Wicca is a modern pagan religious movement that emerged in the mid-20th century. It is a nature-based religion that emphasizes worship and reverence for the earth and its cycles. Wiccans believe in a dualistic concept of deity, often represented as a Horned God and a Triple Goddess. They celebrate the cycles of the seasons through eight major festivals called Sabbats, which mark significant points in the agricultural year. Central to Wiccan belief is the concept of magic, which is seen as a way to influence and interact with the natural world. Wiccans practice forms of spellwork and rituals to harness natural energies for positive purposes.
"Yes!" he thought, trying to contain his excitement. "It is my bride!"
He then went round to each chafing dish and threw in a certain powder, which soon raised such a cloud of smoke that neither the physician, the princess, nor the magic horse could be seen through it. The entry produced by a woodcarver appears to be only a simple wooden horse of little value, but when Tambal looks more closely, he discovers that it s able to magically travel to whatever place is in its rider s mind.
Wiccans practice forms of spellwork and rituals to harness natural energies for positive purposes. These magical practices are often performed in a covens, which are groups of Wiccans who come together for worship, study, and fellowship. Wicca places a strong emphasis on personal responsibility and ethical behavior.
The Magic Horse - (Teaching Stories) by Idries Shah (Paperback)
Everyone thinks Prince Tambal is only a dreamer. When a woodcarver makes a wooden horse that seems just a toy, Tambal discovers it can go wherever its rider wants. In this way, he learns many things and finds his heart's desire.
Book Synopsis
(Bilingual English-Urdu edition) This is the story of two brothers: one skilled in the practical arts and the other, Prince Tambal, considered by most people to be only a dreamer. Their father, the king, announces a competition to produce "interesting and useful devices." The entry produced by a woodcarver appears to be only a simple wooden horse of little value, but when Tambal looks more closely, he discovers that it's able to magically travel to whatever place is in its rider's mind. With the help of this magic horse, Tambal comes to learn a great many things and, eventually, to know his heart's desire. Julie Freeman's beautiful illustrations capture the magic of this tale, with the images and text inset in rich borders of oriental patterns. The Magic Horse is one of an illustrated series of Sufi teaching stories from the Middle East and Central Asia that were collected and adapted for children by Idries Shah, and that have captivated hearts and minds for more than a thousand years. The stories are designed to help children learn to examine their assumptions and to think for themselves. In the Sufi tradition, there is a continuum between the children's story, the entertainment or folklore story and the instructional or instrumental story. A story can help children deal with difficult situations and give them something to hold on to, but it can also stimulate a deeper understanding in adults. Through the instrumental function of this rich body of material, readers of all ages can learn to develop the capacity to be more flexible and to understand many more things about themselves and about life.
Review Quotes
"The tale of the two brothers and their journeys is illustrated with jewel-toned, delicate paintings featuring the costumes, tools, buildings, and animals of the Moslem East. . The two brothers do not represent good and evil as happens so often in Western tales, but instead merely the choice of two different paths." - School Library Journal (U.S.)
". beautifully illustrated by Julie Freeman, who perfectly captures the magic of this ancient Sufi folk tale." - Midwest Book Review (U.S.)
"These teaching stories can be experienced on many levels. A child may simply enjoy hearing them; an adult may analyze them in a more sophisticated way. Both may eventually benefit from the lessons within." - "All Things Considered," National Public Radio (U.S.)
"They [teaching stories] suggest ways of looking at difficulties that can help children solve problems calmly while, at the same time, giving them fresh perspectives on these difficulties that help them develop their cognitive abilities" - psychologist Robert Ornstein, Ph.D., in his lecture "Teaching Stories and the Brain" given at the U.S. Library of Congress
"Through repeated readings, these stories provoke fresh insight and more flexible thought in children. Beautifully illustrated." - NEA Today: The Magazine of the National Education Association (U.S.)
"Shah's versatile and multilayered tales provoke fresh insight and more flexible thought in children." - Bookbird: A Journal of International Children's Literature
"These stories . are not moralistic fables or parables, which aim to indoctrinate, nor are they written only to amuse. Rather, they are carefully designed to show effective ways of defining and responding to common life experiences." - Denise Nessel, Ph.D., Senior Consultant with the National Urban Alliance for Effective Education (U.S.), writing in Library Media Connection: The Professional Magazine for School Library Media Specialists (U.S.)
"These enchanting stories Shah has collected have a richness and depth not often encountered in children's literature, and their effect on minds young and old can be almost magical." - Multicultural Perspectives: An Official Journal of the National Association for Multicultural Education (U.S.)
"Shah has collected hundreds of Sufi tales, many of which are teaching tales or instructional stories. In this tradition, the line between stories for children and those for adults is not as clear as it seems to be in Western cultures, and the lessons are important for all generations." - School Library Journal (U.S.)
". these are vibrant, engaging, universal stories. " - Multicultural Perspectives: An Official Journal of the National Association for Multicultural Education (U.S.)
". a series of children's books that have captivated the hearts and minds of people from all walks of life. The books are tales from a rich tradition of story telling from Central Asia and the Middle East. Stories told and retold to children, by campfire and candlelight, for more than a thousand years." - NEA Today: The Magazine of the National Education Association (U.S.)
He explained to her how to operate the magic horse, in case she might need to flee for safety while he was away.
The Wiccan Rede, a moral code, states "An it harm none, do what ye will," which means that Wiccans are encouraged to live their lives in a way that harms no one, including themselves. Wicca also promotes a deep respect for nature and the environment and encourages sustainable living practices. Wicca is a decentralized religion, meaning that there is no central authority or hierarchy. Instead, individual practitioners have the freedom to interpret and practice Wicca in their own way, often influenced by their personal beliefs and experiences. There is also a strong emphasis on personal experience and direct communication with the divine, which means that each individual's spiritual journey may be unique. Wicca has gained increased visibility and acceptance in recent decades, with practitioners actively seeking recognition and understanding from society. However, misconceptions and stereotypes still persist, often conflating Wicca with Satanism or black magic. In reality, Wicca is a peaceful and nature-focused religion that promotes love, harmony, and reverence for the earth..
Reviews for "The Wiccan Wheel of the Year: Celebrating the Seasons and Cycles"
1. John - 1 star - I found the definition of the Wiccan religion to be completely inaccurate and misleading. As someone who has studied and practiced Wicca for years, I was extremely disappointed with the lack of depth and understanding in this definition. It seemed more like a basic summary than an actual definition. I would not recommend this to anyone looking for accurate information on Wicca.
2. Emily - 2 stars - The definition of the Wiccan religion provided here was too simplistic and generalized. It felt like the writer did not fully grasp the complexity and diversity within the Wiccan community. It failed to mention important aspects such as the emphasis on nature, goddess worship, and the diverse range of beliefs within Wicca. If you're looking for a thorough and accurate explanation of Wicca, I would suggest seeking information elsewhere.
3. Samantha - 1 star - I was hoping to find a comprehensive and well-researched definition of the Wiccan religion, but this fell short. It seemed to rely on common stereotypes and misconceptions instead of providing an accurate portrayal. For those genuinely interested in learning about Wicca, I would suggest turning to reputable books or websites that provide in-depth information from actual practitioners, rather than relying on this shallow definition.
4. Michael - 2 stars - The definition of Wicca offered here felt like a watered-down version that barely scratched the surface. It lacked the depth and detail that one would expect from an accurate definition of a religious practice. I was left feeling unsatisfied and uninformed after reading it. If you truly want to understand Wicca, I recommend delving into scholarly books or attending workshops led by experienced practitioners.
5. Jessica - 1 star - This definition of Wiccan religion was disappointing and lacking in accuracy. It failed to capture the essence of Wicca and instead presented a simplistic and misinformed overview. As a Wiccan practitioner myself, I expected more depth and accuracy. I would not recommend relying on this definition for an understanding of Wicca; there are many better sources available that provide a more comprehensive perspective.