The Honey Witch

Marigold’s curse dictates that Honey Witches in her family line must choose between their magical powers or finding romantic fulfillment, making the curse a motif for The Struggle Between Power and Love. Marigold originally sees no downside to the curse, as the idea of becoming a powerful witch appeals to her more than becoming a wife and mother. However, as Marigold begins to consider what she’s really given up as she gets to know Lottie, the curse causes Lottie pain every time they try to get closer to one another.

Throughout Parts 2 and 3, Lottie experiences mysterious and intense bouts of nausea, headaches, and general illness, which she realizes in Part 3 are caused by her growing feelings for Marigold and her impulses to act on those feelings. Marigold must acknowledge that every time she wants to be with Lottie physically, she hurts Lottie, admitting, “Her selfish heart is putting Lottie in danger” (262). The effects of the curse on Lottie develop the idea that love and power will come at the cost of one another, as Lottie temporarily dies in Chapter 33 as a result of their intimacy.

The curse is, however, eventually broken when Lottie chooses power only for the sake of finally being able to love Marigold freely.