Wicca, a modern pagan religious movement, celebrates a number of holy days throughout the year. These holy days, also known as sabbats, mark important milestones in the Wheel of the Year, which is a cyclical representation of the changing seasons. The first holy day is called Samhain, which is celebrated on October 31st. Samhain is considered the Wiccan New Year and is a time to honor ancestors and embrace the thinning veil between the spiritual and physical realms. Yule, celebrated around December 21st, is the winter solstice and marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. Wiccans celebrate the rebirth of the sun and the return of light during this time.
Magic tea, dangerous competition, secrets
And though Ning has some experience in both working with tea and the art of healing thanks to her parent s gifts and experiences she feels woefully out of her depth. Imani One of the reasons I love reading fantasy is the ability to get lost in a completely different world and that is how I felt reading Magic Steeped in Poison.
Wiccans celebrate the rebirth of the sun and the return of light during this time. Imbolc, also known as Candlemas, takes place on February 2nd and marks the midway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Wiccans honor the goddess Brigid and celebrate the first signs of spring.
Q&A: Judy I. Lin, Author of ‘A Magic Steeped In Poison’
In this enchanting debut YA fantasy, a young tea-maker travels to the capital city to take part in a cutthroat magical competition that could be the key to saving her sister’s life.
We chat with debut author Judy I. Lin about her novel A Magic Steeped In Poison, along with writing, book recommendations, and more!
Hi, Judy! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’m a Taiwanese-Canadian author and I write books inspired by the mythology and folklore I grew up with. I’m drawn to stories that are fantastical, spooky and/or strange. When I’m not writing, I like to cook and bake, play board games and watch Chinese period dramas.
How has the start of 2022 been for you?
2022 is my debut year and it feels like it has taken forever to arrive! The Book of Tea duology sold in 2019, so it’s been a long time coming. I had my second baby earlier in March though, so preparing for that has kept me busy instead of anxious for my book release.
When did you first discover your love for writing?
I moved from Taiwan to Canada when I was eight years old and was very shy. I wasn’t confident in my speaking ability and found that it was easier for me to express myself through writing. Since I was also an avid reader, it didn’t take long for me to start writing my own stories.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
The first book that made me actually want to become a writer was “The Chosen” by L.J. Smith. I remember picking up the book and seeing a girl dressed in black on the cover standing in a fighting pose and thought she looked really fierce. After I read the book I immediately devoured the other books in the Night World series. I loved the action, the romance, and the idea of a secret society of supernatural beings existing alongside us.
Your debut novel, A Magic Steeped in Poison, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Magic tea, dangerous competition, secrets
What can readers expect?
A Magic Steeped in Poison is about a girl who will do anything to save her beloved sister. There is a beautiful palace that holds treachery and betrayal within its walls. There are banquets and feasts and all sorts of delicious food to accompany the tea. It is a story about leaving home to discover yourself, and finding the strength to continue even when the path is hard.
Where did the inspiration for A Magic Steeped in Poison come from?
Initially, I wanted to play around with the concept of tea magic, and as the world grew in my mind, I started to incorporate elements of Chinese history and culture into the story. I’ve always been fascinated by the Song Dynasty because of the various economic, cultural and agricultural developments that occurred during that time period. Much of the worldbuilding in terms of the court, the palace, the capital, was influenced by that era.
Can you tell us a bit about the challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
It’s been a dream of mine for a long time to write a YA fantasy novel, but for years I struggled with actually writing it. I wondered if readers would even want to read fantasy stories inspired by Chinese and Taiwanese cultural elements that are familiar to me but may be foreign to them. It’s because of Asian authors like Cindy Pon, Malinda Lo, Julie Dao, Elizabeth Lim and Joan He that I kept going. They paved the way for me to feel confident in writing the story that I want to write. When I was finally able to overcome that initial self-doubt, the actual writing was the easier part!
Ostara, celebrated on the spring equinox around March 21st, marks the official beginning of spring when the day and night are of equal length. Wiccans celebrate the awakening of nature and the balance between light and darkness. Beltane, also known as May Day, takes place on May 1st and represents the height of spring and the beginning of summer. Wiccans celebrate the fertility of the Earth and the union between the goddess and the god. Litha, celebrated around June 21st, is the summer solstice and marks the longest day and shortest night of the year. Wiccans honor the sun god and celebrate the peak of summer and the abundance of nature. Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, takes place on August 1st and represents the beginning of the harvest season. Wiccans give thanks for the bountiful harvest and acknowledge the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Mabon, celebrated on the autumn equinox around September 21st, marks the second harvest and the beginning of fall. Wiccans embrace the balance between light and darkness and give thanks for the abundance of the Earth. These Wiccan holy days are important times of celebration, reflection, and connection with nature and the divine. They provide opportunities for pagans to come together, perform rituals, and honor the cycles of life and the changing seasons..
Reviews for "The Significance of Altars and Offerings: Wicca's Holy Days and Sacred Spaces"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Wicca holy days". The book lacked depth and substance. The author barely scratched the surface when it came to explaining the significance and rituals associated with the holy days. I was expecting a comprehensive guide, but instead, I found myself searching for additional resources to truly understand the subject. Overall, I felt let down by the lack of information and detail provided in this book.
2. Michael - 1 star - "Wicca holy days" was a complete waste of my time. The author seemed to have a very shallow understanding of Wiccan practices and ceremonies. The information provided was superficial and repetitive. I was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of the holy days and their significance, but the book failed to deliver. Save your money and look for a more informative and well-researched resource if you're interested in learning about Wicca holy days.
3. Emily - 2 stars - While "Wicca holy days" promised to be a comprehensive guide, it fell short in many aspects. The author's writing style was confusing and convoluted, making it difficult to grasp the concepts presented. Additionally, the lack of clear organization and structure in the book made it hard to follow along. I found myself having to backtrack frequently to understand what the author was trying to convey. Overall, I would not recommend this book to someone looking for a well-written and organized guide to Wicca holy days.
4. James - 1 star - I found "Wicca holy days" to be a complete disappointment. The book felt more like an introduction to the topic rather than an in-depth exploration. The author failed to provide enough historical context and background information to truly understand the significance of the holy days. It seemed like a rushed and poorly researched publication. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of Wiccan holy days.