Sally Owens is a vibe. Honestly, there’s no other way to put it. Long before "cottagecore" was a hashtag or everyone was obsessed with "dark academia," Sally was out there in her Massachusetts garden, wearing a linen apron and trying her absolute hardest not to be a witch. It didn’t work. Obviously.
If you grew up watching Practical Magic, you probably remember the hair. That impossibly long, dark hair. Or maybe you remember the midnight margaritas. But for most of us, Sally Owens represents something way more relatable than just a cinematic aesthetic. She's the personification of that universal desire to just be "normal" when your DNA (or your family) has other plans.
The Curse That Started It All
The whole story kicks off with Maria Owens. Back in the 17th century, Maria was exiled to an island, survived an execution attempt, and eventually decided that love was a trap. So, she cast a spell. The Owens curse basically says that any man who falls in love with an Owens woman is doomed to a premature death, heralded by the sound of the "deathwatch beetle."
Sally Owens took this very personally.
As a kid, she actually cast a counter-spell. She came up with a list of impossible traits for a man to have—one eye green, one blue, a guy who can flip a pancake in the air—thinking if the man didn't exist, she couldn’t fall in love. And if she didn't fall in love, nobody would die. It’s a classic Sally move: using logic to outrun magic.
Sally Owens: Practical Magic and the Burden of Choice
In the 1998 movie, Sandra Bullock plays Sally with this jittery, guarded energy. She’s the "good sister." While Gillian (Nicole Kidman) is out chasing guys and getting into trouble, Sally is home raising her daughters, Kylie and Antonia. She opens an apothecary called "Verbena," which is basically a 90s version of a clean beauty boutique.
She wants a life ruled by "facts and figures."
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But here’s the thing: magic isn't something Sally does; it’s something she is. You see it in the way she stirs her coffee without a spoon or how the plants in her garden seem to listen to her. The tension in her character comes from this massive rejection of her heritage. She thinks if she ignores the magic, it’ll go away.
Book Sally vs. Movie Sally
If you haven’t read the Alice Hoffman novel, you’re missing out on a much darker version of the story. In the book, the relationship between the sisters is way more strained. They go years without talking. Movie Sally and Gillian have that "blood charm" bond where they can feel each other's pain, but Book Sally is much more isolated.
Also, the house? In the book, it’s not just a beautiful Victorian by the sea. It’s a place Sally desperately tries to escape by moving to the suburbs. She wants the white picket fence so badly it hurts. The movie makes the magic feel whimsical; the book makes it feel like a heavy, inescapable inheritance.
Why the "Normal" Obsession Fails
Aunt Frances, played by the legendary Stockard Channing, has the best line in the whole film: "Normal is not necessarily a virtue. It rather denotes a lack of courage."
That’s the core of Sally’s journey. She spends the first half of the story trying to be a suburban mom who blends in. She wants to be on the school board. She wants to be liked. But the townspeople of New Salem still whisper. They still think she’s weird.
It’s only when Jimmy Angelov—Gillian’s abusive, "undead" boyfriend—enters the picture that Sally’s carefully constructed world falls apart. To save her sister, Sally has to do the one thing she swore she wouldn't: use the craft. She has to get her hands dirty. She has to be the witch she was born to be.
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The Style of Sally Owens: Linen, Layers, and Lavender
We have to talk about the clothes. The "Sally Owens aesthetic" is a major part of why this movie has stayed relevant for over 25 years. It’s all about:
- Earth tones: Muted greens, creams, and browns.
- Practicality: She’s usually in long skirts or high-waisted denim that actually looks like it’s been used for gardening.
- Velvet and Lace: For those moments when the "witchy" side slips out.
- The Apothecary Vibe: Imagine someone who spends all day crushing dried herbs and making soaps.
It’s a style that feels grounded. Unlike Gillian’s mini-skirts and leopard print, Sally’s wardrobe says, "I have things to do, but I might accidentally cast a spell while doing them."
The Gary Hallet Factor
Enter Gary Hallet. The guy with the mismatched eyes.
When Gary shows up to investigate Jimmy’s "disappearance," he represents the ultimate test for Sally. He is the physical manifestation of her childhood spell. For the first time, Sally has to decide if the risk of the curse is worth the reward of love.
There's a beautiful nuance in their relationship. Gary isn't afraid of her. He tells her that curses only have power if you believe in them. It’s a bit of a "normie" perspective, but it’s exactly what Sally needs to hear to break out of her self-imposed prison of fear.
The Cultural Legacy of Sally Owens
Why are we still talking about a character from 1998?
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Because Sally Owens is a patron saint for anyone who feels like an outsider. The scene where the townswomen finally come together to help the Owens sisters during the exorcism is a huge "feminine power" moment. It’s not about dark rituals; it’s about community.
Sally teaches us that you can’t hide the parts of yourself that make you different. If you try to bury your "magic," it’ll just haunt your backyard like a vengeful Bulgarian ghost. You have to embrace the weirdness.
Actionable Insights for the Modern "Sally"
If you find yourself relating a little too much to Sally’s "I just want to be normal" energy, here are a few takeaways:
- Stop Dimming Your Light: People are going to talk anyway. You might as well give them something interesting to talk about.
- Lean Into Sisterhood: Whether it’s biological or chosen, find the people who will help you bury the "Jimmys" in your life (metaphorically speaking).
- Trust Your Intuition: Sally’s biggest mistakes happened when she ignored her gut.
- Embrace the Practicality: Magic isn't always about chanting; sometimes it’s just about knowing which herb cures a headache or how to make a really good margarita.
Sally Owens finally finds peace when she stops running. She ends the movie jumping off a roof on Halloween, umbrella in hand, finally accepting her place in the long line of Owens women. She’s still practical. She’s still a mom. But she’s also, undeniably, a witch. And that’s more than enough.
To truly channel the Owens energy, start by bringing a little "practical magic" into your daily routine—plant some rosemary by your gate for protection, and remember that being different is your greatest strength. Keep an eye out for the sequel news, as the Owens sisters are officially returning to the screen soon.