them for nesting.
If you want to hear a really scary tidbit, though, witch’s broom is a notorious nemesis of Theobroma cacao — chocolate trees! In this case, the witch’s broom is caused by the fungus Moniliophthora perniciosa, and it truly is a problem. One of the biggest causes of cacao crop loss, M. perniciosa first moves into the living plant tissue and makes itself at home until the tissue dies…and the fugus proceeds to feed off of it. I’d call that witch’s broom fungus a little goblin! Imagine a chocolate shortage on Halloween. now that is the stuff of nightmares!
Wikimedia User Pictory1020, CC-BY-SA-4.0
Connecting to the Outdoors Tip: Witch's broom can occur on a wide variety of native Pennsylvania trees, both evergreen and deciduous. The next time you're out on a hike, keep an eye out for a mass of branches that doesn't seem to have been assembled by a squirrel. Depending on the tree and the pathogen, you may even notice a bit of withering on the branch holding the "broom."
Continue the Conversation: Share your nature discoveries with our community by posting to Twitter and Instagram with hashtag #bioPGH, and R.S.V.P. to attend our next Biophilia: Pittsburgh meeting.
P.S. I have an update on our black walnut adventure if you'd like to check it out!
Resources
Photo credits: header, Pexels public domain; cover, Julian Paren CC-BY-SA-2.0
A resource of Biophilia: Pittsburgh, #bioPGH is a weekly blog and social media series that aims to encourage both children and adults to reconnect with nature and enjoy what each of our distinctive seasons has to offer.
Secret Lair: Black is Magic is a testament to the commitment of Wizards of the Coast, the creators of Magic: The Gathering, to promote diversity and inclusion within the game. By giving Black artists the platform to express themselves and represent their culture, the release challenges existing tropes and creates a more inclusive and representative gaming experience for everyone. This release not only celebrates Black culture but also helps to create an environment where players of all backgrounds can see themselves reflected in the game. It paves the way for future collaborations and showcases the immense talent that exists within the Magic: The Gathering community. Overall, Secret Lair: Black is Magic is a groundbreaking and important release that highlights the significance of diversity and representation in gaming. It is a powerful acknowledgment of Black voices and serves as an inspiration for the continued pursuit of diversity within the Magic: The Gathering community and the gaming industry as a whole..
Reviews for "The Secrets of Black Magic: A Deep Dive into Magic: The Gathering's Secret Lair Expansion"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with the "Secret Lair: Black is Magic". The artwork was nice, but the cards themselves were not very exciting. The set felt underpowered compared to other Secret Lair drops, and I didn't feel like I got my money's worth. I was expecting more unique and powerful cards that would add something new to my collection, but I didn't find anything that stood out. Overall, I feel like I wasted my money on this particular Secret Lair drop.
2. Sarah - 3/5 - The concept of "Secret Lair: Black is Magic" was great, but the execution fell short for me. While the artwork was stunning and I appreciated the representation, the selection of cards didn't really impress me. I was hoping for more impactful, playable cards that would enhance my Commander decks, but most of the cards in this set felt like filler. Additionally, the price point for this drop was quite high, considering the value of the cards included. I wouldn't say it's a complete letdown, but I definitely expected more from this Secret Lair.
3. Chris - 2/5 - I was really excited about "Secret Lair: Black is Magic" as I thought it would celebrate diversity and inclusivity in the Magic community. However, I found the selection of cards to be underwhelming and lacking in diversity. Sure, the individual card art was beautiful, but there was a missed opportunity to include cards from various black-aligned planeswalkers or showcase a wider range of black characters. The set felt like a lost opportunity to truly embrace the theme it was promoting, and I couldn't help but feel disappointed by that. Overall, I feel like it could have been so much better.