In 2022, many people around the world will be celebrating various Pagan holidays. These holidays hold great significance for those who follow Paganism and often revolve around the cycles of nature and the changing seasons. Here are some notable Pagan holidays that will occur in 2022: 1. Imbolc (February 1st) - Imbolc marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It is a time to honor the awakening of the earth and the return of light. It is often associated with the goddess Brigid and is a time for purification and new beginnings.

Curse of the Werewolf

Martin takes a look at how spiritual power can turn humans into monsters.

Zeus turning Lycaon into a wolf; engraving by Hendrik Goltzius.

© Wikipedia In a quirky encounter in the Kukkuravatika Sutta, two ascetics ask the Buddha about the outcomes of their spiritual practices. The Buddha, all-knowing and aware of the karmic outcomes of all beings, tells them the obvious if unwelcome news. One of the ascetics has a spiritual practice that means that he behaves and lives like a dog, the other ascetic behaves and lives like an ox. No doubt this was part of a wider spiritual tradition of self-abnegation and privation that the Buddha himself also practiced before his Enlightenment. The bad news for these two was that for the dog-duty ascetic he would be reborn as a dog whilst for the ox-duty ascetic he would be reborn as an ox. Not the outcome for which they were hoping! Through this encounter the sutta is able to reinforce the Buddha’s own understanding of karma, that like produces like. However, if we look through the mirror of folklore and legends, we see that there are a number of reasons why a human may become an animal in form, and whilst it may not exactly reflect the doctrine of karma, it is remarkable just how often it is related to moral choices and behaviour. Take, for instance, King Lycaon, a bloody tyrant, who killed, cooked and served the flesh of his own son to the god Zeus to test the latter’s omniscience. Zeus was so appalled by this behaviour that he turned Lycaon into a wolf. Rather like the above story of the dog-duty ascetic, we can see that Lycaon, by imitating the behaviour of a wolf, ended up being one himself. Wolves are legendary creatures but what terrified our ancestors more than anything was their ‘legendary’ and notorious reputation for the taste of human flesh. In some cases, being turned into a wolf can be a test of ‘human-ness’ and self-control. Pliny the Elder tells the story of a certain tribe in Arcadia (an area in the Peloponnese). Once a year one of the young men is chosen by lot. He is led to a marsh where he takes off his human clothes, crosses the marsh and takes on the form of a wolf. He must live with the wolf pack who inhabit the marsh for nine years (a magical number, like three or seven). If he can refrain from eating human flesh then he can return to his human form. If not then he is forever wolf. In this story there is a line drawn that seems to say that, even if circumstances take us out of the human realm, the outcome is mediated by our ethical choices whilst in adversity. But, if we succumb to them, then we can lose our human soul and be forever trapped by an animal soul or require a greater power to free us. One of the methods used to free a wolf, or its more contemporary counterpart, the werewolf, was exorcism. The Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung, commented that early man fought a long struggle in order to develop what he called ‘human’ consciousness out of the more instinctual ground from which all consciousness arises. And that there is a perennial threat that this hard-won consciousness can be lost. Hence the line drawn about breaking the taboo around cannibalism. If there is such a crossing of the line out of our human consciousness, then a more powerful spiritual force will be needed since the human-person is lost when such a transgression takes place. In terms of Zen training, this is warned about in the Bull Herding pictures at picture number seven. At this point, there is a merging of this more instinctual nature with the human, called ‘Bull Forgotten, Man Remains’. The danger comes, not from the Bull, but from the herdsman. If the attachment to ‘me’ and ‘mine’ & ‘myself’ is not sufficiently softened then the power of that instinctual life is warped away from the fully-human to the ego and the result is the ‘Bull-man’, a charismatic but essentially narcissistic personality. Such beings often leave a trail of destruction in their wake, including themselves - a cursed state indeed! Hence why this gentling process has to be so thorough before this transformation can take place. Master Daiyu once told of someone from Daitokuji who had been recently promoted to the position of jiki jitsu. Despite this elevation he was not sure about it. So he decided to leave and re-start his training as a novice monk at a new training establishment. He had to undergo the hard entrance begging and endure being a first-year monk once more. Once this was over, he came back and this time took up his position. Master Daiyu commented that the difference in him was quite clear and that there was a quiet strength about him that was present in all circumstances. Such is the importance of ensuring this thoroughness in the training. In the end the Bull is gentled not by force- the herdsman is always less strong than the Bull- instead it is by gaining trust and this means being able to let-go and truly lay myself down.

The transformative power of curses in folklore

Created on 20 Sep, 2023

A young girl's life is turned upside down when she discovers a mysterious curse that transforms her body, forcing her to adjust to her new reality.

Sir Richard (Male Voice)

Nina had always been an ordinary girl. She lived a simple life in the small town of Halloway where everyone knew each other's names. Now she was 18 years old, but something strange started to happen with her.

Nina would transform into a mature woman in a business suit. This wasn't the part that worried her, but the transformation was agonizing. Each cell in her body would rearrange itself, and it was a painful process.

The crux was the suit never adjusted to her size. An adult-sized suit on her teenage body was hilarious and cumbersome. She would waddle around like a penguin whenever she had to walk.

The shoes were the worst part. Every step was a struggle. So, one day, she had an epiphany and decided to do away with the shoes. She would be the barefooted businesswoman.

Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Nina had a positive attitude. She was determined to adjust to this new life, to this strange curse. She refused to let it dampen her spirit.

As weeks passed, Nina became adept at navigating her transformations. She would always be prepared with a baggy suit, and she had perfected her barefoot stride.

Nina's strange story became a legend in Halloway. People admired her resilience. She was the same cheerful girl, only now with a little mystery added.

Amidst this chaos, Nina forgot to consider one vital aspect - the cause of her curse. A mystery that had yet to be solved. A mystery she knew she had to unravel.

Friends often suggested breaking the curse, but Nina was reluctant. In its weird way, the curse had become a part of her life. But now, she had to find its root cause.

The mystery surrounding the curse intrigued everyone. However, no one had any inkling about its origins. It was as if the curse had just dropped from the sky.

Nina spent nights researching old town records and folklore. She even visited local mystics for their insight. She was determined to unfold the mystery of her curse.

Her meticulous research led her to an ancient tale about a cursed coin. According to the legend, possession of this coin resulted in temporary transformations.

She vaguely remembered picking up an antique coin a few days before the transformations began. Could it be the cursed coin from the tale? She had to find out.

Her investigation led her to a reclusive old woman known for her knowledge about curses. Her name was Marlene, the town's unofficial historian and mystic.

Marlene examined the coin and her suspicions were correct. It was indeed the cursed coin. Marlene explained that to remove the curse, Nina had to willingly pass on the coin.

The thought of passing the curse to someone else seemed cruel to Nina. She was conflicted. Her dilemma was whether to endure or transfer her plight to an unknowing individual.

Wrestling with her conscience, she decided to keep the coin. She couldn't bear the thought of another person suffering as she had. She had made her decision.

Nina accepted her transformed life with the business suit and the barefoot strides. There was a strange comfort in the routine she had established.

Time passed, and with it, the frequency of her transformations began to lessen. It seemed like the coin's power was slowly diminishing. Or maybe, the curse was changing.

One day, her transformations stopped altogether. The curse was finally broken. The relief was enormous, yet a part of her missed her unusual life.

Nina was now just an ordinary girl again. But she knew she was much more than that. She was a survivor, a fighter, a barefoot businesswoman.

She placed the ancient coin in a glass case, a symbol of her extraordinary journey. It was a part of her, a constant reminder of her strength and determination.

Nina now understood the power of acceptance and adaptation. The curse had taught her to adapt and to find joy even in the most challenging situations.

She was no longer the ordinary girl from Halloway. She was Nina, the girl who defied fate and embraced change. And she was proud of the woman she had become.

Nina's story became a beacon of hope for the people of Halloway. It reminded them that every curse could be a blessing if one had the right attitude towards it.

Did you like this story?

Share it with your friends
and family on social media!

Comments

No comments yet.

If you liked that, we think you'll like:

A young girl's life is turned upside down when she discovers a mysterious curse that transforms her body, forcing her to adjust to her new reality.

Nina had always been an ordinary girl. She lived a simple life in the small town of Halloway where everyone knew each other's names. Now she was 18 years old, but something strange started to happen with her.

Nina would transform into a mature woman in a business suit. This wasn't the part that worried her, but the transformation was agonizing. Each cell in her body would rearrange itself, and it was a painful process.

The crux was the suit never adjusted to her size. An adult-sized suit on her teenage body was hilarious and cumbersome. She would waddle around like a penguin whenever she had to walk.

The shoes were the worst part. Every step was a struggle. So, one day, she had an epiphany and decided to do away with the shoes. She would be the barefooted businesswoman.

Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Nina had a positive attitude. She was determined to adjust to this new life, to this strange curse. She refused to let it dampen her spirit.

As weeks passed, Nina became adept at navigating her transformations. She would always be prepared with a baggy suit, and she had perfected her barefoot stride.

Nina's strange story became a legend in Halloway. People admired her resilience. She was the same cheerful girl, only now with a little mystery added.

Amidst this chaos, Nina forgot to consider one vital aspect - the cause of her curse. A mystery that had yet to be solved. A mystery she knew she had to unravel.

Friends often suggested breaking the curse, but Nina was reluctant. In its weird way, the curse had become a part of her life. But now, she had to find its root cause.

The mystery surrounding the curse intrigued everyone. However, no one had any inkling about its origins. It was as if the curse had just dropped from the sky.

Nina spent nights researching old town records and folklore. She even visited local mystics for their insight. She was determined to unfold the mystery of her curse.

Her meticulous research led her to an ancient tale about a cursed coin. According to the legend, possession of this coin resulted in temporary transformations.

She vaguely remembered picking up an antique coin a few days before the transformations began. Could it be the cursed coin from the tale? She had to find out.

Her investigation led her to a reclusive old woman known for her knowledge about curses. Her name was Marlene, the town's unofficial historian and mystic.

Marlene examined the coin and her suspicions were correct. It was indeed the cursed coin. Marlene explained that to remove the curse, Nina had to willingly pass on the coin.

The thought of passing the curse to someone else seemed cruel to Nina. She was conflicted. Her dilemma was whether to endure or transfer her plight to an unknowing individual.

Wrestling with her conscience, she decided to keep the coin. She couldn't bear the thought of another person suffering as she had. She had made her decision.

Nina accepted her transformed life with the business suit and the barefoot strides. There was a strange comfort in the routine she had established.

Time passed, and with it, the frequency of her transformations began to lessen. It seemed like the coin's power was slowly diminishing. Or maybe, the curse was changing.

One day, her transformations stopped altogether. The curse was finally broken. The relief was enormous, yet a part of her missed her unusual life.

Nina was now just an ordinary girl again. But she knew she was much more than that. She was a survivor, a fighter, a barefoot businesswoman.

She placed the ancient coin in a glass case, a symbol of her extraordinary journey. It was a part of her, a constant reminder of her strength and determination.

Nina now understood the power of acceptance and adaptation. The curse had taught her to adapt and to find joy even in the most challenging situations.

She was no longer the ordinary girl from Halloway. She was Nina, the girl who defied fate and embraced change. And she was proud of the woman she had become.

Nina's story became a beacon of hope for the people of Halloway. It reminded them that every curse could be a blessing if one had the right attitude towards it.

The Difference Between Binding Spells and Hexes: Unraveling the Mysteries

In the realm of magic and mysticism, binding spells and hexes have captivated the imagination of people for generations. However, their true nature and effects remain veiled in mystery. This comprehensive article aims to unravel the secrets behind binding spells and hexes, shedding light on their differences, purposes, and ethical implications. For those eager to discover the most suitable binding spell for their unique situation, there's an essential read available at https://spellshelp.com/articles/love_magic/which-spell-binding-is-the-best-for-you/ . Moreover, readers have the incredible opportunity to seek personalized spellcasting assistance from the esteemed spellcaster Maxim.

It is often associated with the goddess Brigid and is a time for purification and new beginnings. 2. Ostara (March 20th) - Ostara celebrates the spring equinox when day and night are of equal length.

Understanding the Concept of Binding Spells

Binding spells, also referred to as spells of binding, are powerful magical practices aimed at creating a spiritual connection between individuals, objects, or energies. At the core of binding spells lies the desire to unite souls and forge a deeper, more meaningful bond between them. These spells find extensive use in love magic, where they are employed to strengthen romantic relationships, rekindle lost love, or attract new love interests.

Love Binding Spells - Fostering Eternal Connections

Among the various applications of binding spells, love binding spells hold a prominent place. These spells are specially crafted to intensify love and passion between two individuals. Whether it is deepening an existing relationship or attracting a new partner, love binding spells seek to cement an unbreakable bond. The success of these spells often depends on the expertise of the spellcaster, as precision and sensitivity to the energies involved are paramount.

The Role of Rituals in Binding Spells

To achieve their desired effects, binding spells often involve intricate rituals and ceremonies. These rituals are designed to enhance the spell's potency and focus the practitioner's intent. Understanding the significance of rituals in binding spells is vital for those seeking to harness the power of love magic.

Different Cultures, Different Binding Practices

Throughout history, different cultures have developed unique binding practices, each with its own symbolism and traditions. From ancient civilizations to modern practitioners, the diversity of binding practices reflects the universal human desire for love and connection.

The Use of Tools and Symbols in Binding Spells

Spellcasters often employ various tools and symbols in binding spells to amplify their intentions. These may include candles, crystals, and talismans, each carrying its significance in the spellcasting process.

It symbolizes the arrival of spring and the rebirth of nature. It is a time for fertility rituals and honoring the goddess of spring, often represented as a maiden. 3. Beltane (May 1st) - Beltane is a fire festival that celebrates the arrival of summer. It is a time for fertility rituals, love, and community celebrations. Bonfires are lit to honor the sun and ward off evil spirits. Maypoles are also traditionally danced around to symbolize the union of the earth and sky. 4. Litha (June 21st) - Litha, also known as Midsummer, marks the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. It is a time to celebrate the power of the sun and the abundance of nature. Bonfires are lit to honor the sun's energy, and outdoor rituals are performed to connect with the earth element. 5. Lammas (August 1st) - Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh, is a harvest festival that celebrates the first grain harvest. It is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the earth and to recognize the cycle of life and death. Corn dollies are often made during this festival to represent the spirit of the grain. 6. Mabon (September 22nd) - Mabon marks the autumn equinox, when day and night are again of equal length. It is a time to celebrate the second harvest and the abundance of the earth. Gratitude rituals are performed to honor the fruits of labor and to prepare for the coming winter. 7. Samhain (October 31st) - Samhain, also known as Halloween, is the most well-known Pagan holiday. It marks the start of the dark half of the year and is a time to honor ancestors and communicate with spirits. It is believed that the veil between the worlds is thinnest on this night, allowing for spiritual connections and divination. These are just a few of the Pagan holidays that will be observed in 2022. Each holiday has its unique rituals, symbols, and traditions, but they all share a common thread of connection with nature and the cycles of life. For those who follow Paganism, these holidays provide a way to honor and celebrate the natural world and our place within it..

Reviews for "Celebrating the Divine Feminine in Pagan Traditions: Goddesses of the Holiday Calendar for 2022"

1. Karen - 1 star

Unfortunately, I was very disappointed with the "Pagan Holiday Calendar 2022". The content was minimal and lacked depth. The descriptions of the holidays were brief and lacked any significant historical or cultural context. Additionally, the overall design and layout of the calendar were extremely plain and uninspiring. I was hoping for a comprehensive and visually appealing guide to pagan holidays, but this calendar fell short of my expectations. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for an informative and visually appealing resource on pagan holidays.

2. John - 2 stars

I found the "Pagan Holiday Calendar 2022" to be quite underwhelming. The information provided for each holiday was very basic and generic. I was expecting more in-depth explanations and historical background, but unfortunately, this calendar did not deliver. The layout of the calendar was also subpar, with small fonts and cramped spacing, making it difficult to read and navigate. Overall, I found this calendar to be lackluster and not worth the purchase. I would recommend looking for alternative resources if you're interested in learning about pagan holidays.

3. Alex - 2 stars

I was really excited to receive the "Pagan Holiday Calendar 2022", but it turned out to be a letdown. The information provided on each holiday was shallow and lacking in detail. The historical and cultural significance of the holidays was barely touched upon, which left me feeling unsatisfied. Additionally, the design of the calendar was unimpressive and uninspiring. The lack of visually appealing graphics or illustrations made the calendar feel dull and uninteresting. Overall, I was disappointed with this calendar and would not recommend it to others seeking a comprehensive guide to pagan holidays.

Lammas Loaf and Harvest Blessings: Pagan Celebrations for 2022