An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating Summary, Characters and Themes
An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating by Cecilia Edward is a whimsical and charming tale of Thorn Scarhart, a witch from the seventeenth century who is thrust into the twenty-first century after a potion mishap. Struggling to adapt to modern technology and societal norms, Thorn embarks on a journey of self-discovery while navigating the world of dating apps, potions, and her own insecurities.
As she tries to find love in a time vastly different from the one she knows, she learns valuable lessons about magic, family, and what it means to truly connect with others.
Summary
The story follows Thorn Scarhart, a witch who lives in a cottage and is facing the realization that at the age of thirty-nine, she may never experience true love. Once a confident and skilled practitioner of magic, Thorn has spent much of her life perfecting potions, with the hope of finding someone to love her.
In her desperation, she brews a “True Love” potion to win over the man she desires, a blacksmith. However, the spell only works temporarily, and the blacksmith soon loses interest in her once the potion wears off.
Frustrated, Thorn tries to rekindle his affection with more potions, but each attempt ends in failure, and in a moment of unintended chaos, she creates a potion that sends her into the future.
Thorn finds herself transported to the twenty-first century, a time completely alien to her. Disoriented and confused by modern technology, she initially struggles to navigate this new world.
She encounters everyday things she doesn’t understand, like dating apps, electric kettles, and cell phones. Thorn befriends Meg, a local woman who works as a tour guide at the Covenstead, a historical site, and helps Thorn adjust to her new life.
Through Meg’s guidance, Thorn begins to learn the ropes of modern living, although it’s not without its awkward moments. Along the way, Thorn experiences several mishaps, including accidentally turning things into frogs and getting into humorous misunderstandings with modern people.
In the twenty-first century, Thorn finds herself more accepted than she ever was in her own time. Modern people seem intrigued by her, viewing her as a mysterious figure, rather than someone to be feared.
This newfound attention gives Thorn a sense of validation, and she even begins to entertain the idea of using a dating app to find love, something she had never considered in her past life. As she grows more accustomed to modern life, Thorn realizes that she has more agency in this world than she ever had before.
She becomes more comfortable in her own skin and starts to believe that perhaps this is the place where she could finally find happiness and love.
Despite these advancements, Thorn still grapples with personal loss, particularly the memory of her late sister, Rose. The grave of Rose, once a significant place for Thorn, has now been replaced by a modern pavilion.
Thorn finds herself conflicted, feeling relief rather than guilt, which marks the beginning of her complicated relationship with her past. She also becomes increasingly reflective, recognizing that while she may have changed, her desire for love and a place in the world remains unbroken.
Throughout her time in the twenty-first century, Thorn takes up a job conducting “witchy tours” at the Covenstead, where she showcases her magical abilities to fascinated tourists. It is here that Thorn comes to terms with her dual identity, bridging the gap between her old life as a witch and the new world around her.
As the story unfolds, Thorn’s internal struggle deepens. She finds herself confronting the issue of whether she can truly find love through magic or if she needs to embrace the present moment and her own worth without the crutch of potions.
Thorn’s journey becomes a personal one, filled with emotional challenges. She contemplates the difficult relationship she had with Rose, which had always been marred by their conflicting personalities and the traumatic events surrounding their family.
Thorn’s introspection leads her to the conclusion that love cannot be forced, not through magic or manipulation, but must be based on mutual respect and trust.
In the process of self-discovery, Thorn’s character matures. She begins to understand that while her magic may be altered by time, the core of who she is—the longing for family, connection, and love—remains intact.
She comes to terms with her emotions, acknowledging the unresolved feelings she has for Walls, a modern man she met during her time in the future. Though she is still uncertain about her romantic future, she decides to stay in the twenty-first century and embrace the possibilities it offers.
The story concludes on a note of personal growth for Thorn. She has spent years running from her past and attempting to control her future through potions.
Now, Thorn understands that true happiness lies in accepting who she is, flaws and all, and that love, like magic, cannot be manufactured. As Thorn reflects on the experiences that have brought her here, she decides to stop relying on magic to shape her destiny and instead chooses to embrace the future with hope, confidence, and the possibility of finding real love.
Through humor, magic, and heartfelt moments, An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating takes readers on a journey of self-acceptance and personal growth. Thorn’s story serves as a reminder that sometimes the greatest magic of all is learning to love and accept ourselves, imperfections and all.
Characters
Thorn Scarhart
Thorn Scarhart is a complex and layered character who embodies the struggle between tradition and modernity. As a witch from the seventeenth century, she initially finds herself out of place in the twenty-first century, constantly grappling with modern technology, societal norms, and her own magical heritage.
Thorn is determined and headstrong, which is seen through her relentless pursuit of love and personal growth. Her journey to find love is entangled with her obsession with potions, particularly the “True Love” potion, which fails time and again, leading her to experiment with different potions to control her destiny.
Her character growth is pivotal as she navigates both the magical and mundane aspects of life, realizing that love cannot be forced by magic. Her reflections on the past, especially the tragic loss of her sister Rose, shape her internal conflict, adding emotional depth to her character.
Thorn’s ability to adapt and eventually find comfort in the twenty-first century shows her resilience and the gradual acceptance of herself and the world around her. In the end, Thorn learns that true love and personal fulfillment come from self-acceptance, not magical manipulation.
Bandit
Bandit, Thorn’s familiar, is an integral part of her journey, acting as both a companion and a symbol of Thorn’s deeper emotional and magical struggles. Initially a cat, Bandit is transformed into a dark gray version of himself after Thorn’s time-traveling adventures, reflecting the shifts in Thorn’s own identity.
Though Bandit doesn’t possess human-like speech or traits, his presence is felt throughout the story, often acting as a grounding force for Thorn during her emotional highs and lows. His relationship with Thorn is more than that of a pet; he represents Thorn’s connection to the past, particularly in a magical sense.
Bandit is both a comforting figure and a reminder of the more magical aspects of Thorn’s life, and his transformation highlights the changes that Thorn must face as she grapples with the challenges of living in a modern world.
Walls
Walls is a mysterious yet compassionate character who plays a significant role in Thorn’s emotional journey. He is initially introduced as a warlock who helps Thorn take care of Bandit when he is injured.
Over time, Walls becomes a trusted ally and friend to Thorn, offering her a sense of stability in the chaos of her life. Despite his initial role as a veterinarian, Walls proves to be much more than just a healer.
He is patient and kind, qualities that gradually break down Thorn’s skepticism and wariness of men, especially in the context of her past experiences with love and potions. Throughout the story, Walls is portrayed as someone who understands Thorn without judgment, seeing her for who she truly is.
Their relationship evolves from one of simple friendship to something more complex, as Thorn begins to consider him as a potential romantic partner. His role in helping Thorn gather ingredients for her youth potion and his gentle guidance through her journey of self-discovery make him a significant character in Thorn’s life, providing the emotional support and stability she so desperately needs.
Rose
Rose, Thorn’s late sister, casts a long shadow over Thorn’s life, particularly in the way she shapes Thorn’s emotional struggles. Their relationship is fraught with tension, stemming from the complex dynamics of family and love.
Rose’s tragic past and the way her death has haunted Thorn contribute to Thorn’s internal conflict, especially when she begins to grapple with her feelings of guilt and loss. Rose’s legacy also manifests in the form of magical elements, such as her involvement in the “Forever True Love” potion and the mysterious potions that Thorn finds herself trying to solve throughout the story.
Rose’s actions, including her attempt to kill Thorn and her later involvement with dark magic, reveal the darker side of their familial bond and contribute to Thorn’s fears and insecurities. Thorn’s eventual confrontation with Rose in the final stages of the story forces Thorn to confront unresolved feelings and ultimately accept the complicated nature of their relationship.
Rose’s presence in the narrative is symbolic of Thorn’s struggle to reconcile her past with her future, ultimately leading Thorn to a deeper understanding of herself.
Meg
Meg, a modern witch and doctor, serves as a vital ally for Thorn as she struggles to navigate life in the twenty-first century. She offers Thorn not only practical assistance, such as medical care when Thorn collapses from exhaustion, but also emotional support.
Meg’s modern sensibilities and understanding of contemporary life serve as a contrast to Thorn’s old-world mindset, helping to bridge the gap between Thorn’s magical past and her present reality. Through her interactions with Thorn, Meg becomes more than just a friend; she represents the possibility of adapting to a new world while still holding on to one’s roots.
Meg also acts as a grounding influence for Thorn, offering a fresh perspective on love, life, and self-worth that Thorn finds difficult to accept at first. As Thorn evolves, so does her understanding of relationships, and Meg plays a key role in this journey of self-discovery.
Lily
Lily is another witch who represents the darker side of magic, and her actions act as a catalyst for Thorn’s personal growth. She is involved in brewing a dangerous potion that uses the lives of cats as ingredients, a discovery that Thorn makes as she investigates the mysterious illness affecting local cats.
Lily’s use of dark magic and her manipulation of others, particularly through potions, highlight the consequences of using magic for selfish purposes. She serves as a foil to Thorn, representing everything that Thorn fears about her own magical practices—namely, the potential for magic to be used to control others.
Thorn’s confrontation with Lily becomes a turning point in the narrative, as Thorn is forced to confront her own flaws and the dangers of using magic as a means of coping with emotional pain. Lily’s actions ultimately lead Thorn to a crucial realization that love and connection cannot be manipulated through magic, and that facing the past and accepting the present are the only true paths to healing.
Madam Maude
Madam Maude, though a secondary character, plays an important role in pushing Thorn toward self-discovery and helping her navigate the world of modern dating. She encourages Thorn to participate in a speed-dating event, which acts as a stepping stone for Thorn to confront her feelings and break free from her dependence on magical solutions to find love.
Madam Maude’s gentle prodding helps Thorn take an important step toward self-acceptance, and she serves as a reminder that love is something that must be earned through genuine connections, not through magical means.
Themes
Love and Self-Acceptance
The story portrays Thorn’s evolving understanding of love and her deep-rooted struggles with self-acceptance. For much of the narrative, Thorn is on a quest to find love through potions and magic, believing that external forces can solve her emotional needs.
Her obsession with concocting the perfect “True Love” potion represents a misguided attempt to control and manipulate love, rather than fostering authentic connections. Over time, Thorn realizes that love cannot be manufactured or dictated by magic.
This revelation is significant because it reflects a broader human condition: the search for love often involves deep introspection and acceptance of one’s own flaws and vulnerabilities.
Thorn’s journey toward self-acceptance unfolds through her interactions with modern society and the relationships she forms, particularly with Walls. Initially, she uses magic to try to fix her problems, but as the plot progresses, she begins to recognize that relying on external means, such as potions or manipulations, prevents her from experiencing true emotional connection.
Thorn comes to understand that love is not just about romantic idealization but also about self-love and the courage to face personal shortcomings. The failure of her romantic endeavors, both with the blacksmith and in modern-day dating, becomes a turning point where she faces her emotional insecurities.
Instead of leaning on magic to fill the void, Thorn finds strength in accepting herself, as imperfect as she is, and opens herself up to genuine relationships. This shift from seeking external validation to embracing internal growth marks a profound transformation in her character.
The complex relationship with her sister Rose further illustrates Thorn’s growth. Their shared history, built on pain, betrayal, and misunderstanding, is rooted in their emotional dependence on potions and magic to control their lives and relationships.
Thorn’s eventual confrontation with Rose reveals the underlying fear of vulnerability that both sisters share, and through their clash, Thorn gains clarity on the importance of genuine emotional connections, free from the confines of magic. By the end, Thorn’s evolution is evident; she has learned that love is not a potion or spell but a process of mutual understanding, self-empowerment, and trust in others.
Her acceptance of herself and the natural progression of relationships signifies the triumph of emotional maturity over the illusion of control.
Struggle with Change and Modernity
Thorn’s journey is also defined by her struggle to adapt to the ever-evolving world around her, particularly in the context of modernity. As a witch from the seventeenth century, she finds herself in the twenty-first century, struggling to make sense of technology, societal norms, and the rapid pace of change.
This clash between the ancient and modern is not just about the physical differences in time but also about the emotional and cultural dissonance that Thorn experiences. Initially, she is overwhelmed by the new world she finds herself in, unable to understand the modern complexities of life such as dating apps, cell phones, and online interactions.
Her disorientation is compounded by her nostalgia for the past and a longing for the simplicity and certainty of her former life.
This theme of adapting to change is represented through Thorn’s attempts to understand and function in modern society. She faces a significant challenge when she is forced to use modern technology, like dating apps, to engage with people, something completely foreign to her.
Her awkwardness and confusion are symbolic of the larger struggle many face when navigating new cultural landscapes. Thorn’s confusion around the basic tasks of modern life highlights a generational divide that extends beyond mere technological ignorance; it points to her fear of losing herself in a world that seems to have no room for her old ways.
Yet, as the story progresses, Thorn starts to make peace with the modern world, learning to embrace its conveniences and even seeing it as a chance for personal growth. The shift from resistance to acceptance underscores a universal theme—the discomfort of change is often accompanied by the potential for personal growth and new opportunities.
The modern world offers Thorn an opportunity to leave behind her archaic ways of thinking and begin again, not just in terms of dating but also in her understanding of her own identity. Through her interactions with modern people, especially with those who accept her quirks and help her along the way, Thorn begins to see that she does not need to remain stuck in the past to find happiness or fulfillment.
The relationship with Walls and her gradual understanding of the emotional complexities of modern relationships further highlight her growing comfort in embracing change. Thorn’s journey illustrates that while adapting to change can be difficult, it also offers the potential to reinvent oneself and thrive in ways that might not have been possible in the past.
Loss and Memory
Thorn’s story is heavily influenced by her struggles with loss and the lasting impact of memories, particularly the death of her sister, Rose. Throughout the narrative, Thorn reflects on her past, haunted by the unresolved emotions surrounding her sister’s death and the deep-seated rift between them.
The loss of Rose, combined with Thorn’s guilt and lingering grief, shapes her worldview and fuels much of her emotional turmoil. This theme highlights the way in which the past can weigh heavily on one’s present, especially when that past is tied to unhealed wounds.
Thorn’s emotional journey is punctuated by the realization that she cannot simply outrun or ignore her memories—she must confront them to move forward.
In addition to her sister’s death, Thorn is also faced with the passing of her mother and the resulting emotional scars that shape her relationship with love. Her mother’s obsession with potions and the idea of perfect love through magical means plays a significant role in Thorn’s own struggles with using magic to find affection.
This cycle of loss and magical obsession reflects the broader theme of generational trauma, where the unresolved issues of one generation spill over into the next. Thorn must come to terms with her mother’s influence and her sister’s death to find peace and closure.
The transformation of Thorn’s perspective on loss is pivotal. Initially, she is consumed by her guilt and inability to reconcile with her past.
However, through her journey in the modern world, her encounters with new people, and her own self-discovery, Thorn begins to redefine her relationship with her memories. Rather than seeing them as a burden, she starts to view them as a part of her identity that must be accepted.
The final confrontation with Rose, where they share a brief but poignant understanding, signals a shift in Thorn’s perception of loss. Instead of letting it define her, Thorn learns to integrate it into her life, finding new ways to honor the memory of her sister and mother without being consumed by it.
This theme speaks to the universal experience of dealing with grief and how, over time, one can learn to heal and move forward while still holding onto the love and memories of those who are no longer present.
Magic and Control
At its core, An Ancient Witch’s Guide to Modern Dating explores the relationship between magic and control, particularly how the use of magic to manipulate others often leads to unintended consequences. Thorn’s use of potions, especially the “True Love” potion, symbolizes her desire to control her romantic fate and manipulate the emotions of others.
Her belief that magic can solve all her problems and provide her with the love she craves is initially powerful but ultimately misguided. The recurring failures of her magical attempts to control love force Thorn to face the limitations of magic and come to terms with the fact that love cannot be created through manipulation.
The theme of control is further explored through Thorn’s relationship with her sister, Rose, and the darker uses of magic. Rose’s obsession with using potions for her own purposes, including using the stolen Dire Dagger for a dangerous potion, represents the destructive side of magic—its ability to control and harm others in pursuit of personal desires.
Thorn’s eventual confrontation with Rose and the realization that magic cannot be used as a tool for control serves as a significant turning point in the story. Thorn learns that while magic can offer power, it is not a substitute for genuine emotional connections and cannot fix the deeper issues that people face.
The resolution of this conflict—where Thorn ultimately decides to face her past and move forward without relying on magic—signifies the relinquishing of control and the acceptance of life’s unpredictability. This theme underscores the broader message that true magic lies in emotional growth and self-discovery, rather than in the pursuit of control over others or fate.