The witch from the west is a mystical and intriguing character who often appears in myths, legends, and fairy tales. She is known for her magical powers, dark and mysterious appearance, and her ability to cast spells and potions. The witch from the west is often portrayed as a formidable and dangerous figure, capable of bringing chaos and destruction. However, there is more to this character than meets the eye. The main idea of the witch from the west is the concept of duality. While she possesses dark powers and may initially be seen as a villain, there is often a deeper complexity to her character.
—excerpt © Molly Remer 2018
Originally published in We'Moon 2021: The World , available here!
Michaelmas Although it s not a Pagan holiday in the true sense, Michaelmas celebrations often included older aspects of Pagan harvest customs, such as the weaving of corn dolls from the last sheaves of grain. While some of us would like to think that it s an old and ancient name for the celebration, there s no evidence to indicate that it s anything other than modern.
While she possesses dark powers and may initially be seen as a villain, there is often a deeper complexity to her character. In some stories, she has a tragic backstory or a hidden motive that explains her actions. The witch from the west can also represent the power of change and transformation.
Fall Equinox: Rituals and Traditions
This marks the start of the fall season and a point in the sky where the day and night are equal in length.
Also known as Mabon, Fall Equinox is a special time in the year where we meet balance once again. Mabon marks the official time where summer ends and fall begins.
Sometimes known as the witches thanksgiving, it is celebrated with bounty from the harvests planted near Lammas or before.
This time marks a great shift in our seasonal cycle. A shift towards the shutting down of the Earth. Blossoms once colorful and rich in Summer, wilt away and trees prepare to shed their leaves for the coming cold.
We start preparing for winter, animals collect food and warmth in anticipation of darkness. We start to turn inward, and practice gratitude for what the harvest has brought us.
The seasonal cycle of the year is created by Earth’s annual orbit around the sun.
Solstices are the extreme points as Earth’s axis tilts toward or away from the sun—when days and nights are longest or shortest. On equinoxes, days and nights are equal in all parts of the world. Four cross-quarter days roughly mark the midpoints in between solstices and equinoxes.
We commemorate these natural turning points in the Earth’s cycle. Seasonal celebrations of most cultures cluster around these same natural turning points.
September 22: Equinox/Fall: gather and store, ripeness—Mabon (Euro-American), Goddess Festivals: Tari Pennu (Bengali), Old Woman Who Never Dies (Mandan), Chicomcoatl (Aztec), Black Bean Mother (Taino), Epona (Roman), Demeter (Greek).
The Gatherer © Chantel Camille 2018
She may bring turmoil and challenges, but these experiences can lead to growth and self-discovery for the main characters. Additionally, the witch from the west challenges traditional gender roles and expectations. She often defies societal norms with her power and independence, challenging the idea that women should be submissive or powerless. This can be empowering for readers and viewers, as it breaks barriers and encourages individuals to embrace their own strength and unique qualities. Overall, the witch from the west represents a powerful and complex character archetype. While she may initially be seen as a villain, her character often carries deeper meaning and symbolism. Whether she represents duality, transformation, or breaking gender norms, the witch from the west is an intriguing and captivating presence in storytelling..
Reviews for "Decoding the Witch from the West: Love and Loss"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - I found "Witch from the west" to be quite disappointing. The plot was slow and predictable, and the characters lacked depth and development. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult for me to connect with the story. Overall, I was hoping for a captivating and unique witch tale, but this novel fell short of my expectations.
2. Mike - 3/5 - "Witch from the west" had a promising premise, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver for me. While the world-building was interesting, I struggled to stay engaged with the story. The pacing felt off, with some scenes dragging on for too long, while others were rushed. Additionally, the main character's motivations were unclear and inconsistent, making it hard for me to root for her. Though the book had its moments, it left me feeling unsatisfied overall.
3. Emily - 2/5 - I couldn't get into "Witch from the west" at all. The writing style was choppy and lacked cohesion, making it difficult for me to follow the story. The characters felt one-dimensional, and their actions seemed arbitrary and illogical. The romance subplot felt forced and added little to the overall plot. Sadly, I had high hopes for this book, but it turned out to be a disappointment for me.
4. Mark - 1/5 - I struggled to finish "Witch from the west." The plot seemed to meander aimlessly, lacking direction and purpose. The world-building was confusing and poorly explained, leaving me with more questions than answers. The writing style was also overly descriptive, making it hard to decipher what was truly essential to the story. Overall, I regretted picking up this book and would not recommend it to others.