Understanding the Wiccan tradition Wicca is a modern pagan, witchcraft religion that emerged in the mid-20th century. It draws inspiration from ancient pagan practices and beliefs, particularly those of pre-Christian Europe. Wiccans strive to connect with nature and believe in the existence of a divine, dualistic force that encompasses masculine and feminine energies. At its core, Wicca is a spiritual practice that focuses on the worship of a goddess and a god, often referred to as the Triple Goddess and the Horned God, respectively. Different traditions within Wicca may have their own specific deities but the reverence for nature and the cycles of life, death, and rebirth remain fundamental. Wiccans celebrate the wheel of the year, a series of eight sabbats or festivals that mark the changing seasons.
MANIFESTATIONS! - A MAGICALLY MACABRE TRIBUTE TO EDGAR ALLEN POE at Mystique Dining and The Prestige: Magic Lounge & Showroom. Make reservations here. A magical experience complete with a 5-course dinner followed by an award-winning master of illusion into the unexplainable and indescribable.
Vintage pioneer architecture, antique fixtures, red brick paths and bridges add to the atmosphere that takes you back to a simpler time and spotlight Utah s colorful history. Gardner Village features locally owned specialty shops and event venues surrounding the historic Gardner Mill, which is listed on the National Historic Register.
Wiccans celebrate the wheel of the year, a series of eight sabbats or festivals that mark the changing seasons. These celebrations honor the rhythms of nature and incorporate rituals, spells, and magical workings. The four major sabbats are Samhain, Beltane, Imbolc, and Lammas, while the four minor sabbats are the solstices and equinoxes.
WitchFest
If you visit historic Gardner Village mid-September through October, you’re in for a real treat! And maybe a few tricks as well as the witches come out to play during the annual WitchFest in West Jordan, Utah.
The menace is intentional each year as crews begin working on WitchFest, Gardner Village’s seasonal celebration of everything witch, complete with witch displays and a scavenger hunt to find them. WitchFest is Utah's premier Halloween festival.
THE HOST OF WITCHFEST 2023
“Gardner Village is a unique destination that brings visitors every day throughout the year,” Long says. “Especially during WitchFest, people come from California, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and even the East Coast to be part of the fun. The Village showcases an important part of West Jordan and Utah history.”
Gardner Village features locally owned specialty shops and event venues surrounding the historic Gardner Mill, which is listed on the National Historic Register. The old flour mill and silo are home to Archibald’s Restaurant, Mill Plaza and CF Home. Vintage pioneer architecture, antique fixtures, red brick paths and bridges add to the atmosphere that takes you back to a simpler time and spotlight Utah's colorful history.
Gardner Village is a Utah historic site and is located at 1100 West 7800 South in West Jordan, Utah, a suburb of Salt Lake City. The Village is open year 'round, Monday through Saturday. Closed Sundays.
WITCHFEST 2023 EVENTS SCHEDULE
WITCHAPALOOZA DINNER THEATER AND BREAKFAST WITH A WITCH at The Gathering Place will begin on Friday, September 22, 2023. Tickets on sale here Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at noon. If you want interactions with live Gardner Village witches, Breakfast with a Witch is a great option.
WITCH DISPLAYS & WITCH SCAVENGER HUNT: Friday, September 22-Saturday, October 31, 2023. The Scavenger Hunt will be touchless and navigated using your phones and signs at the Village. This is free! No ticket necessary.
WITCH 5K, 10K & HALF MARATHON RUN: Saturday, September 23, 2023 with runs beginning at 7:00am. Hosted by On Hill Events. Register with On Hill Events here.
WITCHES WEEKENDS: Fridays & Saturdays, September 22-October 28, 2023. Experience interactions and fun photo ops with our live Gardner Village witches in our Center Court area, noon-3:30pm. Food trucks and activities in select shops.
WITCHES NIGHT OUT: Grab your broommates and join us for an enchanting evening at this annual event. We've brewed up some exciting changes this year. You cackled, and we listened! To make for a more spellbinding experience, this year's Witches Night Outs will be held Saturdays, October 7, 14, 21 & 28, 2023, 4-9pm. Wand-er our bewitching paths and enjoy shopping and dining, all while dressed in your finest witch wear. Each evening kicks off with a 4pm children's parade, followed by the grand witches parade at 8pm with the live Gardner Village witches leading the way. Our live Gardner Village witches will create a bit of toil and trouble as they bring some of our witch displays to life throughout the evening. You can let your mole hairs down and shake your BOO-ty to the wicked tunes of DJs Russ & Morgan Powell of Powell Weddings & Events. Enter to win prizes, enjoy hair-raisingly good food and find deals in all of our shops. The evening wraps up at 9pm with Thriller and our Gardner Village witches on the main stage. No Tickets Necessary.
MANIFESTATIONS! - A MAGICALLY MACABRE TRIBUTE TO EDGAR ALLEN POE at Mystique Dining and The Prestige: Magic Lounge & Showroom. Make reservations here. A magical experience complete with a 5-course dinner followed by an award-winning master of illusion into the unexplainable and indescribable.
WITCHES OF MYSTIC MANOR ESCAPE ROOM at A Great Escape : Tickets are on sale here.
RICOCHET CANYON AMUSEMENT PARK: Rides, activities, play area, pony rides, petting zoo with an old west bewitching theme. Reservations not needed. $5 admission for kids 2 to 18 and $2 for adults 18 and older. Purchase stamp cards for paid attractions within the park.
WITCH EXPRESS TRAIN & TRACTOR-PULLED WAGON RIDES at The Train Shoppe: Take a ride on the Witch Express Train, a trackless train that meanders through Gardner Village, Monday-Saturday, 11am-7pm, $4 per person. Hop on a tractor-pulled wagon ride with a Gardner Village witch, Fridays & Saturdays, 11am to 7pm, $4 per person. Meeting area is by The Train Shoppe.
WITCHY HAIR & NAILS: Look your witchy best and enjoy a manicure, pedicure and a witchy updo at Soulstice Day Spa & Salon. By appointment only. Clip in hair extensions and nail stickers available on a walk-in basis.
VW PHOTO BUS: Bewitching photos in an iconic VW Bus Photo Booth at Camera Shy. The VW bus will roll in October 13 and 14 at 2pm each day through close. Various photo packages available starting at $15. First come. First serve.
WITCHY EATS: Food is available at Archibald's Restaurant and Happy Camper Deli & Bakery. Enjoy caramel apples and sweet treats at Chocolate Covered Wagon. The Cackling Cantina on Mill Plaza will be open daily, Monday-Saturday beginning September 27, 2023 first come first serve seating. Food trucks will serve here during October on Fridays and Saturdays for Witches Weekends and Witches Night Outs. Please, no outside food or private parties allowed in seating areas without reservations.
WITCHFEST SOUVENIRS: Take a piece of the magic home with WitchFest souvenirs at Seven Gables Mercantile, our official souvenir store. You'll find t-shirts, stickers and magnets.
Date: Friday, September 22-Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Runs daily, Monday-Saturday
WITCHFEST HOURS:
September 22-October 31, 2023, Monday-Saturday, 10am-8pm | *Except Saturdays, October 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2023, 10am-9pm for Witches Night Out
Archibald's Restaurant regular hours during September and then in October, Monday - Thursday, 11am-8pm and Friday-Saturday, 11am-9pm
Halloween, Tuesday, October 31, 2023, 10am-5pm | Archibald's Restaurant, 11am-4pm
Additional Dates:
- Monday, Oct 23, 2023 from 10:00am to 8:00pm
- Tuesday, Oct 24, 2023 from 10:00am to 8:00pm
- Wednesday, Oct 25, 2023 from 10:00am to 8:00pm
- Thursday, Oct 26, 2023 from 10:00am to 8:00pm
- Friday, Oct 27, 2023 from 10:00am to 8:00pm
- Saturday, Oct 28, 2023 from 10:00am to 9:00pm
- Monday, Oct 30, 2023 from 10:00am to 8:00pm
- Tuesday, Oct 31, 2023 from 10:00am to 5:00pm
Date: Friday, September 22-Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Magic, or spellwork, is a significant aspect of Wiccan practice. Wiccans believe in harnessing their own energy and the natural energy of the world to manifest their desires, heal themselves and others, and create positive change. Ritual tools, such as athames (ritual daggers), wands, and chalices, are commonly used in spellcasting. Wiccan covens, which are small groups of practitioners, exist within the Wiccan community. Covens serve as supportive communities that practice and learn together. However, many Wiccans also practice as solitary practitioners, following their own personal spiritual path. Wicca promotes ethical guidelines known as the Wiccan Rede, which states, "An it harm none, do what ye will." This principle emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and the understanding that one's actions have consequences. In recent years, Wicca has gained increased recognition and acceptance, but it is often misunderstood due to misinformation and stereotypes. Understanding the Wiccan tradition involves recognizing its diversity, embracing its connection to nature, and appreciating its emphasis on personal spiritual experiences..
Reviews for "Moon Magick in Wicca: Harnessing Lunar Energies"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really excited to dive into "Understanding the Wiccan Tradition" as I was interested in learning more about Wicca. However, I was left feeling quite disappointed by this book. The content felt outdated and failed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject. The author seemed to skim over important topics and didn't provide enough depth or explanation for beginners like myself. Overall, I felt that there was a lack of substance and it left me wanting more.
2. Mark - 1/5 stars - "Understanding the Wiccan Tradition" was an utter disappointment for me. The writing style was incredibly dry and lacked any sort of excitement or enthusiasm. The author seemed to simply recite information without adding any personal touch or perspective. I found it hard to stay engaged and ultimately gave up on reading it halfway through. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking to gain a genuine understanding of the Wiccan tradition.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I found "Understanding the Wiccan Tradition" to be quite confusing and disorganized. The flow of the book was erratic, jumping from one concept to another without providing a clear structure or logical progression. This made it difficult for me to grasp the subject matter and connect the dots. Additionally, the language used was too technical and not beginner-friendly. I had hoped for a more accessible introduction to Wicca, but unfortunately, this book missed the mark for me.