The celebration of the winter solstice is an important event in pagan beliefs. Paganism is a broad term that encompasses various spiritual practices, but many pagans share a reverence for nature and the cycles of the seasons. The winter solstice, which typically falls on December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. It symbolizes the rebirth of the sun and the gradual return of light. In pagan beliefs, the winter solstice is often seen as a time of renewal and new beginnings. It is a time to honor the darkness and embrace the promise of light.
Francesca Flores is a writer, traveler and linguist. Raised in Pittsburgh, she read every fantasy book she could get her hands on and started writing her own stories at a young age. She began writing Diamond City while working as a corporate travel manager. When she's not writing or reading, Francesca enjoys traveling, dancing ballet and jazz, practicing trapeze and contortion, and visiting parks and trails around San Francisco, where she currently resides.
Until one night two years ago, vampires broke through the magical barrier protecting their town, and in the ensuing attack, Kaye s mother was killed, and Ava was turned into a vampire. Until one night two years ago, vampires broke through the magical barrier protecting their town, and in the ensuing attack, Kaye s mother was killed, and Ava was turned into a vampire.
It is a time to honor the darkness and embrace the promise of light. Some pagans celebrate this day by lighting candles or bonfires to symbolize the returning sun. They may also participate in rituals and ceremonies that focus on letting go of the past and manifesting intentions for the future.
The Witch and the Vampire by Francesca Flores
The Witch and the Vampire by Francesca Flores is a young adult, queer Rapunzel retelling set in a fantasy world where witches and vampires coexist. The novel follows Ava and Kaye, who used to be best friends until the fateful night when Kaye’s mother was murdered and Ava was turned into a vampire against her will. Struggling to overcome their own personal traumas, their relationship is tested when they must put aside their differences to confront a looming threat against their community. With its blend of romance, adventure, and suspense, this novel delves into a supernatural realm of magic made thorny by the prickly complexities of family loyalties.
I can’t accept it as coincidence that Ava disappeared that same day, and I saw her with blood on her chin a few days later.
Francesca Flores, The Witch and the Vampire
While the premise is compelling, the pacing and worldbuilding is where this novel falls short. The story feels rushed and formulaic at times, with pivotal events unfolding too quickly, and plot twists being entirely too predictable. The combining of vampire and witch lore was initially intriguing, but I was constantly confused as to why only Ava was a vampire who retained her witch powers. Her mother keeps it a secret to use for her own benefit, but it’s never quite clear if Ava’s an anomaly, or if it’s common knowledge that she would have retained her powers due to how she was turned into a vampire.
I often found myself craving more details, especially when it came to why vampires and witches hate each other. I was looking for nuanced conversations or metaphors about the racial and species prejudices in this world, but all I got was a “fantasy” where those prejudices just get to exist without question. For instance, Kaye, who was told her mother was murdered by a vampire but has no other evidence to prove it, sees her best friend Ava in a tower with blood on her face a few days later and somehow decides Ava did it. She…allegedly murdered her best friend’s mother and just didn’t wash her face for days. And that’s all it takes to rewire Kaye’s entire personality. Uh…what? Make it make sense!
And speaking of Ava’s mother — the woman murders her own daughter and turns her into a vampire against her will, keeps her imprisoned, siphons off her power, and emotionally manipulates her. All that sounds incredibly traumatizing, especially since Ava makes the brave decision to run away and rescue herself from this life; however, Flores’ treatment of this storyline is flippant. It’s simply a passing detail, and is yet another aspect of the novel that I really would have liked to see fleshed out. What was her mother’s motive? Were there no warning signs for the first sixteen years of Ava’s life?
Had she stared at the same moon those long nights and wished to be with me too?
Francesca Flores, The Witch and the Vampire
On a positive note, I enjoyed Flores’ accessible writing, and particularly the beautiful prose as Ava and Kaye pine for one another. Whether it be for their lost friendship or their budding romance, it’s easy for readers to relate to the yearning and inner turmoil each girl experiences. Flores excels at illustrating this sapphic romance, and I especially enjoyed the parts in the first half of the book when the girls travel through the forest and skirt around each other after two years apart. However, I constantly had trouble telling Ava and Kaye apart! Maybe it’s just me, but I felt their personalities and voices often blended together, and the girls lacked the depth needed to truly resonate as fully developed characters.
The Witch and the Vampire is a one-dimensional, predictable sapphic romance, and the worldbuilding and pacing leaves much to be desired. I really wanted to love this book, but it was a letdown in almost every way. So much potential was left on the table, and the Rapunzel foundation of this retelling is almost an afterthought! (Honestly, it seems more like a Tangled retelling, though just barely.) A standalone novel simply doesn’t have the room Flores required to successfully weave the rich tapestry of the world she created. The potential for something truly immersive and captivating is there, but the execution simply is not.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for sharing an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
One well-known pagan celebration of the winter solstice is Yule. Yule is derived from the Norse word jól, which refers to a midwinter festival celebrated by the ancient Norse and Germanic peoples. Yule is still observed by many modern pagans today. It typically involves gathering with loved ones, feasting, exchanging gifts, and decorating homes with evergreen branches, holly, and mistletoe. These traditions stem from the belief that evergreens and other symbols of life and fertility can help chase away the darkness and bring blessings for the year ahead. Another significant celebration during the winter solstice is the Feast of Modranicht, which translates to "Mother's Night." This is a time to honor the goddesses associated with motherhood and the fertility of the Earth. It is a time to reflect on the nurturing and life-giving qualities of the divine feminine. Overall, the celebrations of the winter solstice in pagan beliefs are rich with symbolism and meaning. They emphasize the cyclical nature of life, the importance of embracing darkness and light, and the power of connection with nature and the divine. These celebrations provide an opportunity for pagans to come together, honor their spiritual beliefs, and welcome the return of the sun's light during the darkest time of the year..
Reviews for "Rituals of Renewal: Winter Solstice Celebrations in Pagan Belief Systems"
1. Emily - 1 star: This book was an absolute disappointment. As someone who is curious about different belief systems and their practices, I was excited to learn more about celebrations during the winter solstice in pagan belief. However, this book offered little to no information. The author barely scratched the surface and provided a very limited overview. I felt like I wasted my time and money on this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a comprehensive understanding of pagan beliefs and traditions during the winter solstice.
2. Alex - 2 stars: I was really looking forward to diving into the rich history and cultural significance of the winter solstice celebrations in pagan belief, but this book fell short of my expectations. While it did briefly touch upon some traditions, it lacked depth and detail. The writing style was dry and uninspiring, making it a struggle to stay engaged. I was left craving more information and a deeper exploration of the subject matter. Overall, I found it to be a missed opportunity for a fascinating topic.
3. Sarah - 2 stars: I found "Celebrations of the winter solstice in pagan belief" to be quite underwhelming. The content was scattered and lacked a cohesive flow. It felt more like a collection of random facts and anecdotes rather than a well-researched and structured exploration of pagan traditions during the winter solstice. I was left feeling unsatisfied and wanting more substance. If you're looking for a deep dive into this topic, I would suggest looking elsewhere.