The Pagan Wheel of the Year is a system used by many Pagan and Wiccan practitioners to mark the changing seasons and celebrate significant festivals throughout the year. It is based on the natural cycles of the Earth and aligns with the solstices, equinoxes, and other celestial events. In 2022, the Pagan Wheel of the Year will continue to guide practitioners in their spiritual practices and celebrations. The year will begin with Imbolc, which occurs on February 1st and celebrates the returning light and the early signs of spring. This festival is often associated with the goddess Brigid and is a time for purification and renewal. Next comes Ostara, which takes place on the spring equinox around March 20th.
Next comes Ostara, which takes place on the spring equinox around March 20th. This festival celebrates the arrival of spring and the balance between light and dark. It is a time for fertility rites and honoring the goddess of the dawn.
Village Witch
All of the solo tabletop roleplaying games I’ve reviewed for this blog have had stakes of some sort. Sometimes the stakes were represented by a rapidly destabilizing block tower or the gradual depletion of resources needed to continue the story. Village Witch is not like that and, at first, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy the leisurely, unpressured feel of the game. After all, would there be any drama if there wasn’t some chance of failure? And without this drama, would the story I came up with be worth telling at all?
In Village Witch, players take on the roll of a recently trained witch setting off to find a village that will become their home for the rest of their lives. They will spend at least one season in a village and, at the end of that season, decide if they’ll move on, stay for another full season, or settle in that village permanently, thus triggering the end of the game.
The setting for each village is randomized by a d6 and journal entries are gently guided by 26 broad prompts chosen via random card draw. Players decide for themselves how many cards to draw and how to incorporate the guidance provided into their story. That’s essentially the entire game: arriving at a village, drawing any number of cards you desire, telling however long of a story you’d like, and then choosing to put down roots or try your luck at the next village on your list.
And it all works so well. When I started playing Village Witch, I wasn’t really in the mood to be challenged or to test my luck. I wanted nothing more than to tell a gentle story about a young witch trying to find their way in the world, and this game provided me exactly that. There was no pressure to tell a certain kind of story or to push on, risking everything to overcome great obstacles or defeat powerful foes. There’s no problem with games like that, mind you. I love some Wretched and Alone hacks, after all, and they can be (and should be?) very stressful at times.
The story I created was quiet, personal, and allowed me to explore some important, intimate questions without interference. Without interference, yes, but not without subtle, elegant influence provided by the writing prompts.
Village Witch is cozy. It’s nice, simple, and warm. It’s a cup of tea in game form. It’s a nap on the couch on a rainy Sunday afternoon. It’s wonderful. Life is full of challenges and stressors, and most games reflect that in one way or another. But life can also be peaceful, quiet, and still highly rewarding. I haven’t found another game that has invoked those feelings better than this. Now, if you’ll excuse me, Linden and I have an appointment we must keep in Glasprey’s Mill.
DISCLAIMER: I do not know anyone involved with this game, nor did I receive anything for free in exchange for this review. I did once own a variety of pentacle necklaces in my youth so perhaps I’ve always been a bit predisposed to all things witchy. I guess you could say I’ve always found this sort of thing…charming? Get it? I know. I am so sorry.
Built upon the Peregrine framework. You can download the SRD for free here!
Beltane is the next festival on the Wheel, occurring on May 1st. It marks the midpoint between the spring equinox and the summer solstice and celebrates the peak of springtime and the fertility of the Earth. This festival is often associated with Maypole dancing and feasting. Litha, also known as Midsummer or the summer solstice, falls around June 21st. It is the longest day of the year and the height of the sun's power. This festival celebrates the abundance of light and the fiery energy of the sun. It is a time for outdoor rituals, bonfires, and connecting with nature. Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, takes place on August 1st. It marks the beginning of the harvest season and is associated with the god Lugh. This festival is a time to give thanks for the bounty of the Earth and to celebrate the fruits of our labor. Mabon, the autumn equinox, occurs around September 22nd. It is a time of balance, as the day and night are equal in length. This festival celebrates the second harvest and the transition into the darker half of the year. It is a time for reflection and gratitude. Samhain, also known as Halloween, is the next festival on the Wheel, taking place on October 31st. It is a time when the veil between the worlds is thinnest, allowing communication with the spirits of the deceased. This festival also marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dark half of the year. Lastly, Yule, the winter solstice, occurs around December 21st. It is the shortest day of the year and marks the rebirth of the sun. This festival celebrates the return of light and the promise of new beginnings. It is a time for introspection, meditation, and setting intentions for the coming year. In conclusion, the Pagan Wheel of the Year serves as a guide for Pagan and Wiccan practitioners to honor the changing seasons and celebrate important festivals throughout 2022. By aligning with the natural cycles of the Earth, practitioners can deepen their connection with nature and the divine..
Reviews for "Planning Your Pagan Year: A Guide to Celebrating the Wheel of the Year in 2022"
- Jessica - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the "Pagan Wheel of the Year 2022" book. I found it to be incredibly shallow and lacking in substance. The information provided was very basic and didn't delve into the deeper aspects of the pagan traditions. It felt more like a quick overview rather than a comprehensive guide. Additionally, I wasn't impressed with the writing style; it lacked finesse and came across as amateurish. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for an in-depth exploration of pagan practices.
- John - 1 star - I regret purchasing the "Pagan Wheel of the Year 2022" book. It failed to meet my expectations on multiple levels. Firstly, the content was extremely repetitive and felt like a rehash of information I could easily find online for free. Secondly, the layout and organization were chaotic, making it difficult to navigate and find specific information. Lastly, the book seemed to be written for complete beginners with little to no understanding of paganism, which was disappointing for someone who was looking for a more advanced guide. Save your money and look elsewhere for a better book on paganism.
- Sarah - 2 stars - "Pagan Wheel of the Year 2022" was a letdown for me. While I appreciate the effort to provide a comprehensive overview of the pagan wheel of the year, I felt that the book lacked depth and failed to go beyond the surface-level celebrations and rituals. I was hoping for a more profound exploration of the spiritual and historical significance of each festival, but instead, I found myself skimming through pages of repetitive and unoriginal content. Overall, it left me wanting more and I wouldn't recommend it unless you are completely new to paganism.