Paganism is a broad term that encompasses a variety of religious and spiritual beliefs. Many pagan traditions have their own unique holidays and celebrations. These holidays often revolve around nature and the changing seasons. One of the most well-known pagan holidays is Ostara, which is celebrated around the spring equinox. This holiday marks the return of spring and the fertility of the earth. Many pagans celebrate Ostara by decorating eggs, a symbol of new life, and by planting seeds or taking part in other activities that honor the earth's renewal.
"Expansive and easy to imagine.. Flores presents a new twist on the classic fairy tale Rapunzel, braiding together a sapphic love story, vampires, and vampire-hating witches." - Booklist
When she s not writing or reading, Francesca enjoys traveling, dancing ballet and jazz, practicing trapeze and contortion, and visiting parks and trails around San Francisco, where she currently resides. This incredible book is full of everything you ll ever need--a lush, interesting world, action, incredible character work, and, of course, witches and vampires galore.
Many pagans celebrate Ostara by decorating eggs, a symbol of new life, and by planting seeds or taking part in other activities that honor the earth's renewal. Another major pagan holiday is Beltane, which falls on May 1st and marks the beginning of summer. This holiday is often associated with fertility and abundance.
The Witch and the Vampire - by Francesca Flores (Hardcover)
Francesca Flores's The Witch and the Vampire is a queer Rapunzel retelling where a witch and a vampire who trust no one but themselves must journey together through a cursed forest with danger at every turn.
Ava and Kaye used to be best friends. Until one night two years ago, vampires broke through the magical barrier protecting their town, and in the ensuing attack, Kaye's mother was killed, and Ava was turned into a vampire. Since then, Ava has been trapped in her house. Her mother Eugenia needs her: Ava still has her witch powers, and Eugenia must take them in order to hide that she's a vampire as well. Desperate to escape her confinement and stop her mother's plans to destroy the town, Ava must break out, flee to the forest, and seek help from the vampires who live there. When there is another attack, she sees her opportunity and escapes.
Kaye, now at the end of her training as a Flame witch, is ready to fulfill her duty of killing any vampires that threaten the town, including Ava. On the night that Ava escapes, Kaye follows her and convinces her to travel together into the forest, while secretly planning to turn her in. Ava agrees, hoping to rekindle their old friendship, and the romantic feelings she'd started to have for Kaye before that terrible night.
But with monstrous trees that devour humans whole, vampires who attack from above, and Ava's stepfather tracking her, the woods are full of danger. As they travel deeper into the forest, Kaye questions everything she thought she knew. The two are each other's greatest threat--and also their only hope, if they want to make it through the forest unscathed.
Review Quotes
"Expansive and easy to imagine.. Flores presents a new twist on the classic fairy tale Rapunzel, braiding together a sapphic love story, vampires, and vampire-hating witches." - Booklist
"This is perfect for fans of vampire novels.. Readers of paranormal romance or fairy-tale retellings will likely enjoy this quick read." - School Library Journal
"This incredible book is full of everything you'll ever need--a lush, interesting world, action, incredible character work, and, of course, witches and vampires galore. I had a fantastic time and I couldn't put it down." - Jessica Lewis, author of Bad Witch Burning
"An enchanting world with fast-paced action, plenty of twists, and a sweet romance at the center. For anyone who wished Tangled had been a little more dark and a lot more gay." - Sonia Hartl, author of The Lost Girls
"The Witch and the Vampire casts a pulse-pounding spell on readers from the start and never relents. Its magic lies in the complex exploration of self, how family and ideological differences play a role in defining it, and the healing nature of sweet, patient love. I kept rooting for Ava and Kaye to not only mend their broken friendship, but also realize they were exactly what the other had been waiting for. I'm on Team KAVA for life." - Amparo Ortiz, author of Blazewrath Games
"Flores conjures a bewitchingly atmospheric world of deadly magic, ancient rivalries, and cursed forests underpinned by a sumptuous, slow-burn romance that puts a fresh spin on the canon of witches and vampires." - Amelie Wen Zhao, author of the Blood Heir trilogy
"Ava and Kaye's gentle romance, which believably unfolds amid their mutual distrust, invests readers in their plight" - Publishers Weekly
About the Author
FRANCESCA FLORES is a writer, traveler and linguist. Raised in Pittsburgh, she read every fantasy book she could get her hands on and started writing her own stories at a young age. When she's not writing or reading, Francesca enjoys traveling, dancing ballet and jazz, practicing trapeze and contortion, and visiting parks and trails around San Francisco, where she currently resides. She is the author of Diamond City and Shadow City.
"This is perfect for fans of vampire novels.. Readers of paranormal romance or fairy-tale retellings will likely enjoy this quick read." - School Library Journal
Traditional celebrations may include fertility rituals, maypole dancing, and bonfires. Midsummer, or Litha, is another important pagan holiday. Celebrated on the summer solstice, this holiday honors the sun and the height of summer. Many pagans celebrate by lighting bonfires and staying up all night to welcome the sun. Samhain, also known as Halloween, is one of the most important holidays in the pagan calendar. Celebrated on October 31st, Samhain marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker half of the year. It is a time when pagans believe the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is thinnest, and many people choose to honor their ancestors and communicate with spirits. Yule, celebrated on the winter solstice, is another major pagan holiday. It marks the longest night of the year and the return of the light. It is a time of rest and reflection, as well as a celebration of the eventual return of warmth and daylight. These are just a few examples of the major pagan holidays. Each pagan tradition may have its own unique holidays and celebrations, but they all share a common connection to the cycles of nature and the changing seasons. These holidays provide an opportunity for pagans to connect with the natural world and honor their spiritual beliefs..
Reviews for "Pagan Rituals and Practices During the Winter Solstice"
1. John Doe - 1 star
Major pagan holidays completely go against my beliefs and values. I find it extremely offensive to celebrate rituals and customs that have no basis in my faith. These holidays promote activities and beliefs that are contradictory to my own spirituality. I would prefer if society shifted its focus to more inclusive and universally accepted holidays.
2. Jane Smith - 2 stars
I understand that major pagan holidays hold historical and cultural significance for some people, but I personally struggle to connect with them. The rituals and customs involved are not something I find meaningful or fulfilling. I believe that holidays should be a time for family, love, and unity, but these pagan holidays don't resonate with me in that way.
3. David Thompson - 1 star
Major pagan holidays are an unnecessary distraction from the true meaning of celebrations. Instead of focusing on materialistic aspects and indulging in ancient traditions, we should be using holidays as an opportunity to reflect on our values and spend quality time with loved ones. I find it hard to understand why these pagan holidays have such a strong hold in our society, as they seem to lack true purpose and meaning.