The Pagan calendar for the year 2023 is a reflection of the cyclical nature of nature and the changing seasons. Paganism is a spiritual path that honors and connects with the natural world, and the calendar plays a significant role in marking important dates and celebrations. The Pagan calendar follows the cycles of the sun, moon, and Earth, with each season and phase holding its own significance and symbolism. The four seasons, known as the Wheel of the Year, are divided into eight festivals or sabbats, which mark important points in the agricultural year. In 2023, the Pagan calendar begins with Imbolc on February 2nd, which celebrates the first signs of spring and the return of the light. This is followed by Ostara on March 20th, the spring equinox, which signifies the balance of day and night and the awakening of new life.
This is followed by Ostara on March 20th, the spring equinox, which signifies the balance of day and night and the awakening of new life. Beltane, celebrated on May 1st, marks the height of spring and the celebration of fertility and growth. Litha, also known as Midsummer or the summer solstice, falls on June 21st and is a time to celebrate the longest day of the year and the power of the sun.
A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer | Book Review
A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer
Series: Cursebreakers #1
Published by Bloomsbury YA on January 29, 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Pages: 484
Source: Publisher (Netgalley)
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Fall in love, break the curse.
Cursed by a powerful enchantress to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year, Prince Rhen, the heir of Emberfall, thought he could be saved easily if a girl fell for him. But that was before he turned into a vicious beast hell-bent on destruction. Before he destroyed his castle, his family, and every last shred of hope.
Nothing has ever been easy for Harper. With her father long gone, her mother dying, and her brother constantly underestimating her because of her cerebral palsy, Harper learned to be tough enough to survive. When she tries to save a stranger on the streets of Washington, DC, she's pulled into a magical world.
Break the curse, save the kingdom.
Harper doesn't know where she is or what to believe. A prince? A curse? A monster? As she spends time with Rhen in this enchanted land, she begins to understand what's at stake. And as Rhen realizes Harper is not just another girl to charm, his hope comes flooding back. But powerful forces are standing against Emberfall . . . and it will take more than a broken curse to save Harper, Rhen, and his people from utter ruin.
You thought I’d quit YA, huh? Me too. lol. I’ve struggled to identify with YA characters as I’ve gotten older and have kind of made the shift to adult romance, but then a group of friends pushed this on me and we read the series together and OH MY GOSH. I had always loved YA fantasy, but hadn’t found one in a very long time that held my attention long enough to even finish it, much less binge a series back to back to back. I’m about a third of the way through the second book, A Heart So Fierce and Broken, right now and it’s amazing. I’m #89 in line for A Vow so Bold and Deadly at my library so hopefully things hurry along. Anyway, I loved the world and the characters and the writing, and I’m so excited to continue my journey reading through these books! As always, my main points are bolded.
1. Harper had me worried at first. Well, the whole book did because it started off very sassy teen and I wasn’t sure I was in the mood for it, but then I grew to really love her! And I loved the disability rep. Harper has Cerebral Palsy and walks with a limp. The people in the magical alternate dimension don’t understand this kind of disability and find her to be weak or injured, but she has no problems sticking up for herself and proving that she can do anything. She’s sweet, caring, empathetic, and really turns the castle upside down. This girl definitely isn’t like all the other girls who have been kidnapped by the prince’s guard commander to try and break the curse.
2. Grey is my favorite character in this book. He’s the guard commander, and I LOVE him. He’s honorable and protective and such a great guy. He’s the romantic of the two male main characters, and he coaches the prince on how to not be a cold, unfeeling jerk. If we’re likening the characters to Beauty and the Beast, which this book is a retelling of, then Harper is Belle, Rhen is the Beast, and Grey is Lumiere. Also, was he named after the grey stuff? As in “try the grey stuff, it’s delicious!” I’m convinced of this. I need to write to the author. Ok, I just did. Anyway, he’s also pretty swoony sounding.
3. Prince Rhen? He’s fine. I actually really liked him, but he was a bit broody and intense and… pouty? for my liking. He’s the typical royal personality you find in fantasy, and I guess he’s a really good Beast because he’s got that “I hate everyone, now love me so I can be human again” attitude down. I hope I get to see more of his personality in the second book, because right now he’s pretty flat.
4. The supporting characters are great. Harper, Grey, and Rhen end up at a little inn and I love the characters they meet. And as they find people to join their army against a rival queen, they encounter some really interesting people with stories that I loved.
5. The romance is pretty minimal, but I didn’t even care.
6. Oh my gosh, this is a very overwhelming book to try and review.
7. I love the world! And I loved the spin Brigid put on Beauty and the Beast. Curse has the bones of Beauty and the Beast, but Brigid has added so many interesting and amazing details that make it so different. The enchantress is a recurring character in the story, there’s another kingdom threatening invasion, there’s… traveling between dimensions, the beast (or monster, as they refer to it in the book) surfaces every season and Rhen can’t control it (think of a werewolf and a full moon). It’s all so good and fresh and unique.
8. The writing! I love Brigid’s use of words and descriptions of scenery and feelings.
9. I finished and immediately needed more. This doesn’t happen to me often. Usually I need a break, but I am plowing on through and can’t read fast enough.
I’ve read a LOT of Beauty and the Beast retellings, and I thought for sure nothing would ever satisfy me to the point that Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses did. I still love ACOTAR more than anything, but I also really, really loved Curse. Like, I can’t pick just one and that makes me really happy. Maybe there is room in my life for more B&B retellings and maybe I do still love YA fantasy (it was heartbreaking to decide I didn’t anymore). Anyway, I’m not sure I’m making sense. Bottom line, A Curse so Dark and Lonely has made me realize that perhaps I gave up on a genre I once loved too soon because I thought there was nothing left for me there. So, now I’ll venture back and see what else there is for me. I highly recommend this book, and cannot wait to see what happens next!
5. The romance is pretty minimal, but I didn’t even care.
Lughnasadh, celebrated on August 1st, marks the beginning of the harvest season and is a time to honor the fruits of the land and the labor of the year. Mabon, the autumn equinox, falls on September 22nd and is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the harvest and prepare for the coming darkness. Samhain, perhaps the most well-known Pagan festival, takes place on October 31st and is a time to honor the ancestors and the cycle of death and rebirth. Yule, the winter solstice, falls on December 21st and marks the longest night of the year and the return of the light. Throughout the year, Pagan practitioners may also observe the phases of the moon, with the full moon being a time for reflection, intuition, and magical workings. The new moon, on the other hand, is a time for setting intentions and new beginnings. The Pagan calendar for 2023 serves as a guide for Pagans to connect with the cycles of nature, honor the seasons, and celebrate the interconnectedness of all living things. It provides an opportunity for reflection, ritual, and spiritual practices that deepen one's connection to the natural world and the divine..
Reviews for "The Wisdom of the Ancients: Embracing the Pagan Calendar in 2023"
1. Sarah - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with the Pagan Calendar 2023. The design was lackluster and unappealing, with dull colors and minimal artwork. I was hoping for something vibrant and visually stimulating, but this calendar fell short. Additionally, the information provided for each Pagan holiday was brief and lacking in detail. I was hoping for more in-depth explanations and suggestions for how to celebrate, but instead, I got a few lines of generic text. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this calendar to anyone looking for a vibrant and informative Pagan resource.
2. John - 1 star
The Pagan Calendar 2023 completely missed the mark for me. The content felt shallow and superficial, with no real depth or substance. I was hoping for a calendar that would provide insight into the history and significance of each Pagan holiday, but this calendar failed to deliver. The layout was also confusing and poorly organized, making it difficult to find specific dates or information. It felt like a missed opportunity to create a truly informative and engaging calendar for Pagans. I would not recommend this calendar to those looking for a comprehensive and well-structured Pagan resource.
3. Jessica - 2 stars
I found the Pagan Calendar 2023 to be quite disappointing. The visuals and design were unimpressive and lackluster, making it feel generic and forgettable. Additionally, the descriptions of Pagan holidays were brief and generic, lacking any real depth or insight into their origins and practices. It felt like a missed opportunity to educate and engage readers in Pagan traditions. Overall, I would not recommend this calendar to anyone looking for a visually appealing and informative resource on Paganism.