Winter Solstice 2022 Wiccan The Winter Solstice is a significant event in the Wiccan calendar. It marks the longest night and the shortest day of the year, symbolizing the return of light and the rebirth of the sun. This magical time holds great importance in Wiccan traditions and is celebrated with various rituals and ceremonies. Wiccans view the Winter Solstice as a time of reflection, renewal, and new beginnings. It is a time to honor the cycles of nature and connect with the energy of the earth and the universe. The Solstice reminds Wiccans of the ever-changing nature of life and the need to embrace both darkness and light.
Latin: �super stare� = to stand outside of
Ancient Rome: refers to excessive fear of gods,
compulsive repetition of rituals
The increasing numbers that have been witnessed in surveys and the growth of groups, such as those on TikTok, suggest that the religion is continuing to grow. This resource guide is designed to highlight these sources as well as those relating to different aspects of witchcraft beliefs such as religion, superstition, and demonology, to give a comprehensive guide to this broad yet complex belief system.
The Solstice reminds Wiccans of the ever-changing nature of life and the need to embrace both darkness and light. During the Winter Solstice, Wiccans gather in sacred spaces, such as outdoor groves or indoor covens, to perform rituals and spells. These practices may involve lighting candles or bonfires to symbolize the return of the sun's warmth and light.
Witchcraft belief structure
BASIC CATEGORIES FOR STUDY OF WITCH BELIEFS
I. RELIGION VERSUS MAGIC
Emile Durkheim , Elementary Forms of the Religious Life
religion as social: (1915)
organized around central events of human life,
birth, initiation rites, marriage, death
mediates human relationship to supernatural realm
Bruno Malinowski , Magic, Science and Religion ( 1925)
anthropologist in South Pacific, Trobriand islands
religion as social, collective source of meaning
versus
magic as instrumental, limited, goal oriented
picks up where technology leaves off
� ritualization of man�s optimism�
II. WITCHCRAFT VERSUS SORCERY
British anthropologists in Africa:
source of term �witch doctors� : separate social group
repair witches� damage
Evans Pritchard,
Witchcraft, Oracles & Magic Among Azande (l933)
- witchcraft as innate, hereditary, malevolent
organic, confirmed by autopsy
- sorcery as acquired, learned skill
ambivalent: used for good or evil
III. RELIGION VERSUS SUPERSTITION
SUPERSTITION: judgmental, negative term for beliefs
not approved of by mainstream religion
Latin: �super stare� = to stand outside of
Ancient Rome: refers to excessive fear of gods,
compulsive repetition of rituals
Christianity: refers to any practices ( espec . magic)
outside or beyond approved rituals
Orthodoxy = correct doctrine or teaching
Orthopraxy = correct religious practice
IV. STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF WITCH BELIEFS
Lucy Mair , Witchcraft -- British anthropologist
(l969) survey of African witch beliefs
Why should there be witches?
explanation for random misfortune and unmerited suffering
- rejection of coincidence, chance, randomness
lack of alternative techniques, espec . medical knowledge
small scale societies: "face to face" setting
What are witches like?
universal elements in image of the witch:
greed, hunger, sexual insatiability, perversion
witches as anti-social beings:
need to maintain standards of social behavior
public sanction against displays of hostility
inversion and perversion as witch characteristics
enemies of life and fertility
nightmare witch versus everyday witch
image of the limited good
How can society deal with witches in its midst?
1) witch detection: divination
2) combat against witches: counter-witches
Africa: category of �witch doctor� introduced by
British anthropologists
Europe: benandanti vs malandanti
3) remedies against the effects of witchcraft
counter-magic; expulsion of witch;
in Europe, "final solution" = witch hunting
V. WITCHCRAFT AS A BELIEF SYSTEM
"CLASSIC" IMAGE OF EUROPEAN WITCH 15 - 17TH C.
SABBATH: devil worshippers meet, cannibalistic feast,
sexual orgy, compulsory intercourse with devil
Magical transportation to Sabbath: nightflying ,
" shapeshifting " (witch turns into animal)
DIABOLICAL PACT -- "selling soul" to devil
witches gain power to do harm ( maleficium )
Evidence of witches' alliance with devil:
witches� familiar -- animal pets (seen as demons)
witches' teat or tit -- for nursing/feeding her familiar
witches' mark -- left on body by devil as sign of pact
Helen A. Berger is a r esident Scholar at Brandeis University's Women's Studies Research Center. This article originally appeared on The Conversation.
Wiccans may also use herbs, crystals, and other magical tools to enhance their rituals and intentions. One common tradition during the Winter Solstice is the Yule log. Wiccans traditionally burn a log, representing the old year, while welcoming the new year and the sun's rebirth. This act symbolizes letting go of the past and embracing new opportunities and growth. Wiccans also honor the goddess and the god during the Winter Solstice. The goddess, often represented as the Triple Goddess, embodies the three aspects of maiden, mother, and crone. The god, often portrayed as the Sun King, represents the sun's energy and the masculine power of light and fire. Ceremonies during the Winter Solstice may include invocations to the goddess and the god, chants, dances, and meditations. Wiccans use these rituals as a way to connect with the divine and draw on the energy of the solstice for healing, transformation, and personal growth. The Winter Solstice is a time of spiritual significance and celebration for Wiccans around the world. It serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of existence and the interconnectedness of all things. Wiccans embrace this time as an opportunity to align with the rhythms of nature and harness its transformative power. Through their rituals and ceremonies, they seek to find balance and harmony within themselves and the world around them..
Reviews for "Strengthening Family Bonds during the Winter Solstice in Wiccan Beliefs"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Winter Solstice Wiccan event this year. The organization was chaotic, with no clear schedule or structure. The workshops were poorly planned and didn't provide any valuable information. It felt like a free-for-all, with no direction or purpose. Additionally, the atmosphere was lacking in magic and spirituality. The venue was cold and impersonal, and there was no effort made to create a cozy and welcoming environment. Overall, it was a letdown and not worth the time or money.
2. Mark - 1 star - I had high hopes for the Winter Solstice Wiccan gathering, but it turned out to be a complete disaster. The event was poorly organized, with long waits for everything and no clear communication. The presenters lacked knowledge and expertise, making the workshops dull and uninformative. The vendors were limited and unimpressive, and there was no sense of community or connection among participants. It felt like a money-grabbing scheme rather than a genuine celebration of Wiccan traditions. I would not recommend attending this event in the future.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - Winter Solstice Wiccan was a huge disappointment for me this year. The whole event felt disorganized and rushed. The workshops were overcrowded and difficult to hear or participate in. The presenters seemed unprepared and lacked enthusiasm. The vendor area was lacking variety and quality. Overall, it felt like a poorly planned and executed event. I had hoped for a magical and enlightening experience, but all I got was frustration and boredom. I would not recommend attending this event unless major improvements are made.