Wiccan Yule Celebration Wiccan Yule Celebration is an important event in the Wiccan religious tradition. It is a festival that honors the winter solstice, which marks the longest night and the shortest day of the year. In Wiccan belief, the winter solstice represents the rebirth of the sun, the return of light and the triumph of life over darkness. During the Wiccan Yule Celebration, Wiccans gather together to express their gratitude for the return of light and to connect with the spiritual energy of the season. The celebration often begins with a ritual that includes the lighting of candles and the casting of a circle to create a sacred space. Wiccans may engage in various practices and traditions during the Yule Celebration.
Magic-less witch Violet Maxwell wants nothing to do with alpha wolf shifter Lincoln Thorne—the man who broke her fragile, teenage heart. But when the two of them are forced by arcane Supernatural Laws to find mates, Violet and Lincoln agree to fake-date their way to a fake-mating in order to conjure themselves some time.
From the far left cushion, April Asher pens laugh-out-loud romantic comedies with a paranormal twist, but when she s not putting her characters into embarrassing situations with supernatural entities, she also writes high-octane romantic suspense as April Hunt, her thrill-seeking alter ego. But when the two of them are forced by arcane Supernatural Laws to find mates, Violet and Lincoln agree to fake-date their way to a fake-mating in order to conjure themselves some time.
Wiccans may engage in various practices and traditions during the Yule Celebration. Some common activities include singing songs, reciting prayers, performing spells, and sharing stories. These activities are aimed at connecting with the natural world and the divine forces that are believed to be present during this time of the year.
Review: Not the Witch You Wed by April Asher
Not the Witch You Wed follows Violet Maxwell, the oldest sister of a set of triplets and the only one who doesn’t have any magic. Content with her role as magicless black sheep of the family and letting her sisters having the spotlight of the magical community, the rug is pulled out from under her when the supernatural council orders her that, as the oldest sibling, magical or not, she has to find a mate right away. Lincoln Thorne, an alpha wolf shifter who broke Violet’s heart when they were both teens, finds himself in a similar conundrum. To remain the alpha of his pack, he needs to find a mate before his fast-approaching birthday. Struggling to find a partner, Violet and Lincoln agree to fake-date their way to a fake mating in order to give themselves time to find another solution. But when old feelings resurface—along with Violet’s unexpected magic—they both realise there’s nothing fake about their love. Yet with old secrets, family meddling and past hurt trying to tear them apart, can Violet and Lincoln find their way back to each other for real?
Can you hear my paranormal romance-loving heart beat like a drum? Not the Witch You Wed was, in a word, fun. There are so many elements in this book that just worked exceptionally well together: supernatural characters (and stereotypes that are turned upside down like the possessive alpha trope), relatable family dynamics (who hasn’t had their parents and siblings meddling in their love lives, honestly), a patriarchal (and super outdated) council and last but not least, a smart, sassy and savvy protagonist that neatly ties the narrative together.
There’s also something to be said for worldbuilding in this story. Without boggling down the narrative with too much information, Asher introduces the history of the magical community, the archaic power structures and the young generation’s struggle to create a new, more inclusive community and gives an outlook on what’s to come for Violet’s sisters. I also really liked how seamless the transitions were between the overarching romance and Violet’s relationships with her friends and her family, but most of all, her relationship with her self and her powers. Violet’s a genuinely kind character and it was interesting to see her invest so much time into other people and showing them how great they are while also battling her own insecurities, especially once her magic surfaced. Violet’s struggle to figure out her magic added so much to the story and seeing her friends help her any way they can was just so sweet.
I’m also willing to bet that it’s physically impossible not to be smitten by Violet and Lincoln’s romance. I’m a sucker for love interests that are devoted to their partner and Lincoln definitely delivered on that. Stories where the reader knows the reasons for a break up or someone getting their heart broken yet not the protagonist knowing it can be so nail-bitingly dramatic and that’s the case in this book. I loved how we got to see Lincoln try and make up for what he did and Violet giving him the pieces of the puzzle he was missing, and vice versa. The banter between Violet and Linc also just felt so genuine and even in the beginning stages when you know Violet just wants to tear his head off for how he broke her heart, there’s no denying their chemistry. From unexpected run-ins to downright heartwarming displays of affection, these two were explosive to follow.
While I won’t spoil the ending, I will say that I didn’t expect the outcome but genuinely wanted to cheer for the Maxwell matriarch who adds another layer of awesomeness (even in her eighties) to the story. Honestly, I’m so stoked to read the romances of the other Maxwell sisters!
A juicy cocktail of steam, snark, and secrets, Not the Witch You Wed is a playful paranormal second chance romance, perfect for fans of Charmed and The Ex Hex!
Not the Witch You Wed is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of February 8th 2022.
Will you be picking up Not the Witch You Wed? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
BOOKPAGE, "2022 Preview: Most Anticipated Romance"
The Yule Celebration also involves the exchange of gifts among Wiccans. This practice symbolizes the sharing of abundance and blessings. Wiccans believe that giving and receiving gifts during this time is a way of spreading love and goodwill. Another significant aspect of the Wiccan Yule Celebration is the decorating of the Yule tree. Similar to the Christian tradition of the Christmas tree, the Yule tree is adorned with ornaments, lights, and other symbols of the season. This practice serves as a reminder of the cycle of life and the hope for new beginnings. Overall, the Wiccan Yule Celebration is a time of reflection, connection, and renewal. It is an opportunity for Wiccans to come together, honor the winter solstice, and celebrate the return of light and the blessings of the season..
Reviews for "Yule Trees and Decorations: Infusing Wiccan Tradition into Holiday Festivities"
1. John - 1/5 stars - I was extremely disappointed with the Wiccan yule celebration. The entire event felt disorganized and lacked any real structure. The rituals and ceremonies were confusing and didn't seem to have any purpose. Additionally, the event felt more like a commercialized spectacle rather than a genuine spiritual gathering. Overall, I found the experience to be a complete waste of time and would not recommend it to anyone seeking a meaningful and authentic Wiccan celebration.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - As someone who has been practicing Wicca for several years, I was hoping to find a meaningful and inclusive celebration for the yule. Unfortunately, the Wiccan yule celebration fell short of my expectations. The event lacked depth and substance, with superficial rituals that seemed more like a performance rather than a spiritual practice. The lack of knowledgeable and experienced practitioners leading the ceremonies was also evident. I left feeling unsatisfied and disappointed with the overall experience.
3. Mark - 2/5 stars - I attended the Wiccan yule celebration with an open mind, but I was left unimpressed. The event felt disorganized and lacked a clear structure. The rituals and ceremonies were rushed and lacked the necessary focus and intention. There also seemed to be a lack of understanding and respect for the traditions and symbolism associated with the yule celebration. Overall, I felt that the event did not accurately represent the essence of Wiccan spirituality and left me feeling underwhelmed.