The Old Norse pagan calendar is a system of timekeeping based on the traditional Norse religion. In 2023, those who still follow this religion will observe various festivals and celebrations throughout the year. **These events are deeply rooted in Norse mythology and reflect the cycles of nature and the changing seasons**. The year begins with Yule, which is celebrated around the winter solstice. Yule marks the rebirth of the Sun and the return of longer days. It is a time of feasting, gift-giving, and honoring the gods and ancestors.
As the story opens, seventeen-year-old Whit and fifteen-year-old Wisty (Wisteria) are accused of being a wizard and a witch. Until this point in their lives, they thought they were normal teenagers. The new regime sends soldiers to arrest them. Byron Swain, an arrogant student from their school, shocks the pair when he shows up and arrests them. They deny the charges, but their efforts prove fruitless. As they are being arrested and taken, their parents are allowed to give each of them one thing to take with them. They are given a book that seems to them to be useless and a drumstick. Adding to their confusion are the flames that shoot from Wisty’s body. A figure unknown to them arrives. He is known as The One Who Is the One and he is familiar with Whit and Wisty’s parents. He is the leader of the New Order, which is a newly formed political party. The children are taken to a prison where all of the others incarcerated are children. They are questioned by Bryan and put on trial conducted by The One Who Judges. The trial results in Whit and Wisty being sentenced to death when they reach the age of eighteen.
Although Patterson has been frequently criticized for being prolific and formulaic, Vanity Fair magazine reports that the author takes it in stride, And he is philosophical about his critics, in particular critics of his craft. When a dystopian government controls every aspect of society, siblings Wisty and Whit Allgood may be the world s only hope in this magical beginning of James Patterson s Witch some have been accused; many others remain missing.
It is a time of feasting, gift-giving, and honoring the gods and ancestors. February brings the festival of Disting, which is associated with the coming of spring. It is a time to welcome the awakening of nature and to honor the goddesses of fertility and growth.
Witch & Wizard (Reissue) (Paperback) by James Patterson
The instant #1 "New York Times"-bestselling novel about two teens battling the cruelest totalitarian regime imaginable--with magic. This edition features a special preview of the movie screenplay.
Book Synopsis
When a dystopian government controls every aspect of society, siblings Wisty and Whit Allgood may be the world's only hope in this magical beginning of James Patterson's Witch & Wizard series.
Everything is about to change. The government has seized control of every aspect of society, and this is the astonishing story of Wisty and Whit Allgood, a sister and brother who were torn from their family in the middle of the night, slammed into prison, and accused of being a witch and a wizard. Thousands of young people have been kidnapped; some have been accused; many others remain missing. Their fate is unknown, and the worst is feared-for the ruling regime will stop at nothing to suppress life and liberty, music and books, art and magic . . . and the pursuit of being a normal teenager.
Review Quotes
RAVES FOR THE PAGETURNERS!
"Fights and flights are non-stop in Maximum Ride. The writing is visual and cinematic--things that kids expect from their video games, TV cartoon shows and action movies."
--USA Today "Patterson is not just for adults anymore. With the Maximum Ride series he has created edgy, taut thrillers that teens won't be able to put down. The characters are easy to identify with and I can't wait to see what happens to Max and her family next!"--Cathy, Bookseller, Blue Willow Bookshop
About The Author
James Patterson has had more New York Times bestsellers than any other writer, ever, according to Guinness World Records. Since his first novel won the Edgar Award in 1977 James Patterson's books have sold more than 300 million copies. He is the author of the Alex Cross novels, the most popular detective series of the past twenty-five years, including Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider. He writes full-time and lives in Florida with his family.
"Fights and flights are non-stop in Maximum Ride. The writing is visual and cinematic--things that kids expect from their video games, TV cartoon shows and action movies."
--USA Today "Patterson is not just for adults anymore. With the Maximum Ride series he has created edgy, taut thrillers that teens won't be able to put down. The characters are easy to identify with and I can't wait to see what happens to Max and her family next!"--Cathy, Bookseller, Blue Willow Bookshop
The month of April sees the celebration of Walpurgis Night, also known as Valborg, which is associated with the coming of summer. It is a night of bonfires and festivities, meant to drive away evil spirits and welcome the warmer months. Midsummer, also known as Litha, is celebrated in June. **This is the time of the year when the days are longest and the power of the Sun is at its peak**. Bonfires are lit to honor the Sun and seek its blessings for a bountiful harvest. In October, the festival of Winter Nights is observed. This festival marks the beginning of the darker half of the year and is a time to honor the ancestors and the spirits of the land. **It is believed that during this time, the boundaries between the spiritual and physical realms are thinnest**. The year concludes with Yule once again, bringing the cycle full circle. **The Old Norse pagan calendar allows followers of Norse mythology to connect with the traditions and beliefs of their ancestors**. In 2023, it offers a way to honor and celebrate the natural cycles of the seasons, as well as the gods and spirits that are an integral part of this ancient religion..
Reviews for "Exploring the Old Norse Pagan Calendar: An Insider's Guide to 2023's Rituals and Traditions"
- Emily - 2 stars - After purchasing the Old Norse Pagan Calendar for 2023, I was disappointed with the lack of information it provided. The calendar only included basic dates and did not dive into the rich history and traditions of the Norse pagans. Additionally, the overall design was quite plain and did not capture the essence of the Norse culture. Overall, I expected more from this calendar and would not recommend it to those seeking in-depth knowledge and a visually appealing calendar.
- Jacob - 1 star - I was excited to receive the Old Norse Pagan Calendar for 2023 as a gift, but my excitement quickly turned to disappointment. The calendar was poorly constructed, with flimsy pages that easily tore. The design was also underwhelming, lacking any artistic representation or engaging visuals. Furthermore, there was minimal information provided about the significance of the dates included in the calendar. Overall, I found this calendar to be a major letdown and would not recommend it to others.
- Sarah - 2 stars - As someone who is interested in Norse paganism, I was eager to have a calendar that could help me connect with the traditions and rituals of this ancient culture. However, the Old Norse Pagan Calendar for 2023 fell short of my expectations. The information provided was limited to the dates of specific holidays and lacked any real depth or context. Additionally, the design was rather uninspiring and did not capture the mystique and beauty of Norse mythology. Overall, I found this calendar to be lacking in substance and would not purchase it again.