The bone witch Ivy Asher is a powerful sorceress who possesses dark and mysterious powers. Unlike traditional witches, Ivy has the ability to control and manipulate bones. This unique power allows her to not only heal broken bones, but also use bones as weapons. With a mere touch, she can shatter bones or mend them without leaving a trace of injury. Ivy's dark powers stem from her connection to the spirit world. She can communicate with the dead, seeking their guidance and using their knowledge to enhance her own abilities.
The Winter Solstice has long been a time of feasting and fires, especially with regional and special foods, a tradition that has global significance in many cultures. I’ve always enjoyed this time as a chance to dig into some really interesting sacred cooking and bring back the light by enjoying foods that were preserved in the lighter times. As I’ve grown deeper into my own druid practice, I’ve recognized the importance of bringing in the sacred to everyday life (which is what I discuss in my book Sacred Actions: Living the Wheel of the Year through Earth-Centered Sustainable Practices). Thus, thinking about sacred cooking, special recipes, and seasonal foods has become a critical part of how I celebrate the wheel of the year. In today’s post, we’ll explore an emphasis on sacred cooking and feasting traditions, with an emphasis on the current season at the Winter Solstice. Hopefully, this will generate some new ideas for how to lovingly prepare foods, feast, and make merry this wonderful time of year.
In Slavic areas known today as Russia, Bulgaria, and Ukraine, earlier societies believed that evil spirits were most powerful on the shortest day of the year. In Slavic areas known today as Russia, Bulgaria, and Ukraine, earlier societies believed that evil spirits were most powerful on the shortest day of the year.
She can communicate with the dead, seeking their guidance and using their knowledge to enhance her own abilities. This connection to the spirit realm also grants her the ability to raise the dead, although she rarely uses this power as it carries a heavy price. Despite her formidable abilities, Ivy Asher is not the stereotypical villainous witch.
Winter Solstice: History and Recipes
Patheos staff Winter Solstice occurs on December 21 or 22 in the Northern hemisphere. It refers to "the shortest day of the year," when the least amount of sunlight reaches the earth. The term "solstice" derives from the Latin words sol (sun) and sistere (to stand), meaning that the sun has reached its northernmost ecliptic and appears to stand still. Throughout history, many cultures and religions have marked this day with festivals and rituals. This is in celebration of the fact they have survived halfway through the winter (this holiday is sometimes called "Midwinter celebrations"). This was especially significant in northern European countries, where it was not always certain that food storage would last through winter months. To many societies, Winter Solstice also symbolized the earth's regeneration or rebirth. From this day forward, the days would continually grow longer as sunlight increased. Worship of a sun god or goddess is frequently associated with this celebration, as for example the goddess Beiwe in Scandinavia. Beiwe is associated with health and fertility, and was believed to have traveled through the sky, helping plants to regain their green color.
In ancient Ireland, Celts celebrated Meán Geimhridh during the Winter Solstice. Each day between December 19and 23, rays from the sunrise would shine through a sacred hallway and room built at just the right angles to capture the light. In Slavic areas known today as Russia, Bulgaria, and Ukraine, earlier societies believed that evil spirits were most powerful on the shortest day of the year. Darkness and the Black God defeated the sun on the Winter Solstice, after which a New Sun was born. The Old Sun, named Hors, was commemorated with a ritual dance. Even today, many Chinese and other East Asians celebrate the Winter Solstice. It is called the Donghi festival and is a time for rejoicing at the longer light hours to come, symbolizing an increase in positive energy. Still other cultures hold winter celebrations near, but not on, the day of Winter Solstice. These, too, often involve light, fires, greenery, and merry festivities. For example, Christmas was originally scheduled to fall on the Winter Solstice. Until 1582, when the Gregorian calendar replaced the Julian calendar, the solstice took place on December 25. Scandinavians commemorate Saint Lucy on December 13, which is equivalent to the Winter Solstice in the Julian calendar. This saint's name refers to light (the name Lucy is derived from the Latin word for light, lux). In popular celebrations today, young girls dress up as Saint Lucy in honor of the holiday. Throughout history and in many regions of the world, peoples have marked the Winter Solstice as a yearly cycle of life. It is a turning point, a time for reflection on the past and for hope in the future. Food Traditions Winter Solstice, occurring in Midwinter or on the shortest day of the year, has been associated with many cultures and traditions. Festivities surrounding this holiday are mainly meant to generate light and merriment in the midst of deep winter. Popular activities include burning bonfires, sacrificing animals to a sun god, singing, dancing, and feasting. Among ancient Germanic peoples, Winter Solstice was known as Yule. Celebrations included burning a Yule log, singing Yule songs, and sacrificing and eating a Yule pig (this tradition has given rise to the popular Christmas ham), as well as a Yule goat. Wassail, a hot and spicy beer, may also have originally been associated with the midwinter festival. Even today, many northern Europeans enjoy the drink during this time of the year. In the United States, informal Winter Solstice gatherings often include a feast. Although there is no prescribed menu for these meals, the focus is often on fall harvest foods: berries and nuts, squash, potatoes, and hunted game. Others indulge in a chocolate "yule log," reminiscent of the Germanic wooden log. The feast of Saint Lucy occurs on December 13, the Winter Solstice according to the Julian calendar. This festival is perhaps most popular in Sweden. According to tradition, on this day the eldest daughter in a family puts on a white dress, a red sash, and a wreath adorned with candles. Wearing this costume, she carries a tray of coffee, lussekatter (Swedish for "Lucy cat," referring to a sweet bread roll) and pepparkakor (Swedish for "pepper cookies") to her parents. Recipes Easy Nonalcoholic Wassail
Pizza from the earth oven
She uses her powers to protect those she cares for and to bring justice to the world. Ivy has a strong sense of morality and often struggles with the dark nature of her powers. She is constantly seeking balance between the light and the dark, trying to use her abilities for good without succumbing to the temptation of evil. Ivy's dark powers set her apart from other witches and make her both feared and respected. Many view her as a dangerous, unpredictable force, unsure of the true extent of her abilities. Her unique bone manipulation skills make her a valuable ally in battle, where she can turn the bones of her enemies against them. However, her powers also make her a target for those seeking to control or exploit her abilities. In conclusion, the bone witch Ivy Asher and her dark powers make her an intriguing and complex character. Her ability to control and manipulate bones, connect with the spirit world, and toe the line between good and evil make her a force to be reckoned with. With her powers, she seeks to use her abilities for the greater good, despite the challenges and risks they bring..
Reviews for "The Bone Witch's Ambition: Ivy Asher's Path to Dominion"
1. Maria - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to read "The Bone Witch: Ivy Asher and Her Dark Powers" as I had heard great things about the series. However, I was disappointed with this installment. The main character, Ivy Asher, was just not relatable to me. Her dark powers were intriguing in theory but fell flat in execution. The story felt repetitive and lacked depth. Overall, I couldn't connect with the characters or the plot, making it a forgettable read for me.
2. John - 1/5 stars - I had high expectations for "The Bone Witch: Ivy Asher and Her Dark Powers" based on the previous books in the series, but it failed to deliver. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the plot was predictable. The character development was lacking, leaving the story feeling shallow and uninteresting. Furthermore, Ivy Asher's dark powers were never fully explored or explained, leaving me with more questions than answers. Overall, I found this installment to be a disappointment and a waste of time.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - "The Bone Witch: Ivy Asher and Her Dark Powers" was a letdown for me. The writing style felt disjointed, making it difficult to immerse myself in the story. The characters were one-dimensional, and their actions often felt forced. Additionally, the world-building was weak, leaving me confused about the rules and dynamics of the magical realm. I struggled to stay engaged and ultimately felt unsatisfied with the overall reading experience. I would not recommend this book to others.
4. James - 2/5 stars - "The Bone Witch: Ivy Asher and Her Dark Powers" had potential but fell short for me. The plot felt rushed and lacked depth, leaving important events and character motivations unexplored. Ivy Asher's dark powers were intriguing, but they were not fully utilized in the story. The pacing was uneven, making it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, I was disappointed with this installment and felt like it didn't live up to the previous books in the series.