The witchy winter coat is a fashionable and stylish outerwear option for those looking to embrace their mystical side during the colder months. It is a coat inspired by witchcraft and incorporates elements of dark fantasy and magic. The witchy winter coat typically features a long and flowing silhouette, often reaching down to the calves or even to the floor. This length gives the coat an ethereal and enchanting look, creating a sense of drama and mystery. The coat is usually made from a heavy and warm fabric, such as wool or faux fur, to ensure maximum coziness during the chilly winter days. One of the key features of the witchy winter coat is its dramatic and exaggerated collar.
[15] Tamara Prosic, Development and Symbolism of Passover (London; New York: T&T Clark, 2004), 84.
But on the specific question of the dating of Christ s birth pagan traditions cannot be definitively demonstrated to have had any bearing; rather it was Jewish custom that more plausibly determined the date. Internet fact checker Snopes agrees; Christmas was invented to provide an alternative to the celebrations of Mithraism, a rival pagan religion which threatened Christianity.
One of the key features of the witchy winter coat is its dramatic and exaggerated collar. This collar can be oversized, adorned with fur, or even transformed into a hood reminiscent of a witch's pointed hat. The collar serves not only to add extra warmth but also to create an air of mystique and elegance to the overall design.
Why December 25?
It's very tough for us North Americans to imagine Mary and Joseph trudging to Bethlehem in anything but, as Christina Rosetti memorably described it, "the bleak mid-winter," surrounded by "snow on snow on snow." To us, Christmas and December are inseparable. But for the first three centuries of Christianity, Christmas wasn't in December—or on the calendar anywhere.
If observed at all, the celebration of Christ's birth was usually lumped in with Epiphany (January 6), one of the church's earliest established feasts. Some church leaders even opposed the idea of a birth celebration. Origen (c.185-c.254) preached that it would be wrong to honor Christ in the same way Pharaoh and Herod were honored. Birthdays were for pagan gods.
Not all of Origen's contemporaries agreed that Christ's birthday shouldn't be celebrated, and some began to speculate on the date (actual records were apparently long lost). Clement of Alexandria (c.150-c.215) favored May 20 but noted that others had argued for April 18, April 19, and May 28. Hippolytus (c.170-c.236) championed January 2. November 17, November 20, and March 25 all had backers as well. A Latin treatise written around 243 pegged March 21, because that was believed to be the date on which God created the sun. Polycarp (c.69-c.155) had followed the same line of reasoning to conclude that Christ's birth and baptism most likely occurred on Wednesday, because the sun was created on the fourth day.
The eventual choice of December 25, made perhaps as early as 273, reflects a convergence of Origen's concern about pagan gods and the church's identification of God's son with the celestial sun. December 25 already hosted two other related festivals: natalis solis invicti (the Roman "birth of the unconquered sun"), and the birthday of Mithras, the Iranian "Sun of Righteousness" whose worship was popular with Roman soldiers. The winter solstice, another celebration of the sun, fell just a few days earlier. Seeing that pagans were already exalting deities with some parallels to the true deity, church leaders decided to commandeer the date and introduce a new festival.
Western Christians first celebrated Christmas on December 25 in 336, after Emperor Constantine had declared Christianity the empire's favored religion. Eastern churches, however, held on to January 6 as the date for Christ's birth and his baptism. Most easterners eventually adopted December 25, celebrating Christ's birth on the earlier date and his baptism on the latter, but the Armenian church celebrates his birth on January 6. Incidentally, the Western church does celebrate Epiphany on January 6, but as the arrival date of the Magi rather than as the date of Christ's baptism.
Another wrinkle was added in the 16th century when Pope Gregory devised a new calendar, which was unevenly adopted. The Eastern Orthodox and some Protestants retained the Julian calendar, which meant they celebrated Christmas 13 days later than their Gregorian counterparts. Most—but not all—of the Christian world now agrees on the Gregorian calendar and the December 25 date.
The pagan origins of the Christmas date, as well as pagan origins for many Christmas customs (gift-giving and merrymaking from Roman Saturnalia; greenery, lights, and charity from the Roman New Year; Yule logs and various foods from Teutonic feasts), have always fueled arguments against the holiday. "It's just paganism wrapped with a Christian bow," naysayers argue. But while kowtowing to worldliness must always be a concern for Christians, the church has generally viewed efforts to reshape culture—including holidays—positively. As a theologian asserted in 320, "We hold this day holy, not like the pagans because of the birth of the sun, but because of him who made it."
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This is supported even by more scholarly online sources such as The Conversation, "an independent source of news and views, sourced from the academic and research community".
Another common characteristic of the witchy winter coat is its intricate and ornate detailing. This can include embroidered symbols, intricate lace panels, or even patterns inspired by pagan or occult symbols. These details add a touch of magic and whimsy to the coat, further enhancing its witchy aesthetic. In terms of color palette, the witchy winter coat often embraces darker shades such as black, charcoal gray, deep burgundy, or rich jewel tones. These colors are associated with mysticism and magic, adding to the overall enchanting vibe of the coat. The witchy winter coat is a versatile piece that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion. It can be paired with a flowing maxi dress and heeled boots for a formal and witchy evening look, or with skinny jeans and ankle boots for a more casual yet enchanting daytime outfit. Overall, the witchy winter coat is a must-have for those who want to channel their inner witch and embrace their love for all things magical during the colder months. It is a statement piece that adds a touch of mystery, elegance, and whimsy to any winter wardrobe. So embrace your inner sorceress and let the witchy winter coat cast its spell on your style..
Reviews for "Spellbinding Fashion: Witchy Winter Coats to Make a Statement"
1. Sarah - ★☆☆☆☆
I was extremely disappointed with the "Witchy winter coat". Firstly, the material felt cheap and not at all suitable for winter. It provided no warmth whatsoever and seemed to be made of thin polyester. Secondly, the fit was completely off. Despite ordering my usual size, the coat was both too tight in some areas and too loose in others. The overall design was also unflattering and did not look like the picture at all. I would not recommend this coat to anyone.
2. Mark - ★★☆☆☆
I had high hopes for the "Witchy winter coat" based on the positive reviews, but I was let down. The coat arrived with a strange chemical odor that didn't fade even after I tried airing it out. It made me question the quality of the material used. Additionally, the coat lacked functional features like a hood or enough pockets for storage. It was a pretty average coat overall, and definitely not worth the price tag. I won't be purchasing from this brand again.
3. Emily - ★★☆☆☆
I was really looking forward to receiving the "Witchy winter coat" as I loved the style in the photos. However, when it arrived, the colors were nowhere near as vibrant as portrayed online. The actual coat had a dullness to it that made it look cheaper than I had hoped. Furthermore, the stitching was sloppy in some areas, and I noticed loose threads upon closer inspection. Overall, the quality just didn't meet my expectations, and I wouldn't recommend this coat to others.
4. Daniel - ★☆☆☆☆
I found the "Witchy winter coat" to be highly scratchy and uncomfortable to wear. Despite being advertised as suitable for winter, it didn't provide any insulation or warmth. The coat's sizing was also misleading as it ran extremely large, making me look like I was swimming in it. Additionally, the coat had no shape or structure, which didn't flatter my figure at all. It's safe to say that this coat was a major disappointment, and I regret purchasing it.