The Pagan solar wheel, also known as the Wheel of the Year, is a cyclic representation of the changing seasons and agricultural cycles followed by many Pagan and Wiccan traditions. This wheel is divided into eight Sabbats or holidays, each marking a specific point in the natural cycle of the earth. The Wheel of the Year begins with the holiday of Samhain, which falls on October 31st or November 1st, in which Pagans honor and remember their ancestors and celebrate the thinning of the veil between the physical and spiritual realms. This is followed by Yule, the winter solstice, which celebrates the rebirth of the sun and the return of longer days. Imbolc, also known as Candlemas, marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It symbolizes the awakening of the earth and the return of fertility.
The Foxfire Kitsune Martial artist build that you suggest explicitly has Martial Artist dedication and a stance listed in its required feats. It mentions Stumbling Stance in particular as one to consider. If that's nto what you meant, then you should perhaps go back and look at it again.
Electric arc is more useful in close quarters than the wand in terms of damage so you could hypothetically replace the wand with it to open up your other implement choices. The wandcaster also has the option of firing off multiple different types of energy useful against skeletons and can eventually blow up multiple people a round.
It symbolizes the awakening of the earth and the return of fertility. Ostara, the spring equinox, celebrates the balance between light and dark, as well as new beginnings and growth. Beltane, on May 1st, signifies the peak of spring and the celebration of fertility and the union between the goddess and the god.
First rate competition curse effigy
By Sarah Raughley
You know, it’s always cool to read letters from fans of the Effigies series who really appreciate the fact that the titular Effigies are from a racially diverse background—Maia being of mixed Jamaican—American descent, Chae Rin being Korean Canadian, Lake being Nigerian-British and Belle being French. For me it was very important to have the Effigies be as global as the story. This is a world, after all, where any girl in the world could potentially become an Effigy. It wouldn’t make sense, then, for the characters to be an all-white band. When I’m able to do events with kids in the community, for example A Room of Your Own in Toronto where I talked with girls of color at the public library, it’s just phenomenal to see with your own beady little authorly eyes just how important writing diversity is.
And it’s weird because I’ve been told so many times by certain people that there must be a point to the diversity in your book, which I think for them means that your characters’ non-whiteness must be the crux of the story, the world building and/or the characters’ own personal arc. My personal approach to racial diversity is a little different. Of course, our backgrounds inflect who we are in many ways and gives us experiences that others may not have had. However, for my characters, rather than thinking of them as Korean first, or black first, or white first, I think of them as characters first. That means understanding that despite what differences we may have depending on what our ethnicity or nationality is, what makes us human is fundamentally the same. We are all driven by feelings, fears and desires that shape who we are as people. The fact, for example, that I’m Nigerian Canadian doesn’t mean that I somehow respond radically different than someone else when I am in pain or confused or scared for my life, nor does it mean that I’ll react exactly like another Nigerian or Nigerian Canadian would. Certainly, there are cultural behaviors that are learned when you grow up in certain cultural environments, but ultimately, the simple fact of one’s racial makeup cannot be the determining factor of how we act and who we are. Though some would want you to think otherwise, we as human beings have far more in common with each other than with any other species; certainly, regardless of our skin tone or nationality, we have far more similarities than differences.
For me, writing diversity means understanding that cultures and ethnicities are not a monolith. I am not like every other Nigerian or every other Nigerian Canadian or every other diasporic Nigerian living on this planet. I have my own personality, my own presence, my own voice (fun fact, I’ve been told over the phone that I sound like a white girl, which is a lot to unpack) based on how and where I grew up, based on my experiences, and everything else that goes into making someone an individual. If human beings can’t be pigeonholed into certain molds of personality, voice, and behavior based on their ethnic makeup, then neither can (and neither should) characters.
So while diversity is important, one crucial aspect of diversity in books is not approaching it with stereotypical, preconceived notions for how certain characters of a certain race are supposed to act, sound etc. In Fate of Flames and Siege of Shadows, the ethnicities and nationalities of the characters are part of who they are; but as a reader, what you’ll see before their ethnicity is what I always intended for you to see:
Sarah Raughley grew up in Southern Ontario writing stories about freakish little girls with powers because she secretly wanted to be one. She is a huge fangirl of anything from manga to SF/F TV to Japanese role playing games. On top of being a YA writer, Sarah has a PhD in English, which makes her doctor, so it turns out she didn’t have to go to medical school after all.
Siege of Shadows is available for purchase.
Litha, the summer solstice, marks the longest day of the year and is a time of abundance and joy. Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, is celebrated on August 1st and acknowledges the first harvest of the year. It is a time of gratitude and giving thanks for the bounty of the earth. Mabon, the autumn equinox, symbolizes the second harvest, the balance between light and dark, and the preparation for the darker half of the year. Finally, the Wheel of the Year comes full circle with Samhain, completing the cycle and beginning anew. The Pagan solar wheel serves as a guide for those who follow Pagan and Wiccan paths to connect with the natural rhythms of the earth and to honor the cycles of life and death. It is a reminder to stay in harmony with the changing seasons and to find meaning and spirituality in the world around us..
Reviews for "Incorporating the pagan solar wheel into your daily rituals"
1. John - 1/5 stars - This "Pagan solar wheel" decoration was a huge disappointment. The quality was extremely poor, with the paint already chipping off when I received it. Additionally, the colors were dull and not as vibrant as pictured online. It looks cheap and definitely not worth the price I paid for it. I would not recommend buying this product.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was excited to add some unique and spiritual decor to my home, but the "Pagan solar wheel" was a letdown. The solar-powered light feature barely worked, even after multiple attempts to charge it in direct sunlight. The design was also not as intricate as I had hoped, with shallow and poorly defined patterns. Overall, it did not meet my expectations and I would suggest looking for other options.
3. Michael - 2/5 stars - The "Pagan solar wheel" had potential, but unfortunately, the construction was subpar. The metal was thin and easily bent, making it feel flimsy and fragile. It also lacked durability, as the paint started fading within a few weeks of outdoor use. The overall design was pleasing, but the quality just wasn't there. I would caution against purchasing this product if you're looking for something that will last.