"Naila and the Magic Map" is a captivating children's book written by author Sarah Khan. The story follows a young girl named Naila, who stumbles upon a mysterious map that leads her on a thrilling adventure. One day, while exploring her grandmother's attic, Naila discovers an old chest filled with forgotten treasures. At the bottom of the chest lies a folded piece of parchment, which turns out to be a magical map. As Naila unfolds the map, it begins to glow, revealing a path to an unknown destination. Intrigued by the map's enigmatic nature, Naila sets out on a journey to uncover its secrets.
The word ‘wassail’ means ‘good health’ in old english, this is a strong alcoholic drink usually made up of apple cider, ale, cinnamon, honey and other spices. After making the drink, wassailers would offer some back to the trees and sing to them to encourage a good harvest the following year, it is possible this is where the tradition of carolling came from.
On this day, the earth s axis tilts away from the sun in the Northern Hemisphere and the sun reaches its greatest distance from the equatorial plane. Wreathes are a nod to the Holly King, the deity from folklore who is responsible for the colder half of the year; the Oak King is present for the warmer months and summer solstice.
Intrigued by the map's enigmatic nature, Naila sets out on a journey to uncover its secrets. Armed with only her curiosity and bravery, she embarks on an adventure filled with danger and excitement. Along the way, Naila encounters various challenges that she must overcome in order to unlock the map's hidden powers.
Discover Winter Solstice and Yule
The Winter Solstice is a solar holiday that occurs on December 21 or 22 in the Northern Hemisphere. During this time, the earth’s axis is tilted farthest away from the sun, creating the longest night of the year. The Winter Solstice is celebrated across many pagan traditions, honoring the sun and the halfway point of winter.
Yule was originally celebrated by the Norse and Scandinavian peoples. Depending upon the source, Yule was celebrated as a two month celebration beginning mid-November, a 12 day celebration starting on the Solstice, or a three day feast beginning on the eve of the Winter Solstice. Today, many Pagans still celebrate Yule on the day of the Winter Solstice. Pagans celebrate the rebirth of the sun through gift exchanges, merriment, and deep spiritual reflection. For Pagans, this is a time of new beginnings, rebirth, transformation, getting rid of unwanted habits, and creativity. The symbols of Yule are evergreens, the Yule Log, a Yule tree, mistletoe, holly, wreaths, and bells. The colors of Yu le are white, green, red, gold, and silver.
The Yule Tree
Evergreens are popular decorations during Yule because they remind us that life continues through the cold and dark winter. Traditions of decorating with evergreens date back to many ancient civilizations, including the Romans. Today, Pagans decorate a pine, fir, cedar, juniper, or spruce as their Yule tree. One way to celebrate Yule is to craft a magical ornament to hang on your Yule tree.
Magical Ornaments, an exercise from Jason Mankey’s Llewellyn’s Little Book of Yule.
- Clear, fillable plastic ornaments
- Ornament hooks
- Spell components
- Glue
- Determine the magical purpose of your ornament by asking yourself, “What do I want to accomplish with this spell?” This will determine the components you will place inside your ornament. I recommend writing out in a few words what exactly you want to accomplish.
- Gather your spell components that look nice, but also serve the magical purpose of the ornament. You can look up your own spell correspondences or use some of the suggested components below.
- Health: white ribbons, citrine, fluorite, jasper, cedar, fir, lavender, poinsettia, or peppermint.
- Love: red ribbons, pearl, rose quartz, mistletoe, or cinnamon.
- Good grades: green ribbons, aventurine, pine, cinnamon, oak, orange fruit, or spearmint.
- Starting a new habit: gold or silver ribbons, sunstone, tiger’s eye, holly, spruce, lemon, clove, or bells.
- Place your items into the ornament in a way that is visually appealing to you. Use glue to secure your components inside. As you place your items in the ornament, think about what you are trying to accomplish with your magic and visualize yourself doing it.
- Once you have filled up your ornament, close it and hold it in your hands. Again, think about what you are trying to accomplish and the purpose of your ornament. State out loud one sentence that describes the purpose of your ornament.
- Next, place your ornament on your tree in a spot that will be easy for you to see on a daily basis. Reflect on the meaning behind the ornament every time you walk past it.
The Yule Log
The Yule log has taken on many forms throughout Pagan celebrations. Traditionally, the Yule log was the primary piece of wood used in the fire during the night of the Winter Solstice. Today, many Pagans use a decorative Yule log adorned with ribbons, candles, and other symbols of the season. Another popular version of the Yule log is the dessert version. This Yule log is made out of cake and frosting rolled into the shape of a log. No matter what form the Yule log takes, it symbolizes health and prosperity for the coming year.
Decorative Yule Log
- A piece of wood
- Ribbons in the colors of gold, silver, red, green, or white
- Battery powered candles (tea light or small candles)
- Yule symbols for decoration
- Glue
- Determine what type of wood you would like to be the base of your Yule log. You can use a natural or artificial piece of wood. Evergreen, oak, and cedar trees are traditionally used.
- Gather ribbons and battery powered candles based on the size of the Yule log you have selected.
- Gather Yule symbols you would like to use to decorate your Yule log. This can include pine cones, dried berries, mistletoe, holly, pine needles, ivy, cinnamon sticks, poinsettia, or juniper. Take a walk in nature to gather supplies or go to a dollar store for artificial versions.
- Attach your decorations to your Yule log with glue. Once completed, place your Yule log in a place you can enjoy all winter long.
Other Ways to Celebrate Yule
Solstice Walk: Take the time to slow down and enjoy nature with a nighttime nature walk.
- A lantern or flashlight
- Hot cocoa or tea
- Thermos
- Warm clothes and hiking shoes
- Determine where and when to take your nature walk. You can walk in your neighborhood or at your local park.
- Collect the supplies you need for your walk to stay safe and warm. Make hot cocoa or tea to add to a thermos. Gather warm clothing like mittens, hats, scarves, and a good pair of boots.
- Take time to enjoy nature during your walk. Find a spot to sit and enjoy your hot cocoa or tea. Look up at the stars and take deep breaths or fresh air. Look for evergreens or catch snowflakes.
- Once you have finished your walk, change into warm clothes and record your experience in a journal.
Snow Magic: Snow magic is beneficial for stopping or freezing things in your life. Try this spell to help stop your bad habits. Remember magical work does not replace non-magical work to make a change.
- A piece of paper
- A pen or pencil
- Snow
- Wait until there is a fresh layer of snow on the ground.
- Determine the bad habit you want to get rid of and write it down on a piece of paper.
- Stand outside in the snow and state out loud how you will no longer do your bad habit.
- Bury the piece of paper in the snow.
- When the snow melts, the snow will take your bad habit with it.
Light Exercise: Get rid of negativity and stress with this light exercise from Arin Murphy-Hiscock’s The Witch's Book of Self-Care.
- A comfortable place to sit without being disturbed
- Find a comfortable spot where you won't be disturbed and sit in a comfortable position.
- Close your eyes and take 3 slow breaths.
- With each following breath, imagine drawing light into your body.
- Allow the light to slowly fill up your whole body, from your toes to the top of your head.
- Visualize the light pushing out any stress or negativity as you fill up your body with light.
- Once your whole body is filled with light and your stress is gone, hold the light throughout your body for 3 slow breaths.
- Take one final deep breath and let the light slowly fade along with your stress.
- Once the light has completely faded, open your eyes.
Sources:
Alexander, S. (2015). Modern Witchcraft Spell Book: Your Complete Guide to Crafting and Casting Spells. Adams Media.
Diaz, J. (2019). Witchery: Embrace the Witch Within. Hay House Inc.
Diaz, J. (2020). Plant Witchery: Discover the Sacred Language, Wisdom, and Magic of 200 Plants. Hay House Inc.
Dugan, E. (2018). Seasons of Witchery: Celebrating the Sabbats with the Garden Witch. Llewellyn Publications.
Mankey, J. (2020). Llewellyns Little Book of Yule. Llewellyn Publications.
Murphy-Hiscock, A. (2018). The Witch's Book of Self-Care: Magical Ways to Pamper, Soothe, and Care for Your Body and Spirit. Adams Media.
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It is now traditional to share a kiss under this once coveted plant, likely a reference to it’s fertility symbolism. Hang over your doorway to carry on this ancient tradition.
Throughout her quest, Naila learns valuable lessons about friendship, perseverance, and the importance of believing in oneself. She befriends a group of unlikely allies who help her navigate through treacherous landscapes and evade cunning villains. Together, they unravel the secrets of the map and face numerous obstacles that test their courage and determination. As Naila and her companions make progress, they discover that the map not only leads them to hidden treasures, but it also possesses the power to grant wishes. This revelation adds an extra layer of intrigue to their journey, as they must decide how to responsibly handle such a profound and potentially dangerous ability. The story of "Naila and the Magic Map" is a captivating tale of adventure and self-discovery. It teaches young readers about the importance of embracing one's strengths, as well as the significance of trust, teamwork, and the pursuit of dreams. The book is filled with vivid descriptions, engaging characters, and unexpected twists that keep readers eagerly turning the pages. Overall, "Naila and the Magic Map" is a delightful children's book that combines fantasy and adventure in a way that captivates young readers. It encourages imagination, curiosity, and teaches valuable life lessons in a way that is both entertaining and meaningful. It is a must-read for any young reader looking for a thrilling and magical adventure..
Reviews for "Mastering the Magic Map: Naila's Lessons in Navigation and Leadership"
1. Sarah - 2 stars: I was really disappointed with "Naila and the Magic Map." The storyline felt cliché and predictable, and the characters were one-dimensional. The writing itself was mediocre, lacking depth and creativity. I struggled to stay engaged throughout the book and found myself skipping pages just to get to the end. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and original adventure.
2. Mark - 1 star: "Naila and the Magic Map" was a complete letdown. The plot was confusing and poorly developed, making it difficult to understand what was happening. The pacing was inconsistent, with certain parts dragging on and others feeling rushed. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the characters. I found myself wanting to put the book down multiple times, and ultimately, I regret wasting my time on it.
3. Emily - 3 stars: I have mixed feelings about "Naila and the Magic Map." While the concept was interesting, I felt like the execution fell short. The world-building lacked detail, leaving me with a vague sense of the setting. The main character, Naila, had potential for growth, but her development felt rushed and unrealistic. The plot twists were predictable, and the ending left me unsatisfied. Overall, the book had some good moments, but it failed to live up to my expectations.