hansel and gretel witch hunters 2

The Magic Garden of Stanley Sweetheart is a novel written by Robert Westbrook and published in 1969. It tells the story of Stanley, a young man who embarks on a journey of self-discovery and rebellion against societal norms. The novel is set in the backdrop of New York City during the late 1960s, a time of great social and cultural upheaval. Stanley Sweetheart is a twenty-year-old college student who finds himself disillusioned with his mundane life. He feels trapped by the expectations of his parents and society as a whole, and longs for something different. His dissatisfaction and yearning for adventure lead him to the Magic Garden, a bohemian neighborhood in Greenwich Village.

Norwegians celebrate Midsummer’s Eve on 23rd June annually.

Midsummer is the longest day of the year, so Scandinavians are celebrating the long days of natural light, as well as the turning of the season; after Midsummer, the days become shorter. Using the magic of Midsummer night, the enchanted song-light through the woods we build a fire to charge up our potency, weave a garland of prayers with wildflowers and herbs for the next generations of Earth protectors, float it down river watched over by the Sidhe.

His dissatisfaction and yearning for adventure lead him to the Magic Garden, a bohemian neighborhood in Greenwich Village. In the Magic Garden, Stanley meets a group of eccentric and unconventional characters who introduce him to a world of drugs, free love, and counterculture. The Garden becomes his refuge, a place where he can escape from the pressures of his everyday life.

Litha for the Family

Litha is a middle-of-summer celebration found on the Wheel of the Year. It is a Celtic pagan and Wiccan harvest celebration, although Norse pagans have their historical counterpart. In modern times, Litha occurs on the summer solstice when the sun reaches its height and stays out the longest. In arctic areas of the world, the sun doesn't set for days or weeks! Regarding Norse paganism, Litha is part of a New Age reconstruction, but its historical Heathen counterpart 'Midsommar' dates back to the 1000s. Some of the Midsommar activities date back to the 900s; whereas, sun worship can be traced back to carvings from 58-79 BC (the Iron Age). Back in the transitional time of Nordic countries, Christian kings were in a place of power. Many kings and their people were forced to convert to Christianity. Norway was one of the last; because of this, Heathenry became embedded into the culture and preserved many traditions (although not observed as 'Heathenry' anymore). Middle-of-summer party-like fun was a big part of this. Before the King of Norway, Olav Tryggvason gave mid-summer festivities a date in the late 10th century, a few historians reported and complained about the barbaric actions of the Heathens - they DANCED, they DRANK, they SANG, they GOSSIPED, and they COMPLAINED ABOUT THEIR LEADERS! How dare they act so wild and undignified! (I say as I chuckle).

When mid-summer customs were moved to St. John's Eve, the King declared it 'Midsommarfest.' He said merry drinking and dancing were allowed, but there would be no sacrifices. It appears this compromise was generally accepted. Different areas of the world have other names and slightly different practices. Pagan/Heathen names include Midsummer, Midsommar, Midsomarsfest, The Summer Solstice, Alban Hefin, Litha, etc.

Pre-Christian Tribal Traditions

Before the church/king influenced the festivities, the Norse mid-summer gatherings typically consisted of tribes coming together to share news and pass laws, hold a market and trade goods. One tribe in Uppsala, Sweden, held a blót/sacrifice every 8 or 9 years around the middle of summer, but it doesn't seem to be standard practice.

Another tribe in the Mountainous areas of Germany, held great bonfires to signal the ever-burning sun, but again it doesn't seem to be standard practice.

I am going to cut this short so that we can move to 'Litha Activities for the Family, but if you're interested in learning more about the history of Midsommar, sun-worship, and exciting Norse traditions, check out my recent research article by clicking the button below:

Stanley befriends a young woman named Iris, with whom he develops a deep and complex relationship. Throughout the novel, Stanley goes through a series of transformative experiences. He experiments with psychedelic drugs, engages in casual sexual encounters, and questions the conventional values and beliefs that have been instilled in him since childhood. The Magic Garden becomes a symbol of freedom and liberation for Stanley, a place where he can explore his true self without judgment or inhibition. However, as Stanley delves deeper into this new world, he begins to realize that the Magic Garden has its own set of problems and limitations. The carefree lifestyle that initially seemed so appealing starts to lose its luster, and Stanley begins to feel adrift and disconnected. He grapples with questions of identity, love, and the meaning of life, ultimately realizing that true happiness cannot be found solely in rebellion against societal norms. The novel explores themes of youth, rebellion, and the search for meaning. It provides a vivid portrayal of the counterculture movement of the 1960s and its impact on the lives of young people. Through Stanley's experiences, the reader is prompted to question the role of conformity and societal expectations in shaping one's identity and happiness. "The Magic Garden of Stanley Sweetheart" is a thought-provoking and introspective novel that captures the essence of a generation longing for change. Through its exploration of personal freedom and societal constraints, it offers a compelling portrayal of the human condition and the search for meaning in an ever-changing world..

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hansel and gretel witch hunters 2