Yesterday, while walking through my local home improvement store, I was taken aback by a peculiar sight. There, in the paint aisle, stood a witch on a broomstick. Wearing a pointy hat and a long black cloak, she seemed completely out of place among the shelves of brushes and rollers. As I approached her, curiosity got the best of me and I couldn't help but strike up a conversation. Surprisingly, she wasn't there to pick out colors for a cauldron or browse for enchanted wall decals. Instead, she explained that she was on a quest for the perfect broomstick handle.
Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal.
The term quarter days is derived from a system in the British Isles in which certain days, falling four times a year, and near the solstices and equinox dates, were marked as a time to collect rents, hire new servants, and resolve legal matters. Ostara Ostara is the time of the vernal equinox, and falls around March 22 if you live in the Northern Hemisphere around Sept 22 for Southern Hemisphere readers , and it s a true marker that Spring has come.
Instead, she explained that she was on a quest for the perfect broomstick handle. Apparently, witches were embracing the DIY spirit and getting into home improvement. She spoke animatedly about the importance of finding the right materials for her broomstick, explaining how it affected her performance and comfort during flights.
Australian Esoterica/Seasonal Festivals
eopagans and Wiccans observe eight festivals each year, known as Sabbats, which commemorate the annual cycle of seasons or phases of the sun and moon. This cycle is referred to as the Wheel of the Year, with festivities spaced at approximately even intervals throughout the calendar. Traditionally the festivals mark the solstices and equinoxes, and the times for planting and harvest of crops.
The Wheel of the Year is a modern development of Wicca and Neopaganism originating from traditional holidays observed by Pagan cultures of ancient Europe. No pre-Christian European cultures celebrated all eight Sabbats of the calendar, so the Wheel of the Year comprises a modern merging of traditional festivals from all over ancient Europe, with similarities to the ancient rituals often ending at their shared names alone.
Modern interpretations of ancient practices vary widely, therefore different groups may conceptualize and celebrate the Sabbats in very different ways, but the themes and meanings are generally similar. For some, the Wheel of the Year not only describes the continuous cycles of nature and time, but also the human progression through birth, life, decline and death. For many Wiccans, it represents the cycle of life, death, and rebirth of the Horned God and fertility of the Goddess.
Inspired by Gaelic fire festivals, the Cross-Quater Days (or Greater Sabbats) mark the beginning of each traditional season (as opposed to astronomical seasons) and fall approximately half-way between a solstice and an equinox. Generally, and mostly for convenience, the Greater Sabbats are celebrated on the first day of the season.
In British and Irish traditions of the Middle Ages, Quarter Days (or Lesser Sabbats) fell close to the two solstice and two equinox holidays. These were dates on which servants were hired, rents or rates were due, and magistrates would determine debts and resolve conflicts in outlying rural regions. In England today, leasehold payments and rents for business premises are often still due on the old English Quarter Days. The timing of these Lesser Sabbats are determined by the relationship of the Sun to the Earth so their dates deviate slightly each year.
Interestingly, the Sabbats fall closely to, or on the same dates, as eight points of the 24 Solar Terms in traditional lunisolar calendars that were developed independently in East Asia.
As seasons in the Southern Hemisphere are reversed to those of the North, so too is the Wheel of the Year. In Australia and New Zealand the long familiar "Christmas in July", though not an official holiday, is fitting evidence of efforts to suitably inverse Pagan festivals for the Southern regions.
The Celtics recognised that a new day began in the darkness, so too the start of a new year. Thus Samhain, the Celtic Feast of the Dead and beginning of Winter, is generally recognised as the first Sabbat of the year. Below, are the eight festivals and their dates, conveniently inversed for Southern Hemisphere practitioners of the craft.
I never knew there were so many considerations for witches when it came to broomstick handles – everything from wood type to ergonomic design. As I listened to her, it became apparent that this witch was not your stereotypical Halloween character. She was a serious craftsman, putting thought and effort into her chosen profession. The image of witches as spooky creatures that only appeared during October was shattered; they were real people who had hobbies, passions, and everyday needs, just like everyone else. This encounter left me with a newfound respect for witches and their commitment to their craft. It reminded me that we should never judge a book by its cover, or in this case, a witch by her broomstick. Behind the fantastical image lies a person with their own unique interests and desires. So, the next time you're in a home improvement store and happen to spot a witch on a broomstick, don't be quick to dismiss them as out of place. Take a moment to chat with them, to learn about their hidden talents and interests. You never know what you might discover and how it might change your perspective on the world..
Reviews for "Halloween Vibes: Witch Spotted Looking for DIY Supplies"
1. Alex - 1 star - I was really excited to read "Witch on a broomstick at a home improvement store" as I love magical stories. However, I was thoroughly disappointed with this book. The plot was weak and predictable, with very little character development. The writing itself was simplistic and lacked depth, making it difficult to become engaged in the story. Overall, I found it to be a uninteresting and forgettable read. I would not recommend it.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - The concept of having a witch in a home improvement store was intriguing, but the execution in this book fell flat. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth or relatability. The plot meandered aimlessly without a clear direction, making it hard to stay engaged. The writing style was also quite dry and lacked any real flair or creativity. While the book had potential, it ultimately failed to deliver an enjoyable reading experience for me. I wouldn't recommend it unless you're a die-hard fan of witches or home improvement stores.
3. Mark - 2 stars - I found "Witch on a broomstick at a home improvement store" to be a boring and uneventful read. The story lacked any real excitement or tension, and the main character, the witch, was portrayed as dull and uninteresting. The writing was also lacking in creativity and failed to draw me in. Overall, I was hoping for a more captivating and engaging story, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. I would not recommend it.