Wicca is a modern pagan witchcraft religion that follows the cycles of nature and the seasons. The Wiccan calendar, also known as the Wheel of the Year, represents the eight major holidays or Sabbats celebrated by Wiccans throughout the year. These Sabbats are divided into two categories: the Greater Sabbats, also known as the Cross Quarter Days, and the Lesser Sabbats, also known as the Quarter Days. The Wheel of the Year begins with Samhain, which is celebrated on October 31st. This Sabbat marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. It is a time when the veil between the spirit world and the physical world is believed to be the thinnest, allowing for communication with ancestors and departed loved ones.
Which I immediately filled up with all the yarn that came in the past few days. It really isn’t an addiction. Of course I’ll live long enough to actually use it all… Stop laughing dear readers, stop laughing…
I m not exactly sure what I m going to send, but I want more choices than I have, from what I ve made in the last two years, and I d love for this puzzle inspired fabric to be one of them. I do a LOT of jigsaw puzzles you can see some of my favorites here and in the past few months, I started getting more and more messages suggesting I try out a Magic Puzzle.
It is a time when the veil between the spirit world and the physical world is believed to be the thinnest, allowing for communication with ancestors and departed loved ones. Following Samhain is Yule, celebrated on the winter solstice, usually around December 21st. This Sabbat marks the shortest day and longest night of the year.
Tag: Magic Puzzle Company
It has been a colorful couple of weeks. I warped up another Structo, this time with a summer/winter motif, that can explore the many ways to manipulate the tie-down threads to create different looks. I just did the first one, in brick formation, and this just made me smile, in the bleak mid winter days of February. I love the black background.
Over the weekend, I taught a two day remote class, actually it was one day, spread over two afternoons, with a group in California. I just marvel that I can wake up in NJ, do my usual morning routine, work a bit in the studio, flip on the computer and guide a dozen women 3000 miles away through a project. They were an enthusiastic group, and had some wonderful scraps, leftovers and workshop samples to play with. And one woman described how much the project made her smile when she remembered each bit of fabric, handwoven or otherwise, and the story behind it. I think I should call these memory mats. Anyway, here is a sampling. Photos are still rolling in!
If your guild is interested in this workshop, here is a link to the prospectus.
The Magic Puzzle Company, which inspired a fabric I wove this time last year, in spite of a broken shoulder, issued three more puzzles in the series. We dove into the first one, and I grabbed the poster and ran off to the studio with it. The colors were glorious, and perfect for the grey days of winter, and I knew I was jumping into the deep end on the next project.
I pulled as much yarn as I could fit on the counter, almost all of it is hand-dyed, except for a couple of commercial coned yarn fill ins and some extreme novelties, which I toss in here and there.
I used the draft from the puzzle fabric I did last year, converting it from 12 shafts to 8, because the floor loom I want to put it on is the only one that’s free. My daughter commandeered the 12 shaft loom! Because I’m using so many different weights of yarn and so many different structures, all requiring different setts, I carefully printed out the threading sequence, added yarn samples, and outlined a custom sett, which was important to know how many inches this baby would take up, since the loom was only 25″ wide. The number of ends is misleading, and the sett is an average of about 27epi, but it depends…
And then I started winding. I did five different 8 yard chains, each with about 5″ worth of warp.
And here they are all together waiting to be sleyed through the reed.
I had just the best time this week, carefully working from the skeins directly to the warping board, taping the ends to the mill frame instead of knotting, less waste and quicker, as I changed warp ends, sometimes every thread. Though I had a plan, often I deviated a bit with the color or blend of colors, throwing in a novelty here and there. It is the most creative I get in the weaving process and it is so much fun to see it all come together. I can’t wait to get this sleyed, threaded and beamed, and try the first couple of inches. I can’t imagine I’ll hate it, there is just too much fun color, but you never know…
So stay tuned to see how this goes…
Wiccans celebrate the rebirth of the Sun God and the return of light during this time. Imbolc, celebrated on February 2nd, is the next Sabbat in the Wiccan calendar. It marks the beginning of spring and is associated with purification and cleansing. It is also a time to honor the Celtic goddess Brigid. Ostara, celebrated on the spring equinox, usually around March 21st, is a Sabbat that focuses on the balance between light and dark. Wiccans celebrate the arrival of spring and the awakening of the Earth after winter. Beltane, celebrated on May 1st, is the next Sabbat in the Wiccan calendar. It is a time to celebrate fertility and the union of the God and Goddess. Wiccans often participate in rituals and ceremonies to honor the Earth's abundance and growth during this time. Following Beltane is Litha, celebrated on the summer solstice around June 21st. This Sabbat marks the longest day and shortest night of the year. It is a time to celebrate the Sun God at the peak of his power and the abundance of the Earth during summer. Lammas, celebrated on August 1st, is the next Sabbat in the Wiccan calendar. It marks the first harvest and is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the Earth. Wiccans often create corn dollies and participate in feasts and rituals to honor the harvest. Finally, Mabon, celebrated on the autumn equinox around September 21st, marks the second harvest. It is a time to give thanks for the fruits of our labor and to prepare for the upcoming winter. Wiccans often focus on balance during this Sabbat and honor the God and Goddess in their roles as the Sun and the Harvest. Overall, the Wiccan calendar reflects the cyclical nature of life and the importance of honoring the seasons and the Earth. Wiccans celebrate these Sabbats through rituals, ceremonies, and gatherings that connect them to the natural world and the divine energies that reside within it..
Reviews for "Harnessing the power of the Wicca calendar wheel"
1. John Doe - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with the "Wicca Calendar Wheel". The content was shallow and lacked depth. It felt more like a generic calendar with a few Wiccan symbols slapped on it rather than an insightful and informative resource for Wicca practitioners. The information provided was not comprehensive and left me wanting more. Furthermore, the design and artwork were uninspiring and did not capture the essence of Wicca. Overall, I would not recommend this calendar to anyone looking for a meaningful and enriching Wiccan experience.
2. Jane Smith - 2 stars
As an avid Wiccan practitioner, I was excited to get my hands on the "Wicca Calendar Wheel". However, it failed to live up to my expectations. The calendar lacks practical guidance and useful information on Wiccan rituals, holidays, and practices. The artwork is mediocre and fails to evoke any spiritual connection. The layout is cluttered and confusing, making it difficult to navigate and use as a reference. I believe there are better options available in the market for Wicca practitioners, and I would not recommend this calendar for serious practitioners looking for a valuable tool.
3. Sarah Johnson - 2 stars
I found the "Wicca Calendar Wheel" to be quite disappointing. The content was basic and repetitive, offering nothing new or insightful. The design was lackluster, and the artwork felt amateurish and poorly executed. The information provided felt shallow and did not go into depth about various Wiccan practices or traditions. Overall, I would not recommend this calendar to anyone looking for a comprehensive and meaningful Wiccan resource. There are better options available that provide a more enriching and informative experience.