His Magic Touch by Debby Grahl
The night before Jared Dupre’s wedding, a spectre warns him
that the demonic witch, Adam Montief, has kidnapped his brother threatening to
kill both him and Jared’s fiancée, Kendra O'Connell, in a centuries-old
vendetta Jared knows nothing about. A powerful witch himself, Jared tracks Adam
from New Orleans to a remote island off the coast of Connecticut. A swordfight
ensues, and a final thrust of Jared's blade sends Adam over the cliff into the
dark sea below.
But when Jared returns to New Orleans, he finds a
triumphant Adam alive and intent on seducing Kendra. Kendra, not knowing Jared
was forced to break off their engagement to save her life, has turned to a new
man, unaware he’s Adam who has vowed to kill the man she truly loves.
With help from an ancestor's spirit, Jared discovers the
motive behind the Montiefs' vengeance.
He plans Adam's final destruction while fighting to win back Kendra
before she is drawn into Adam's world of sadistic evil.
Summer Solstice
In addition to the four great
festivals of the Pagan Celtic year, there are four lesser holidays as well: the
two solstices, and the two equinoxes. In folklore, these are referred to as the
four 'quarter-days' of the year, and modern Witches call them the four 'Lesser
Sabbats', or the four 'Low Holidays'. The Summer Solstice is one of them.
Litha is the name given to the
Wiccan Sabbat celebrated at the Summer Solstice. This is the longest day and
shortest night of the year, marking the pinnacle of the Sun’s power to fuel the
growing season. From here on out, the Sun will set a little earlier each night
until Yule, and so we recognize and give thanks for its warmth.
Technically, a solstice is an
astronomical point. The summer solstice occurs when the sun reaches the Tropic
of Cancer. Astrologers know this as the date on which the sun enters the sign
of Cancer.
Though it’s typically celebrated
on June 21st, the exact moment of the Summer Solstice varies from year to year.
This is due to a slight misalignment between the Gregorian calendar and the
actual rate of the Earth’s rotation around the Sun. The Solstice also occurs at
differing local times, so depending on where you live, it may fall the day
before or after the date listed on any given calendar. For this reason, a date
range of June 20-22 is often cited in sources on the Wheel of the Year.
As the Sun reaches its highest
point in the sky, the God is now in his full power, and the Goddess of
the Earth is bringing forth the greatest abundance of the year. The crops are
reaching their full maturity, and the forests are bursting with lush growth. In
just a few short weeks, the harvest season will begin, but for now we pause to
celebrate the manifestation of what was planted in the early weeks of Spring.
The warm sunlight is a welcome contrast to the cold and dark of Winter, and we
bask in its comforts. There is a focus on the Element of
Fire in honor of the Sun God, but recognition is also given to
the Horned God of the forest and its wild animal life.
Summer Solstice is still observed
publicly by modern English Druids, both at Boadicea’s Tomb, Parliament Hills,
London, and at Stonehenge. All-night vigils take place on both sites, and at
Stonehenge there is a second celebration at Noon. Midsummer is not forgotten in
today's world, although it may be called by a different name. The bonfires are
lit, vigils kept, cartwheels sent blazing down hills. Candle boats are sailed
in Brazil and in Florida, as well as on the Danube.
When you light your fire and stay
up throughout the night, you are celebrating in the way our ancestors did. Have
a wonderful Midsummer and remember, "Imagination is the eye of the
soul."
This is also a time for romance --
The young maid
stole through the cottage door,
And blushed as
she sought the Plant of pow'r;--
'Thou silver
glow-worm, O lend me thy light,
I must gather
the mystic St. John's wort tonight,
The wonderful
herb, whose leaf will decide
If the coming year shall make me a bride.
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/- /e/B00B34HM26
5 comments:
What great fodder for paranormal romance! Thanks for the info, Debby, and for a taste of His Magic Touch!
A lancinating and informative post, Debbie. Thanks for sharing. I learned so much I never knew.
Diane and Nancy, thanks so much!
Wonderful post, Debby! Thanks for sharing!
I find the Wiccan traditions most interesting. I have friends who are Wiccan and knew a little about the holidays, but I enjoyed learning more. Thanks, Debby.
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