Dear Pagan Community, As the summer solstice approaches, we wanted to take a moment to send our warmest blessings to all of you. This time of year holds great significance for many, marking the longest day of the year and the beginning of summer. It is a time of celebration, reflection, and connection with nature. During the summer solstice, the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, illuminating the world with its radiant light. This serves as a powerful reminder of the abundance and warmth that surrounds us. It is a time to embrace the energy of the sun, soaking in its vibrant rays and allowing its energy to nourish our bodies and souls.

The Book of Magic

In this fourth and final novel in Hoffman’s Practical Magic series, readers see Kylie and Antonia Owens, the daughters of Sally Owens, as young women living their lives in ignorance of their family’s history as bloodline witches. When the entire extended family gathers for a funeral, Antonia and Kylie learn of their magical heritage. Antonia, the logic-driven med student, scoffs and blows it off. Kylie is intrigued, and becomes involved up to her neck when her boyfriend is hit by a car and hovers between life and death.

Taking off to England with Faith Owens’s dark grimoire in hand, Kylie is determined to break the curse that has followed her family for generations. Hot on her heels is her mother Sally, her aunt Gillian, and other family and friends met along the way. They learn what is important and just how much they are willing to sacrifice for those they love.

This was a great end to the Practical Magic series. I will miss reading more about the Owens women, but am grateful that I have the four books in the series to revisit when I feel the need for a fix of Tipsy Chocolate Cake and witchery. I also found recipes for both the chocolate cake AND the black soap that both sound honestly nice, so I’m going to make those one of these days and have myself a proper day of witchiness.

It was nice to spend time with Kylie and Antonia and get to know them more. As expected, both strong and independent women. But we spent as much time, too, with the aunts, Sally and Gillian, and their long-lost grandfather Vincent. Adding to the cast is Ian Wright, a professor of history and magic, and Tom Lockland, a distant relative, each man with agendas of their own.

For me, this book dragged just a little in the middle, which is why I gave it 4 stars and not 5 stars. I got a little bored with some of the things Kylie and Antonia (mostly Antonia) were doing and it felt a little long. But it didn’t last long and it picked up again and gave way to a fantastic journey across England, through history, and through the human heart. Highly recommended!

Favorite lines (possible spoilers!):

• Some stories begin at the beginning and others begin at the end, but all the best stories begin in a library.

• Curses are like knots, the more you struggle to be free, the tighter they become, whether they’re made of rope or spite or desperation.

• But stories change, depending on who tells them, and stories are nothing if you don’t have someone to tell them to.

• “If you can’t eat chocolate cake for breakfast, what’s the point of being alive?” Franny said.

• There are some things you have only once in a lifetime, and then only if you’re lucky.

• When Kylie and Antonia were growing up, their mother had told them if they were ever lost it was always best to find their way to a library.

• “There are no witches,” Antonia said. “Only people who want to burn them.”

• “Do you think I’m a fool” “No, I think you’re a witch.” “Then you’re not so stupid after all.”

• “If it isn’t written down, it will likely be forgotten,” Isabelle had told her. That was why women had been illiterate for so long; reading and writing gave power, and power was what had been so often denied to women.
• A woman with knowledge, one who could read and write, and who spoke her own mind had always been considered dangerous.
• If a woman doesn’t write her own history, there are very few who will.
• It never hurt to have some assistance from a sister, and this was a simple spell that had been used by women since the beginning of time, with words that resembled the wild clacking of birds when they were spoken aloud.
• What a life she had, most of it unexpected. She would not have it any other way, not even the losses. This life was hers and hers alone.
• Love was inside every story.
• Her love was the fiercest part about her.
• The Book of the Raven was meant to go to the next woman who needed it. It might sit on the shelf for another three hundred year or it might be discovered the very next day, either way it would continue to live, for people often find the books they need.
• Once, a long time ago, before we knew who we were, we thought we wanted to be like everyone else. How lucky to be exactly who we were.
• Women here in Massachusetts had been drowned and beaten and hanged, especially if they were found to have access to books other than the Bible…

Evan Rachel Wood is 'down' for 'Practical Magic' sequel

Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Practical Magic star Evan Rachel Wood would be "down" for a sequel.

The 31-year-old actress voiced interest in a second movie after Jarett Wieselman, Netflix's social media manager, suggested the idea Tuesday on the film's 20th anniversary.

"'Practical Magic' came out 20 years ago today so obviously it's the perfect time for a sequel that focuses on Sally's daughter, once again played by Evan Rachel Wood," Wieselman tweeted.

"Down for this so much," Wood replied.

Wood played Kylie Owens, the elder daughter of Sally Owens (Sandra Bullock), in Practical Magic, which opened in 1998. The film is based on the novel of the same name, and co-starred Nicole Kidman, Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing.

Bullock and Kidman, who played Sally's sister, Gillian Owens, reunited on the Oscars red carpet this year. The pair recalled the moment in an interview with People published Tuesday.

"We were talking about when we shot [Practical Magic] together," Bullock said.

"I love that movie," Kidman added. "I showed that movie to my kids. It's little above their [level of understanding] . But we're really good sisters."

Wood portrays Dolores Abernathy on the HBO series Westworld, which was renewed in May for a third season. She will also star in the upcoming movie Viena and the Fantomes.

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• Topics
• Evan Rachel Wood
• Nicole Kidman
• Sandra Bullock
• Dianne Wiest
• Stockard Channing

Here's What The Kids of Practical Magic Are Up To Now

In 1998 (almost 20 years ago!) Practical Magic premiered, flush with, well, magical fierceness and fabulosity. Stockard Channing, need I say more?! The movie also starred Dianne Weist, Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock as a family of quintessentially kooky witches who've been cursed — by their own ancestor nonetheless, #typical — so that any man they fall in love with literally dies. There's that very ominous beetle, remember?!

The movie also featured four young child stars — two playing Nicole and Sandra's characters Gillian and Sally as kids:

and two as grown-up Sandra's kids — yes, her on-screen husband died to the curse, so sad:

Fun fact: two of those child stars are still super famous! The other two. didn't stay in Hollywood. But that's OK, everyone needs to follow their own bliss. Here's where they're all at today.

It is a time to embrace the energy of the sun, soaking in its vibrant rays and allowing its energy to nourish our bodies and souls. For the pagan community, this is a sacred time to honor and give thanks to the Earth, the sun, and the cycles of nature. It is a time to acknowledge the interconnectedness of all living beings and celebrate the beauty and power of the natural world.

Camilla Belle

Belle, now 30, starred in the film as a young Sally Owens. Her most iconic scene is when she dreams up the perfect man that can’t possibly exist (he is kind, can flip pancakes in the air and has one blue eye and one green eye) and then casts a spell on herself so that she can only fall in love with him. Even as a youngster she had high standards, which I completely respect.

Since her spell-bound days, she's appeared in an episode of western series Walker, Texas Ranger, lent her voice to The Wild Thornberrys and starred in horror flick When a Stranger Calls. She also played Baby in a strange Funny or Die video short , Dirty Dancing 3: Capoeira Nights, alongside Jesse Williams as Johnny.

Also, because it's always worth remembering this: between 2008 and 2009, Belle dated Joe Jonas (which was right after Jonas and Taylor Swift ended their four-month long tryst). Rumor has it that Swift’s “Better Than Revenge” is actually about Belle and, following the song's release, the pair also had some Twitter beef. Belle later weighed in on the Katy Perry vs. Taylor Twitter drama following the 2015 VMAs.

Whether you gather in sacred circles, perform rituals, or simply spend time immersed in nature, may this solstice bring you joy, inspiration, and a renewed sense of purpose. We recognize the diversity within the pagan community, with each person having their own unique beliefs, practices, and traditions. However, we believe that at the core of these diverse paths lies a shared reverence for the Earth and a deep appreciation for the cycles of life. We hope that during this summer solstice, you find unity in this shared connection and feel the support and love of your community. As the days grow longer and the energy of the sun peaks, may you find strength and vitality within yourself. May you embrace the warmth of the season and allow it to ignite your creative passions. May you find balance within the duality of light and darkness, and may you carry this equilibrium with you throughout the year. On this summer solstice, we send our blessings to the pagan community around the world. May you feel the presence of ancient spirits guiding and protecting you. May you find inspiration in the beauty and abundance of nature. And may this solstice be a time of deep reflection and gratitude for all that the sun, the Earth, and the cycles of life bring. With love and summer solstice blessings, [Your Name/Community/Organization].

Reviews for "Embracing the Light: Summer Solstice Blessings for the Pagan Community"

1. John - 1/5 stars - I found "Sending summer solstice blessings to the pagan community" to be highly insensitive and dismissive. As someone who honors and practices pagan traditions, I was looking forward to an inclusive and respectful article. However, this piece seemed to trivialize our beliefs and rituals, reducing them to a mere spectacle. Furthermore, the author's tone came across as mocking. I believe it is crucial to approach religious and spiritual matters with empathy and understanding, but unfortunately, this article fell short on both accounts.

2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - While I appreciate the attempt to shed light on pagan practices, I felt that "Sending summer solstice blessings to the pagan community" missed the mark. The article seemed superficial and lacked depth. It only scratched the surface of what pagan traditions entail, and failed to provide any meaningful insights or understanding. Additionally, the author's interpretation of certain rituals felt inaccurate and could potentially perpetuate misconceptions about paganism. Overall, I was disappointed with the lack of substance and proper representation in this article.

3. Emma - 2/5 stars - As a pagan, I was excited to read "Sending summer solstice blessings to the pagan community." However, the article mainly consisted of generalized statements and stereotypes, failing to capture the true essence of our beliefs and practices. It seemed more like a shallow attempt to cash in on the popularity of pagan traditions during the summer solstice season. I wish the author had taken the time to research and present a more thoughtful and accurate portrayal of paganism. This article missed the opportunity to educate and inform readers about the rich tapestry of pagan faiths and the significance of the summer solstice.

4. Mark - 1/5 stars - I found "Sending summer solstice blessings to the pagan community" to be nothing more than a mockery of our beliefs. The author seemed intent on belittling our traditions and portraying them as nothing more than a quirky spectacle. This article lacked respect and understanding, disregarding the importance and significance of the summer solstice in pagan spirituality. I would highly discourage anyone looking for genuine information and appreciation of paganism from wasting their time on this article.

Harnessing the Power of the Sun: Sending Blessings to Pagans on the Summer Solstice