Connecting with the Earth's Rhythms in the Wiccan Calendar

Wicca is a modern pagan religious movement that focuses on witchcraft and nature worship. One important aspect of Wicca is the use of a calendar that revolves around the cycles of the moon and the changing seasons. The Wiccan calendar is divided into eight Sabbats or holidays, which are celebrated throughout the year. The Wiccan calendar follows a solar and lunar cycle, with the eight Sabbats marking the turning points of the seasons. The first Sabbat is Imbolc, celebrated on February 2nd, which marks the beginning of spring and the start of the agricultural year. It is a time to celebrate the returning light and the awakening of the earth.

Voices of Horror has an eclectic dramaturgy: unsurprisingly, since Werner is a comedian, clown and ventriloquist, it draws on improvisation, audience participation, ‘muppet-style puppetry and some expert voice-throwing to pay a very silly homage to such films as The Exorcist and The Conjuring. Brew the Witch (a puppet) and Lachy (Werner) throw a séance, and the inevitable relationship between ventriloquism and demonic possession makes it more than a night to remember.

Voices of Horror has an eclectic dramaturgy unsurprisingly, since Werner is a comedian, clown and ventriloquist, it draws on improvisation, audience participation, muppet-style puppetry and some expert voice-throwing to pay a very silly homage to such films as The Exorcist and The Conjuring. Over the course of that hour-long improvised session, I realized that Onyx has been a way for me to process a lot of things from my childhood and deal with a lot of anxiety, fears, and insecurities.

It is a time to celebrate the returning light and the awakening of the earth. The next Sabbat is Ostara, celebrated on the spring equinox, around March 21st. It is a time of balance between light and dark, and a celebration of the arrival of spring.

Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel head into the forest in search of food—but they almost end up as tasty treats themselves when they start nibbling on the deliciously edible house of a very nasty witch!

Look for a happy ending and “larger-than-life puppets that steal the show in a fantasyland production that’s all sugar and spice.”—Los Angeles Times

With his vocal prowess and charisma, countertenor Kangmin Justin Kim “is an utter sensation” (Süddeutsche Zeitung); emerging star Elena Villalón has won scores of prestigious competitions; and Patricia Racette is one of today’s most riveting singing actresses who’ll eat up the stage as both the Mother and the Witch!

“A fantasy world that audiences will be happy to join.”—Los Angeles Times

Music Director Emmanuel Villaume conducts this production from LA Opera.

$25 tickets for children ages 6-17! (excludes Box seats)

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Hansel and Gretel is a Production of Los Angeles Opera. Production, Set Design, and Costumes by Douglas Fitch.

Show Details

Language

Sung in English with English Titles

Running Time

The performance will be approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes including one intermission.

Rating

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Cast

Kangmin Justin Kim

Elena Villalón

Patricia Racette

Mark Delavan

Lindsay Metzger

Gabrielle Gilliam

Kayleigh Eidson

Silken Kelly

J. Alexander Langley

Keon K. Nickie

Creative Team

Emmanuel Villaume

Doug Fitch

Duane Schuler

Eric Watkins

Austin Spangler

Kimberley Ahrens

Greater Dallas Choral Society

David Zimmerman

Synopsis

ACT ONE

Hansel and Gretel are at home, working to earn some money for their poor family: Hansel makes brooms and Gretel is mending things. The children are hungry and distracted, especially Hansel. Gretel tells her brother that their mother has hinted that she expects to sell enough brooms to buy food. With the prospect of something for supper, both children are more animated.

Their mother Gertrude returns, angry at how little they have done while she was gone. Unable to conceal her irritation, she knocks the pitcher of milk onto the floor, and dinner is lost. Despondent, she sends the children into the forest to find something to eat. Their father Peter returns from a successful day selling brooms, with baskets full of food. When Peter notices that the children aren’t there, Gertrude explains that she sent them into the forest. Frightened, Peter tells his wife that he heard the townspeople speak of a witch living in the woods, who turns children into gingerbread by burning them alive in her oven. Both parents rush into the forest to search for the children.

Hansel and Gretel gather mushrooms and berries in the forest. Unable to resist playing, however, Hansel falls on their baskets, destroying them and crushing their food. As night falls, the forest becomes scarier, and the children realize that they are lost. Every noise and shadow frightens the children. The Sandman appears, dusting their eyes with sand, causing them to grow tired. The children say their evening prayers and fall asleep together beneath the trees.

ACT TWO

An orchestral interlude introduces a new day. The Dew Fairy arrives to awaken Hansel and Gretel. The children are groggy at first, but delight overcomes them when they discover a gingerbread house decorated with every sort of candy imaginable. As they nibble at bits of the house, the Witch approaches, first inviting them inside gently. When the children refuse, the Witch uses her black magic to keep them there. It becomes frighteningly clear to the children that they are on the evening’s menu. The Witch feeds Hansel, casting a spell that causes him to grow until he is plump enough to roast. While the Witch flies around the house excitedly on her broomstick, Gretel uses one of the Witch’s spells to enable Hansel to move. When the Witch orders Gretel to follow Hansel into the oven, the girl pretends not to know how and asks the Witch to show her. Leaning into the oven, the Witch falls for the children’s trap: they shove her inside. All of the Witch’s spells are broken, and the children who had been baked to make the gingerbread house return to life. Hansel and Gretel’s courage and bravery are celebrated by the other children. Peter and Gertrude come upon the scene and are happily reunited with Hansel and Gretel. Everybody celebrates the children’s triumph.

Courtesy of LA Opera

“It’s so weird because there’ll be an Onyx joke that he loves something that I actually hate,” Bowser tells us. But most of the Onyx jokes are that he loves something that I also love and maybe feels a bit of shame around loving, or it’s a guilty pleasure. But for Onyx, it can be very much not guilty. It’s different. He’ll be into a band that I think is kind of corny, but then he’ll love The Crow , which I also love. Yeah, so it’s different with every interest of his.”

This is followed by Beltane, celebrated on May 1st, which marks the beginning of summer and is a time of fertility and abundance. Midsummer, or Litha, is celebrated on the summer solstice, around June 21st. It is a time to celebrate the power of the sun and the abundance of the earth. Lammas, celebrated on August 1st, marks the first harvest and the beginning of the descent into autumn. The Sabbat of Mabon, celebrated on the autumn equinox, around September 21st, is a time to give thanks for the harvest and prepare for the coming winter. Samhain, celebrated on October 31st, marks the end of the old year and the beginning of the new. It is a time to honor ancestors and communicate with the spirit world. The final Sabbat is Yule, celebrated on the winter solstice, around December 21st. It is the longest night of the year and marks the beginning of winter. It is a time to celebrate the return of the sun and the promise of new life. In addition to the Sabbats, Wiccans also observe Esbats, which are celebrations of the full moon. These occur roughly every 29.5 days and serve as a time for magic and spiritual practice. The Wiccan calendar wheel is a representation of the cycles of nature and the changing seasons. It serves as a guide for Wiccans to connect with the natural world and celebrate the turning points of the year. By aligning their rituals and practices with the calendar, Wiccans can create a deeper connection with the earth and the divine..

Reviews for "Tarot and the Wicca Calendar Wheel: Insights and Guidance"

1. John - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy the "Wicca Calendar Wheel" at all. The content felt repetitive, and the information provided was very basic and generic. I was hoping for more in-depth explanations or insights into Wiccan practices, but I didn't find anything substantial in this calendar. The illustrations were also underwhelming and didn't enhance the overall experience. I would not recommend this calendar to anyone looking for a deeper understanding of Wicca.

2. Emily - 1 star - The "Wicca Calendar Wheel" was a huge disappointment for me. The design and layout were confusing and cluttered, making it difficult to navigate and find the specific information I was looking for. Additionally, the calendar lacked any meaningful descriptions or explanations of the celebrations and rituals associated with Wicca. Instead, it mostly consisted of brief, surface-level descriptions that left me unsatisfied. Overall, this was not a useful or informative calendar for someone interested in Wicca.

3. Mark - 2 stars - As someone who has been practicing Wicca for years, I found the "Wicca Calendar Wheel" to be extremely basic and lacking in substance. The information provided was very introductory and didn't offer anything new or insightful. I was hoping for a calendar that would provide more in-depth information about the different Sabbats and their corresponding rituals, but this calendar fell short. Additionally, the illustrations were not visually appealing, and the overall design was lackluster. I wouldn't recommend this calendar to anyone looking for a comprehensive guide to practicing Wicca.

4. Stephanie - 2 stars - I was disappointed with the "Wicca Calendar Wheel" as it didn't live up to my expectations. The information provided was very surface-level and didn't delve into the rich history and traditions of Wicca. The illustrations were also mediocre and didn't enhance the overall aesthetic of the calendar. I would have preferred a more comprehensive and informative calendar that catered to both beginners and experienced practitioners. Unfortunately, this calendar did not meet those expectations.

The Wiccan Calendar: Infusing Everyday Life with Magic