In ancient times, winter solstice was a significant celestial event marked by various cultures and civilizations. Among these, the witches community held a unique perspective on this solstice, attributing it with profound spiritual significance. During the winter solstice, witches believed that the veil between the spiritual and physical worlds was at its thinnest, allowing for heightened magical powers and connections to the unseen realms. For witches, the winter solstice marked the longest night of the year, symbolizing the rebirth of the sun as the days slowly began to lengthen once again. This transition from darkness to light was seen as a powerful metaphor for personal transformation and growth. It was a time for witches to reflect on the past year, release what no longer served them, and set intentions for the future.
It was a time for witches to reflect on the past year, release what no longer served them, and set intentions for the future. Rituals and ceremonies were an integral part of witches' winter solstice celebrations. These rituals often involved creating sacred spaces, performing spells, and connecting with nature.
The Kiss Curse
Erin Sterling's much anticipated sequel to The Ex Hex is a sexy rom-com with just the right amount of sorcery.
Share this Article:Erin Sterling’s witchy new rom-com, The Kiss Curse, is the much anticipated sequel to last year’s equally charming The Ex Hex.
When Vivi Jones broke the hex she put on her now-husband, Rhys Penhallow, she affected his family’s ancestral power—power that just happens to infuse her hometown of Graves Glen, Georgia. Ever since, things have been out of whack, and Vivi’s cousin, Gwyn, has noticed her own powers are waning. Rhys’ brother Wells has spent years diligently bearing the enormous responsibility of being part of their illustrious family. When he learns of the weakening magic in Graves Glen, he steps up to solve the problem.
As one of the top witches in town, Gwyn takes it upon herself to figure out what’s going on. Wells and Gwyn are opposites in culture and personality—Wells puts duty above all else, whereas Gwyn thinks of rules as suggestions for other people—so when they share a surprising kiss early on in the novel, they insist it must have something to do with the town’s fluctuating magic. These witches should know better.
The Kiss Curse is sexy and fun, fast paced and joyful. In Sterling’s supernatural realm, down-to-earth magic is as common as grand feats of wizardry. She peppers in smart, clever world building details, and every sentence is packed with substantive description and imagination. This kiss is definitely worth the curse, a sexy rom-com with just the right amount of sorcery.
Firstly, I have to say that I personally enjoyed Wells and Gwyn’s “enemies to lovers” romance in The Kiss Curse more than Rhys and Vivi’s second chance romance in The Ex Hex. All of the comedic moments Sterling included in The Kiss Curse were stellar, especially Gwyn’s enthusiastic and often mischievous trainees (or “Baby Witches”), Gwyn’s outspoken talking cat, Gwyn’s fondness for witchy puns, and a hilarious incident involving a glittery “love spell”. The sweet and swoonworthy moments were also delightful, especially the meaning behind Wells’ fondness of Gwyn’s pink hair streak. I appreciated that Sterling kept me guessing and I didn’t feel like the ending was predictable. The autumnal vibe of the small-town of Graves Glen is dreamy with all the Halloween and fall festivals in Graves Glen reminding me of beloved fictional small towns like Stars Hollow (Gilmore Girls) and Halloweentown.
Witches would gather herbs, crystals, and other objects associated with the solstice to enhance their magical workings. Fire played a central role in these ceremonies, symbolizing both the warmth and light of the returning sun and the burning away of old patterns and energies. In addition to the individual practices, witches would also come together in covens to celebrate the winter solstice. These gatherings fostered a sense of community and unity among witches, allowing them to share their experiences and knowledge. The solstice was a time for witches to strengthen their bonds, support one another, and collectively harness the energy of the solstice for their magical workings. Overall, the witches' winter solstice was a sacred and transformative time. It was a period of reflection, intention-setting, and magical workings for witches, who recognized the powerful energy present during this celestial event. While the specific rituals and practices varied among different witches and covens, the underlying themes of rebirth, personal growth, and connection to the spiritual realm were central to their celebration of the winter solstice..
Reviews for "Exploring the Mythology of the Yule and Winter Solstice"
1. Anna Johnson - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "Witches Winter Solstice" as I love books about magic and witches. However, I was disappointed with this one. The plot was weak and predictable, and I found it hard to connect with any of the characters. The writing style was also lacking depth and sophistication. Overall, I found "Witches Winter Solstice" to be an underwhelming read that failed to capture my attention or imagination.
2. David Thompson - 3 stars - "Witches Winter Solstice" had its moments, but overall I was left feeling unsatisfied. The storyline had potential, with interesting concepts and elements of magic, but it felt disjointed and poorly executed. The characters lacked depth and their motivations were unclear. Additionally, the pacing was off, with slow parts dragging on and crucial moments feeling rushed. While this book had some redeeming qualities, it failed to meet my expectations and left me wanting more from the story.
3. Sarah Carter - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "Witches Winter Solstice", but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The writing lacked the descriptive power needed to create a vivid world of magic and enchantment. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to believe in the characters and their interactions. Moreover, the pace was agonizingly slow, making it a struggle to stay engaged. Overall, I found "Witches Winter Solstice" to be a bland and forgettable read that failed to capture the magic it promised.
4. Jason Davis - 2 stars - "Witches Winter Solstice" left me feeling disappointed and unimpressed. The plot was predictable and lacked any real surprises or twists. The characters were one-dimensional and poorly developed, making it hard to care about their fates. The writing style was also amateurish, with awkward sentence structures and clumsy dialogue. Overall, this book failed to deliver an engaging and immersive experience, leaving me wanting more from both the story and the writing itself.