Once upon a time, in a small village nestled deep in the woods, there lived an old witch. She was feared and shunned by the villagers, who believed she possessed dark and sinister powers. With her tattered black cloak, crooked nose, and piercing eyes, she looked every bit the part of a witch straight out of a fairy tale. Despite her unpleasant appearance and ominous reputation, the old witch had a secret desire for something simple and beautiful - a polka dot ribbon. She had seen the vibrant colored ribbons adorning the hair of young girls in the village and found them enchanting. The polka dots reminded her of a time when she was not feared and her heart was filled with joy.
When natural outdoor burial is not permitted, Wiccans encourage cremation and the burial of ashes. The deceased may be memorialized in a number of ways that are personal to the loved ones. Friends and family are often offered a portion of the cremains so that they may find their own way to memorialize the deceased.
Lighting incense, sage and myrrh during the memorial service can be a wonderful way to help your loved one s spirit connect with their matron patron deity. Wiccan customs are often misunderstood, so those opting for a Wiccan funeral and burial are encouraged to make their wishes for a funeral known well in advance of their death.
The polka dots reminded her of a time when she was not feared and her heart was filled with joy. Determined to have a polka dot ribbon of her own, the old witch set off on a quest. She ventured to a neighboring village, where a kindly old woman owned a small shop filled with trinkets and treasures.
Wiccan death and rebirth ceremony
Pagan rituals usually start with spiritual support during the dying process. The dying person is caressed, sung to and allowed to discuss their fears and feelings about their passing. This is radically different from the way in which most modern Americans die, and is probably a lot closer to the way our ancestors dealt with death.
Most Pagans believe in reincarnation in some form, so that death is seen as a change of form, a “shedding of the skin”, rather than the end. For this reason the snake that sheds its skin is viewed as a symbol of rebirth rather than as a symbol of evil or death. Pagans see life and death as two sides of one coin; one leads into the other, unendingly. Many Wiccan traditions believe that the souls of the dead rest for a while in an Otherworld called the “Summerland” where they are healed of the traumas of their last life before being born again. Death is not considered a personal stroke of bad fate. Those who die are comforted in the arms of the Goddess and given another chance next time.
Paganism involves the spiritual but non-religious worshipping of people, animals, plants, energies and the earth. The elements of fire, water, earth and air are associated with pagan rites. Most pagan funeral rites are therefore held outdoors in a beautiful, natural setting.
Many Pagan traditions prepare a special feast for the dead and invite them to come back and eat with us, a practice very similar to the Day of The Dead as it is still celebrated in Mexico.
The rituals are guided by an experienced Pagan practitioner. In such rituals, we sit in circles, recite the names of the dead and talk about their lives, their deaths, and the way we felt about them. Many Pagans act as if the dead were literally present and talk to them directly, perhaps also taking the opportunity to tell them things that we did not have the opportunity to say while they were alive. There may be moments during which sadness, tears, tension, anger and laughter are exhibited, but connecting with others in this manner can be very healing.
The rituals include invocations, silence and handling of sacred objects and are conducted in a meaningful atmosphere including fires, music, chanting and dance.
- VIP Funeral
- End of Life Party
- Gay/Lesbian GLBT Funerals
- Green Funeral
- Surfers Funeral
- New Orleans Jazz Funeral
- Japanese Obon Celebration
- Beloved Child’s Funeral
- Pagan Rituals
- Viking Funeral
- Buddhist Funeral
- Shamanic Funeral
- Native American Tribal Funeral
- Hindu Death Ritual
- Space Burial
2. Bring small statues of their matron/patron deities to the memorial service
The witch entered the shop, hoping to find the perfect ribbon to satisfy her longing. The old woman greeted the witch with kindness, sensing a sadness behind her fierce exterior. The witch timidly asked about the polka dot ribbons she had seen in the village. To her delight, the old woman led her to a small corner of the shop where a selection of ribbons was displayed. The witch's eyes lit up as she beheld a beautiful ribbon with red polka dots. She carefully picked it up, feeling the smooth texture and marveling at the vibrant colors. She knew she had found the perfect ribbon to bring a touch of joy to her life. As the witch paid for the ribbon and left the shop, she noticed the surprised expressions on the faces of the villagers she passed by. They couldn't believe that the feared witch had acquired something so innocent and delightful. Whispers spread throughout the village, and soon everyone knew about the old witch with the polka dot ribbon. Remarkably, the polka dot ribbon had a transformative effect on the old witch. The villagers started to see her in a new light, realizing that perhaps their assumptions had been misguided. They began to approach her, asking for her help and advice. With her heart no longer filled with bitterness and resentment, the witch discovered newfound happiness and purpose. She used her magical powers to benefit the villagers, mending broken hearts, recovering lost items, and bringing joy and laughter into their lives. The polka dot ribbon had not only fulfilled the witch's longing for something beautiful but had also opened the hearts of the villagers, showing them that appearances could be deceiving. The once feared and misunderstood old witch became a beloved and respected member of the community. From that day forward, the old witch continued to wear her polka dot ribbon as a symbol of her transformation and the power of harmony and acceptance. She taught the villagers valuable lessons about judgment and empathy, reminding them that even the most twisted and shunned among them could possess beauty and goodness. And so, the village learned to appreciate the old witch for who she truly was, rather than the monstrous figure they had imagined her to be. The old witch and her polka dot ribbon became a legend, inspiring generations to look beyond appearances and find the beauty in everyone they encountered..
Reviews for "From Curse to Blessing: The Old Witch's Journey with the Polka Dot Ribbon"
1. Amy - 1/5 stars - I really did not enjoy "Old witch and the polka dot ribbon". I found the story to be quite dull and uninteresting. The plot seemed to drag on and lacked any excitement. Additionally, I found the characters to be flat and unlikeable. I struggled to connect with any of them and couldn't bring myself to care about their outcomes. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. John - 2/5 stars - While "Old witch and the polka dot ribbon" had potential, I was left feeling unsatisfied with the overall execution. The story had an interesting premise, but it felt poorly developed and lacking in depth. The writing style was also not to my liking, with overly simplistic language and a lack of attention to detail. I felt disconnected from the story and struggled to stay engaged. Unfortunately, this book did not meet my expectations.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I was quite underwhelmed by "Old witch and the polka dot ribbon". The story had potential, but it never fully lived up to it. The pacing felt uneven, with slow and repetitive parts, and rushed resolutions. I also found the characters to be one-dimensional and lacked any real development. Overall, I felt that the book lacked depth and failed to fully captivate me. I will not be recommending this book to others.