The okay witch and the hungry shadow Once upon a time, in a small village named Willowbrook, there lived a young and curious witch named Emily. Emily was not your typical witch - she wasn't mischievous or evil. In fact, she was quite the opposite. Emily was always trying to find ways to use her magic to help others. One gloomy evening, as Emily was experimenting with a new spell, a hungry shadow suddenly appeared in her cozy cottage. The shadow was large and intimidating, causing Emily to jump in surprise.
The error came in by slow degrees—not all at once. It would have been too glaring for the church to receive, if it had shown its head at one time with all its horns upon it. But it entered slowly and gradually, till it came to be inducted into the church. I do not know, an error which causes the damnation of more souls than that at the present-time. There are thousands of people who firmly believe that they shall go to heaven because they were sprinkled in infancy, have been confirmed, and have taken the Sacrament. Sacramental efficacy and baptismal regeneration, all spring from the first error of infant baptism. Had they kept to the Scripture, had the church always required faith before baptism, that error could not have sprung up. It must have died before the light of the truth, it could not have breathed, it could not have had a foothold in the Christian church. But one error must lead to another—you never need doubt that. If you tamper with one truth of Scripture, he that tempts you to meddle with one, will tempt you to tamper with another, and there will be no end to it, till, at last, you will want a new Bible, a new Testament, and a new God. There is no telling where you will end when you have begun.” From New Park Street Pulpit, Sermon # 307, page 168.
This aqueous regeneration surpasses my belief; it is a trick which I do not understand the initiated only can perform the beautiful piece of magic, which excels anything ever attempted by the Wizard of the North. These Sacraments, necessary to salvation began at birth with INFANT BAPTISM, other sacraments throughout life, ending with a final anointing with oil at death to prepare one for the hereafter.
The shadow was large and intimidating, causing Emily to jump in surprise. But as she looked closer, she noticed that the shadow had a sad and empty expression. Curiosity sparked within Emily, and she couldn't help but approach the shadow cautiously.
Questions about baptism, paganism, and the interpretation of Christ
I have considered myself Pagan for much of my life. My spouse was raised Catholic, but we have found a home in the Episcopal church. I love our church and I look forward to attending every week. I have always been able to find meaning in the service and have found it to actually be very compatible with my own beliefs. We will be getting our baby baptized, and I feel pulled to be baptized at the same time. However, I don’t subscribe to the story of Jesus as being a literal one. To me, while his teachings are wonderful and totally in line with my morals, the story feels more like a metaphor for the inherent divinity of humanity. Like a call to reconnect the part of us that is God with the part of us that is human. As a very honest person I fear that being baptized even though this is how I feel would be dishonest to the church and disrespectful to the religion. I would love some insight and feedback. I know talking to the priest at my church would probably be a good step to take, but I’m shy and nervous about judgment!
Edit to add: I’m getting a lot of feedback that many baptized Episcopalians feel similarly to me about this. So to add another question, what would be the difference between myself and someone with the same views who happened to be baptized as an infant? Also just a clarifying point, I would see baptism as a commitment to the doctrine, an expression to myself that I would like to explore my spirituality in the context of the church, and in that way bring myself closer to God/dess.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice filled with concern. The shadow hesitated for a moment before speaking, revealing a deep and melancholic tone. "I am the Hungry Shadow," it whispered. "I am always hungry, but I cannot be fed." Emily's kind heart immediately felt for the Hungry Shadow, and she knew she had to find a way to help it. She began researching ancient texts and consulting wise witches from faraway lands. Each advised her that the only solution was to find the magical Pulsating Orb, which had the power to satisfy any hunger. Determined, Emily embarked on a daring adventure to find the Pulsating Orb. She traveled through enchanted forests, climbed treacherous mountains, and braved dark and mysterious caves. Along the way, she encountered riddles, traps, and dangerous creatures, but her bravery and determination saw her through. Finally, after months of searching, Emily found herself face to face with the Pulsating Orb. It was a magnificent crystal, emanating a brilliant glow, as if it held the secrets of the universe. Trembling with anticipation, she carefully approached the orb and channeled her magical energy into it. As the energy surged through her, a powerful wave of light burst forth from the orb, enveloping the Hungry Shadow. Emily watched in awe as the shadow's sad expression transformed into one of contentment and satisfaction. The Hungry Shadow was finally fed, and its hunger was no more. From that day forward, the Hungry Shadow became Emily's loyal companion. Together, they used their magic to bring joy and happiness to the village of Willowbrook. The villagers marveled at the transformation of the once-hungry shadow and saw Emily as a true hero. In the end, Emily's kindness and determination not only saved the Hungry Shadow but also taught her a powerful lesson about empathy and the magic of helping others. And so, the okay witch and the once-hungry shadow lived happily ever after, spreading love and light wherever they went..
Reviews for "The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow: A Story of Love and Sacrifice"
1. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I really did not enjoy reading "The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow." The story felt disjointed and the characters lacked depth. The plot was weak and predictable, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. The writing style did not engage me, making it difficult for me to continue reading. Overall, I found the book to be disappointing and would not recommend it.
2. John - 2/5 stars - "The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow" was an okay read, but it didn't captivate me like I had hoped. The pacing was off, with slow sections that seemed to go on forever and then rushed resolutions that left me wanting more explanation. The humor also fell flat for me, as the jokes felt forced and didn't add to the story. Unfortunately, this book didn't live up to my expectations.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow," but it fell short for me. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked complexity, making it hard for me to relate or care about their journey. The plot also felt repetitive and dragged on in certain parts. While the illustrations were charming, they couldn't save the book from its lackluster story. It just wasn't my cup of tea.