The Role of Witchcraft in Winter Solstice Paganism

Winter solstice paganism is a spiritual belief system that has its roots in ancient pagan traditions surrounding the winter solstice. The winter solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year, usually occurring around December 21st in the Northern Hemisphere. It has long been recognized as a significant turning point in the annual cycle of nature, marking the beginning of winter and the gradual return of the sun. Winter solstice paganism is characterized by a reverence for the natural world and the cycles of nature. Pagans who follow this tradition often celebrate the winter solstice as a time of reflection, renewal, and connection to the Earth. They see it as a time to honor the darkness, embrace stillness, and welcome the gradual return of the light.

They see it as a time to honor the darkness, embrace stillness, and welcome the gradual return of the light. Many pagan rituals associated with the winter solstice focus on lighting fires or candles to symbolize the rebirth of the sun. These fires serve as a metaphorical representation of the light and warmth that will come with the lengthening days.

The Curse of Saree (2022)

I was eagerly waiting for this drama to be subbed and when I finally got to watch it, I was not disappointed. I understand why this show was rated highly (4.5/5) on pantip.com, a popular Thai discussion forum and a 9.1 rating on imdb.com. Even on MDL, for a lakorn, its rating is pretty decent.

The production and the special effects were not the best, and the dialogue and story were not as tight. However, for a lightweight lakorn that featured a supernatural element, I found it entertaining. One just has to suspend disbelief and watch the story unfold without taking it too seriously.

For the most part, the plot flowed pretty well, except for the last two episodes which got farcical particularly during the showdown between the good and evil guys. It was almost as though the writers just could not care less anymore or the show was running out of budget. That being said, the show did redeem itself with the loveliest ending for our main characters and the worst punishment for the villains so ultimately I was a satisfied viewer.

I enjoyed this show because it had a good mix of suspense, thriller, action, romance, and drama but what really got me hooked was the love story between the main leads, Prince Keerich and Nuannueakaew. It was a slower burn, tension-filled, sort of self-imposed forbidden love for which Sean Jindachot and Baifern Luevisadpaibul had the perfect chemistry.

One could be annoyed at Keerich’s stubbornness but I could not fault his rationale for putting his country above his own happiness. Neither could Nuan. At the same time, one had to admire Nuan for wanting to live her own life and not giving up her own goals. Keerich understood that.

Usually I would be put off by the noble idiocy trope but not for this show since the romance was developed nicely. Our main leads had to experience personal trials, physical dangers, and all manner of other terrors to earn their happily ever after and I wouldn't have it any other way. Even though our two leads had to stifle their yearning for each other, there were many endearing scenes which kept me smiling and rooting for them up to the end.

I loved how well Sean was able to pull off the emotional scenes. His expressions nailed the longing, the angst, the unhappiness as Keerich fought against his love and desire for Nuan, many times unsuccessfully as he cannot help but protect and care for her. He was also a heroic male lead, intelligent, skilled and rational. I have always thought Sean a good-looking actor with appealing eyes and lips, but in this show, in this role, he was particularly charismatic, especially in his princely traditional outfits. What really stole my heart was how prettily he cried, and who can resist a male lead that teared up during the right moments.

Likewise with Baifern who looked gorgeous throughout the whole show. As the female lead Nuan, who was a famous Thai fashion designer, Baifern’s outfits were fittingly stylish and not over the top which can often happen in lakorns. Her clothes were practical and appropriate when the scenes called for it, and even in the minimalist styles, Baifern still shone. However, her most incredible looks had got to be when she wore the traditional sprees and accessories. As Nuan, Baifern played a hot-headed but brave character who was also smart and independent. There were moments where I facepalmed on her behalf but that was also her appeal since she was not too polished, too stripped of any flaws, or in other words, a boring character. Baifern was also good during the sad scenes, the way her eyes watered and the way she sniffled made me think that she was really crying.

The journey of the secondary couple, Chaithat, played by Kong Teptip and Ninlapat by Richy D.Caballes, was also lovely to watch as they had to overcome much difficulties to be together. I did wish that there was more skinship between them. The chemistry between Kong and Ricky was not bad and they are both very attractive. Richy’s acting got a little weak towards the end but it could be due to how the character was written.

Overall, the cast did well but the actors playing the villains fell a little flat. Still, Lily Pansirithanachote who played Savitree, the Nang-rai deserved credit for portraying well a malicious, poisonous and power-hungry woman who always looked beautiful as she carried out her evil schemes.

As for the OST, the songs were the finishing touches that enhanced the romance for me. There were only two songs but both memorable ones. They were fitting for the poignant moments, especially between our two leads and made me feel the mood even more intensely. For posterity, I have included the details below.

In general, I would recommend this lakorn as I think most will enjoy it. Just let the story unravel and entertain you.

Curse of Saree OST

Last Person Forever - Ae Jirakon Sompak
คนสุดท้ายตลอดกาล [เพลงจากละครสิเน่หาส่าหรี] - เอ๊ะ จิรากร
https://youtu.be/3oD9kP7nEbw
https://open.spotify.com/track/5PNQoxj4g0BBvqJxWzo5OK

Do You Love Me? - Clear
รักฉันรึเปล่า - KLEAR (OST.สิเน่หาส่าหรี)
https://youtu.be/HW7c4Zmc4pg
https://open.spotify.com/track/2tdUbnxszF3DVtyG0eTHsn

The Most Satisfying Lakorn I’ve Ever Watched, So Far..

I didn’t expect much but surprisingly this is really good! The whole story is that engaging, I didn’t skip any scenes. It’s about politic but they give sufficient dose for the romance. Not just romance between the 1st pair, but the 2nd pair also satisfied me. Both have amazing chemistry. & 1 thing I need to tell you: they can give this wonderful romance without adding any ‘mature’ scenes :) Only with deep stares, simple touches, simple kisses, micro-but-deep expression, they succeeded to deliver their emotion to me.

Actually in certain situation I thought the villain was too much, crazy. But surprisingly I could keep enjoying every moment. It’s that thrilling but not to the level of making me stressful (yeah in some lakorns with crazy villain & weak main role, I can’t stand watching it, it’s too stressful). The character that caught me is Queen. She's actually not a mean mother in law, not a villain. She's just a realistic/pessimistic leader. She loves Mantra & she thinks relying on Pasutha family is already enough & safe. Different from King & his sons who are optimistic & brave enough to offend Pasutha in order to be free from them.

The ending is well written & executed. I know that it will end happily, but I’m that curious to know how it will end, whether it’s realistic or forced to be happy, especially about Kirij & Nuan that can’t get along together although they’ve fallen for each other. Surprisingly, the royal family made a best-ever decision (& best gift as well) for Kirij. He does deserve that :)

I also didn’t think I would cry for this. In fact, I cried in certain scenes, especially the last ep with Kirij-Nuan scenes. Thumbs up for the writer, also Baifern & Sean :)

Almost all the actors gave their best in portraying each role, even the supporting roles like Wiram & Nalinee (I just know them here, both are handsome & pretty. Wiram is that charming. Nalinee, I just like her acting). Special credit to Kong Wittaya as Chaiyathat. I just know him here & wow, he’s surprisingly wonderful. His acting is that believable. As a prince, when he’s sad, he’s always able to pull himself together. But when Pat & Kirij’s condition were that bad, finally he cried a lot with the queen :( Also as a man who loves his woman, his deep stares… His words are powerful & convincing, not that kinda of sweet talker only. Kong deserves more main roles. Lily as Sawitree, she’s skillful as villain, but I’m curious how if she get protagonist role. But for Pat, she has strong determination, but i don't know why her expression always looks the opposite: inferior, not confident, not thrilled when she's with Sawitree & Queen. I wish she could express her excitement, her readiness to fight, her strong determination. I don't know whether her character was written to be like that or Richy couldn't portray her emotion well enough. Her fighting scene in last ep was good though.

Interesting Political/Mystery plot, Amazing Chemistry, Beautiful Costumes

“The Curse of Saree” is the perfect drama to satisfy my desire to watch a lakorn without over-the-top acting, with traditional/cultural aspects. I’ve learned that I do not know how to enjoy Thai humor, thus, I try to prefer lakorns with a more serious or a melodramatic tone. I do enjoy learning about Thai cultures and seeing the pretty dresses they wear. But historical dramas tend to have time-traveling or body swap themes, which I don’t prefer. Historical dramas also seem to have many annoying characters, such as servants with comedic parts that I don’t enjoy. Therefore, “The Curse of Saree” is the perfect fit for me.

We follow the journey of two Thai sisters to the country of Mantra. I am still not quite sure if Mantra is a part of India, or a fictional copycat India. The younger sister, Pat, is going to marry the Crown Prince of Mantra but is faced with opposition from the Queen and many political leaders. The elder sister, Nuan, travels to Mantra to support Pat. Both sisters are sucked into Mantra politics and play an important role in helping the royal family in establishing their autonomy from evil rich businessmen and political leaders.

This drama was decently-paced for the majority of the show. I only found it somewhat slow in the last 3-4 episodes. Mind you, these episodes are long and I am still not used to watching 1.5 hour to 2- hour long episodes. But there’s enough going on during the drama to keep me entertained - politics, mysteries, adventure, slight horror and also romance.

The four main lead characters are very likable. They are brave, kind, loyal and basically good people all around. I love the main leads, Nuan (elder sister) and Prince Kirij (older prince). They started out on the wrong foot and bickered through the first couple episodes. Kirij is old-school and family and Matran people first, while Nuan is a free-spirited, famous Thai fashion designer. But deep down, they are the perfect couple and love their siblings fiercely and will do everything they can to see them happily married. I was initially not attracted to Kirij. He frowns too much and gives off a very standoff-ish vibe, which is to the credit of the actor, Sean J. But Kirij grows on me and I have learned to love his character. Sean is able to act proud but the subtle display of emotions towards Nuan - affection, admiration, love, shyness - totally melts my heart. Nuan is a strong female character. She is not affect to speak her mind, has a great sense of justice and loves her sister dearly. Baifern P is beautiful and plays her role beautifully. The lead couple has amazing chemistry, even without a lot of skinship. There are a couple unsatisfying kisses, but it’s the unspoken affection that provides the sizzling.

On the other hand, Pat and Crown Prince Chathat’s love for each other is more innocent and pure. All they want is to get married to the one they love, but they are faced with obstacles on all front. Their chemistry is not as sizzling as their siblings, but they give off a different vibe. Pat might seem shy and introverted, but her inner strength and stubbornness guide her through this difficult journey. It was hard to watch her going through physical and emotional abuse. Chaithat is the Disney Prince Charming. He loves Pat but is bogged down by royal responsibilities. Poor guy tries to balance it all but is quite useless in a way. He really can’t do much.

The brotherhood and sisterhood of the drama are great. It’s lovely to see siblings who truly love and care for each other. This is a rare Thai drama without family rivalries. No one is fighting for inheritance or for the throne.

The villains of the show are right out for you to see. You sort of know what to expect from them, and what they would do to stop the marriage from happening. I wouldn’t say they are cartoonish villains, but they are definitely Thai villains.

Without giving out too many spoilers, the underlying plot is to solve the mystery of the saree, thus, the title of the show. The mystery component is interesting and the horror part isn’t too bad. The CGI is bad though. I think money is spent on all the beautiful sarees in this drama and it’s a feast to the eyes. I LOVE all the modern and historical looks for the characters and not just the leads. From the King and Queen, to the evil and beautiful girl, to the main leads and their servants, everyone dresses impeccably.

As much as I love the drama, it is not without faults. I find inconsistencies in the plot here and there, e.g. 1) If you are freezing and having hypothermia in one room, you might want to move to another room before “that grand romantic gesture”; 2) If you are supposed to be hiding, you might not want to walk around the palace openly at night. They do not dampen my enjoyment of the show, but if you think clearly, something’s missing. As mentioned, the CGI is not great. Some scenes are cartoonish. Although there’s minimal exaggerated acting, I do think the camera wastes too much time on every single character’s facial reaction for dramatic purposes.

Overall, I had a great time watching this. I love the main lead characters/chemistry/romance, solid acting all around especially the two main leads ( esp. when they were holding back tears and still acting strong), beautiful costumes and an interesting political/mystery plot.

The villains of the show are right out for you to see. You sort of know what to expect from them, and what they would do to stop the marriage from happening. I wouldn’t say they are cartoonish villains, but they are definitely Thai villains.

Additionally, pagans may engage in meditation, prayer, or other spiritual practices to connect with the deeper meanings of the winter solstice. One well-known pagan tradition associated with the winter solstice is the Yule celebration. Yule is derived from the Norse word for "wheel" and represents the turning of the year. It is a time when pagans gather to celebrate and honor the cycles of life and the natural world. Yule festivities often include feasting, singing, dancing, and the exchange of gifts. In addition to Yule, there are many other pagan traditions and rituals that take place during the winter solstice. These vary depending on the specific pagan belief system and cultural influences. Some pagans may incorporate elements from different traditions or create their own unique practices to celebrate this auspicious time of year. Overall, winter solstice paganism is a diverse and vibrant spiritual tradition that honors the cycles of nature and the interconnectedness of all things. It offers individuals an opportunity to connect with the rhythms of the Earth and find meaning in the darkness and light of the winter solstice..

Reviews for "Exploring the Seasonal Myths and Legends of Winter Solstice Paganism"

1. John - 1 star - I did not enjoy Winter solstice paganism at all. I found the rituals to be strange and nonsensical, and I didn't connect with any of the symbolism. It felt like a lot of unnecessary chanting and dancing rather than any kind of meaningful spiritual experience. I also found the beliefs and practices to be quite far-fetched and unrealistic. Overall, I was disappointed and I won't be participating in this again.

2. Sarah - 2 stars - Winter solstice paganism was not my cup of tea. I found the whole thing to be quite silly and superstitious. It felt like a bunch of adults pretending to be witches and wizards rather than a genuine spiritual practice. I couldn't find any deeper meaning or purpose in the rituals and it all seemed quite superficial to me. I respect other people's beliefs, but this is just not for me.

3. Michael - 1 star - I was deeply disappointed with Winter solstice paganism. The whole event felt like a strange cult gathering rather than a legitimate spiritual practice. I found the leader to be quite condescending and pretentious, and the rituals were just too bizarre for my taste. It felt like a waste of time and I couldn't wait for it to end. I definitely won't be attending anything related to Winter solstice paganism again.

4. Emily - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy Winter solstice paganism as much as I had hoped. While I appreciate the idea of reconnecting with nature and celebrating the changing seasons, I found the rituals to be quite repetitive and monotonous. It didn't feel very inclusive and I felt like an outsider throughout the whole event. I understand that it might appeal to some people, but it just didn't resonate with me personally.

Reclaiming Ancient Wisdom through Winter Solstice Pagan Rituals