Pagan Christmas music refers to the songs and melodies that are associated with pagan and folk traditions during the holiday season. These songs often incorporate elements of nature, ancient rituals, and winter folklore. Pagan Christmas music is a way for people to connect with their ancestral roots and celebrate the winter solstice, which holds great significance in many pagan traditions. One of the most well-known pagan Christmas songs is "Deck the Halls." This cheerful tune originally comes from a Welsh winter carol called "Nos Galan," which celebrates the New Year. The lyrics of "Deck the Halls" were later adapted into English and have become a staple of Christmas celebrations.

The cast of Practical Magic: Where are they now?

Based on Alice Hoffman's novel of the same name and directed by Griffin Dunne, Practical Magic made a minor impact commercially and critically when it hit theaters in October 1998, with EW's critic even uncharitably writing, "A witch comedy so slapdash, plodding, and muddled it seems to have had a hex put on it." And yet, the film is now heralded as a seasonal favorite 25 years later.

Born into a witch-rich bloodline and raised by aunts Frances (Stockard Channing) and Jet (Dianne Wiest), sisters Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian Owens (Nicole Kidman) managed to avoid their powers for most of their lives, growing into nominally carefree women who drift their separate ways in adulthood. But after Sally's beloved husband Michael (Mark Feuerstein) dies unexpectedly, as does Gillian's abusive boyfriend (Goran Višnjić), the two siblings must join magical forces to outwit a cunning detective (Aidan Quinn) who's onto their tricks.

Practical Magic has no excuse for working as well as it does. Yet it's to Dunne's eternal credit as a filmmaker that it does work so beautifully. The character arcs are satisfying and well-defined, the autumnal production design is almost swoon-inducing, and the sisters' descent into witchcraft is wittily characterized by the evolving shooting style.

With its singular blend of comedy, horror, and tragedy, Practical Magic has endured for a quarter century and shows no sign of aging. It's a not-so-guilty pleasure film that feels both quintessentially '90s and utterly timeless.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, EW caught up with the cast of Practical Magic to see where they are now.

The lyrics of "Deck the Halls" were later adapted into English and have become a staple of Christmas celebrations. Another popular pagan Christmas song is "The Holly and the Ivy." This traditional English carol is believed to have pagan origins, as holly and ivy were both plants associated with pre-Christian winter rituals.

Sandra Bullock (Sally Owens)

Sandra Bullock broke out in 1994's Speed and rose to further prominence with plum roles in a variety of dramas and comedies, such as While You Were Sleeping (1995), Hope Floats (1998), and, of course, Practical Magic.

The actor reminisced to PEOPLE in 2019 about the famous scene in which the Owens women do a drunken dance around their manse. "We weren't drunk when we shot these parts or when we did our close-ups. But we had to reshoot a scene where it was far away and we were on our backs and Nicole just put the bottle on the table and said, 'You know what? There's no reason we shouldn't be drunk here.' And I said, 'You know what? That's true.'"

Bullock soon hit box office gold and became America's sweetheart with 2000's Miss Congeniality. She further solidified her acting chops with a role in 2009's The Blind Side, which won her an Academy Award for Best Actress. She went on to star in a wider variety of films, taking on more dramatic character parts (Gravity) as well as more genre roles (Ocean's 8, Bird Box), while still appearing in the kinds of comedies that made her successful.

Bullock was previously engaged to actor Tate Donovan and has been romantically linked to Matthew McConaughey and Ryan Gosling, amongst others. She married Jesse James in 2005 and divorced him in 2010, after multiple women revealed they had had affairs with him during their marriage.

Bullock was in a relationship with photographer Bryan Randall from 2015 until his death from ALS in 2023.

The song incorporates Christian themes as well, making it a unique blend of pagan and religious elements. Additionally, "The Wexford Carol" is a hauntingly beautiful song that dates back to the 12th century. It tells the story of the birth of Jesus but also includes references to ancient Irish pagan traditions. The combination of Christian and pagan themes in this song reflects the cultural blending that often occurs during the holiday season. Pagan Christmas music can also be found in modern compositions, where contemporary pagan and folk artists create songs inspired by their spiritual beliefs. These songs often incorporate nature imagery, references to ancient deities, and the celebration of the changing seasons. In conclusion, pagan Christmas music is a diverse and rich genre that combines traditional folk elements with pagan rituals and beliefs. It allows people to connect with their ancestry, celebrate the winter solstice, and embrace the blending of different cultural traditions during the holiday season. Whether it's a traditional carol or a modern composition, pagan Christmas music offers a unique and enchanting way to experience the magic of the holiday season..

Reviews for "Centuries of Whispers: Pagan Christmas Music that Echoes through Time"

1. Jane - 2 stars - As someone who celebrates Christmas, I was disappointed with this album. The pagan themes and lyrics just didn't resonate with me. I was hoping for more traditional Christmas songs that focus on the joy and spirit of the holiday. Instead, the songs felt disconnected and even dark at times. I understand that music can be a form of self-expression, but this album missed the mark for me.

2. Mike - 1 star - I really wanted to enjoy this album and support artists exploring new territory, but I found the pagan Christmas music to be a bit too bizarre for my taste. The combination of pagan themes with traditional Christmas tunes felt jarring and out of place. It didn't create the warm, festive atmosphere I was hoping for. I appreciate artists taking risks and pushing boundaries, but this album just didn't hit the right notes for me.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - I love Christmas music, but this album left me feeling confused. The pagan elements seemed forced and unnecessary. They didn't add anything meaningful to the classic Christmas tunes, and instead, distracted from the joy and nostalgia that these songs usually evoke. I wanted to like it, but there was this constant clash between the pagan and Christmas themes that left me feeling disconnected and unsatisfied.

4. Mark - 1.5 stars - I was intrigued by the concept of pagan Christmas music, but unfortunately, this album fell flat for me. The songs lacked coherence and seemed like a random mix of traditional Christmas melodies with pagan lyrics thrown in. It felt gimmicky rather than authentic, and I struggled to connect with the music on any level. I appreciate the attempt at something different, but I don't think the execution was successful in this case.

5. Emily - 2 stars - This album didn't live up to my expectations. The pagan elements seemed forced and didn't blend well with the traditional Christmas songs. It felt like the artist was trying too hard to create something unique without considering the overall experience for the listener. I found myself longing for the familiar and nostalgic Christmas music that I enjoy during the holiday season. Unfortunately, this album missed the mark for me.

Harmonizing with Nature: Pagan Christmas Music to Honour the Earth