Wicca, a modern pagan religious movement, celebrates a number of holy days throughout the year. These holy days, also known as sabbats, mark important milestones in the Wheel of the Year, which is a cyclical representation of the changing seasons. The first holy day is called Samhain, which is celebrated on October 31st. Samhain is considered the Wiccan New Year and is a time to honor ancestors and embrace the thinning veil between the spiritual and physical realms. Yule, celebrated around December 21st, is the winter solstice and marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. Wiccans celebrate the rebirth of the sun and the return of light during this time.
Earth’s climate and seasons are at the heart of this book. Magic is tied to the seasons, with each witch’s power coming to full strength during their birth season and diminishing throughout the rest of the year. Spring, summer, autumn, and winter witches have unique types of magic and are able to harness different elements of nature. Climate change, however, is threatening all of that. Erratic weather patterns, such as heat waves in the winter, are necessitating the use of off-season magic, which in turn, is causing those off-season witches to deplete their magic and die. Only Clara, an Everwitch whose magic is not tied to a single season, can fight back against the tolls of climate change, but to do so, she needs the help of not only other witches but also humans. This overarching theme of climate change and messaging around the need for togetherness in finding a way forward are this book’s greatest attributes. They make the story relevant to the present day, bringing our own climate crisis to mind while simultaneously providing us with the hope that we, like the characters in this book, can find a way to work together and prevent further climate degradation.
In Earth Alchemy - an updated edition of Glennie Kindred s The Alchemist Journey - she explores a powerful fusion between the ancient healing art of alchemy and the energy inherent in each of the eight Celtic festivals. Called the work of a mesmerizing storyteller with deep compassion and memorable prose Publishers Weekly and the book that, anyone interested in natural history, botany, protecting nature, or Native American culture will love, by Library Journal, Braiding Sweetgrass is poised to be a classic of nature writing.
Wiccans celebrate the rebirth of the sun and the return of light during this time. Imbolc, also known as Candlemas, takes place on February 2nd and marks the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Wiccans honor the goddess Brigid and celebrate the first signs of spring.
Review: The Nature of Witches by Rachel Griffin
Climate change is upsetting nature’s balance and threatening witches’ hold on the natural world. Witches are dying of depletion as they attempt to control unseasonal weather with their ill-suited seasonal magic. Only one witch, Clara Densmore, has the power to prevent further death and deterioration of the environment. As an Everwitch, her power is not tied to any given season; she retains her full power throughout the year. Her power, however, comes at a steep cost – her Everwitch magic will seek out and kill anyone whom she loves. It is a curse that has already taken the lives of both of her parents, as well as her best friend. As a result of these losses, she has become wary of her magic and is hesitant to practice using it, but at the behest of her teachers, she agrees to study alongside Sang, a recent graduate and visiting researcher at her school. Clara soon begins to develop feelings for Sang, but she knows that no relationship can ever form between the two of them…unless she is willing to strip herself of her magic. Without her magic, she would no longer be a risk to Sang, but the loss of her power would be a fatal blow to the witches’ fight against climate change. A choice must be made: her happiness or her magic.
Ostara, celebrated on the spring equinox around March 21st, marks the official beginning of spring when the day and night are of equal length. Wiccans celebrate the awakening of nature and the balance between light and darkness. Beltane, also known as May Day, takes place on May 1st and represents the height of spring and the beginning of summer. Wiccans celebrate the fertility of the Earth and the union between the goddess and the god. Litha, celebrated around June 21st, is the summer solstice and marks the longest day and shortest night of the year. Wiccans honor the sun god and celebrate the peak of summer and the abundance of nature. Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, takes place on August 1st and represents the beginning of the harvest season. Wiccans give thanks for the bountiful harvest and acknowledge the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Mabon, celebrated on the autumn equinox around September 21st, marks the second harvest and the beginning of fall. Wiccans embrace the balance between light and darkness and give thanks for the abundance of the Earth. These Wiccan holy days are important times of celebration, reflection, and connection with nature and the divine. They provide opportunities for pagans to come together, perform rituals, and honor the cycles of life and the changing seasons..
Reviews for "The Magic of the Harvest: Wicca's Holy Days and the Importance of Gratitude"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Wicca holy days". The book lacked depth and substance. The author barely scratched the surface when it came to explaining the significance and rituals associated with the holy days. I was expecting a comprehensive guide, but instead, I found myself searching for additional resources to truly understand the subject. Overall, I felt let down by the lack of information and detail provided in this book.
2. Michael - 1 star - "Wicca holy days" was a complete waste of my time. The author seemed to have a very shallow understanding of Wiccan practices and ceremonies. The information provided was superficial and repetitive. I was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the holy days and their significance, but the book failed to deliver. Save your money and look for a more informative and well-researched resource if you're interested in learning about Wicca holy days.
3. Emily - 2 stars - While "Wicca holy days" promised to be a comprehensive guide, it fell short in many aspects. The author's writing style was confusing and convoluted, making it difficult to grasp the concepts presented. Additionally, the lack of clear organization and structure in the book made it hard to follow along. I found myself having to backtrack frequently to understand what the author was trying to convey. Overall, I would not recommend this book to someone looking for a well-written and organized guide to Wicca holy days.
4. James - 1 star - I found "Wicca holy days" to be a complete disappointment. The book felt more like an introduction to the topic rather than an in-depth exploration. The author failed to provide enough historical context and background information to truly understand the significance of the holy days. It seemed like a rushed and poorly researched publication. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of Wiccan holy days.