Into the Magix Magix is a mystical land full of enchantment and wonder. It is a place where dreams come true and adventures never cease. As you step into Magix, you are immediately greeted by vibrant colors and a sense of magic in the air. The environment is filled with lush greenery, sparkling lakes, and majestic mountains. One of the most fascinating aspects of Magix is its magical creatures. From fairies to unicorns, every corner of this land is teeming with mythical beings.
The Romans called January 1st the Kalends of January. It was termed the Kalendae in Latin or Καλάνδαι in Greek, and was placed on public calendars called fasti. The Kalends is what gives us the modern word "calendar." The Kalendae Ianuariae was a time of particular hope and anticipation for the coming year. It was filled with celebrations and religious rites that focused on the health of individual Romans and of the state.
To celebrate the Egyptian Sun god saving humanity from Sekhmet by giving her blood colored beer, they celebrated the new year by getting massively drunk. While Ancient Egyptian and Greek societies gave us our association of the new year with an infant they paraded a baby around to symbolize the beginning of the new year.
From fairies to unicorns, every corner of this land is teeming with mythical beings. The fairies, with their delicate wings and ethereal glow, flit through the air with grace and beauty. Unicorns, on the other hand, roam freely through the meadows, their majestic horns shining brightly.
On a Pagan New Year
Last year on the Patheos Pagan Facebook page I posted a meme on January 1st wishing everyone who likes our page a Happy New Year. A follower there was a bit upset about it because they seemed to believe that celebrating the New Year on January 1 is some sort of Christian tradition, or goes against the idea that there’s an established “Pagan” or “Witch” New Year.
From the Library of Congress, Public Domain Image, Photograph by Carol M. Highsmith
It’s true that many Witches and Pagans celebrate the “New Year” starting on Samhain (somewhere between Oct. 30 and Nov. 1 depending on what tradition you follow), but this is a rather modern development, not an ancient one. The idea first appears in the book Celtic Folklore: Welsh & Manx by Welsh scholar Sir John Rhys (1840-1915) who wrote of early November:
“This is the day when the tenure of land terminates, and when servantmen (sic) go to their places. In other words, it’s the beginning of a new year.” (1)
The truth is, no one really knows what date the Irish-Celts used for the “New Year,” so in that sense, Samhain is as good a guess as any. I’ll admit, that as a society we tend to start and end a whole host of events in the Autumn, so Samhain makes some sense, and I’ll admit that I use this trope in rituals because it’s a familiar one.
For many Pagans, the Winter Solstice is the start of the “Pagan New Year.” Solstices are naturally occurring celestial events, and as the Winter Solstice marks the sun’s “growing stage” on the Wheel of the Year, there’s a certain amount of logic behind the idea. Personally, I’ve always been partial to Imbolc because the renewal begun at Yule tends to show tangible results by early February. (I don’t think there’s much more sunlight noticeable on Dec. 24 than there was on Dec. 21.)
There are a multitude of reasons to consider Ostara the start of the Witches New Year if we are looking at the alternatives. The astrological year begins at the Spring Equinox when the sun enters the constellation of Aries, the first sign of the Zodiac. For this reason, Persians celebrate their new year on the first day of Spring. Ostara is also traditionally associated with rebirth and new growth, perfect trappings for the new year.
Janus of course. From WikiMedia.
And January 1 is as good as any other date for the start of a New Year from a Pagan perspective too. January 1 as the start of the New Year was established by Julius Caesar who facilitated the creation of the “Julian Calendar” which was first used on January 1 46 BCE. It’s worth noting that Julius Caesar was a pagan, making his date a pagan one. The Julian Calendar worked pretty well for a good long while, before it was adjusted by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. (The Julian Calendar was just a little bit too long, resulting in some skewed dates as the centuries progressed.)
There are other solid Pagan reasons for January 1 as the start of the New Year. The month of January is named after Janus, who was the Roman god of doorways, beginnings, endings, time, and transitions. He certainly sounds like the right type of god to kick off a New Year, and January 1 was said to be sacred to him specifically. The January Kalends (a celebratory season that later influenced Christmas) served as a celebration of the New Year for several centuries and was when Roman consuls began their terms of office. (2) (And if Kalends sounds like calendar to you, you are right! It’s where the modern word calendar comes from.)
Most importantly as a Pagan I celebrate THE WHEEL OF THE YEAR, and since it’s a wheel, it’s a circle, meaning there are no absolute beginnings or endings. Celebrate the New Year when you want, how you want, and where you want. As for me I’ll probably be celebrating on New Year’s Eve because it makes as much sense as any other day.
NOTES
1. Rhys, John, Manx Folkore & Superstition (originally published as Celtic Folklore: Welsh & Manx in 1901), edited by Stephen Miller, Chiollagh Books, 1994, page 9.
2. Not all Romans, saw January 1 as the start of the New Year, some folks celebrated in March.
1. Rhys, John, Manx Folkore & Superstition (originally published as Celtic Folklore: Welsh & Manx in 1901), edited by Stephen Miller, Chiollagh Books, 1994, page 9.
In Magix, every day is an opportunity for new experiences. You can attend spellbinding magic classes, where you can learn to cast spells and brew potions. The wizards and witches of Magix are renowned for their magical prowess and are always willing to share their knowledge with eager students. Exploring the various regions of Magix is like stepping into a storybook. There are dense forests where creatures lurk in the shadows, waiting to be discovered. There are also enchanted castles that house ancient treasures and secrets. The architecture of these castles is truly breathtaking, with towering spires and intricate details. But Magix isn't just about magic and adventure. It is a place where friendships are forged and love is found. The residents of Magix live in harmony, always looking out for one another. The sense of community is strong, as everyone shares a common bond of magic and wonder. As you delve deeper into Magix, you begin to realize that the real magic lies within yourself. It is a place where self-discovery and personal growth are encouraged. Through challenges and triumphs, you learn to harness your own inner magic and unlock your full potential. Whether you're a fairy, a wizard, or simply a curious traveler, Magix welcomes you with open arms. It is a land where imagination knows no bounds and anything is possible. So, step into the magix and let yourself be carried away by the enchantment and beauty of this extraordinary world..
Reviews for "Spellbinding Fashion: The Latest Trends from the Streets of Magix"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Into the Magic". The storyline was weak and predictable, and the characters felt one-dimensional. The writing style was also quite immature, making it difficult for me to connect with the story. I was expecting a captivating and magical adventure, but it fell flat for me.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I found "Into the Magic" to be incredibly boring. The pacing was slow, and there were too many unnecessary descriptions that dragged the story on. The dialogue was cringe-worthy and lacked depth, and the plot was unoriginal and uninspiring. Overall, it was a disappointing read that I would not recommend to anyone.
3. Mike - 2.5/5 stars - While "Into the Magic" had a promising concept, it failed to deliver on many fronts. The character development was weak, with the protagonists feeling superficial and lacking true depth. The plot was predictable, and there were no surprises or twists throughout the book. Additionally, the world-building felt incomplete and left many unanswered questions. I was hoping for more from this book, but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations.