A Celtic witch is a practitioner of witchcraft who follows the Celtic tradition. Celtic witchcraft originated in the Celtic lands, which include Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, and other regions. These witches often have distinct characteristics that differentiate them from other types of witches. Firstly, Celtic witches have a strong connection to nature. They believe in the power of the natural world and its elements. They work closely with the cycles of the seasons, the moon, and the earth.
I thought the title was misleading because Thrash’s fatness is not a major part of the storyline. It’s more about a journey, friendship, and standing up to a parent who doesn’t seem to understand you. Maybe that’s the point, to have a fat character have a journey that’s not about being fat.
In their world, set in a different North America separated into Thirteen States , witches are given one of four Gifts such as Sight , or Glamour that they study after getting their knacks and then they proceed along a specific pathway. When Thrash unexpectedly breaks a mirror with her mind, she discovers she has a knack for magic and will receive one of the three sanctioned Gifts Glamour, Growth, or Sight.
They work closely with the cycles of the seasons, the moon, and the earth. Nature is regarded as sacred, and they find solace and wisdom through their interactions with plants, animals, and landscapes. Secondly, Celtic witches honor their ancestors and the spirits of their land.
Fat Witch Summer
The publisher’s blurb says that Fat Witch Summer by Lizzie Ives (pub. June 13, 2023) is “Dumplin’ meets The Craft” — I’ve not read The Craft, but I think they’ve oversold the comparison to Dumplin‘. It is YA, and the lead character is fat, so maybe that’s enough?
Teenage Theodora has chosen the name Thrash (for some unknown reason–I didn’t care for the name and didn’t think it fit her as a character) and she has just gotten her “knack”–her ability to do magic. In their world, set in a different North America separated into “Thirteen States”, witches are given one of four “Gifts” such as “Sight”, or “Glamour” that they study after getting their knacks and then they proceed along a specific pathway. Thrash is a loner after one of her moms passed away a year ago, but a clique of three popular girls befriends her in the library after she gets her knack. They have a plan to choose their own Gifts, but they have to go across the country to get them, and Thrash agrees to go along with because she’s not so sure she wants the Gift of Glamour that her mother plans to give her.
I liked the friendship, and that the assumed cliquey girls welcomed her into their group and didn’t make a big deal about Thrash being fat. But also, in some ways, the characters could have engaged with Thrash’s fatness a little more. It seemed like more of an internal journey for Thrash herself, to accept that her fatness was part of her. I liked that each of the girls had something going on–Em, the mermaid, needed accommodations for her legs and needed frequent baths, Saki had anxiety, Cresca, tall and beautiful, was black from a family that didn’t have magic, and Thrash was fat, dealing with the death of the parent she was closest to. They each were dealing with something and could step up for the others when needed.
I thought the title was misleading because Thrash’s fatness is not a major part of the storyline. It’s more about a journey, friendship, and standing up to a parent who doesn’t seem to understand you. Maybe that’s the point, to have a fat character have a journey that’s not about being fat.
I was intrigued by the world–the Thirteen States–and the similarities between it and our current world, and I would like to see more stories–perhaps one dealing with each of the friends. I did enjoy that there was little romance but the story was focused on the friendship between the girls and on Thrash’s relationship with her mother.
In some ways, I really liked how Thrash’s fatness was just part of the story–she was a teenager doing teenager things, and her fatness didn’t affect many of the major choices she made–the ones about her Gift, or deciding to go on the trip–so it was good to see a fat character just being a person who happens to be fat. So that is progress!
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-galley in exchange for an honest review.
I liked the friendship, and that the assumed cliquey girls welcomed her into their group and didn’t make a big deal about Thrash being fat. But also, in some ways, the characters could have engaged with Thrash’s fatness a little more. It seemed like more of an internal journey for Thrash herself, to accept that her fatness was part of her. I liked that each of the girls had something going on–Em, the mermaid, needed accommodations for her legs and needed frequent baths, Saki had anxiety, Cresca, tall and beautiful, was black from a family that didn’t have magic, and Thrash was fat, dealing with the death of the parent she was closest to. They each were dealing with something and could step up for the others when needed.
They believe in the presence of unseen beings, such as fairies and spirits, and acknowledge them through rituals and offerings. Ancestors are considered important sources of guidance and protection, and rituals are held to connect with them and seek their wisdom. Thirdly, Celtic witches often incorporate divination and astrology into their practices. They use tools such as tarot cards, runes, and astrology charts to gain insight and guidance. Celtic witchcraft emphasizes the use of intuition and psychic abilities to make decisions and navigate life's challenges. Furthermore, Celtic witches value storytelling and mythology. They often incorporate Celtic myths, legends, and symbols into their rituals, spells, and daily practices. These stories serve as a source of inspiration, knowledge, and connection to their ancestral roots. In addition, Celtic witches often work with herbalism and healing. They have a deep understanding of the medicinal properties of plants and use them in spells, potions, and remedies. They believe in the interconnectedness of the body, mind, and spirit and focus on maintaining balance and wellness. Lastly, Celtic witches have a strong sense of community and often participate in rituals and celebrations with other witches and practitioners. They gather during important holidays such as Samhain, Beltane, and Imbolc to honor the seasons and mark significant moments in the Wheel of the Year. In conclusion, a Celtic witch is characterized by their connection to nature, honoring of ancestors and spirits, use of divination and symbolism, incorporation of storytelling and mythology, practice of herbalism and healing, and their sense of community. They strive to maintain harmony with the natural world, seek wisdom from their ancestors, and live in accordance with the ancient Celtic traditions..
Reviews for "The Wisdom of Celtic Witchcraft: Living in Harmony with Nature"
1. Mark - 2/5
I was really excited to read "Describe the characteristics of a Celtic witch" because I've always been interested in witchcraft and Celtic culture. However, I was quite disappointed with what I found. The book lacked depth and didn't provide any real insights into the characteristics of a Celtic witch. It felt like the author had just scratched the surface and didn't do justice to the subject matter. Overall, I would not recommend this book if you're looking for a comprehensive understanding of Celtic witchcraft.
2. Emily - 1/5
I cannot express enough how disappointed I am with "Describe the characteristics of a Celtic witch". The book is poorly written and lacks any real substance. It reads like a mediocre research paper with no original insights. The author simply regurgitates information that can be easily found on the internet. I was hoping for a deeper exploration of Celtic witchcraft, but the book fell flat. Save your money and find a more enriching resource if you're interested in this topic.
3. Daniel - 2/5
I had high expectations for "Describe the characteristics of a Celtic witch" but was let down by the lack of depth in the content. The book feels rushed and lacks any real analysis or unique perspectives. It's a shame because Celtic witchcraft is a fascinating topic, and I was eager to learn more about it. Unfortunately, this book didn't provide the information I was seeking. I would recommend looking for other resources if you want a more meaningful exploration of Celtic witchcraft.
4. Sarah - 3/5
While "Describe the characteristics of a Celtic witch" had some interesting tidbits, it was ultimately a letdown. The book lacked a coherent structure and jumped from one topic to another without much flow. It felt more like random thoughts and observations rather than a well-researched and organized guide. The lack of citations or references also made it difficult to trust the information presented. Overall, I wouldn't say it was a terrible book, but it definitely didn't live up to my expectations.