Ritual

Nature is what gives us life—it is the source of all magic and power in the world. That is something that humans have understood since the beginning of time, and it is a constant among cultures around the world. However, the ways in which we celebrate it can vary wildly.

Bulgarian Baba Marta Day welcomes the arrival of Spring with Martenitsas, little talismans of red and white string, while in Southeast Asia, that same yearly event is celebrated during Holi, a joyful, riotous dance of colours. Yalda, Soyal, Saturnalia, Dong Zhi, and St. Lucia's Day (from Iran, Arizona, Ancient Rome, China, and Scandinavia) are all very different—but they all honour the Winter Solstice.

Each of these celebrations is a ritual, a form of magic created by community and tradition. And while their differences can help us understand their various cultural identities, their similarities can create a bond that reaches across space and time.

In this beautifully illustrated book from bestselling magical author Nikki Van De Car, readers will learn the history and meaning behind 40 of these ritual celebrations, organised by season. Each ritual will include suggestions for participating in and appreciating these storied rituals, while honouring their origins and the cultures from which they come.