Witch Trials: Secret of Loudun

I just published my first novel and it's live on amazon as a kindle version and as a hard copy. It's a historical fiction based around the witch trials of Loudun, France in 1633. If you're looking for a good novel to read that includes some actual details from history then I believe you would admire my book. Here is the complete synopsis:

Accused of murdering a prominent French Lord, Sarah and Anne flee their home in order to escape being persecuted for witchcraft. Sarah is captured by the royal guards and escorted to Loudun Prison, the heart of the witch trials, while her friend devises a plan to rescue her. While Anne is busy building an army to aid her in saving the prisoners in Loudun, the Bishop and his disciples are hard at work executing those in the way of his political advances. With new alliances being formed and the Catholic Church being threatened, will these girls be the downfall of an empire built upon fear or will they suffer the same fate as their Pagan ancestors?

If you do read the book, please leave a review! I would greatly appreciate it!

History of Samhain

In Paganism and Wicca, Samhain is celebrated as a major Sabbat on the Wheel of the Year. It is from October 31st to November 1st and is marked as the time when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest making it an opportune time to connect and contact ancestors that have passed on. It is also seen as the Witches' New Year because it marks the final Harvest and the beginning of winter where the Earth slips into darkness and things begin to die so they can be reborn. The term "Samhain" comes from the Gaelic word "Samhuin" and is pronounced "sow-in" or "sow-ween" (sow rhyming with cow).

The festival itself signifies the old saying "out with the old and in with the new." It's time to set new goals for the New Year and to cast spells to bring those goals to fruition. I suggest to make a list of goals and list solutions to reaching those goals to help put you on the right track. Invoke the God and Goddess to assist you on the path to reaching your goals or any other spirits, faeries, animal guides who are allies to you.

It's also a good time to honor your ancestors on this date and remember them. One of the main aspects of this festival was to invite ancestors who have passed into your Circle to aid you with your upcoming goals. I usually end the ceremony with a Feast of the Dead to use as offerings to those souls and since it is the last Harvest I believe it to be appropriate to show your bounty and your appreciation for it.

For more about the History of Samhain, which truly is extensive in many countries, try visiting these links:

http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/samhainoctober31/p/Samhain_History.htm

http://www.paganspath.com/magik/samhain-history.htm

http://www.newgrange.com/samhain.htm