Pagan Holiday Tree Toppers: Connecting with Ancestral Traditions

A pagan holiday tree topper is a decorative object that is placed at the top of a Christmas tree as a symbol of pagan traditions and beliefs. Unlike traditional tree toppers such as angels or stars, pagan holiday tree toppers often feature pagan symbols and imagery, such as a pentacle or a goddess figure. These pagan tree toppers serve as a way to honor and celebrate ancient pagan traditions during the holiday season. Paganism is a diverse religious and spiritual belief system that encompasses various traditions and practices. Many pagans celebrate the winter solstice, which falls around Christmas time, as a time of rebirth and renewal. The Christmas tree itself is believed to have pagan origins, as it was traditionally used to celebrate the winter solstice and the evergreen symbolized life and fertility in pagan cultures.

Each chapter gathers into a coherent beam of savory trivia, strange facts, formerly mysterious origins, biographical information, interviews, inaugural conventions, an unlikely charity, and comic strips. You get the sense that some of the content may be apocryphal—for example, the part where they eat a whole wolf basically comes out of nowhere. Also, if one of them really did become “King of the Britons,” you’re sure you would have heard about it somewhere else.

Each chapter gathers into a coherent beam of savory trivia, strange facts, formerly mysterious origins, biographical information, interviews, inaugural conventions, an unlikely charity, and comic strips. It might seem impossible to see the humor in the nightmarish absurdities, disinformation, paranoia, and fanaticism of contemporary life but Karen Heuler s specialty is accomplishing the impossible.

The Christmas tree itself is believed to have pagan origins, as it was traditionally used to celebrate the winter solstice and the evergreen symbolized life and fertility in pagan cultures. The use of a pagan holiday tree topper is a way for pagans to incorporate their beliefs and practices into the mainstream holiday of Christmas. By placing a pagan tree topper at the top of their Christmas tree, pagans are able to maintain a connection to their spiritual beliefs while also participating in the festivities of the holiday season.

The Splendid City

The Splendid City is the state of Liberty. Water is rationed at alarming prices, free speech is hardly without a cost, and Texas has just declared itself its own country. In this society, paranoia runs deep. Eyes and ears are all around in the form of giant animatronic president heads. They are judging. Always judging. And waiting to strike.

This terrifying terrain is explored via Eleanor – a young woman eagerly learning about the gifts of her magic through the support of her coven. Being a white witch is not as easy as portrayed in books. Eleanor has already been placed under house arrest. But not alone. She must coexist with a letch named Stan, a co-worker who wronged her in the past and now exists in the form of a cat. A talking cat, who loves himself, craft beers and ‘shooting’ people.

Eleanor has no time for Stan and his shenanigans. Their love-hate relationship takes many twists and turns while Eleanor helps to locate a missing witch who she thinks is mysteriously linked to the shortage of water in Liberty. But she should keep an eye on Stan. He is following a treasure hunt and won’t hesitate to trade Eleanor for the prize…

Release Date

Formats

EBook ISBN

Paperback ISBN

Karen Heuler

Karen Heuler is the author of The Splendid City. Her stories have appeared in over 100 literary and speculative magazines and anthologies, from Conjunctions to The Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction to Weird Tales, as well as a number of Best Of anthologies. She has received an O. Henry award, been a finalist for the Iowa short fiction award, the Bellwether award, the Shirley Jackson award for short fiction, and a bunch of other ritzy awards. Her stories and books often feature women facing strange circumstances on this world and others. Karen Heuler lives in New York City with a large dog and two alarmed cats. Karen Heuler’s website | Twitter | Facebook

“A sharp, lively, funny contemporary fantasy with the feel of an up-to-date, more adult version of L Frank Baum’s Oz books.”
– The Guardian

“Both sad and hilarious, by mixing the madness of our modern-day political landscape with the fantasy rules of witchcraft, The Splendid City crafts a perfect quirk that ramps to wtf levels of genre-bending weirdness while packing enough common sense and humour to deliver something meaningful in a story about a white witch and her human-cat that shoots old ladies who disagree with him at the bus stop.”
– SciFiNow

“Karen Heuler’s The Splendid City is a wonderful fabulation, both humorous and contemplative, about the desperate state of US politics and society. In this world without a moral center, Eleanor, a witch, and her black cat familiar, Stan, who walks on two legs and packs a gun, much like Behemoth from Bulgakov’s The Master and Margarita, are called to solve a mystery. The writing is engaging and smooth, with excellent banter, as the communal power of women works to find a purpose in a crazy world.”
– Jeffrey Ford, author of Big Dark Hole

“A thoroughly original and quirky novel. You’ll find witches, cats, animatronic politicians and much more besides – plus sinister undertones combined with laugh-out-loud surrealism.”
—Liz Williams, author of Comet Weather

“Karen Heuler’s soaring imagination is matched only by her integrity of vision and humanity. She’s always a must read.”
– Paul Tremblay, author of The Cabin at the End of the World and The Pallbearers Club

“A sly and wild and funny book which uses witches, talking robotic heads, water shortages, the internet, a revolution, and a cat who used to be human (and who is now pretending to be a human with a skin condition) to cheerfully dissect the travails of what it is like to live in contemporary America. Satirical, and yet somehow more than just a satire, the joy of The Splendid City lies in the quirky and all-embracing exuberance of Heuler’s imagination.”
– Brian Evenson, World Fantasy Award winner of Song for the Unraveling of the World

“With its whimsy, compassionate characterizations, and sly satire, The Splendid City recalls the best of Terry Pratchett. A delight from start to finish.”
– Gregory Norman Bossert, filmmaker, writer and World Fantasy Award winner

“The Splendid City is a splendid read indeed! How can anyone resist talking cats? I know I can’t. This novel is so much fun and yet there is a deeper, darker story here. Seriously, the best political fiction sneaks its way into our hearts and minds rather than hitting us on top of our heads. Heuler’s excellent imagination and biting humor brings it all together.
– Ann VanderMeer, Award Winning Editor of The Big Book of Modern Fantasy

“It might seem impossible to see the humor in the nightmarish absurdities, disinformation, paranoia, and fanaticism of contemporary life… but Karen Heuler’s specialty is accomplishing the impossible. In a world filled with malevolent surveillance drones and animatronic President heads, a gun-toting cat with a hair-trigger temper and a witch with an inconvenient penchant for the truth have to contend with a reality that makes them look sensible by comparison. Pre-order this book immediately. It is a joy.”
– Chandler Klang Smith, author of The Sky Is Yours

“A fun, whimsical, fantastical satire that rips open the absurdity of everything yet still somehow manages to leave the beating heart intact.”
– Yume Kitasei, author of The Narrow Road to the Deep Sky

“Whimsical, satiric, and bursting with imagination, The Splendid City is the novel we’ve all been waiting for from Karen Heuler, one that takes all the ingredients she’s honed over decades of publishing quality literary and fantasy fiction and distills it into a perfect nugget of a novel. I’ve long thought Heuler deserved a larger audience, and this funny, accessible novel should be what finally draws them in. Also, as a cat owner, I felt a lot of this deep in my soul!”
– Nicholas Kaufmann, bestselling author ofThe Hungry Earth

“The dialogue is clever and the satire spot-on. The social commentary hits the nail on the head.”
– Booklist

“The Splendid City is a compelling book, compulsively readable.”
– Grimdark Magazine

“loved how cleverly and deftly Heuler balanced the absurd with the political.”
– Locus Magazine

ADDITIONAL PRAISE FOR KAREN HEULER

“Heuler’s prose illuminates the strangeness of both her characters and her settings. Establishing elaborate themes and morals is no easy feat in such short narrative arcs, but Heuler does it admirably, quickly laying the groundwork for her myriad of worlds, cultures, and travelers.”
– Publishers Weekly, on Other Places

“Heuler continues to delight with her thoughtful brand of modern surrealism / magic realism – a criminally underrated writer.”
– Jeff VanderMeer, NY TIMES bestselling author of The Southern Reach Trilogy

“It might seem impossible to see the humor in the nightmarish absurdities, disinformation, paranoia, and fanaticism of contemporary life… but Karen Heuler’s specialty is accomplishing the impossible. In a world filled with malevolent surveillance drones and animatronic President heads, a gun-toting cat with a hair-trigger temper and a witch with an inconvenient penchant for the truth have to contend with a reality that makes them look sensible by comparison. Pre-order this book immediately. It is a joy.”
– Chandler Klang Smith, author of The Sky Is Yours

Some popular pagan holiday tree toppers include representations of pagan deities, such as the goddess Brigid or the horned god. These figures are often depicted in a way that symbolizes aspects of nature, such as the changing seasons or the cycles of life. Other pagan tree toppers may feature symbols such as the pentacle or the triple moon, which are significant in pagan rituals and traditions. While the use of a pagan holiday tree topper may be seen as controversial to some, it is important to remember that religious diversity is a fundamental aspect of our society. By recognizing and respecting the beliefs of others, we can create a more inclusive and accepting world for all. Whether it's an angel, a star, or a pagan tree topper, the act of placing a symbol at the top of a Christmas tree is a personal choice that reflects the values and beliefs of the individual or family celebrating the holiday..

Reviews for "Pagan Holiday Tree Toppers: Exploring Mythology and Folklore"

- Emily - 1 star

I was really disappointed with the Pagan holiday tree topper. When I received it, I was shocked to see that it was made from very cheap and flimsy materials. The connection between the base and the topper itself was so weak that it couldn't even support its own weight. Additionally, the colors were not as vibrant as I expected from the product images. Overall, I do not recommend this tree topper.

- Michael - 2 stars

I had high hopes for the Pagan holiday tree topper, but it ended up being a letdown. The design was not as intricate as I thought it would be, and it looked quite plain on top of my tree. Furthermore, the topper was much smaller than I anticipated, which made it get easily lost among the branches. It just didn't have the wow factor I was looking for. I would advise others to explore different options.

- Sarah - 3 stars

I wasn't completely satisfied with the Pagan holiday tree topper. While it had a unique and interesting design, the quality fell short. The craftsmanship was mediocre, and I noticed several imperfections in the paintwork. Additionally, the topper didn't fit securely on top of the tree, constantly wobbling and shifting. It's a decent option if you're on a tight budget, but don't expect a high-quality product.

Pagan Holiday Tree Toppers: Bringing Magic into Your Home