The Wicca calendar wheel, also known as the Wheel of the Year, is a recurring cycle of seasonal festivals celebrated in the Wiccan religion. It is an important aspect of Wiccan spirituality and provides a framework for honoring and connecting with the natural rhythms of the Earth. The calendar wheel consists of eight festivals or sabbats, which are evenly spaced throughout the year. These sabbats mark key points in the changing seasons and represent different aspects of life and nature. The festivals are often celebrated through rituals, ceremonies, and gatherings, where Wiccans come together to honor the cycles of nature and their spiritual beliefs. The year begins with Imbolc, which is celebrated around February 1st and marks the awakening of the Earth after the winter.

Plot

Pregnant out of wedlock, an educated young woman is pressured by her father into an arranged marriage with a lonely farmer in this drama set during WWII.

1944. World War II. Denver. Livy Dunne has essentially been thrown out of her home by her stern father, Rev. Dunne, because she's pregnant and unmarried. She's banished to rural Colorado, to go through an arranged marriage to a lonely farmer, so her child will have a "father." When she arrives in tiny Wilson, Colorado, Livy and her "betrothed," gentle but strong Ray Singleton, are wary around each other. Worldly Livy is bored by Ray and the hardscrabble life he leads --despite his inherent goodness and wisdom. As the months pass Lily learns more about this calm, practical, self-effacing farmer and his sister Martha - "a queen among women" - and her family. Slowly almost imperceptibly, Livy realizes she may have found "home," quite accidentally. For his part, Ray becomes a regular visitor at the town library, reading the classics so he can converse intelligently with his educated wife. Livy befriends two Japanese-American girls who have been interned with their parents at a nearby camp; Florence and Rose are smart and beautiful. They end up teaching Livy a valuable lesson about life and love. Livy has her baby, elects to stay with Ray, and as she tells her sister-in-law, "I've learned more about love in my six months with this family than in the 25 in my father's home." —Happy_Evil_Dude

Synopsis

Set in 1944 Colorado, The Magic of Ordinary Days is the story of a young woman, Livy Dune (played by Keri Russell), who became pregnant before marriage. Her father, Rev. Dunne, decided to deal with the situation, by arranging a marriage to a shy farmer through another preacher. The groom, Ray Singleton (played by Skeet Ulrich), lives on a remote farm and is very different than Livy. Ray focuses on what is close to him: his family, his land, today. Livy thinks on a much grander scale: the world, ancient civilizations, far away places.

Ray's farm utilizes the help of Japanese Americans from a nearby Japanese American internment camp to help work the farm. Livy befriends two well-educated Japanese American women who were working the farm, Flora and Rose (Tania Gunadi and Gwendoline Yeo). She finds comfort and familiarity in their friendship. Livy is polite and civil to her new husband and his sister Martha (Mare Winningham), but she harbors feelings for the father of the baby, a World War II soldier, and feelings of guilt for the pregnancy. Ray, however, is caring, patient, and supportive of Livy, but the fact that she does not want him hurts him deeply. Slowly over time, the two come to understand and love each other, and appreciate that though they are different, neither is better or worse than the other.

The Magic of Ordinary Days

For Christmas 1945, Livvy’s sister Abby has determined it’s past time Livvy returns to Denver and makes up with her father. This will be Ray’s first opportunity to meet with the reverend.

The year begins with Imbolc, which is celebrated around February 1st and marks the awakening of the Earth after the winter. It is a time of purification and the start of new beginnings. This is followed by Ostara, celebrated around March 21st, which represents the arrival of spring and the balance between light and dark.

Sisterly Advice

Martha has always wanted Ray to be happy—even when he goes about finding happiness in not quite the way she expects.

Beltane, celebrated around May 1st, is the festival of fertility and growth. It marks the height of spring and is often associated with love, passion, and energy. This is followed by Litha, celebrated around June 21st, which represents the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. It is a time of abundance and celebrating the power of the sun. Lughnasadh, celebrated around August 1st, marks the beginning of the harvest season and is a time to give thanks for the bountiful gifts of the Earth. This is followed by Mabon, celebrated around September 21st, which represents the autumn equinox and the balance between light and dark once again. Samhain, celebrated around October 31st, is the most widely known festival of the Wiccan calendar. It marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker half of the year. It is a time to honor and remember the ancestors and connect with the spiritual realm. This is followed by Yule, celebrated around December 21st, which represents the winter solstice and the rebirth of the sun. It is a time of reflection, renewal, and celebrating the return of light. The Wicca calendar wheel provides Wiccans with a way to stay connected to the natural world and the cycles of life. It allows them to honor and celebrate the different seasons and energies that characterize each festival. Through these celebrations, Wiccans seek to deepen their spiritual connection with the Earth and the divine, and to find harmony and balance within themselves and the world around them..

Reviews for "Celebrating the Harvest Festivals in the Wicca Calendar Wheel"

1. John - 2 stars

I was really disappointed with the "Wicca calendar weel". The design was very basic and not visually appealing at all. The content was also quite lacking, with very little information provided on each day or month of the calendar. Additionally, I found it difficult to navigate through the calendar and locate specific dates. Overall, I would not recommend this calendar to anyone looking for a comprehensive and visually attractive Wicca calendar.

2. Emily - 1 star

I have to say, the "Wicca calendar weel" was a major letdown for me. The information provided was very limited and didn't give me a clear understanding of the significance of the various days and months in the Wiccan calendar. The design was also quite dull and uninspiring. I was expecting something more visually appealing and informative. I would suggest looking for other Wicca calendars that provide more detailed and engaging content.

3. Sarah - 2 stars

I regret purchasing the "Wicca calendar weel". The layout was confusing and not user-friendly at all. It was difficult to navigate through the calendar and find specific dates or events. The content was also disappointingly sparse, leaving me wanting more information and insights into the Wiccan holidays and traditions. I would advise others to seek out a different Wicca calendar that offers a more organized and comprehensive approach.

4. Michael - 1 star

The "Wicca calendar weel" was a complete waste of money for me. The design was lackluster and unappealing, with outdated graphics and fonts. The information provided was very basic and lacked depth. I was hoping for a more informative and visually captivating calendar, but this one fell short on both counts. I would not recommend this calendar to anyone interested in exploring the Wiccan calendar or traditions.

Preparing for the Sabbats: Rituals and Traditions in the Wicca Calendar Wheel