The Once and Future Witches

The three Eastwood sisters and their recruit Jennie debate how to organize their witch society and what to call it. Emboldened, they place an ad in the new Salem newspaper—“WITCHES OF THE WORLD UNITE!”—that “invites women of all ages and backgrounds to join the Sisters of Avalon, a newly formed suffrage society dedicated to the restoration of women’s rights and powers” (138).

Agnes begins recruiting membership at the cotton mill where she works. She finds plenty of women unhappy with the workplace injustices they experience daily. A secret meeting is arranged in Agnes’s rooms that requires a blood spell for prospective members to learn the date and time of the meeting. Agnes magically expands the size of her dwelling to accommodate dozens of guests.

Quinn arrives with several other Black women. They listen politely to the speeches but decline to sign the membership roll. They are interested in acquiring power but are skeptical that anyone can awaken magical power in the world. After the meeting breaks up, the sisters decide to provide a demonstration of magical power to the city.

In her research, Bella stumbles on the spell they need for their demonstration. Their target is the statue of St. George in the town square.