Wicca is a modern pagan witchcraft religion that is based on ancient traditions and beliefs. Within the Wiccan religion, there is a focus on honoring and connecting with the divine, which includes both a male and a female deity. These deities are often referred to as the Wiccan god and goddess. The Wiccan goddess is seen as the feminine aspect of divinity, representing the nurturing and life-giving qualities of the natural world. She is often associated with the Moon, the earth, and the cycles of nature. The Wiccan goddess is thought to have many names, each representing a different aspect of her power and presence.
The Wiccan goddess is thought to have many names, each representing a different aspect of her power and presence. Some common names for the Wiccan goddess include: - The Maiden: This aspect of the goddess is often associated with youth, beauty, and new beginnings. She is seen as a symbol of growth and potential.
‘The Curse of La Patasola’: A Latin American Folktale For American Audiences [Review]
Latin America is rich with its folktales and myths that are both entertaining and serve as precautionary tales. Unfortunately, many of these terrifying narratives hardly depart from their country of origin. Director/writer and star A. J. Jones uses his feature debut The Curse of La Patasola to shine a light on a piece of Colombian folklore. La Patasola, in English known as “One Legged”, is a folktale many haven’t heard of before the film, myself included. Her story is set in the forest and according to legend, this vampiric monster can possess humans and instill fear in relationships about the dangers of infidelity.
After the cold opening, the flawed characters are introduced in a long sequence to showcase the dynamic between two couples. Sara (Gillie Jones) is by herself on her phone as she daydreams about becoming a nurse. Meanwhile, her husband Daniel (A. J. Jones) is the epitome of an annoying macho male figure. James (Patrick R. Walker) on the other hand is the complete opposite by being a pushover, a quality Daniel consistently brings up. And lastly, Naomi (Najah Bradley) is strong and opinionated. This is shown by the multiple arguments Daniel and Naomi get into throughout the film. The first one is about feminism.
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The argument only lasts a few minutes on screen, yet it feels like an eternity. Naomi does bring up some valid points, but unfortunately, the film doesn’t fully venture further into exploring female empowerment. Given the titular monster and Naomi’s firm stance, further discussion about gender could have fit in nicely with the film. Instead, this opening sequence only brings up great points and ideas that never get fleshed out. This creates a missed opportunity to address critical social commentary.
After the feminism argument a park ranger, who resembles a police officer, stops the four adults. Daniel who is driving doesn’t change his demeanor and continues his rude behavior now towards the cop. He even claims to have a Chekhov’s flare gun in the glove compartment. Naomi, a dark-skinned South American, and James, a Black man, are in shock by how Daniel responds to the man of authority. Once the four are left alone, Naomi and James place their concerns but the sceneraio is never brought up again, again leaving behind the conversation of race and feminism.
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Instead of focusing on grand scale issues, the film focuses on personal drama and dilemmas such as Sara wanting to become a nurse. Only this isn’t currently feasible because she is currently the provider while Daniel unsuccessfully focuses on starting a business for the last five years. James plans to propose to Naomi, only Naomi doesn’t feel the spark. James’ soft personality isn’t enough for Naomi as she mentions she is used to being challenged by a partner. After the midpoint of the film, the characters self-destruct their relationships and La Patasola is used to emphasize their sins of unfaithfulness.
Jones chooses to hide La Patasola for the majority of the film. However, we do still get scenes where La Patasola’s presence is heard and felt but is never seen. Most likely due to budget constraints, the kills are mainly off-screen with the one visible death being well deserved due to the character’s unfaithfulness. Surprisingly, director Jones didn’t attempt to indicate La Patasola’s presence with multiple fake outs and jump scares. Instead, the audience and characters are aware of La Patasola’s presence by ghostly whispers dashing through the foliage which does add tension to a couple of scenes.
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The monster’s prolonged final reveal is shown in a tense way. When La Patasola’s metamorphosis begins from possessed human to beast, the framing follows other werewolf transformation scenes. Jones focuses the camera on fully converted beastly limbs. Once the monster’s full appearance comes into view, the lighting drops drastically, preventing a clear image of La Patasola. During the climactic battle, Jones focuses on the hunched silhouette of La Patasola’s final form. There’s one quick facial shot highlighting the pale makeup that’s similar to Ryuk in the live-action Death Note film, the rest is surrounded by scraggly hair and darkness.
In terms of low-budget creature features, a category of horror films I adore, The Curse of La Patasola does check some boxes for me. However, it did leave me wanting more thematically speaking considering the numerous ways the monster could be represented. But in the end, Jones chose to highlight a Latin American folktale that to my knowledge has never made a cinematic appearance until now and that for me is a win.
Director/star AJ Jones and co-writer Shaun Mathis (Vanity Vixens, The Plug) centred their film around La Patasola, a creature from a South American folktale that hasn’t, as far as I know, been used on screen before. Sadly, it’s the only original thing about The Curse of La Patasola.
- The Mother: This aspect of the goddess represents fertility, nurturing, and the cycle of life. She is often associated with abundance and creation. - The Crone: This aspect of the goddess symbolizes wisdom, transformation, and the cycle of death and rebirth. She is seen as a guide and guardian of the spirit. The Wiccan god is seen as the masculine aspect of divinity, representing strength, protection, and the power of the Sun. He is often associated with the hunt, the seasons, and the cycles of life and death. Like the goddess, the Wiccan god is thought to have many names, each representing a different aspect of his power and presence. Some common names for the Wiccan god include: - The Horned God: This aspect of the god is often associated with the fertility of the earth and the wildness of nature. He is seen as a symbol of masculine energy and vitality. - The Green Man: This aspect of the god represents the spirit of the forest and the growth and abundance of the natural world. He is often celebrated during the springtime and the return of life after winter. - The Sun God: This aspect of the god is associated with light, warmth, and the power of the Sun. He is often honored during the summer solstice, when the Sun is at its highest point in the sky. In Wicca, the god and goddess are seen as equal and complementary forces, with each representing a different aspect of divinity. They are often worshipped together and honored in rituals and ceremonies. The names and aspects of the Wiccan god and goddess vary depending on individual beliefs and traditions, but they all share a reverence for nature, the cycles of life, and the divine power of the feminine and masculine energies..
Reviews for "The Evolution of Wiccan Goddess Names Throughout History"
1. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars
I expected "Wiccan goddezs nanes" to provide a comprehensive guide to Wiccan goddesses and their names, but I was sorely disappointed. The book lacked depth and only provided a superficial overview of a few goddesses. I was hoping for more detailed descriptions, their origins, and connections to Wiccan rituals, but this book fell short. It felt like a rushed compilation of information that could easily be found on the internet. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone seeking a thorough understanding of Wiccan goddesses.
2. Mark - 1 out of 5 stars
"Wiccan goddezs nanes" was a complete waste of time. The book was filled with grammatical errors, making it difficult to read and understand. Additionally, the content itself was poorly researched and lacked credibility. I found myself doubting the accuracy of the information presented. It seemed like a haphazard collection of random facts about goddesses, with no structure or coherence. Save your money and look for better resources to learn about Wiccan goddesses.
3. Lily - 2 out of 5 stars
I was intrigued by the title of "Wiccan goddezs nanes" and expected an engaging exploration of the divine feminine in Wiccan practices. However, the book failed to deliver on its promise. The writing style was dry and lacked any sense of passion or enthusiasm for the subject matter. Furthermore, the author seemed to lack in-depth knowledge of Wiccan theology and the intricate connections between goddesses and Wiccan rituals. Overall, I found it to be a disappointing and uninspiring read.
4. Michael - 1 out of 5 stars
"Wiccan goddezs nanes" was a shallow and poorly executed attempt at exploring the significance of goddesses in Wiccan traditions. The book read more like a list of names with minimal information or context provided. I was hoping for an in-depth analysis of the symbolism and spiritual attributes associated with each goddess, but this book failed to deliver. It felt rushed and lacked depth, making it a subpar resource for anyone genuinely interested in learning about Wiccan goddesses. I would not recommend wasting your time with this book.