Little Witch Academia is a Japanese anime series that combines elements of fantasy, adventure, and comedy. The show revolves around a young witch named Akko Kagari, who enrolls in Luna Nova Magical Academy to fulfill her dream of becoming a great witch like her idol, Shiny Chariot. However, Akko is not a natural talent when it comes to magic, and she often finds herself struggling to keep up with her classmates. Despite her shortcomings, Akko remains determined and passionate about her goal. She forms a strong bond with her friends, Lotte and Sucy, and together they embark on various misadventures while studying at Luna Nova. Throughout the series, Akko and her friends face numerous challenges and obstacles, but they learn valuable lessons about friendship, perseverance, and the power of believing in oneself.
Now the sun has descended into the realm of the underworld, the forces of the underworld were in the ascendency. The lord of the underworld, unfettered from the control of the sun, now walked the earth and with him travelled all those other creatures from the abode of the dead. Ghosts, fairies and a host of other non-descript creatures went with him. The Lord of the Dead in Celtic mythology can be identified as Donn.
The Mound of the Hostages is 4,500 to 5000 years old, suggesting that Samhain was celebrated long before the first Celts arrived in Ireland about 2,500 years ago. Set the intention of cleansing, purifying, or letting go of the negative things in your life, and move through the ceremony or ritual with that intention in mind.
Throughout the series, Akko and her friends face numerous challenges and obstacles, but they learn valuable lessons about friendship, perseverance, and the power of believing in oneself. Little Witch Academia is known for its stunning visuals, lively animation, and lovable characters. The show seamlessly combines humor and heartwarming moments, making it a delight to watch for viewers of all ages.
Samhain/Halloween Rituals for Honoring the Dead
I've been a practicing witch for a good portion of my life, but throughout the years, I haven't always been great about celebrating every single Sabbat (pagan holiday). Halloween, however, has been the one exception. It's called Samhain (pronounced sow-en or sow-een) in the Celtic Wheel of the Year, which is what my spiritual practice is based around, and it's one of the holiest days of the year. Samhain actually marks the Celtic New Year, the final harvest before Earth truly descents into winter, darkness, and death. At this closing, ancient Celts (and modern Pagans) believe the boundaries between the living world and spirit realm are thinnest and our ancestors may walk among us or communicate with us more easily than any other time of year.
The tradition of dressing up and wearing costumes comes from pagan practices of dressing as animals or ancestors to communicate with them and invoke their wisdom during this sacred time. Mexicans paint skulls on their faces to honor and invoke their dead loved ones during Dia de los Muertes. Christians honor their saints and celebrate All Saints Day.
The greatest loss I've experienced in my lifetime was my Nana, my paternal grandmother, when I was eleven. She lived with us and was essentially my mother as my own was not very present in my life. She was a devout Catholic and while I never really connected with Christianity for a multitude of reasons (even though we went to church regularly in my youth), something permanently severed for me after her death. I couldn't force myself to believe in a God who would take such a devout woman from us, a woman who was practically the center of my world. It just didn't make sense to me. It was around this time I began to explore other spiritual paths and I found one that centered on nature, that revered women, and that honored the loved ones who had passed on - without requiring belief of a higher power. That's an oversimplification of what paganism is, but it's what initially drew me to it.
My Samhain altar.Anyway, ever since I can remember, I've honored my Nana in some way on Halloween/Samhain, talking to her, updating her on my life, thanking her for the time we had together. Over the years, I have added other loved ones who have passed on into my rituals, visiting their graves when weather permits and talking to them too. If you'd like to incorporate honoring the dead into your life, here are a few suggestions:
- Create an ancestor altar in your home with photos and keepsakes
- Add photos and keepsakes of your ancestors and deceased loved ones to your "main" altar
- Do a ritual at their grave (see mine below)
- Can't get to their grave? Light a candle or incense for them at home and meditate, picturing them in your mind and catch them up on your life, ask for their guidance
Our ancestor altar at our wedding.
What follows is the ritual I created in 2007 and have followed ever since. I tend to work with Greek and Celtic gods and goddesses as a way of directing and envisioning a particular energy or emotion, but please feel free to adapt this to your own spiritual practices, whether you're pagan or not, and whether you're doing this graveside or not. I do not believe anyone needs to define themself as a part of a larger religious group to be spiritual, nor do I believe any ritual needs to be followed to a T or done in a specific way. Honoring your dead is very personal and you should do what feels comfortable and right for you.
Samhain Graveside Ritual
Supplies Needed:
- bowl or shaker of salt
- incense
- black or blue candle
- blessed water (could be blessed by the full moon or infused with the powers of herbs or crystals or holy water)
- pentacle
The Ritual:
1. Stand in front of the grave and center yourself with three deep breaths. Then say:
Hecate, Goddess of Night, Magic, Mother of the Dead, hear my plea ~
Pass on my message of love
To those you have taken from me.
Let the elements dance around
The body of [loved one's name] buried in this ground.
2. Sprinkle salt around the grave, saying:
Earth ~
For the ground in which [name] rests,
That once ran beneath [his/her/their] feet,
I beseech thee ~
3. Light your incense and walk with it around the grave, saying:
Air ~
For the time we spent breathing in the same,
And the wisdom [name] passed on to me,
I beseech thee ~
4. Light your candle and walk with it around the grave, saying:
Fire ~
For the passion and love that burned within [name]'s heart,
And for the warmth they brought into my life that I will never forget,
I beseech thee ~
5. Sprinkle water around the grave, saying:
Water ~
For the many tears I have shed,
Each a memory I'll never forget,
I beseech thee ~
6. Now is a good time to share remembrances, thanks, things you wish you had said, and catch your loved one up on your life. It's okay to cry!
7. Once you're ready to say goodbye again, hold your pentacle to the sky or put it on the grave and say:
Spirit ~
Take my words with thee,
With Hecate's torches, let [name] see
All that [she/he/they] meant to me.
Let [him/her/them], for this night, roam free
Let them commune with me
Until the Witching Hour is known,
Then let [name] return to [his/her their] earthly home.
So mote it be!
Lead photo credit: Caroline Attwood via Unsplash
So there are lots of ways these festivals and their rituals overlap. That’s probably due to them all being celebrated near the end of the year, close to each other. Looking through all of this stuff you can really start to get a sense of the connections between Day of the Dead, Halloween/Samhain, The Winter Solstice/Yule, and the end of the year celebrations we all generally take part in.
Additionally, the series offers insightful commentary on the nature of magic, the importance of individuality, and the pursuit of one's dreams. Metacritic is a website that aggregates reviews from critics to generate a single score for a particular media product. However, as of writing this note, there isn't a specific "Little Witch Academia" entry on Metacritic. This could be due to a variety of reasons, such as the show not being widely reviewed by mainstream critics or not meeting the criteria for inclusion on the website. Nevertheless, Little Witch Academia has received positive reception from both fans and critics alike. Its charming characters, vibrant animation, and uplifting storytelling have won the hearts of many viewers. The series has also been praised for its positive messages and empowering themes, which resonate with audiences globally. In conclusion, Little Witch Academia is a beloved anime series that showcases the journey of a determined young witch and her friends as they navigate the challenges of magical education. While it may not have a specific Metacritic entry, the show has garnered widespread acclaim for its endearing characters, stunning animation, and inspiring storytelling. Whether you're a fan of animation or simply looking for an enchanting adventure, Little Witch Academia is sure to cast a spell on you..
Reviews for "The Role of Metacritic in Shaping the Perception of Little Witch Noneta"
1. Samantha - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Little Witch Nogeta," but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The plot was confusing and seemed to lack direction. The characters also felt underdeveloped, making it difficult for me to connect with them on any level. Additionally, the animation style was not to my taste, and I found it distracting. Overall, I was disappointed with this anime and wouldn't recommend it to others who enjoy more coherent and well-executed storytelling.
2. Jason - 1/5 - "Little Witch Nogeta" was an absolute mess from start to finish. The story seemed disjointed and rushed, leaving me feeling confused and unsatisfied. The animation quality was subpar, with awkward character designs and choppy movements. The humor also fell flat for me, as it relied too heavily on clichéd gags that I found predictable and unoriginal. I couldn't find any redeeming qualities in this anime, and I consider it a waste of time and potential.
3. Nicole - 2/5 - I was excited to watch "Little Witch Nogeta," but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The pacing was off, with certain scenes dragging on while others were rushed through without proper explanation. The characters lacked depth and their interactions felt forced, making it difficult for me to invest in their journey. The art style was unique, but it didn't resonate with me personally. Overall, I found "Little Witch Nogeta" to be a mediocre anime that failed to leave a lasting impression.
4. Alex - 1/5 - "Little Witch Nogeta" was a complete letdown for me. The plot felt disjointed and incoherent, leaving me confused and uninterested. The animation quality was subpar, with stiff character movements and unappealing visuals. The voice acting also fell short, failing to bring the characters to life in a compelling way. I struggled to find any redeeming qualities in this anime and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a well-executed and engaging fantasy series.