Wicca, a modern pagan religion, was established in the mid-20th century. It emerged in England in the 1930s and 1940s, influenced by various occult and esoteric traditions. The term "Wicca" was coined by Gerald Gardner, an English civil servant and amateur anthropologist, who is often referred to as the "Father of Wicca." Gardner claimed that Wicca was a continuation of an ancient witchcraft tradition, which he had been initiated into in the 1930s. However, historians and scholars have questioned the validity of Gardner's claims and suggest that Wicca is a new religious movement that draws on various pre-existing beliefs and practices. Despite its relatively recent origins, Wicca has grown in popularity and has become recognized as a legitimate religion in many countries.
Featuring giant record-breaking pageant wagons and flying parade floats, the theater also boasts state-of-the-art lighting, sound and special FX, including one of the largest LED screens ever to be installed in a theater and the largest parade float ever constructed at 70 meters long comparable in length to an Airbus A380.
Offering seating for approximately 2,000 guests and featuring a performance stage 70 meters long and 22 meters wide, the entire building measures over 200 meters in length, making it one of the largest theaters ever constructed in the world. We wanted to offer something positive, entertaining, uplifting, and welcoming that would showcase the beautiful uniqueness of Thai culture with the enhancement of modern technology and special effects.
Despite its relatively recent origins, Wicca has grown in popularity and has become recognized as a legitimate religion in many countries. Its beliefs and practices are centered around reverence for nature, the worship of deities, and the celebration of seasonal festivals. Wiccans often engage in rituals, spellwork, and divination as part of their spiritual practice.
Phuket Opens the World’s First Thai Carnival Theme Park
Last September, "Carnival Magic" opened to the world. The 6.6-billion-baht park will increase Phuket's tourism offering as well as its appeal as a destination for families.
Author: Hannah Vernon
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The world’s first Thai Carnival theme park is now up and running in Phuket. “Carnival Magic”, a 6.6-billion-baht ($160 million) development, opened towards the end of last year as the country’s tourism high season commenced. It has already seen crowds of international and domestic visitors flood through its doors, and is set to welcome 2 million tourists by the end of the year.
The park has been brought to the market by the founders and owners of Phuket FantaSea, the island’s long-standing Thai cultural theme park. In fact, Carnival Magic shared its opening day with the 20th anniversary of Phuket FantaSea.
Carnival Magic will stand next to its predecessor, making it easy for visitors to enjoy both culture and carnival magic in one trip. It will cover 100 rai (160,000 sqm) on Phuket’s Kamala Beach on the west coast. Kamala Beach was already one of the island’s main attractions, but with the launch of Carnival Magic, there is now even more reason to visit this area of coastal island paradise.
In an expression of Thai culture, the theme park will recreate the carnivals and temple fairs that are held across the country, featuring dazzling light displays, stand-out attractions, and an explosion of colour.
Nine Guinness World Records were broken in the making of Carnival Magic, including the Largest LED Sculpture, the Largest Outdoor Chandelier, and—wait for it—the world’s Largest Popcorn Machine.
Exploring Carnival Magic
In the Carnival Fun Fair zone, visitors can dip in and out of shops and stalls whilst nearby carnival performances play out all night long. With sweet treats and fairground rides galore, this is any kid’s dream and will be sure to make their trip to Thailand one to remember.
The Kingdom of Lights is another great feature of the park. This zone boasts tens of millions of lights and some really incredible light shows which will fascinate children and parents alike.
When you’re feeling peckish, look out for two giant peacocks. These mesmerising bird statues guard the entrance to the Bird of Paradise Buffet Restaurant, where you can sample traditional Thailand dishes as well as other cuisines from around the world.
After a bite to eat, you can spend the evening in one of the world’s largest indoor show theatres, The River Palace. Comprising 16,000 square metres, this gigantic venue has been inspired by the ancient palaces of the Kamala Kingdom. Inside, crowds of more than 2,000 spectators gather to watch spectacular performances unfold on an impressive 70-meter-long and 22-meter-high stage.
If you’re lucky, you might be in town to catch the world’s biggest indoor parade show, the River Carnival. (And don’t forget to look out for the world’s longest float, which is about the size of the world’s largest passenger jet.)
The ultimate destination for families
TIME recently listed Phuket in its World’s Greatest Places 2023, thanks to its “family thrills”. The island’s family appeal, TIME largely attributes to Carnival Magic and other star attractions, such as Torry’s family-run ice cream shop and The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary.
Mr Kittikorn Kewkacha, CEO of Phuket FantaSea and Carnival Magic, said:
Our mission was to establish a landmark destination that would encourage more visitors to the island, and in so doing, help create jobs, stimulate the local economy, and ultimately boost the local tourism industry.
Phuket’s impressive cultural attractions, combined with its beautiful beaches and rich culture, make it one of Thailand’s most popular islands and a superb destination for all ages. The opening of this new grand park has consolidated Phuket’s family appeal, and will no doubt help to attract even more visitors to the island in the coming years.
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Mr. Kittikorn Kewkacha, the CEO of ‘Phuket FantaSea Public Company Limited’ and ‘Carnival Magic Co., Ltd.’, explained the significance of creating this new project. “This year is the 20th anniversary of ‘Phuket FantaSea’. We are celebrating it with the opening of an astonishing and uniquely new project – ‘Carnival Magic’, one of the largest nighttime theme parks ever constructed, and the first of its kind in the world.”
The establishment of Wicca as a religion marks a significant development in the modern pagan movement, offering a alternative spiritual path for those seeking a connection with nature and the divine..
Reviews for "The Role of Gerald Gardner in Laying the Foundations of Wicca as a Religious Movement"
1. John - 2 stars
"When Was Wicca Established as a Religion" was a disappointing read for me. As someone who is interested in the origins and history of different religions, I was expecting a detailed exploration of the establishment of Wicca. However, this book fell short in providing any substantial historical context. The information presented was vague and lacked depth. I was left with more questions than answers, feeling unsatisfied with the overall content.
2. Sarah - 1 star
I found "When Was Wicca Established as a Religion" to be incredibly underwhelming. The author seemed to lack in-depth knowledge on the subject matter and failed to provide any credible sources or references to support their claims. The book felt more like a collection of random thoughts rather than a well-researched piece. I expected a comprehensive examination of the establishment of Wicca, but instead, I was met with a shallow and poorly organized narrative.
3. Robert - 2 stars
"When Was Wicca Established as a Religion" failed to meet my expectations. The book lacked coherence and failed to present a clear timeline or evidence for the establishment of Wicca. The author seemed to rely heavily on personal anecdotes rather than factual information. Furthermore, the lack of appropriate citations and references made it hard to trust the validity of the statements presented. Overall, I found this book to be a frustrating and unreliable source for understanding the origins of Wicca.
4. Emily - 3 stars
While "When Was Wicca Established as a Religion" touched upon some interesting aspects of Wiccan history, I found it to be a bit superficial. The book briefly mentioned key figures and events but failed to thoroughly delve into the topic. It felt more like a general overview rather than a comprehensive examination. I would have appreciated more in-depth analysis and research on the establishment of Wicca as a religion, which unfortunately, I did not find in this book.