Wicca is a modern pagan religious movement that draws upon pre-Christian pagan beliefs and practices. It honors nature, the seasons, and the cycles of life and often incorporates elements of witchcraft. In Wicca, the winter solstice, known as Yule, is a significant time of year. It is a celebration of the rebirth of the sun and the return of light and warmth. Many Wiccans celebrate Yule around the same time as Christmas, and they may incorporate elements of both holidays into their celebrations and decorations. When it comes to Wiccan Christmas decorations, there are many different options.
Thank you, Elena Collins, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to share my honest review.
Even though the story is slow and the highest point is less mind-blowing, it opens the eyes of the readers to see that allegations of witchcraft are what Collins called go-to forms of misogyny and prejudice in those days. If you are living in the Philippines and you want to start your reading life, you can buy interesting fiction and nonfiction books on Amazon Kindle using Globe s digital wallet, GCash, through American Express.
When it comes to Wiccan Christmas decorations, there are many different options. Wiccans often decorate their homes with symbols and images that represent the natural world and the changing seasons. This may include items such as evergreen branches, pinecones, acorns, and images of animals associated with winter, such as deer or owls.
Books Unfold
The Witch's Tree is a tale of the deliverance of two women from the heartbreak caused by betrayal and loss. It is written by Judy Leigh under the pen name Elena Collins, the name of her grandmother whom Leigh described as a great storyteller. Leigh is a prolific writer from Somerset in South West England who writes heartwarming stories about older women and second chances. She also loves digging into history and incorporating historical details in her stories. In the Witch's Tree, Collins gives us a picture of the lives of farmworkers in Somerset in the 17th century and how they were shaped by their beliefs in superstition and the supernatural.
OVERVIEWSelena's world shattered to pieces after her boyfriend left her in the mud. Determined to heal her heart and soul, she found herself in a Sloe Cottage in Somerset village. The place was exquisite, perfect for healing and creative endeavors. The longer she stayed in the house, the more it revealed its secrets.
More than three hundred years ago, Grace Cotter resided in the same house, the Sloe Cottage, living a simple life, working on a farm, taking care of her father, and learning from her loving grandmother. There's one wish that she held close to her heart, to marry the man of her dreams. When she got a chance to be with the man she loved, she gave her all, a decision that turned her fate into a dangerous turn.
Despite being born hundreds of years apart, their paths crossed, imbuing them with their own power to find healing and closure.
QUOTES "Love is the way of the world, and it is natural to seek it." - Bett‘There are all sorts of myths surrounding the blackthorn, from way back to the time of the Celts. Death, misfortune – some people call it the witches’ tree – it has a long association with witchcraft. It’s about opposites too: spring and autumn, blossom and berry. '
- Nick‘Accusations of witchcraft were the go-to forms of misogyny and prejudice in those days. Women were persecuted for being too young, too old, too attractive, too lonely, a little bit different – one whisper of a problem in a community and people were calling some poor unfortunate woman a witch.’
- Nick WHAT I LOVED- The title made me expect to read about witchcraft and magick but I was surprised to find out that it's more about revealing the truth about witchery. Witches were women who were victims of stories fabricated by those who wanted to blame them for sudden death, illness, or misfortune in the community. It's an eye-opening story. Although it's not a story about witchcraft in general, the petrifying scenes are haunting.
- Grace's character is likable. She served her father and others with full of love. She was gentle not only with people but also with animals. Her sad story stemmed from her sincerity and competence mistaken for witchery.
- Collin packed the novel with historical details that bring readers to the 1600s. The voice of each character is distinct; the houses, farms, and places of work are described vividly.
- The story is slow because some parts provide too much information about the setting or the feelings of a character. At one point, I felt like giving up reading because my anticipation of the more exciting parts was gradually waning. Grace's story was my redeeming factor.
- There are parts that could be omitted to sustain the general emotional charge that the whole chapter is expressing. There's an argument between two characters that is very emotional but ended on a silly note, making the scene funny.
- The romantic story of Selena is not that convincing. I was surprised that they became an item towards the end of the story. This part of the story wasn't able to release butterflies in my stomach.
Elena Collins' The Witch's Tree intertwines two heartbreaking stories of women separated by time but connected by their search for justice and healing. It explores the veracity of the tales of witches and atrocities against women who were victims of hearsay and false accusations in the 17th century. While the story is laden with heavy themes, the intensity of the emotions conveyed is not overwhelming.
The two worlds Collins created are realistic and appropriate. The language, clothing, and people's interactions are cohesive to the setting and time, making the reading experience pleasant. The modern setting works but the 17th-century timeline is more interesting.
Even though the story is slow and the highest point is less mind-blowing, it opens the eyes of the readers to see that allegations of witchcraft are what Collins called "go-to forms of misogyny and prejudice in those days". Grace's story is reflective of the lives of women who were used as scapegoats for the ill luck in the community. Justice was already out of reach after hundreds of years but the acknowledgment of her existence and history in the present brought healing.
This book is great for those who are looking for a light historical novel about love, betrayal, loss, and deliverance.
Thank you, Elena Collins, Boldwood Books, and NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to share my honest review.
FURTHER INFORMATIONBook Information: The Witch's Tree by Elena Collins To Be Published on May 17, 2022, by Boldwood Books 401 pages (eBook) Find it here:
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Reviews for "Setting the Yuletide Table: Wiccan-Inspired Decor for a Festive Feast"
1. Emily - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with the Wiccan Christmas decorations I ordered. The quality was extremely poor, with the ornaments falling apart and the colors fading within just a few days. Additionally, the designs were not as depicted in the pictures. The ornaments looked cheap and hastily made. I regret spending my money on these decorations and would not recommend them to anyone.
2. David - 1 out of 5 stars - The Wiccan Christmas decorations I received were a complete letdown. Not only were they poorly made with subpar materials, but the overall design lacked creativity and elegance. The ornaments felt cheap and flimsy, and I had concerns about their durability. The whole set seemed like a rushed production with no attention to detail. Save yourself the disappointment and look for better alternatives.
3. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I wanted to love these Wiccan Christmas decorations, but sadly, they fell short of my expectations. The quality was not up to par, with the ornaments feeling plastic and fragile. The colors were also not as vibrant as depicted in the product images, making them appear dull. Overall, the decorations lacked the beauty and finesse I was looking for. I would not repurchase or recommend them to others.
4. Michael - 3 out of 5 stars - While the Wiccan Christmas decorations I bought were not terrible, they were certainly underwhelming. The quality was average, and some of the ornaments arrived with small flaws. The designs were also quite simplistic, lacking the intricate details I expected. While they served their purpose, they didn't have the wow factor I was hoping for. Overall, I think there are better options available in the market for Wiccan-inspired Christmas decor.
5. Lisa - 2 out of 5 stars - I was excited to add a touch of Wiccan spirituality to my Christmas decorations, but unfortunately, these ornaments missed the mark. The quality was disappointing, with some of the ornaments chipping and losing their form within a few weeks. I had expected more attention to detail and care in their creation. The designs themselves were not particularly unique or captivating. I don't think I'll be using these ornaments again next year.