Wicca Holidays 2023 In the Wiccan religion, the year is divided into several holidays, also known as Sabbats. These Sabbats celebrate the changing seasons and the cycles of nature. In 2023, Wiccans will observe eight major holidays, each with its unique significance and rituals. The first holiday of the year is Imbolc, which falls on February 1st. Imbolc marks the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It is a time to celebrate the growing light and the awakening of the Earth.
Together with Aleister Crowley, the self-proclaimed “Most Evil Man in the World” Valiente recruits a hard-nosed white witch Dion Fortune, the grizzled and gray-bearded founder of Wicca Gerald Gardner, and exorcist and con man in a turban Rollo Ahmed. Together this coven of witches will travel deep into the heart of Nazi-occupied Europe and gamble their lives, their beliefs, and their powers on a mission to help capture Rudolf Hess, fervent occultist, and second in command to Adolf Hitler himself.
In the darkest hours of World War 2, Doreen Valiente, a junior intelligence officer, twenty years old and already a war widow, is approached by a British General who tells her he knows she s a witch and that s how she can best serve her country. Paul Cornell has foraged some highly-charged elements from the historical record - Aleister Crowley s espionage claims and Dion Fortune s psychic civil defense project - and brewed up something magickal.
It is a time to celebrate the growing light and the awakening of the Earth. Wiccans may perform rituals to honor the goddess Brigid, who represents the elements of fire and hearth. Next comes Ostara, celebrated on March 21st, which coincides with the spring equinox.
The grizzled witch
“Vengefully imaginative occult rewrite of wartime history, full of sharp knife twists, proving yet again that Cornell is a storyteller to cherish.” — Chuck Wendig
Inspired by a true story, The Witches of World War II follows a coven of witches as they embark on a mission to help capture Adolf Hitler's second-in-command, Rudolf Hess.
This magic kills fascists! In the darkest hours of World War 2, Doreen Valiente, a junior intelligence officer, twenty years old and already a war widow, is approached by a British General who tells her he knows she’s a witch… and that’s how she can best serve her country.
Valiente, an expert on British folklore and the occult, is to use her connections in this peculiar community to recruit a group of British ‘magicians’ and use their “skills” to gain some advantage over the Nazi high command, who believe fervently “in all this occult rubbish.”
Together with Aleister Crowley, the self-proclaimed “Most Evil Man in the World” Valiente recruits a hard-nosed white witch Dion Fortune, the grizzled and gray-bearded founder of Wicca Gerald Gardner, and exorcist and con man in a turban Rollo Ahmed. Together this coven of witches will travel deep into the heart of Nazi-occupied Europe and gamble their lives, their beliefs, and their powers on a mission to help capture Rudolf Hess, fervent occultist, and second in command to Adolf Hitler himself.
Inspired by the incredible true story of the New Forest coven and Operation Cone of Power.
About the Author
Paul Cornell has written episodes of Elementary, Doctor Who, Primeval, Robin Hood, and many other TV series, including his own children’s show, Wavelength. He’s worked for every major comics company, including his creator-owned series SAUCER STATE for IDW and THIS DAMNED BAND for Dark Horse. He has also done runs for Marvel and DC on BATMAN AND ROBIN, WOLVERINE, and YOUNG AVENGERS. He’s the writer of the Lychford rural fantasy novellas from Tor.com Publishing. He’s won the BSFA Award for his short fiction, an Eagle Award for his comics, a Hugo Award for his podcast, and shares in a Writer’s Guild Award for his work on Doctor Who.
Valeria Burzo is an Italian comic book artist and illustrator. After graduating from the Academy of Fine Arts in Naples, she attended the Italian School of Comix, graduating in 2014 ith honors. Since then she has collaborated with numerous Italian and European comic publications, including La Repubblica di Napoli, Novel Comics, and Glenat.
Jordie Bellaire is an American comic book colorist who currently lives in Ireland and works for DC, Marvel, Valiant, and Image comic book publishers. She has colored Pretty Deadly, The Manhattan Projects, Moon Knight, The Vision, Magneto, Nowhere Men, Hawkeye, Batman, among other titles.
SIMON BOWLAND has been lettering comics since 2004 and continues to work for publishers such as 2000AD, Marvel, DC, Image, Valiant, Dark Horse, and now TKO Studios. He lives in England with his colourist wife, Pippa, and their laid-back tabby cat, Jess.”
Praise For…
“Vengefully imaginative occult rewrite of wartime history, full of sharp knife twists, proving yet again that Cornell is a storyteller to cherish.”
— Chuck Wendig
"Paul Cornell has foraged some highly-charged elements from the historical record - Aleister Crowley’s espionage claims and Dion Fortune’s psychic civil defense project - and brewed up something magickal.”
— Matthew Sweet (BBC Journalist and author of The West End Front)
- Comics & Graphic Novels / Historical Fiction
- Fiction / Historical / World War II
- Fiction / Occult & Supernatural
Ostara is a time of balance, as day and night are of equal length. It symbolizes fertility, growth, and new beginnings. Wiccans may engage in rituals that honor the god and goddess, as well as perform activities such as planting seeds or creating art. Beltane, occurring on May 1st, marks the beginning of summer. It is a joyous celebration of life, love, and fertility. Wiccans may perform rituals that involve dancing around a maypole, lighting bonfires, and gathering wildflowers. Beltane is a time of merriment and embracing the sensual aspects of life. Litha, also known as the summer solstice, falls on June 21st. It is the longest day of the year and represents the peak of the sun's power. Wiccans may engage in rituals that focus on harnessing this solar energy and celebrating the abundance of the Earth. Litha is a time to appreciate the beauty of nature and connect with the elements. Lammas, occurring on August 1st, is the first harvest festival of the year. It is a time to give thanks for the bounty of the Earth and share the abundance with others. Wiccans may perform rituals that involve baking bread, making corn dollies, and feasting on seasonal fruits and vegetables. Mabon, celebrated on September 21st, marks the autumn equinox. It is a time of balance, as day and night are again of equal length. Mabon represents the second harvest and the beginning of the dark half of the year. Wiccans may perform rituals that focus on gratitude, reflection, and preservation. Samhain, occurring on October 31st, is perhaps the most well-known Wiccan holiday. It is the Wiccan New Year and a time to honor the ancestors and the spirits of the departed. Samhain is associated with death and rebirth, as well as divination and magic. Wiccans may perform rituals that involve bonfires, leaving offerings for the spirits, and practicing divination. Finally, Yule, celebrated on December 21st, is the winter solstice. It is the shortest day of the year and represents the rebirth of the sun. Yule is a time of introspection and celebrating the return of light. Wiccans may perform rituals that involve lighting candles, decorating trees, and exchanging gifts. Overall, the Wiccan holidays in 2023 offer a calendar of celebrations that connect Wiccans with the cycles of nature and the spiritual significance of each season. These holidays provide opportunities for reflection, gratitude, and connection with the divine forces that shape the world around us..
Reviews for "Lughnasadh: Harvest Celebrations in Wiccan Tradition"
1. Jane Smith - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Wicca Holidayys 2023". The storyline was all over the place and it felt like the author was just trying to include as many Wiccan rituals and beliefs as possible without any coherence. The characters were underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with them on any level. Additionally, the writing style was clunky and filled with unnecessary jargon, which made it a chore to read. Overall, I found it to be a frustrating and unsatisfying experience.
2. Michael Johnson - 2 stars
As someone who practices Wicca, I was excited to read "Wicca Holidayys 2023" but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The author's portrayal of Wiccan practices and traditions felt inaccurate and superficial. It seemed like they had done a quick internet search on Wicca and tried to incorporate random elements into the story without understanding their significance. The lack of authenticity made the whole book feel forced and gimmicky. I was also hoping for a well-written plot and strong character development, but both were severely lacking. Overall, I was unimpressed with this book and would not recommend it to fellow Wiccans or anyone looking for a well-crafted story.
3. Samantha Adams - 2 stars
"Wicca Holidayys 2023" was a disappointment for me. The premise seemed promising, but the execution fell flat. The pacing was incredibly slow, and it took forever for anything interesting or engaging to happen. The characters felt one-dimensional and cliché, lacking the complexity and depth that I was hoping for. Additionally, the writing style was awkward and clunky, making it difficult to stay engaged with the story. I wanted to enjoy this book, but unfortunately, it just didn't live up to its potential.