Something occult is on the horizon. There is a sense of mystery and intrigue that hangs in the air, hinting at something beyond the realm of our understanding. The unknown is beckoning, drawing us closer to the occult. **What does it mean?** The word occult itself is often associated with the supernatural, the mystical, and the esoteric. It is a realm that lies beyond our everyday perception, hiding secrets and knowledge that many seek to uncover. **The allure of the unknown** The occult has always held a fascination for mankind, capturing our imagination and sparking a sense of wonder.
**The allure of the unknown** The occult has always held a fascination for mankind, capturing our imagination and sparking a sense of wonder. It offers an escape from the mundane and opens up a world of infinite possibilities. **Exploring the depths** Venturing into the occult requires a willingness to explore the depths of our consciousness and confront the mysteries that lie within.
Witch Hazels: A Promise That Spring is on the Way
Witch hazel has a long history of medicinal use. Native Americans used the leaves and bark as a poultice or tea to reduce inflammation and fever. Today, witch hazel is used in cosmetics, and a lotion of the extract and alcohol is marketed as a first aid for abrasions and skin irritations.
Forked stems of this plant have been used as "divining rods," too. The stems are said to dip down when held over underground water, thereby locating the site of a future well, a practice known as "water witching."
Witch hazel is a genus of deciduous slow-growing small trees and shrubs native to Asia, the eastern United States and Mexico. There are five species and nearly 100 cultivars, all of which are multi-stemmed. Most are upright with broad-spreading, open canopies and have great value in lighting up an otherwise drab, dormant landscape.
Depending on the species or cultivar, they have bright yellow, apricot to orange or red flowers that last about one month. Each bloom has four wispy petals radiating outward. The petals vary in length according to species. Individual flowers may not be showy, yet because they are arranged in clusters by the hundreds along branches and twigs, their effect is mesmerizing.
Witch hazels need a chilling time below 45 degrees before they flower and may bloom earlier in a mild winter. Their flowers are adapted to winter cold, averting freeze damage by closing when temperatures drop.
They thrive in well-drained organic-rich acidic soil. They prefer partial shade but can tolerate full sun if they receive adequate water, especially during periods of drought. Plants grown in full sun will exhibit denser foliage and flower more heavily than those grown in shade.
A U.S. native, vernal witch hazel (H. vernalis), is hardy in USDA Zones 4-8 and grows along stream banks in Missouri and Arkansas. Its yellow to reddish and deeply fragrant flowers are the smallest but most profuse of all the witch hazels. Flowers bloom in January, sometimes by Christmas in mild winters. More shrubby that other species and maturing at 6 to 10 feet in height, vernal witch hazel colonizes and, with its attractive golden fall foliage, can be massed as a screen or unpruned hedge.
There are two Asian witch hazel species, both hardy in USDA Zones 5-8, that bloom in February-March. They include Chinese witch hazel (H. mollis) and Japanese witch hazel (H. japonica). Both have classic spidery witch hazel flowers, but H. mollis is the most fragrant witch hazel, while H. japonica boasts superb fall foliage.
These species have been bred with our native witch hazels to create plants that add greatly to the home landscape. In the 1940s, crosses or hybrids of the Asian species, found in Boston's Arnold Arboretum and in Europe, were classified as a separate species, Hamamelis x intermedia (USDA Zones 5-8).
Whether you're choosing a witch hazel for fragrance, floral impact or fall foliage, there are cultivars suited for each use. Cultivars have also been selected for losing their leaves before the flowers appear, one of the less desired traits of native species. Some recommended cultivars include:
'Arnold Promise': vase-shaped, with fragrant light yellow, late-winter blooms, and red and yellow fall color. Grows 15-20 feet tall and 10-12 feet wide. Introduced by the Arnold Arboretum.
'Jelena': Belgian cultivar, more horizontal in habit with early to midwinter copper-orange flowers and good orange-red fall foliage. Grows 15 feet tall and wide.
'Diane': Belgian cultivar, late winter bloom of deep red flowers fading to copper and vivid red, yellow and orange fall color. Grows 10 feet tall and wide.
'Pallida': Early flowering with soft yellow, very fragrant blooms and yellow fall color. An RHS selection, grows 8 feet tall and 15 feet wide.
'New Year's Gold' and 'Orange Sunrise': Both cultivars of H. vernalis that lose their leaves before they flower in the fall.
Native to the woodland understory of the eastern United States, the common witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) is hardy in USDA Zones 3-8. Its spice-scented yellow flowers begin blooming in October and November, and some cultivars bloom into March.The common witch hazel is the only Pennsylvania shrub or tree to bloom in late autumn. Often classified as a shrub because of its multiple stems, it can grow 15-20 (rarely 30) feet in height with a spreading vase shape. It is best used as a small tree in the landscape, sited in partial shade near a home or in a shrub border.
Witch hazels are perfect for a modest-sized garden and their tree-like habit allows for underplanting of choice groundcovers, bulbs and shade-loving perennials. Be sure to site them where you can enjoy their flowers from inside a warm house or up close in a part of the garden where you can appreciate their subtle beauty. Whether used as a specimen or grouped for effect, low-maintenance witch hazels are a delight in the fall and winter landscape and a promise that spring will come again.
The Easter bunny we know today may have come from German immigrants to America, who called this magic, egg-laying hare, the Osterhase or Easter Hare. The custom was first recorded in the 17th century in Germany. This is also the time that people engaged in ‘spring cleaning’ of not only their home, farms and barns, but of unwanted or outmoded attitudes or mindsets. Out with the old, in the with the new.
It offers the opportunity to broaden our understanding and challenge our preconceived notions about reality. **The dangers of the occult** While the occult holds great intrigue, it is not without its dangers. It is like a double-edged sword that can bring enlightenment and transformation but can also lead to obsession and self-destruction. Those who delve too deep into the occult may find themselves lost in a labyrinth of shadows. **Approach with caution** For those who are drawn to the occult, it is important to approach it with caution and respect. It is not a realm to be taken lightly or toyed with. Seek guidance from those who have walked the path before and tread with awareness and discernment. **Unlocking the mysteries** The path of the occult is one of continuous learning and exploration. It is a journey that takes us beyond the limits of our known reality and invites us to unlock the mysteries of the universe. It is not for the faint of heart, but for those willing to embrace the unknown, it promises a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. **Embrace the occult** In a world that often seeks to explain everything through logic and reason, embracing the occult can awaken our sense of wonder and reconnect us with the deeper aspects of existence. It is a reminder that there is more to life than meets the eye and that sometimes, the most profound truths can only be discovered by venturing into the shadows. **Conclusion** Something occult is on the horizon, beckoning us to explore the mysteries that lie beyond our everyday perception. It is a call to embrace the unknown and delve into the depths of our consciousness. But let us approach with caution, for the occult is a realm that demands respect and discernment. As we unlock its secrets, we may find enlightenment and self-discovery, but we must also be aware of the dangers that lurk in the shadows..
Reviews for "The Occult Renaissance: What Awaits Beyond the Horizon?"
1. John Smith - 2 stars:
I found "Something occult is on the horizon" to be quite disappointing. The plot was convoluted and confusing, with too many characters and storylines that didn't seem to connect. The pacing was also off, with long stretches of inaction followed by sudden bursts of action that left me feeling disoriented. I also didn't enjoy the writing style, which felt disjointed and lacking in cohesiveness. Overall, I struggled to stay engaged with the story and ultimately couldn't wait for it to end.
2. Emily Johnson - 1 star:
I really didn't enjoy "Something occult is on the horizon" at all. The plot felt derivative and unoriginal, with predictable twists and turns that didn't offer anything new or exciting. The characters were flat and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their fates. Additionally, the writing was overly descriptive to the point of being tedious, and I found myself skipping through paragraphs just to get to the next plot point. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh and engaging read.
3. James Thompson - 2 stars:
"Something occult is on the horizon" promised an intriguing and mysterious story, but it failed to deliver. The plot felt disjointed and poorly executed, with numerous plot holes and unexplained events. The pacing was also frustrating, with long stretches of exposition that didn't contribute to the overall narrative. The characters were underdeveloped, and their actions often felt inconsistent and illogical. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations.