The Representation Of Witches In Sweep By Cate Tiernan

There are many different ways that witches have been portrayed throughout history and through different non-fiction works of literature. There are the gross, ugly, green faced, witches that we see during Halloween. There are the witches that were being hunted during European witch hunts during the 15th and 16th century. The burning of witches at the stake during the Salem witch trials of 1692. Witches portrayed in books with magical powers and wands, and finally, the real witches, the men and women who practice the religion Wicca. In the book series Sweep by Cate Tiernan there are witches who practice the religion of Wicca, and many of the Wiccan concepts in the books are pulled from the actual religion of Wicca. The religion of Wicca traces

For example, the holidays they celebrate in the books are actual Wiccan holidays. Wiccans have eight holidays in the wheel of the year; each holiday marks a turn of the wheel. The Wiccan year begins on October 31, or Halloween as we know it. Although, to Wiccans this day is known as Samhain. Many myths of Halloween are celebrated on this day. The first one being ghosts and the tradition of leaving out candy; Many people will leave out food for their ancestors, who are thought to visit as ghosts. The second aspect that Samhain and Halloween have in common are jack-o-lanterns. Wiccans leave candles lit in carved-out pumpkins on window-sills to help guide the ghosts on their way. The next holiday is Yule, which is the winter solstice, and occurs around December 21. To Wiccans, the longest night of the year means the death of the sun, the sun is then reborn the next morning. Just like Christians celebrate Christmas with Christmas carols and Christmas trees, Wiccans celebrate Yule by decorating trees, which are symbols of life’s circle, and sing Yule carols to celebrate the sun’s rebirth. Imbolg is the next holiday on February 2. On this day, the sun increases during the day and life stirs in the earth. To celebrate, at night Wiccans light fires or candles and tell stories around the fire. Then comes Ostara, the spring equinox, around March 21. Day and night are balanced, which expresses how Wiccans want balance in their lives. This holiday resembles Easter, New seeds are planted, and eggs, a symbol of rebirth, are painted, hidden, and hunted. Beltane is next, occurring on May 1. The Earth is more fully awake, and everything blooms. Wiccans Earth’s power to grow flowers and plants to eat. Many dance around a maypole, decorated with flowers and ribbons, in celebration. Midsummer, the summer solstice, around June 21. Today the sun is at its peak and it is the longest day of the year,