The Wiccan observance of the spring equinox, also known as Ostara, is a celebration of new beginnings and the arrival of spring. It is a time to honor the balance between light and dark, and to welcome the growing energy of the natural world. The main idea of this observance is to embrace the changing seasons and to honor the cycles of nature. During this time, Wiccans gather to perform rituals and spells that focus on growth, renewal, and fertility. The main focus is on the return of the sun and the awakening of the Earth after the winter months. One common practice during the spring equinox is the creation of an Ostara altar, which incorporates symbols of fertility such as eggs and flowers.
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One common practice during the spring equinox is the creation of an Ostara altar, which incorporates symbols of fertility such as eggs and flowers. These symbols represent the potential for new life and growth that comes with the arrival of spring. Wiccans also often participate in a ritual known as "calling the quarters," where the four cardinal directions are invoked to bring balance and harmony to the celebration.
James Patterson’s Witch & Wizard Novels: STAY AWAY
[wikipedia] James Patterson is a well known author, particularly for his Alex Cross detective series. He has received the Guinness World Record for the first author to sell a million e-books (probably way more now). This is a man who has out sold Stephen King, John Grisham, and Dan Brown COMBINED. Patterson doesn’t need much more of a recommendation than that. Therefore, when I saw the Witch and Wizard series I felt like this was a good investment of my time and would at the very least be passable read.
The Witch and Wizard series falls under the young adult category, where my reading interest usually lies. Having heard about Patterson being such a prominent author, I decided to pick up these books in good faith. Horrible mistake. The plot centers around a brother, Whit, and a sister, Wisty, that have magic powers in a suddenly (with almost no explanation) dystopian universe.
The central theme is that children have all the imagination and that they are the future in a dystopian world. Literally almost all of the adults are useless and/or evil. I could almost hop on board with all of that. The explanation of why this was happening was shoddy at best until book two or three, but if that was my only issue I think I could get over it. Unfortunately, it was not my only issue with the series.
[pinterest] Patterson jumps back and forth in extremely small chapters between the two main characters, which led to discrepancies in the action occurring. Both of them can be a part of the same event and yet one person describe the actions so differently despite experiencing it together that you have to re-read it just to make sure it’s the same scene. Some novelists pull this off wonderfully, but here it seems like a rough draft error that never got resolved.
Then there is the actual descriptive writing of this series. Besides lacking consistency on more than one occasion, the description was much too sparse for my liking for a novel. This noticeable occurred for the first two novels. I don’know if it had anything to do with the sub-authors that helped write the book, but it was bad. After half of the first novel I wanted to put it down, but couldn’t because I have to finish every novel I start. After a while it just became this mildly amusing annoyance. I finally reached the end of book three, considered that a satisfactory ending and ended my self-induced torture.
While the story line had an interesting concept and could be used to raise the self-esteem of children, I think anyone used to reading novels with descriptive events or with a higher standard in mind for what they read will find this series disappointing.
Many reviewers here are dead on (particularly from Goodreads and Amazon). The story line held great potential, but was written poorly. It was reassuring to find other readers thought the same thing I did – that this was not a finished, edited novel. The dialogue between the characters was overly cliche and sometimes horribly predictable. There were even spelling and grammar issues! One review really nails it on the head: “In a trite and oversimplified manner, we learn that our political system crumbled overnight and was replaced by the New Order.”
[comicvine]
Manga Adaption The main characters were a bit confusing, and at one point I thought they were going to be lovers because of the creepy closeness of their relationship. Overall, this is just a bad, not worthwhile series. Maybe the manga adaption would be better, but I’m not sticking around to find out.
Have you read the Witch and Wizard series? Would you recommend it?
The Witch and Wizard series falls under the young adult category, where my reading interest usually lies. Having heard about Patterson being such a prominent author, I decided to pick up these books in good faith. Horrible mistake. The plot centers around a brother, Whit, and a sister, Wisty, that have magic powers in a suddenly (with almost no explanation) dystopian universe.
This is done by recognizing the elements associated with each direction: air in the east, fire in the south, water in the west, and earth in the north. In addition to these rituals, Wiccans may also engage in activities such as planting seeds, decorating eggs, and participating in outdoor ceremonies to connect with the energy of the Earth. It is a time of joy and celebration, as the darkness of winter gives way to the light of spring. Overall, the Wiccan observance of the spring equinox is a time to honor the cycles of nature and embrace the energy of new beginnings. It is a celebration of growth and renewal, as well as a reminder of the balance and harmony that exists within the natural world..
Reviews for "Celebrating Ostara: The Wiccan Tradition of the Spring Equinox"
1. John - 2 stars - As someone who is not familiar with Wiccan practices, I found the observance of the spring equinox to be quite confusing. The rituals and ceremonies seemed to lack clear explanations and it felt like I was just going through the motions without understanding the purpose behind them. Additionally, the focus on nature and the elements felt too abstract for my liking. Overall, I left the observance feeling disconnected and unsatisfied.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I attended the Wiccan observance of the spring equinox out of curiosity, but I must say it was a complete waste of time. The event was poorly organized, with no clear structure or direction. The rituals felt more like a performance than a spiritual experience, and it was hard to connect with the meaning behind them. Furthermore, the event lacked inclusivity, making me feel like an outsider. I would not recommend this observance to anyone seeking a genuine and meaningful spiritual practice.
3. Robert - 2 stars - I was excited to learn more about Wiccan traditions and their observance of the spring equinox, but unfortunately, I left feeling disappointed. The event lacked depth and substance. The explanations provided were vague and it was hard to grasp the significance of the rituals. Moreover, the overall atmosphere felt superficial, with more focus on aesthetics than spirituality. I had hoped for a more profound and enlightening experience, but unfortunately, that was not the case.
4. Jennifer - 3 stars - While I appreciate the effort put into the Wiccan observance of the spring equinox, I found it to be somewhat overwhelming. There were so many different rituals and symbols that it was difficult to keep track of everything and fully understand their meaning. I also felt that the event lacked structure, making it challenging to follow along, especially for someone who is new to Wicca. However, the community was welcoming and friendly, which made the experience more enjoyable overall.