Once upon a curse, in a land far away, there lived a young princess named Aurora. She was known for her beauty and kind heart, and her kingdom adored her. However, she was cursed at birth by an evil sorceress who was angered that she was not invited to the grand celebration. The curse stated that Aurora would prick her finger on a spinning wheel on her 16th birthday and fall into an eternal sleep. The sorceress cackled with satisfaction, confident that her curse would bring misery to the kingdom. Aurora's parents, the king and queen, were devastated by the curse but determined to protect their daughter.
Another outspoken member is Pfc. Nathan Edwards, a mechanic from San Diego who serves with Company B, 64th Brigade Support Battalion, as a mechanic. He is an ordained minister who said he got his credentials to perform marriage ceremonies for fellow Wiccans.
Pagans can sometimes encounter discrimination or harrassment in the workplace upon disclosure of their religion, ranging from stereotyping and negative comments to not being allowed to wear religious symbols such as pentacles, depictions of Mjǫllnir, Ankhs, etc. Pagans generally do not proselytize and, while classes and retreats may introduce people to the path, the initiative to practice is with each individual.
Aurora's parents, the king and queen, were devastated by the curse but determined to protect their daughter. They banned all spinning wheels from the kingdom and hid Aurora away in a secluded tower. The royal couple hoped that by keeping her safe, they could prevent the curse from coming true.
What Do Pagans Do?
Pagan traditions and expressions vary widely and can involve communal outdoor rituals, solitary meditation or contemplation, or the use of symbols, talismans, or altars. Pagan magick is a spiritual practice aimed at creating change in an individual and in the world through prayer and physical actions.
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Pagan traditions have a strong focus on ritual, and practitioners may draw from multiple sources or follow a single contemporary Pagan tradition. The largest of the latter is Wicca, a form of religious witchcraft that includes dozens of lineages, paths, and styles. Other traditions include Druidry, non-Wiccan forms of religious witchcraft, Heathenry and Ásatrú (Northern European Paganisms), feminist Goddess worship, and a variety of reconstructionisms—including Greek, Egyptian, Celtic, Roman, Canaanite—as well as other historical religions. Some practitioners of Afro-Caribbean religions also may consider themselves to be Pagan, while others do not.
Pagan rituals commonly focus on honoring a deity or deities; observing natural cycles, such as seasonal changes or the waxing and waning of the moon; or celebrating rites of passage, such as birth, transitioning into adulthood, marriage, and death. Although the form of ritual varies by tradition, Pagan rituals tend to engage the participants physically. Rituals often include drumming, chanting, and dancing. Some Pagans offer food or drink to their gods or ancestors; these offerings may be shared by the participants as part of a feast, or sometimes disposed of ritually. Representations of earth, air, fire, and water may also be employed for cleansing and consecration; for instance, participants might anoint themselves with salt water (earth and water) and burn incense (air and fire) as part of ritual preparation.
Pagans generally do not proselytize and, while classes and retreats may introduce people to the path, the initiative to practice is with each individual. Some Pagans also participate in other religious communities such as churches or synagogues. From the 1970s through the early 1990s, the source of growth in Paganism was through small groups—variously called groves, nests, covens, or circles. After the mid-1990s, the availability of the internet and communications technology increased access to religious material for geographically isolated Pagans, who slowly grew into a majority in the movement.
Although some Pagans still practice regularly in either small private or large public groups, many are “solitaries,” meaning they practice alone and may only gather with a group for special occasions. Sociologist Helen Berger reports that as many as 79% of American Pagans today may identify as solitary. Most do not celebrate within a specific temple or building, though there are a few Pagan temple buildings in the United States. On the whole, Pagans prefer to worship out of doors, or else in private homes and rented halls.
Building an altar—a place for divinity, and a sacred workplace for performing rituals—is one of the first ways many Pagans begin spiritual practice. Pagans often have altars in their homes, sometimes tucked in a corner of the bedroom. Pagans with yards, or those who live in rural settings, may build altars outdoors. The altar may contain natural objects, photographs of the beloved dead, ritual tools, and objects of beauty or personal power. At the altar, one might leave an offering for a deity, enter into meditation, create an herbal charm, or undertake a personal cleansing or healing ritual. Gazing at an altar is a reminder of one’s spiritual life, and meditating there can lead to spiritual insight.
Pagans might perform a wide variety of spiritual exercises on a daily basis, though probably no two Pagans practice their faith exactly the same way. Pagan personal practice can be as simple as lighting a candle at the dark of the moon and meditating on the flame, or pouring a fresh cup of water for one’s ancestors and saying a prayer. Spoken intention is thought to be very powerful: Pagans often believe that verbalizing their desires is the first step toward bringing change into their lives. Respect for this principle leads many Pagans to choose their words carefully, lest a habit of self-deprecation or pessimism interfere with achieving life goals.
One important form of daily practice for many Pagans is “grounding” meditation, which connects the individual with the energy of the Earth and helps to maintain physical and emotional balance. Another is the practice of divination, which may take the simple form of asking about the day ahead, or inquiring about a specific question. Some Pagans consult astrology, while others use Tarot cards, runes, or pendulums to access sources of spiritual knowledge. Others look to movements in the natural world—interactions with animals, plants, wind, and water—to gain intuitions about patterns in the local environment. The sense of connection gained through these practices helps Pagans live out their belief that divinity is present in the world around them.
Some Pagans choose to wear sacred jewelry. Pagan symbols include the pentacle, an interlaced five-pointed star that is often worn by Wiccans. The star is pointed up to align with an upright human body, with one point up for the head and outward- and downward-facing points for the arms and legs. The pentacle is a symbol of life and the union of the elements (earth, air, water, and fire) with spirit, though it has often been misrepresented as a symbol of evil in popular horror films. Not all Pagans use the pentacle as a religious symbol, however. Pagans who follow a Northern European path may wear Mjölnir, Thor’s hammer, a traditional religious pendant worn by those resisting Christian conversion in medieval Scandinavia. Images of natural objects, such as trees, or abstract Goddess figures are also popular among Pagans. In 2007, the Department of Veterans Affairs added the pentacle as an approved religious symbol for veterans’ headstones, a decision that delighted Wiccans. Druids and Heathens are in the process of petitioning to have their symbols of choice approved.
Many Pagans practice magick (often spelled with a ‘k’ to differentiate it from stage magic and the fanciful magic of fantasy novels). In Paganism, magick is a spiritual practice aimed at creating change in the individual and in the world. Magick functions somewhat like prayer in other traditions, but it tends to have more of a physical component than prayer usually does in the West. When Pagans do magick, they begin by stating a clear intention and then raise energy to support that intention. This might be done, for instance, through chanting and dancing, breath exercises, or concentration. The energy is then released, either out into the world or sometimes into an object that will serve as a focus for the intention. The latter could be a candle, a piece of jewelry, or an altar object. Pagans often feel that magick cannot be successful without a practical component. Successful job magick, for instance, involves filling out job applications, not just setting intention and raising energy.
Pagan traditions and expressions vary widely and can involve communal outdoor rituals, solitary meditation or contemplation, or the use of symbols, talismans, or altars. Pagan magick is a spiritual practice aimed at creating change in an individual and in the world through prayer and physical actions.
Years later, on Aurora's 16th birthday, the kingdom was in celebration. It seemed that the curse had been forgotten, and joy filled the air. Aurora's parents decided to throw a grand ball in her honor, inviting everyone in the kingdom. Unbeknownst to Aurora, a young prince named Phillip had received word of the curse and was determined to save her. He rode through the kingdom, searching for the tower where she was kept. As the day wore on, Aurora couldn't resist the temptation to explore the castle. She stumbled upon a room she had never seen before, where an old spinning wheel sat in the corner. Intrigued, she approached it, unknowingly fulfilling the curse. As Aurora pricked her finger, a wave of darkness swept through the castle. The guests at the ball froze in their tracks, and the castle fell into a deep sleep. Aurora's parents rushed to her side, heartbroken at their inability to protect her. Just as all hope seemed lost, Prince Phillip arrived at the castle. Determined to break the curse, he fought through the enchanted forest and battled the sorceress. With true love's kiss, he awakened Aurora from her deep slumber. As Aurora's eyes fluttered open, the curse was broken, and the castle came alive once more. The kingdom rejoiced at the return of their beloved princess and welcomed Prince Phillip as a hero. From that day forward, Aurora ruled with kindness and grace, never forgetting the love and sacrifice that had saved her. The curse had taught her the power of true love and the importance of inner strength. Once upon a curse, a tale of darkness turned into a story of love and hope. It reminded the kingdom that even in the face of evil, love could conquer all. And so, their happily ever after began..
Reviews for "The Power of Forgiveness: Finding Redemption in Onxe's Curse"
1. Jessica - 2/5 stars - I really wanted to love "Once Upon a Curse", but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The plot felt predictable and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing style was also lackluster, with minimal description and overly simplistic dialogue. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others looking for a gripping and engaging fairytale retelling.
2. Michael - 3/5 stars - "Once Upon a Curse" had an interesting concept, but it failed to deliver on its potential. The pacing was off, with some parts dragging on for too long, while others felt rushed. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me with unanswered questions. Additionally, the main character felt inconsistent in their actions and motivations, making it hard to root for them. While the concept was intriguing, the execution left much to be desired.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I found "Once Upon a Curse" to be a disappointing read. The story felt clichéd, relying on familiar fairytale tropes without bringing anything new or fresh to the table. The romance aspect felt forced and lacked chemistry between the characters. The writing style was also simplistic and lacked descriptive language, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this book and would recommend looking for other fairytale retellings that offer more originality and depth.