Wiccan altar ideas encompass a wide range of possibilities and creativity. Wicca is a modern pagan religious movement that focuses on nature, magic, and rituals. The altar in Wiccan practice serves as a sacred space where practitioners connect with the divine and perform rituals and spells. There are no strict rules when it comes to Wiccan altars, as they can be tailored to individual preferences and spiritual beliefs. However, there are some common themes and elements that can be incorporated. A common feature of a Wiccan altar is the representation of the four elements – earth, air, fire, and water.
New Cubs Mascot Gets The Cold Shoulder From Some Fans
Who could hate a mascot? Well, apparently some Chicago Cubs fans hate their new one. Clark the Cub was introduced this week, and social media roiled in anger — but why? Melissa talks to Chicago-based sportswriter Wayne Drehs for some answers.
New Cubs Mascot Gets The Cold Shoulder From Some Fans
Clark, the Chicago Cubs' first mascot, hugs children during his debut at Advocate Illinois Masonic's Pediatric Developmental Center. Steve Green/AP/Courtesy of the Chicago Cubs hide caption
toggle caption Steve Green/AP/Courtesy of the Chicago CubsClark, the Chicago Cubs' first mascot, hugs children during his debut at Advocate Illinois Masonic's Pediatric Developmental Center.
Steve Green/AP/Courtesy of the Chicago Cubs
MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:
Finally this hour, baseball is a game for kids both young and old, so you'd think when a baseball team introduces a cuddly, new mascot, what could go wrong? Well, this week the Chicago Cubs introduced Clark, an appropriately adorable cartoon bear that looks like it came straight out of a Disney movie. But it was not a hit with Neil Steinberg, a columnist with the Chicago Sun-Times - and that's putting it mildly.
NEIL STEINBERG: Had they had a severed calf's head on a stick, dripping gore and buzzing with flies, and said here's our mascot - Holly the heifer head, I could not have been more revolted.
BLOCK: Ouch. And Steinberg is not alone. Social media is shaking with outrage over Clark the Cub. So why? Well, for thoughts on that, we turn to sports writer Wayne Drehs, a native Chicagoan who writes for ESPN and is a self-described Cubs geek. Wayne, thanks for weighing in on this.
WAYNE DREHS: Hey, thanks for having me.
BLOCK: And why do you think Clark the Cub is drawing such outrage among fans? Why is the mascot such a big deal?
DREHS: Well, you have to understand the backdrop right now in Cubs nation, if you will; and that is the fact that the Cubs fan has finally stood up after 106 years, and said he's had enough of losing and he's tired of it.
BLOCK: (Laughter) Oh, is this the first time? I see.
DREHS: Yeah, right? And I mean, they are very grouchy and angry; and on social media and on Cubs blogs, these people look for anything and everything to complain about. And the Cubs introduce a cuddly mascot - ooh, that's just ripe material for these folks.
BLOCK: Yeah. Well, one stream of thought that I've seen in comments online - and they get far worse than this - but some people are saying, like, look at this cub. His eyes are sad. He'll fit in perfectly with the rest of Cubs fans.
DREHS: Yeah, I just don't know how you can analyze the eyes of a cartoon character as like, sad and droopy. And I'm questioning - you know, Mr. Steinberg - listened to what he had to say. I'm just wondering what kind of presents he buys for his children, if he has any, if that's the kind of mascot he'd like. I'm very confused.
BLOCK: All right. Well, Neil Steinberg talked to us a bit about the whole notion of appealing to children with this mascot for the Cubs. Let's take a listen to more of what he said.
STEINBERG: It's an insult. It's a backhand to the idea of children, to say that we have to come up with something corny and stupid and clip-arty and generic, in order for kids to embrace it. That's ridiculous.
BLOCK: Wayne, what do you think? I mean, was this the best the Cubs could do, if they wanted to appeal to kids? - which is what they said is the whole idea here.
DREHS: Yeah, I widely disagree. I mean, as someone who's taken his, you know, then 5- and then 6-year-old daughter to a Cubs game, and had her try to sit through an entire nine innings at Wrigley Field, you know, the Cubs may have had the sort of least family friendly environment of any sports team in Chicago. My daughter used to ask me: How come the Bulls have Benny the Bull, and the Hawks have Tommy Hawk - and there's just nothing for the Cubs, right? And so to me, when they announced it on Monday, I thought: This is a great idea.
BLOCK: Do you think the Cubs fans took pride in the fact that they were one of the very few teams that didn't have a mascot?
DREHS: Absolutely. There's no question. I mean, this is where we go to watch baseball. You bring your team. You watch the game. You look at the ivy. You have a cold Budweiser. It's a beautiful day. The Cubs lose and then you go home frustrated, and complain about it. That's the way it's worked for so long, right?
BLOCK: (Laughter) Isn't America great? Yeah.
DREHS: Exactly. And the Cubs have said, look, we're not going to have Clark jumping up and down in the dugout and - I think he's going to greet some fans when they come in, and help the kids smile. I don't really see what's wrong with that.
BLOCK: Well, there is this, too - I mean, and you do see this a lot in comments online - you know, OK, great. Get a mascot. But what do the Cubs really need? Well, maybe we need an ace pitcher. Maybe we need a great free agent.
DREHS: Yeah. Again - and this is the Cubs fan complaining that they're not winning. And they don't seem to realize that the organization has completely rebuilt itself. They have one of the top five minor league systems in all of baseball. Maybe Clark can, you know, help people settle down for a couple years until those baby Cubs are ready.
BLOCK: Wayne Drehs, it's good to talk to you. Thank you so much.
DREHS: Thank you.
BLOCK: Wayne Drehs is a sportswriter with ESPN, and a self-described Cubs geek. We were talking about the new mascot, Clark the Cub.
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Cubs' New Mascot Clark 'Strangles' WBBM-TV Reporter Mike Puccinelli
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Sometimes people forget that cute, furry mascots are real animals, and one must remember to never EVER poke a bear.
CBS 2 reporter Mike Puccinelli learned this lesson the hard way, but thankfully he lived to tell about it.
It turns out, the Cubs' new mascot "Clark" is very protective of his owner, Tom Ricketts.
While it couldn't be confirmed, it appears Clark may have gotten upset with one of Puccinelli's hard-hitting question to Ricketts during a live interview on the CBS 2 morning newscast.
Mascots don't talk, so we will never know.
When Puccinelli asked Ricketts if he was "excited about the season," Clark went berserk.
Clark first used his oversized noggin to head-butt Puccinelli, temporarily stunning the veteran reporter, who is often confused for Clark Kent.
Then Clark literally went for the jugular, grabbing Puccinelli by the throat.
Fortunately, Ricketts once traveled with a circus during a summer break in college, and he was able to use his bear safety training to calm Clark.
When Clark was introduced as the official mascot in January, the furry little fella was described as a "young, friendly Cub" who wears a baseball cap backward and will greet fans as they enter Wrigley Field.
He also is apparently Ricketts' muscle man.
After the incident, Puccinelli agreed to stick to easier questions.
Chicago detectives are investigating, but charges are unlikely.
Cubs introduce new mascot
The Chicago Cubs listened to their fans and delivered something the franchise has lacked for most of its 138-year history. No, not a World Series championship, their previous being in 1908.
On Monday, the Cubs announced the first official mascot in their modern history -- Clark, a "young, friendly Cub" who wears a baseball cap backward and will greet fans as they enter Wrigley Field.
"The Cubs are thrilled to welcome Clark as the team's official mascot," Cubs senior director of marketing Alison Miller said in a statement. "Clark is a young, friendly Cub who can't wait to interact with our other young Cubs fans. He'll be a welcoming presence for families at Wrigley Field and an excellent ambassador for the team in the community."
As they prepared for a $300 million renovation of Wrigley Field, the Cubs partnered with Northwestern University to conduct a survey and found that there was a desire for the 100-year-old park to be more "family-friendly."
Clark, named after the Clark and Addison intersection where Wrigley is located, will be introduced during a charity appearance Monday night.
The Cubs say Clark's great-grandfather Joa was the franchise's original live Bears mascot in 1916.
The Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees are now the only teams in Major League Baseball without official mascots.
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A common feature of a Wiccan altar is the representation of the four elements – earth, air, fire, and water. This can be represented through various objects such as stones or crystals for earth, incense or feathers for air, candles or a cauldron for fire, and a small bowl of water for the water element. These elements symbolize different aspects of nature and are believed to bring balance and energy to the altar.
Other common elements on a Wiccan altar include symbols of the God and Goddess, representing the divine masculine and feminine energies. These can be represented through statues, images, or symbols such as the pentacle, which is a five-pointed star surrounded by a circle. Plants and flowers are often included on a Wiccan altar, as they are associated with the cycles of nature and the changing seasons. Fresh herbs and flowers are commonly used in Wiccan rituals and spells, so having a small vase or bowl for them can be a nice addition. Candles are also a significant part of Wiccan altars, as they symbolize light and spiritual illumination. Different colored candles can be used for specific purposes, such as green for healing or blue for communication. Crystals and gemstones are often incorporated into Wiccan altars for their energetic properties. Each crystal is believed to possess unique energies and can be used for specific purposes such as protection, love, or intuition. Personal items and tools are also often included on a Wiccan altar. This can include items such as an athame (a ceremonial knife), a wand, or a chalice. These tools are used in rituals and spells and represent the practitioner's connection with their spiritual practice. Ultimately, the design and elements of a Wiccan altar are based on personal preferences and beliefs. Some practitioners prefer a simple and minimalistic altar, while others may enjoy a more elaborate and decorative setup. The most important aspect is that the altar reflects the practitioner's spiritual connection and creates a sacred space for their practice..
Reviews for "Outdoor Altars: Connecting with Nature in your Wiccan Practice"
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I found "Wiccan altar ideas" to be quite disappointing. The book lacked depth and originality, often repeating the same ideas over and over again. The suggestions for altar setup were basic and uninspiring, lacking the creativity that I was hoping for. Overall, I didn't feel like I gained anything substantial from this book and would not recommend it to others.
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As someone who has some knowledge of Wiccan practices, I was disappointed with "Wiccan altar ideas." The book did not offer anything new or thought-provoking. The ideas presented were generic and could easily be found with a quick internet search. I was hoping for more unique and innovative suggestions, but unfortunately, this book fell short. I would only recommend it to absolute beginners in Wicca.
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I was excited to dive into "Wiccan altar ideas," but it left me feeling underwhelmed. The book seemed more like a compilation of basic information rather than a guide with fresh and creative ideas. While it may be helpful for complete beginners who have no prior knowledge of Wiccan practices, I found it lacked substance and failed to provide any insightful tips or suggestions. Overall, it did not meet my expectations, and I wouldn't recommend it to experienced Wiccans.
4. Michael - 1 out of 5 stars
"Wiccan altar ideas" was a letdown for me. The book lacked depth and failed to offer any meaningful insights or unique concepts for altar setups. The suggestions were basic and uninspiring, and I felt like I wasted my time reading it. I was expecting a more comprehensive guide with detailed explanations and creative ideas, but unfortunately, this book did not deliver. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for genuine inspiration in their Wiccan practice.
5. Amanda - 2 out of 5 stars
I was hoping for a book that would provide me with fresh and creative ideas to enhance my Wiccan altar, but "Wiccan altar ideas" fell short. The suggestions offered were generic and didn't go beyond what one can find in beginner's guides or online forums. There was nothing innovative or inspiring about the ideas presented. I would recommend looking elsewhere for more original and thought-provoking altar ideas.