Rifoletto the curse is a dark and ancient legend that has been passed down through generations. It is said to originate from a small village nestled deep in the misty mountains. According to the tale, Rifoletto was a powerful sorcerer who lived in the village centuries ago. Rifoletto was known for his dark and mysterious powers. It was said that he could summon the spirits of the dead and control them as his own. The villagers feared him, but they also respected him because they believed he maintained the balance between good and evil.
When people only join to spam the group or for self promotion … wanting to advertise their products or services but not positively contributing to the group in any other way. The members are what make the group a success or not.
It is the same in ritual, if your attention is focused on following what it says in a book, you are missing out on noticing the subtle energy shifts and feeling the ritual. It was at this point that I started to research the Celtic myth and lore and delve deeper into my ancestry, which is Celtic with a few percent of Scandinavian in there.
The villagers feared him, but they also respected him because they believed he maintained the balance between good and evil. Legend has it that Rifoletto was betrayed by someone he trusted, leading to his untimely death. Before dying, he cursed the village, vowing that one day his powers would be unleashed upon the world.
Celtic Witches, Druids, and Pagans
The second part in our Community Spirituality Series, where I interviewed Elsa Marie Edmond of the Facebook Group ‘Celtic Witches Druids and Pagans’, about her personal spiritual practice, and her online work for the Pagan Community. (Note – the resource links throughout have been added by me, to facilitate further study on specific topics.)
Q. 1 – When and where did your interest in Pagan/Earth based Spirituality begin?
From as early as I can remember. As a young child my favourite places were the woods and the garden. I remember talking to what now I would term as nature spirits or elementals. I knew they were there and would make them houses in the garden. I was always making potions out of mud, water, leaves and petals. I also always ‘knew’ that there was ‘more’ to life than I was taught. An inner knowing.
Q. 2 – How did you practically go about getting started, and what resources did you have available to you – eg. books, teaching courses, events, people you met?
During my mid-late teenage years I disconnected somewhat from the spiritual side of things, I developed a despondency with the cruelty of society and ‘life’, which seemed for a time to overcast the magic. It was in my mid-late twenties after the birth of my first child that I again connected with magic and spirituality. Most of my learning came from books. Reading felt like I was ‘remembering’ as opposed to learning. It was in my mid thirties that my connection with deity deepened, specifically with the Morrigan, though I was to discover this was not a new connection, but one that had been with me throughout life. It was at this point that I started to research the Celtic myth and lore and delve deeper into my ancestry, which is Celtic with a few percent of Scandinavian in there. The internet as well as books have been my main source of research in recent years. I also began to study with the OBOD (Order of Bards Ovates and Druids) and I am now at the Druid grade of study.
Q. 3 – What does being Pagan mean to you? (or your term of choice, please explain!)
To me, ‘Pagan’ is a very broad term, with the common theme of honouring the natural world and seeing the gods in the world around you. Rather than just a title it is a way of life. I refer to myself as a Celtic Witch and Druid. Not all Pagans are witches, and I feel the title narrows down my path, as does Celtic which defines the pantheon I honour and work with. It is my ancestral path.
Q. 4 – What sort of things do you do on a daily/weekly, monthly or seasonal basis to explore or express your Spirituality?
On a daily basis I read, be it books or on the internet. There is always more to learn. My other daily rituals include spending some time at my altar acknowledging my path and honouring the Morrigan, taking time to notice the sunrise and sunset, drawing an oracle / tarot card for the day and self Reiki to allow the Universal Energies to flow through me (I am a Reiki Master). On a clear night I always spend time looking at the Moon and stars. On a weekly basis I cleanse my home. I always honour the New Moon and Full Moon with some kind of ritual, sometimes very simple, otherwise more formal with spell work. On a seasonal basis I also redecorate my altar to coincide with the Sabbat and perform a ritual to honour it. Other than that my magic and rituals are as needed, I do quite a lot of healing work.
Q. 5 – What advice do you wish someone had given you, that you would like to give people starting out on this path?
Keep it simple, intention is key, and follow your intuition not what it says in a book. Hungry to delve deeper, it is easy to get hung up with following instructions from a book to a T. Much like taking photos of anything and everything, which is easy to do when you first have children, you eventually realise that you are that busy taking photos you end up missing out on the full experience. It is the same in ritual, if your attention is focused on following what it says in a book, you are missing out on noticing the subtle energy shifts and ‘feeling’ the ritual. Spiritual experiences are very individual … follow your natural instinct, you will be surprised just how much you instinctively know.
Q. 6 – What is the name of the Facebook Group you admin, and how did you get involved there?
‘Celtic Witches Druids and Pagans’. There are currently around 6.5k members. I set it up a couple of years ago as I found many of the generic pagan groups had become flooded with the Norse pantheon, which surged in popularity due to the tv show ‘Vikings’, and many seemed to consist largely of memes. I wanted to create a group where people could learn and share knowledge. I have organised the group into topics so that each post is assigned a topic, with the aim of it making it easier for members to find information.
Q. 7 – What is the most frustrating thing for you about being involved with that group?
When people only join to spam the group or for self promotion … wanting to advertise their products or services but not positively contributing to the group in any other way. The members are what make the group a success or not.
Q. 8 – What is the most satisfying thing for you about being involved with that group?
Helping those who are new to the path and seeing it become a great resource of knowledge for members.
Q. 9 – If you could guarantee that each group member had read AT LEAST one book before joining, what book would that be?
Oooh … for a group member that was a newcomer to Paganism and the craft I would say ‘Wicca – A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner’ by Scott Cunningham as it give a good all round basic starting point. For someone who already has a basic level of knowledge joining the group, I would be torn between ‘The Book of Celtic Magic’ by Kristoffer Hughes and ‘Celtic Myth and Magick’ by Edain McCoy.
A huge thank you to Elsa Marie Edmond for the interview, it’s always fascinating to see how others are practicing Paganism, and serving the community of Celtic Witches, Druids, and Pagans!
Please do remember these book recommendations are based on Elsa’s view and experiences, which are valid and respected, but they do not appear on my particular recommended resources lists 😉
With this in mind, what separates the Celtic Witch from other forms of paganism and witchcraft? The most obvious answer here is a fascination with, and respect for, all things Celtic. Be it heroes or bards, folk traditions or history, something calls to your heart to follow. Some people also have Celtic roots that enrich their magic. Beyond this, the modern Celtic custom stresses honing one’s skills. Any Celtic Elder will tell you that this is the reason that magic is a “practice” rather than an accomplished exploit. Such people will also advise you on matters of social structures and good manners. Believe it or not, etiquette has a significant place in spiritual practices.
From that day forth, the village became shrouded in darkness, and strange occurrences began to plague its inhabitants. Over time, the curse of Rifoletto spread beyond the village, affecting anyone who dared to enter its vicinity. People reported seeing apparitions, hearing ghostly voices, and experiencing inexplicable phenomena. It seemed as though Rifoletto's curse had a life of its own, seeking revenge on those who wronged him. Despite the fear and chaos brought on by the curse, some brave individuals sought to unravel the mystery surrounding Rifoletto and find a way to break the curse. Legends tell of a secret book hidden deep within the village, containing the key to lifting the curse. It is said that only someone chosen by fate can find the book and release the village from the clutches of Rifoletto's curse. As the years passed, many adventurers and scholars journeyed to the village in search of the cursed book, but none have succeeded thus far. It remains a mystery whether Rifoletto's curse will ever be lifted and if the village will regain its peace and tranquility. The legend of Rifoletto the curse serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the consequences of betrayal and the power of dark magic. It also serves as a reminder of the importance of choice and the impact our actions can have on others. Until someone fulfills their destiny and breaks the curse, Rifoletto's tale will continue to haunt the annals of history..
Reviews for "The Legacy of Rifoletto the Curss: Inspiring or Dooming Future Generations?"
1. Emma - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Rifoletto the curss". The story just didn't grab my attention and the characters were not well developed. The plot felt predictable and lacked any real twists or surprises. The writing style was also a bit flat and lacked the poetic and lyrical quality I was hoping for in an opera. Overall, I found it to be quite dull and unmemorable.
2. James - 1 star - I found "Rifoletto the curss" to be a complete waste of time. The music was unremarkable and forgettable, and the performances left much to be desired. The story seemed to drag on with no real purpose or direction. I was left feeling bored and disconnected from what was happening on stage. I wouldn't recommend this opera to anyone looking for an engaging and memorable experience.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Rifoletto the curss" was a disappointment for me. The characters were shallow and lacked depth, making it difficult to emotionally connect with their struggles and conflicts. The pacing was also inconsistent, with some scenes feeling rushed and others dragging on for too long. The set design and costumes were underwhelming, failing to transport me into the world of the opera. Overall, it fell short of my expectations and I would not recommend it to others.