Once upon a course, there was a group of eager students who embarked on a journey of learning. They were filled with hope and excitement as they entered the classroom, ready to dive into new subjects and expand their knowledge. The course began with an introduction, setting the stage for what was to come. The students were introduced to the course syllabus, which outlined the topics that would be covered, along with the assignments and exams that awaited them. As the days turned into weeks, the students delved into the material with enthusiasm. They attended lectures, participated in group discussions, and pored over textbooks and articles.
They attended lectures, participated in group discussions, and pored over textbooks and articles. They formed study groups, seeking support and collaboration from their classmates. The course offered a variety of learning activities to keep the students engaged.
Names for Pagan Festivals
You might be wondering where the names of contemporary Pagan festivals come from, and why some of them them are controversial. Here’s a brief history of where they come from, and why it matters.
Beltane and Imbolc and Lughnasadh and Samhain are Irish and Scottish Gaelic names (the English names are May Day, Candlemas, Lammas, and Halloween or All Hallows Eve). Yule and Litha and Eostur are Anglo-Saxon names.
Imbolc or Candlemas
The name Imbolc is Irish and Scots Gaelic, and refers to the festival celebrating the goddess Brighid. Brighid was honoured in both Ireland and in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
The name Candlemas is English and refers to the many candles that were lit for the Catholic feast of the Purification of the Virgin.
Spring Equinox
Aidan Kelly made a list of festival names in the 1970s. He decided to call Spring Equinox “Ostara”. This was a conjectural name for the Spring Equinox and the goddess Eostre which was invented in the 19th century by the Brothers Grimm. Ancient cultures did not celebrate the Spring Equinox. The Christian festival of Easter (named some variant on Pascha everywhere else in Europe) is the first Sunday after the first full moon after Spring Equinox. The ancient Anglo-Saxon Pagan festival of Eostur was the fourth full moon of the year, and did not always fall near Easter. Early medieval converts to Christianity persisted in calling the festival by the old Pagan name. In the Druid tradition, this festival is named Alban Eilir (the Light of the Earth).
Beltane or May Day
Beltane or Beltainne (meaning “bright fire”) is the Irish and Scottish Gaelic name for the first of May. In England it was and is called May Day. The month of may was named after the Roman goddess Maia. The North of England had the custom of jumping over the Beltane fire and driving cattle between two fires on May Day. This was also the custom in Scotland and Ireland. The south of England celebrated with maypole dancing. The Midlands had the custom of May Games and creating a bower for Robin Hood and Maid Marian.
Litha or Midsummer
The name Litha for Midsummer is a genuinely old name, as that is what the Anglo-Saxons called it (the month of June was named Aerra Litha, before midsummer, and the month of July was named Aeftere Litha, after midsummer). I tend to just call it Midsummer though. In the Druid tradition, this festival is named Alban Hefin (The Light of the Shore).
Lammas or Lughnasadh
Lammas means ‘loaf-mass’ and is from Middle English. It is a celebration fo the corn harvest. Lughnasadh is a completely separate word and refers to the games established by the god Lugh in honour of his mother Tailtiu (pronounced Tahl-tee). Lammas and Lughnasadh are not interchangeable.
Autumn Equinox
The name Mabon was applied to Autumn Equinox by Aidan Kelly in the 1970s because he thought the Welsh story of Mabon ap Modron was similar to the Greek story of Demeter and Persephone which is often associated with the Autumn Equinox. This is an attempt to universalize mythology which is generally a bad move: myths are particular to their locale and culture. Also the Welsh god Mabon was and is nothing to do with the Autumn Equinox, which was not celebrated by ancient Pagans. Contemporary Pagans celebrate it as the time when day and night are equal. Some people relate it to the myth of Demeter and Persephone. It can also be seen as the fruit harvest. In the Druid tradition, this festival is named Alban Elfed (the Light of the Water).
Samhain, Hallowe’en, or All Hallows’ Eve
Samhain or Samhuinn (pronounced soween or saveen) is an Irish and Scottish name. All Hallows’ Eve and Hallowe’en are English names. It has been argued that the ancient Celtic Samhain was not a festival of the dead at all, but rather a celebration of the liberation of the People of Danaan from the Fomorians. The names Hallowe’en and All Hallows’ eve refer to it being the eve of the Christian festivals of All Saints and All Souls.
Yule or Midwinter
Yule is a very old name for the winter solstice and it is known as that (with various spellings) in many northern European cultures. It is not known exactly what the word means but it has been suggested that it means a turning point. The Anglo-Saxon name for this festival was Geola. The Anglo-Saxons also celebrated Modranecht or Mothers’ Night. In the Druid tradition, this festival is named Alban Arthan (the Light of Arthur).
They worked on projects, conducted experiments, and solved real-world problems. The instructor challenged them with thought-provoking questions and encouraged them to think critically and creatively. Along the way, the students faced challenges and obstacles. Some concepts were difficult to grasp, while others required hours of practice and repetition. But they persevered, seeking help when needed and pushing through the difficulties. As the course reached its midpoint, the students began to see the progress they had made. They had developed a deeper understanding of the subject matter and could apply their knowledge in practical ways. They started to feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in their work. The course also provided opportunities for personal growth. The students developed communication and teamwork skills as they collaborated on group projects. They honed their time management and organization skills to meet deadlines and balance multiple assignments. As the final weeks of the course approached, the students focused on review and preparation for the upcoming exams. They gathered their notes and created study guides, spending long hours in the library and their study spaces. They supported each other, quizzing and explaining concepts to ensure everyone was well-prepared. Finally, the day of the final exam arrived. The students entered the classroom with a mix of nervousness and confidence. They knew they had put in the effort and were ready to showcase their knowledge. As they wrote their answers, they felt a sense of accomplishment knowing how far they had come. With the course now over, the students reflected on their journey. They realized that this course had been more than just about gaining knowledge. It had taught them resilience, perseverance, and the value of hard work. They had formed new friendships, discovered their passions, and grown both academically and personally. Once upon a course, a group of students embarked on a journey that transformed their lives. They emerged as more knowledgeable, skilled, and confident individuals, ready to take on new challenges and continue their quest for lifelong learning..
Reviews for "The Curse of the Eternal Winter: A Battle against Nature"
1. Amanda - 2 stars - Once Upon a Curse was a disappointment for me. The storyline felt weak and predictable, and the characters were flat and lacked depth. I found it hard to connect with any of them. The writing style was also bland and lacked the creativity and imagination I was expecting from a fantasy novel. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and wouldn't recommend it to fellow readers looking for a gripping and captivating read.
2. Max - 2 stars - Once Upon a Curse failed to live up to the hype for me. The pacing was slow, and the plot seemed to meander without a clear direction. The world-building was also lacking, with little description or development of the fantasy realm. The characters, while initially intriguing, quickly became one-dimensional and fell into clichéd tropes. I struggled to stay engaged with the story and ultimately felt unsatisfied with the resolution. Overall, I found Once Upon a Curse to be forgettable and wouldn't recommend it to avid fantasy readers.
3. Sophie - 3 stars - Once Upon a Curse had some potential, but it fell short for me. The concept was interesting, blending fairy tale elements with a cursed world, but the execution lacked finesse. The writing was average at best, with clunky dialogue and repetitive descriptions. The romance subplot felt forced and underdeveloped, taking away from the main plot. While there were a few exciting moments, overall, the story failed to hold my attention. I wanted to like Once Upon a Curse more than I did, but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations.