The Pagan annual wheel for 2022 represents a cyclical and nature-centered approach to marking the passing of time. Paganism is a spiritual practice that celebrates the rhythms and cycles of the Earth, and the annual wheel is a way to honor and connect with these natural cycles. The wheel is comprised of eight major festivals, known as Sabbats, which are spaced evenly throughout the year. Each Sabbat represents a different phase in the agricultural and seasonal cycles, and they are celebrated with rituals, ceremonies, and gatherings. The main idea of the Pagan annual wheel is the recognition of the interconnectedness of all things and the belief that the cyclical patterns of nature mirror the cycles of human life. The wheel reminds Pagans to be mindful of the changing seasons and to appreciate and connect with the Earth and its diverse manifestations.
The side characters are wonderful as well, if a little two-dimensional. Ellie and Caedmon’s two main friends, Omari and Lorelai, are intriguing but don’t get much development, something that I believe would be addressed if there are further installments in the series. They both show a lot of promise as characters, but we just don’t get to see that much of them. Every other character is unique and interesting, no matter how small a role they play.
Ellie is a 12-year-old witch, something that she has hidden all of her life, who is rejected from the Fairy Godmother Academy at the start of the book. It s a book about magic and knights and witches and learning to be friends; my only issue with it is that I wish there was more content coming, and there are far worse problems for a book to have than being too interesting.
The wheel reminds Pagans to be mindful of the changing seasons and to appreciate and connect with the Earth and its diverse manifestations. The wheel begins with Imbolc on February 2nd, which marks the start of spring and the return of light and life after the darkness of winter. This is followed by Ostara on March 20th, which celebrates the vernal equinox and the balance between day and night.
Review: “The Witch, the Sword, and the Cursed Knights,” by Alexandria Rogers
The Witch, The Sword, and the Cursed Knights, by Alexandria Rogers, takes place in a world inspire by Arthurian mythology, in which the fall of Camelot fractured the world into a couple dozen magical realms and one non-magical realm. Children are drafted from across the realms each year to go through trials to potentially become knights and protect the realms (a lifelong commitment). Ellie is a 12-year-old witch, something that she has hidden all of her life, who is rejected from the Fairy Godmother Academy at the start of the book. When she is drafted, she decides to carry out the ultimate fairy godmother task of helping a lost cause achieve their greatest wish in the hopes of getting her rejection reconsidered. Meanwhile, Caedmon is from the non-magical realm, and recently lost his best friend due to a sudden illness. When he is drafted, he finds out that his friend was killed by an evil magical creature unleashed by a curse upon the academy, and that the only way to keep his family safe is for him to become a knight and find the lost sword of Excalibur.
Both protagonists are wonderful, though I was somewhat partial to Ellie. She struggles a lot with the fact that she’s always had to hide the fact that she’s a witch, since witches are subject to intense discrimination and control in her world. She’s always been friendless, and constant insults from her mother make her want to do anything to gain her approval, which is what leads her to her dream of being a fairy godmother. She’s determined and fun and impulsive and I absolutely loved reading her character arc.
Meanwhile, Caedmon is still working through the trauma of his best friend’s death when his world is turned completely upside down through the knowledge that there’s magic that has been hidden from his realm for his entire life, and that he has to leave his family and become a knight in order to protect them. He’s rational and ambitious and a wonderful foil to Ellie’s character, even if I didn’t quite enjoy reading about him as much as I did her.
Ellie and Caedmon’s friendship is one of the best parts of the book. They’re both a little traumatized when it comes to friendships, due to Ellie’s never having had a friend and Caedmon having lost his best friend only shortly before the events of the book, so a lot of this development is them learning to trust and rely on each other in spite of those issues.
The side characters are wonderful as well, if a little two-dimensional. Ellie and Caedmon’s two main friends, Omari and Lorelai, are intriguing but don’t get much development, something that I believe would be addressed if there are further installments in the series. They both show a lot of promise as characters, but we just don’t get to see that much of them. Every other character is unique and interesting, no matter how small a role they play.
The worldbuilding is so fun as well; I loved all of the witches and fairy godmothers and knights and princesses. I wish a little more time had been spent on it, since there were definitely occasions where I was a little confused as to what was going on. However, I was always able to figure it out relatively quickly what characters were referring to, so it was never an issue for long. It isn’t the most complex lore in the world, but it’s still a really interesting take on Arthurian mythology, and I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it.
One thing I will say is that this definitely feels like the first book in a series, but it doesn’t appear that any sequels have been announced yet. I’ll definitely be disappointed if there aren’t further books released, because it definitely feels more like the start of a story than the entire one; there’s still a lot of plot and character development that it feels like is right there waiting to happen, so I truly hope it does, as it’s relatively unsatisfying as a standalone.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed The Witch, the Sword, and the Cursed Knights. It’s a truly captivating and fun middle-grade fantasy based on the stories of Camelot. The plot is interesting, but the characters are what truly make the story as they figure out who they are and who they want to be. While I really hope that this becomes a series, since I want to see how all of the characters and plot-hooks introduced in this book develop, I would still readily recommend it if such a thing never comes to be. It’s a book about magic and knights and witches and learning to be friends; my only issue with it is that I wish there was more content coming, and there are far worse problems for a book to have than being too interesting. I’m giving it 5/5 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
We all have to get up on our own two feet. Ellie and Caedmon can’t fix each other’s problems by waving their wands or challenging monsters to duels. But they can help each other. See and accept each other. For none of us need ever be alone.
Beltane on May 1st is a celebration of fertility and new beginnings, while Litha on June 21st commemorates the summer solstice and the peak of the sun's power. These two Sabbats represent the height of the growing season and are associated with joy, abundance, and the vitality of life. Lughnasadh on August 1st marks the beginning of the harvest season and is a time to show gratitude for the fruits of the land. Mabon on September 22nd is the autumnal equinox and a time of balance and reflection as the days grow shorter. Samhain on October 31st is perhaps the most well-known Sabbat, as it is associated with Halloween. It is a time to honor ancestors, remember the dead, and embrace the thinning of the veil between the physical and spiritual realms. Finally, Yule on December 21st celebrates the winter solstice and the rebirth of the sun. It is a time of introspection, renewal, and hope for the return of light. The Pagan annual wheel provides a structure for Pagans to connect with the natural world, honor the changing seasons, and celebrate their spiritual beliefs. It is a reminder to live in harmony with the Earth and to recognize the cycles of life and death that are inherent in all things..
Reviews for "Walking the Wheel: A Guide to Honoring the Pagan Annual Wheel in 2022"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with "Pagan annual wheel 2022". While I appreciate the effort to create a comprehensive guide for pagans, I found that the content was lacking depth and substance. Many of the descriptions and explanations were overly simplistic and didn't provide any real insight or understanding. Additionally, I was hoping for more in-depth rituals and activities, but they seemed really basic and didn't offer anything new or unique. Overall, I felt like this annual wheel was more of a beginner's guide rather than something that would truly enrich my pagan practice.
2. Michael - 1/5 - "Pagan annual wheel 2022" was a complete letdown for me. I was excited to explore different pagan celebrations and rituals throughout the year, but this book just fell flat. The information was at a very surface level, and I could have easily found it on the internet for free. There were no new insights or perspectives offered, and the repetitive nature of the content made it difficult to stay engaged. I was hoping for a comprehensive guide, but this felt more like a rushed and unoriginal compilation of basic information. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a meaningful exploration of pagan practices.
3. Emily - 2/5 - I was hoping that "Pagan annual wheel 2022" would provide me with a deeper understanding of the pagan calendar and its significance. Unfortunately, I found the book to be quite shallow in its content. The descriptions of the seasonal celebrations and rituals felt superficial and lacking in detail. Additionally, the book didn't offer any practical guidance or suggestions on how to incorporate these celebrations into daily life. Overall, I felt like it was a missed opportunity to really delve into the richness and complexity of pagan traditions. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a more profound exploration of paganism.
4. David - 1/5 - "Pagan annual wheel 2022" was a huge disappointment. The information provided was very basic and didn't offer anything new or insightful. I was expecting a comprehensive guide with in-depth explanations of the various pagan traditions and their significance, but this book fell short. The writing style was also quite dry and lacked enthusiasm. It felt like I was reading a textbook rather than a book meant to inspire and engage. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a meaningful exploration of paganism.