In the year 2023, Wiccans will celebrate a series of holidays that are deeply rooted in ancient traditions and beliefs. These holidays, also known as Sabbats, symbolize the cycles of nature and the changing seasons. Each holiday holds its own significance and is celebrated with unique rituals and practices. The first holiday of the year is Imbolc, which takes place on February 2nd. Imbolc marks the early signs of spring and the return of the sun. It is a time of purification and renewal, where Wiccans light candles and perform rituals to welcome the coming of warmer days.
The Witchvox Project, #5: XENA, WARRIOR PRINCESS
I have many fond memories of watching this groundbreaking show with my friends Wren and Fritz. A favorite story we like to tell about the early days of Witchvox is that the URL was very nearly www.xenarules.com! Even after choosing witchvox, Fritz used to say “The ‘X’ stands for ‘xenarules’!”
Without Xena, we’d never have had the badass woman warriors who followed, like Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This article ended up being just a celebration of all the hottest characters…but hey, with all the serious work Witchvox was doing at the time, watching XENA was a guilty pleasure and a way to unwind!
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We at Voice Central love. XENA, Warrior Princess
Who doesn't? Xena is brave, strong, intelligent, beautiful, kind-hearted, resourceful, and equally skilled as a fighter and a healer. And the show gets better and better, with themes that often embrace a pagan, magickal view of the world.
Who is Xena? Quite simply, one of the most interesting, appealing and well-rounded (in more ways than one!) characters on television. In her leather and bronze armor, with her two-handed broadsword, her silver chakram (that cool, circular silver boomerang), and her martial arts-inspired moves, she is bardic poetry in motion, a medieval mistress of melee combat. She was born to be a warrior, but her nobility has inspired her to use her strength and skills to help the less fortunate.
X E N A R U L E S .
Yet Xena is not perfect. In her younger days (so goes the legend), she was bloodthirsty, greedy, vain, power-hungry, and hard-hearted. But the death and loss she saw over the years convinced her that she needed to turn her powers to other purposes. Along the way, she met Gabrielle, her faithful companion. Gabrielle was a slave with a talent for story-telling, who also trained with a band of Amazon warriors. As Xena's partner in crime, Gabrielle wields a wooden quarter staff, which does not shed blood, and stands clear when Xena performs her 20-foot-high flips into the air, her trademark.
As for her adventures, Xena has trafficked with some well-known heroes and villains, including Hercules, Julius Caesar, Helen of Troy, and her evil nemesis, Callisto. Other pagan deities she has encountered include Diana, Hades, and Ares. Though many of the show's episodes deal with serious subject matter, Xena has a sly sense of humor, as accomplished as her other arts. The show's writers cleverly introduce anachronistic elements to keep the show fresh and upbeat, while always retaining that mystical, pre-Roman Empire look and feeling.
We are overjoyed that there is a high-quality television show that deals with pagan themes in a positive way. But there is nearly always a tongue-in-cheek flavor to the show's writing, and it pokes fun as often as it tries to enlighten. The result is great entertainment that is steeped in a pagan worldview, and with some of the best costumes ever seen on television, bar none (if the show doesn't win an Emmy for costume design this year, I will. well, I'll do something).
In "Solstice Carol, " Xena met a fellow named "Sinteclice, " with a white beard and a red suit, who made toys and gave them to children at Winter Solstice; the holiday must be kept secret since it is illegal to celebrate the "Old Ways." In "A Royal Couple of Thieves" Xena meets Autolycus, the King of Thieves, whom she convinces to help her steal a powerful magic weapon. In "Girls Just Want to Have Fun, " which is my favorite episode, by the way, Xena and Gabrielle had to resist the seductive wiles of the undead. And in the recent hilarious "Here she comes. Miss Amphipolus, " Xena took part reluctantly in a beauty pageant for the title of "Miss Known World" and in the process poked fun at a very modern obsession.
As for more spiritual themes, the show has dealt with reincarnation, imprisonment in the Underworld, the three faces of the Goddess (Maiden, Mother and Crone), Amazon funeral rites, and shape-shifting, as well as a vast array of social issues (including homosexuality and alcoholism). Mythology is also a constant element, with episodes featuring Ulysses (in which Xena "out-sings" the Sirens!), Helen of Troy, Aphrodite and Cupid (a la Southern California) and Poseidon (giant god made of water: cool!)
But why do we REALLY watch the show? The pagan themes? The unbelievably-gorgeous costumes? The excellent production values? Yeah, sure, all that, but one other reason, too: Major babe sightings!
Lucy Lawless as Xena is, quite simply, stunning. Tall and graceful, with a strong and shapely body, this is no silicone beach bunny. Lucy's striking pale blue eyes and dazzling smile are worth the price of admission; and then there are her great fighting moves, her husky melodious voice, and her sexy, unique sense of humor which never fails. What's that sighing sound? It's the Central Staff, watching Xena remove her "Dance of the Seven Veils" costume.
Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) is a more recent favorite; her character has grown far more interesting, and there are some provocative, shall we say, physical issues, between her and Xena that are always fun to speculate about. We'd like to see Gabrielle do more storytelling and fighting, less apologizing for not being as cool as Xena (hey, NO ONE can be as cool as Xena, get over yourself, girl!), and maybe wear something sparkly once in a while. Fritz is a Xena man, all the way, but has admitted that Gabrielle gets cuter all the time.
Other total babes include:
Autolychus , the King of Thieves (Bruce Campbell): Good-looking, conceited and witty, but bungling enough to be lovable. Xena thinks he has a good heart, but we have a feeling she won't ever do him. though who can tell? We hope (well, Peg does, anyway!) to see much more of him.
Callisto , Evil Nemesis of Xena: Blonde, slender, mean as a cat drowned in dog pee, Callisto is nothing but trouble, especially when she finds a way to switch bodies with Xena (and she does this with alarming frequency). The character everyone loves to hate. Fritz likes her, for some reason. We'd like to see her put on ten pounds, and maybe switch to green contacts.
Ares, God of War : Dark, handsome, built like a brick Trojan Horse, this guy is too powerful for his own good. He is smart and sexy, a great warrior, but has a short fuse. Wren likes him. It would be neat to see him tangle with Xena minus his super-deity powers.
Velasca , Queen of the Amazons: A gorgeous blue-eyed redhead, but unfortunately evil. She hates Gabrielle for trying to usurp her crown, and turned the Amazons against each other in her quest for power. Smart but snotty, charismatic but megalomaniacal, we expect Xena will make hamburger out of her, one day soon.
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It is a time of purification and renewal, where Wiccans light candles and perform rituals to welcome the coming of warmer days. Next is Ostara, celebrated on the spring equinox, March 20th. It signifies the arrival of spring and the balance between day and night.
Wiccans gather to honor the fertility of the Earth and the reawakening of nature. It is a time of growth, rebirth, and new beginnings. Beltane follows on May 1st and is celebrated as a fire festival to welcome the summer season. Wiccans engage in bonfires, music, dancing, and rituals to honor the blessings of fertility, love, and abundance. It is a time of passion, creativity, and celebration of life. Litha, also known as Midsummer or the summer solstice, occurs on June 21st. It is the longest day of the year and represents the peak of the sun's power. Wiccans celebrate this time with bonfires, feasts, and rituals to honor the sun and harness its energy for growth, vitality, and protection. Lughnasadh, taking place on August 1st, is the first harvest festival of the year. It is a time to give thanks for the bountiful harvest and to honor the agricultural deities. Wiccans come together in community, participate in feasts, and perform rituals to express gratitude and abundance. Mabon is the autumn equinox celebrated on September 23rd. It marks the second harvest and the balance between light and dark. Wiccans celebrate the fruits of labor, reflect on the year's accomplishments, and express gratitude for the abundance of the season. Finally, Samhain, celebrated on October 31st, is the most well-known holiday among Wiccans. It is also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve. Samhain represents the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dark half of the year. It is a time to honor and remember the deceased, connect with ancestors, and celebrate the thinning of the veil between the physical and spiritual realms. These Wiccan holidays in 2023 offer Wiccans the opportunity to connect with nature, celebrate the cycle of life, and honor their spiritual beliefs. Through rituals, ceremonies, and community gatherings, Wiccans mark the turning of the Wheel of the Year and find harmony in the natural rhythms of the universe..
Reviews for "Wiccan Esbats in 2023: Harnessing the Energies of the Moon for Magick"
1. John - 1 star
I found "Wiccan Holidys 2023" to be incredibly disappointing. The book promised a detailed guide to Wiccan holidays in the year 2023, but I felt the content was lacking in substance and depth. The explanations for each holiday were very brief and seemed rushed, leaving me wanting more information. Additionally, the writing style was dry and lacked the passion and energy I was hoping for. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a comprehensive and engaging resource on Wiccan holidays.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
As someone who has been practicing Wicca for several years, I was excited to dive into "Wiccan Holidys 2023" to gain new insights and information about upcoming celebrations. However, I was quite disappointed with the book. The content felt repetitive, with little new information or unique perspectives. I also felt that the author made several inaccurate statements about certain holidays, which left me questioning the overall credibility of the book. I would recommend seeking more trustworthy and well-researched sources for in-depth knowledge on Wiccan celebrations.
3. Michael - 1 star
"Wiccan Holidys 2023" was a huge letdown for me. The book promised detailed descriptions and rituals for each holiday, but I found the information to be lacking and generic. It felt as though the author simply compiled basic information from various online sources without adding any personal insights or experiences. The lack of depth made it difficult to connect with the content, and I found myself skimming through pages without gaining any valuable knowledge. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a meaningful and comprehensive understanding of Wiccan holidays.
4. Emma - 2 stars
I was really looking forward to reading "Wiccan Holidys 2023," but sadly, it did not meet my expectations. The book lacked organization and coherence, making it difficult to follow the flow of information. The author jumped from one topic to another without establishing clear connections or providing sufficient background. Additionally, I found the writing style to be dull and uninspiring. It was hard to stay engaged and interested in the content. I was hoping for a more enlightening and engaging read, but unfortunately, this book fell short.