The Significance of Harvest in Wiccan Beliefs

Wicca is a modern pagan witchcraft tradition that celebrates nature and the cycles of the year. One of the most significant events in the Wiccan calendar is the harvest festival, also known as Mabon or the autumnal equinox. The harvest festival is typically celebrated around September 21st or 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the official beginning of autumn. It is a time when the day and night are of equal length, symbolizing balance and harmony. Wiccans believe that during this time, the strength of the sun god wanes as he prepares for his descent into the underworld, while the goddess enters her crone phase, representing wisdom and transformation. The harvest festival is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the earth and to celebrate the harvest of fruits, vegetables, and grains.

Reckless is correct.

When wearing armor, using a shield , or carrying a medium or heavy load, a monk loses his AC bonus, as well as his fast movement and flurry of blows ability. The reason you don t need to make the check when you equal or exceed the CL of the scroll is because you automatically make it the lowest you can roll is 1 and the DC is CL 1.

The harvest festival is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the earth and to celebrate the harvest of fruits, vegetables, and grains. Wiccans may create an altar adorned with autumnal decorations, such as leaves, flowers, and gourds. They might also incorporate symbols of the harvest, such as cornucopias and apples.

Ring of Force Shield and Monks

Can a monk use a Ring of Force Shield without penalty?

Can a monk use a Ring of Force Shield without penalty?

IMarv

"When wearing armor, using a shield, or carrying a medium or heavy load, a monk loses his AC bonus, as well as his fast movement and flurry of blows ability."

"An iron band, this simple ring generates a shield-sized (and shield shaped) wall of force that stays with the ring and can be wielded by the wearer as if it were a heavy shield (+2 AC).

Any time the monk activates and wields the shield, he suffers the penalties listed above. So even if he uses free actions to turn it off at the begining of his turn and back on after his turn, he will lose his AC bonus from Monk levels and Wisdom. Not likely that the +2AC would be a fair trade, useless at level 8, detrimental at 12th level.

Reckless is correct.

On the other hand, you can use a shield spell without penalty if you can get a way to cast it.

Reckless is correct.

On the other hand, you can use a shield spell without penalty if you can get a way to cast it.

Potions are perfect in that regard for non-casters. :)

Reckless is correct.

On the other hand, you can use a shield spell without penalty if you can get a way to cast it.

For some reason, I had it stuck in my head that you could not brew a potion with spells of a "Personal" range. Sweet.

Comparison:
+3 Buckler = 9165
(1 x caster level x 50 gp)/minute of Shield spell at 9150 gp = 183 minutes of shield spell.

Oddly enough, an extended Shield spell costs the same, but you only get even durations.

An iron band, this simple ring generates a shield-sized (and shield-shaped) wall of force that stays with the ring and can be wielded by the wearer as if it were a heavy shield (+2 AC). This special creation has no armor check penalty or arcane spell failure chance since it is weightless and encumbrance-free. It can be activated and deactivated at will as a free action.

By the previous opinion that means you can only use this ring if you have the shield proficiency. It is weightless and was clearly designed with a wizard in mind.

I would say yes a monk can use it but I am just crazy that way.

For some reason, I had it stuck in my head that you could not brew a potion with spells of a "Personal" range.

You couldn't in 3.5; the wording has mysteriously changed in PF.

For some reason, I had it stuck in my head that you could not brew a potion with spells of a "Personal" range.

I actually went off and double checked this a minute ago, and I can't find where 3.5 prohibited it too.

Brew Potion [Item Creation]
Prerequisite

Caster level 3rd.
Benefit

You can create a potion of any 3rd-level or lower spell that you know and that targets one or more creatures. Brewing a potion takes one day. When you create a potion, you set the caster level, which must be sufficient to cast the spell in question and no higher than your own level. The base price of a potion is its spell level × its caster level × 50 gp. To brew a potion, you must spend 1/25 of this base price in XP and use up raw materials costing one half this base price.

When you create a potion, you make any choices that you would normally make when casting the spell. Whoever drinks the potion is the target of the spell.

Any potion that stores a spell with a costly material component or an XP cost also carries a commensurate cost. In addition to the costs derived from the base price, you must expend the material component or pay the XP when creating the potion.

I'm about to go get my 3.5 PHB and see if there is a printed difference.

An iron band, this simple ring generates a shield-sized (and shield-shaped) wall of force that stays with the ring and can be wielded by the wearer as if it were a heavy shield (+2 AC). This special creation has no armor check penalty or arcane spell failure chance since it is weightless and encumbrance-free. It can be activated and deactivated at will as a free action.

By the previous opinion that means you can only use this ring if you have the shield proficiency. It is weightless and was clearly designed with a wizard in mind.

I would say yes a monk can use it but I am just crazy that way.

Normal: When you are using a shield with which you are not proficient, you take the shield's armor check penalty on attack rolls and on all skill checks that involve moving."

The 0 ACP is useful here, as is the lack of arcane spell failure, if you're an Arcane Spellcaster. The ability to turn it on and off as a free action is useful for keeping the hand free while casting spells. It does not negate the fact that you are, in fact, wielding a shield. For instance, you cannot use it and a 2 handed weapon at the same time. Also, if you have a weapon in the other hand and turn it off to cast a 1 round casting time spell, you do not have the +2 again until your next turn, when you can reactivate it as a free action.

An iron band, this simple ring generates a shield-sized (and shield-shaped) wall of force that stays with the ring and can be wielded by the wearer as if it were a heavy shield (+2 AC). This special creation has no armor check penalty or arcane spell failure chance since it is weightless and encumbrance-free. It can be activated and deactivated at will as a free action.

By the previous opinion that means you can only use this ring if you have the shield proficiency. It is weightless and was clearly designed with a wizard in mind.

I would say yes a monk can use it but I am just crazy that way.

Wizards can carry a "penalty free" shield without proficiency because the the penalties are meaninless when applied.

My 3.5 wizard loved his +1 Mithral Buckler of Proof Against Transmutation and suffered all of the penalties of using it.

When you are using a shield with which you are not proficient, you take the shield's armor check penalty on attack rolls and on all skill checks that involve moving.

A penalty of 0 is no penalty at all. But loosing Evasion, fast movement, etc for a monk. Now that sucks.

For some reason, I had it stuck in my head that you could not brew a potion with spells of a "Personal" range.

You couldn't in 3.5; the wording has mysteriously changed in PF. I actually went off and double checked this a minute ago, and I can't find where 3.5 prohibited it too.

It's in a strange spot: SRD

The imbiber of the potion is both the caster and the target. Spells with a range of personal cannot be made into potions.

EDIT: And actually Pathfinder didn't change that clause. It's still there, I was just looking in the wrong place. PFRPG pg 551.

For some reason, I had it stuck in my head that you could not brew a potion with spells of a "Personal" range.

You couldn't in 3.5; the wording has mysteriously changed in PF. I actually went off and double checked this a minute ago, and I can't find where 3.5 prohibited it too.

It's in a strange spot: SRD

The imbiber of the potion is both the caster and the target. Spells with a range of personal cannot be made into potions.

It is still there in Pathfinder:

Yeah, when I realized I had been looking in the wrong section I found it, too. You got in before my edit, though.

well shucks darn. I guess I was remembering a house rule some DM used in the past. Mage Armor is still in potion form though. and provides +4 ac.

EDIT: Its not too hard to activate a 1st level spell scroll with UMD. And at later levels you could have a quickened scroll of Shield.

well shucks darn. I guess I was remembering a house rule some DM used in the past.

Mage Armor is still in though. and provides +4 ac.

I have a Pearl of Power (1) for the wizard for that spell. I'm looking for something for the juicy Shield Armor AC bonus.

I have a Pearl of Power (1) for the wizard for that spell. I'm looking for something for the juicy Shield Armor AC bonus.

IMarv

The Meteor Hammer weapon in the Legacy of Fire player's guide can give a +1 shield bonus if you're proficient with it. But that'd cost you a feat.

A custom magic item is probably your best bet.

Perhaps a amulet of shielding?

Get a amulet shaped like a small shield. Add an ability to cast a quickened shield effect 1-3 times a day.

EDIT: Quickening the spell would do two things. Because of its higher spell slot requirement it is set at least at 9th caster level so your duration will be high. Being able to activate it as a free or swift action at the beginning of a combat is also a plus.

I have a Pearl of Power (1) for the wizard for that spell. I'm looking for something for the juicy Shield Armor AC bonus.

You can take ranks in Use Magic Device and buy a wand of shield with a decent caster level (5 is usually a good cost vs durability compromise). If you activate it before combat, in other words when you can spend a few rounds just waving the wand around, you can usually activate a wand even with fairly low ranks in UMD. Just don't roll a 1.

I have a Pearl of Power (1) for the wizard for that spell. I'm looking for something for the juicy Shield Armor AC bonus.

You can take ranks in Use Magic Device and buy a wand of shield with a decent caster level (5 is usually a good cost vs durability compromise). If you activate it before combat, in other words when you can spend a few rounds just waving the wand around, you can usually activate a wand even with fairly low ranks in UMD. Just don't roll a 1.

My monk has a decent Int (14), but not such a good Cha (10). I'm weighing the costs and benefits of dipping a level of Wizard (Abjurationist). You don't have to be an awesome wizard to use Staves and wands and Scrolls, you just have to BE one. (Sadly, Shield is not on any Domain spell list.) (Scrolls of spells above the level you can cast have a caster level failure chance, but high caster level spells of spells you can cast do not. Any wizard can use a 20th caster level 1st level spell, but a 20th caster level 2nd level spell is spooky/scary.)

But I'm also the DM, so I could just make an item. :)

What about Two-handed weapons and the ring? Is it still possible to deactivate the ring (free action), grip the weapon in both hands (free action), attack (full or standard action), release the ring hand (free action) and reactivate the shield (free action) all in one round? Essentially letting two-handed weapon weilders to have a shield too?

Wizards can carry a "penalty free" shield without proficiency because the the penalties are meaninless when applied.

My 3.5 wizard loved his +1 Mithral Buckler of Proof Against Transmutation and suffered all of the penalties of using it.

When you are using a shield with which you are not proficient, you take the shield's armor check penalty on attack rolls and on all skill checks that involve moving.

A penalty of 0 is no penalty at all. But loosing Evasion, fast movement, etc for a monk. Now that sucks.

So a rogue can use a MW light shield with no penalty or even a Heavy mithral shield.

I would just pick up Use Magic Device ranks. Even as a non-class skill it won't be that difficult to use scrolls of the shield spell.

My monk has a decent Int (14), but not such a good Cha (10). I'm weighing the costs and benefits of dipping a level of Wizard (Abjurationist). You don't have to be an awesome wizard to use Staves and wands and Scrolls, you just have to BE one. (Sadly, Shield is not on any Domain spell list.) (Scrolls of spells above the level you can cast have a caster level failure chance, but high caster level spells of spells you can cast do not. Any wizard can use a 20th caster level 1st level spell, but a 20th caster level 2nd level spell is spooky/scary.)

That isn't quite true, you need to be at least the same caster level as the scroll to be able to automatically use it.

• The spell must be of the correct type (arcane or divine). Arcane spellcasters (wizards, sorcerers, and bards) can only use scrolls containing arcane spells, and divine spellcasters (clerics, druids, paladins, and rangers) can only use scrolls containing divine spells. (The type of scroll a character creates is also determined by his class.)
  
• The user must have the spell on her class list.
  
• The user must have the requisite ability score.

So the DC to use a CL 20 2nd level spell and a CL 20 1st level spell would be the same (DC 21). The reason you don't need to make the check when you equal or exceed the CL of the scroll is because you automatically make it (the lowest you can roll is 1 and the DC is CL + 1).

In response to the rest of the thread, when Pathfinder Society converted I actually made my Qadiran Wizard into a Monk/Wizard. I only have a single level in Monk at the moment, but I plan to take a few more, I put more levels into Wizard to start so that I could get a few of the higher level spells. So with Spells (I keep Mage Armor up all the time, and the goal is to get Shield up early in a battle) I can get my AC up to 21 (25 with Shield). Which is pretty good for both a Monk and a Wizard. Sadly though, I haven't had a chance to play this character since the conversion, I've been running the games mostly. I really want to play the character, I'm looking forward to combining my arsenal of touch spells with the Unarmed Strikes. Plus you rarely expect a Wizard to be able to handle himself in a Grapple :D

During the festival, rituals and ceremonies are performed to honor the changing seasons and to reflect on the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. Wiccans may gather in groups or perform individual rituals in nature. They may conduct rituals to honor the gods and goddesses associated with the harvest, and to give thanks for the blessings of the earth. The harvest festival is also a time for introspection and personal growth. Wiccans may reflect on their own harvest, both the physical fruits of their labor and the personal development they have achieved throughout the year. They may set new goals and intentions for the upcoming year, symbolizing the seeds they will sow for future growth and abundance. Overall, the harvest festival in Wicca is a time of gratitude, reflection, and celebration. It is a time to honor the earth and all that it provides, as well as to embrace the changing seasons and the cycles of nature. Through rituals and ceremonies, Wiccans connect with the divine and find meaning in the harvest and the cycles of life..

Reviews for "Harvest Offerings: Gift-Giving in Wiccan Traditions"

1. John - 1/5 stars - I attended the Wicca harvest festival with high expectations, but I left incredibly disappointed. The event lacked organization and structure, and it felt like a chaotic mess. The workshops were poorly planned, and the presenters didn't seem knowledgeable or experienced. The vendors were limited, and most of them were selling cheap trinkets that had nothing to do with Wicca. Overall, it was a waste of time and money, and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone serious about Wicca.

2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - As someone who has been practicing Wicca for several years, I was excited to attend the harvest festival. However, it fell short of my expectations. The event felt more like a commercial gathering rather than a spiritual celebration. The focus was on selling products and making profit, rather than fostering a sense of community and growth. The workshops were too basic, and I didn't feel like I learned anything new. I hope the organizers can reevaluate their approach and create a more meaningful experience for dedicated Wiccans in the future.

3. Michael - 1/5 stars - I regret attending the Wicca harvest festival. The entire event seemed like a marketing scheme. I expected to find a sacred space to connect with like-minded individuals and deepen my understanding of Wiccan practices. Instead, I encountered pushy vendors trying to sell me unnecessary items, cheesy performances, and a complete lack of authenticity. It was disappointing to see such a beautiful and spiritual tradition being reduced to a tourist attraction. I left feeling frustrated and disillusioned.

Honoring the Seasons: Wicca's Harvest Festivals Explained