In modern times, the concept of magic has evolved to become more accessible and integrated into everyday life. With the advent of technology and the internet, people have been able to explore and experiment with different forms of magic in ways that were not possible before. One aspect of modern times magic is the use of technology as a tool for performing magic tricks. Magicians now incorporate smartphones, tablets, and other devices into their acts, using them to create illusions and interact with the audience in new and exciting ways. This merging of technology and magic has brought a fresh perspective to the art form and has made it even more captivating for audiences. Furthermore, the internet has opened up a whole new world for magic enthusiasts.
Apples, plums and pears beg to be baked into crumbles with a healthy smothering of custard, while light summery greens and ripe tomatoes are swapped for pumpkin, squash, kale and celeriac.
Non-ritual ways to celebrate plant flowers or garden; take a walk in the Sun and talk to the trees; spring clean your home and donate old clothing to charity. While there are many, many ways to lean into the autumn mindset with cozy sweaters, snuggly slippers, warm beverages, great books, and moments in nature some autumn activities date back hundreds of years.
Furthermore, the internet has opened up a whole new world for magic enthusiasts. Online platforms and social media have become spaces for magicians to share their performances, connect with fellow magicians, and learn new tricks. This virtual community has allowed for the exchange of knowledge and experimentation, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in magic.
Autumnal Equinox: Witches Share How They Celebrate
September 23 marks the 2019 Autumnal Equinox — a day when the sky is equal parts dark and light. It’s also the date that witches celebrate Mabon, one of the pagan festivals in the Wheel of the Year. The Wheel of the Year is the cyclical calendar of festivals that modern pagans celebrate. The Wheel symbolizes the continuous turning of time and mirrors nature’s cycles of death and rebirth. Named for the God of Welsh mythology, the festival celebrates the harvest and the life and that summer created as we prepare for the long, cold nights of winter.
Most modern witches likely don’t have a literal harvest to feast on and honor like the original celebrants of Mabon did, so the day instead marks a time to reflect on and honor the things we’ve been working on this year and the work that we’ve brought to fruition. “Mabon is the day that corresponds to the last harvest: It is a day to call in, a day to appreciate our many, many blessings and spread those around. It is a day to give thanks and let whatever bad habits or troubles that have been accumulating in our psyche in an unhelpful way go,” Sarah Faith Gottesdiener told Teen Vogue.
Gottesdiener is an artist, designer, tarot reader and witch — you may know her from her popular and often sold-out Many Moons workbooks or from her shop, Modern Women. For Gottesdiener, the season’s magic is especially potent because it combines with her celebration of the Jewish High Holy Days. While she says that the Celtic mythology attached to the Wheel of the year doesn’t resonate with her, its connection to nature and the season’s effects on us personally and collectively makes following it important to her. This includes embracing the return of the darkness that accompanies the Equinox. “The darkness is a beautiful thing, because it is where seeds germinate. The darkness is deeply potent: it is our subconscious and a source of our own power,” Gottesdiener said.
For writer and intuitive tarot reader Swati Khurana, the Autumnal Equinox is a profoundly personal holiday. After Khurana began shifting away from the label of “Hindu” 20 years ago to separate herself from what she called a "tradition that was connected to caste violence," she said she started questioning and opting out of holidays and traditions that felt like they no longer fit into her “post-colonial intersectional feminist perspective.”
“I loved the rituals of being among women in temple, applying mendhi on my hands, creating trays of offerings, and walking into the moonlight,” Khurana told Teen Vogue about her appreciation of certain aspects of some Hindu holidays. “As I started observing the Equinox, I used elements that I still find so beautiful, but recast them in a ritual that centered self-actualization and personal freedom. Observing the Equinox became a way for me to reclaim the season [that] includes my birthday and my two favorite holidays — Diwali and Halloween — from a feminist perspective.”
If it’s your first time celebrating Mabon, Gottesdiener recommends choosing rituals that feel sacred to you and that have intuitive resonance. “Like celebrating the phases of the moon, or the different seasons, make it personal, and make it about celebrating and honoring life in the present moment— that is ultimately, what all great magick does,” she said.
Swati Khurana by Abeer HoqueGottesdiener will be celebrating by hosting a customary potluck feast for loved ones where they’ll eat, read poems, pull tarot cards, reflect, and burn that which they wish to release. She also plans to do some solo celebrating. “For the most part, I am a solitary practitioner, so I'll also be reflecting and working with the energies for myself personally as well. Because of the placement of the [waxing] moon, this year, I'll be focused on what I wish to harvest more of in my life,” told Teen Vogue.
Social justice educator Steph Guthrie offered a ritual facilitated for her birthday by friend Kritty Uranowski that felt particularly meaningful during a difficult year of her life. “We each wrote down on small pieces of paper one thing we were grateful for from the summer that we’d carry with us into the winter, one thing we were ready to leave behind, and one thing we hoped to manifest in the months ahead,” she told Teen Vogue. After a consensual and optional sharing of their reflections, participants burned the things they wanted to leave behind, planted in the ground the things they hoped to manifest, and held onto the things we were grateful for.
Even if you don’t identify as a witch or aren’t up for a planning big ritual, pausing to acknowledge the season’s changing is a valuable practice for reflection and gaining perspective.“Dedication to observing and respecting the natural world is something that anyone can do, whether they are witches or not,” said scientist and college instructor T. Kempton. “Seasonal holidays like Mabon encourage us to be active participants in the turning wheel of time, living intentionally and intensely, instead of just coasting through life. Mabon is a beautiful time, and we are beautiful within it.”
6. Next, take a seat and place your plant in front of you. Imagine the energy of this plant sitting at your heart, her roots extending down through your legs into the Earth. Her vines and leaves are growing out through your arms and through the top of your head, connecting back to the Earth.
Another aspect of modern times magic is the increasing popularity of street magic. Magicians like David Blaine and Dynamo have brought magic out of the traditional theater settings and into the streets, where it can be performed for unsuspecting audiences. This style of magic brings a sense of wonder and excitement to everyday life, as people are confronted with the unexpected and the impossible in their own surroundings. Lastly, magic has also found its way into popular culture through movies, television shows, and books. The Harry Potter series, for example, has sparked a renewed interest in magic among people of all ages. This cultural fascination has led to the rise of magic-themed entertainment and events, such as magic shows, escape rooms, and immersive experiences. In conclusion, modern times magic has evolved to incorporate technology, internet platforms, street performances, and popular culture. These advancements have made magic more accessible and engaging for audiences, enhancing the overall experience. As we continue to embrace new technologies and creative approaches, the world of magic will undoubtedly continue to evolve and captivate us in even more extraordinary ways..
Reviews for "The rise of e-commerce: How online shopping is transforming the retail industry"
1. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed in "Modern times dink magic". The storyline was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to follow and understand what was happening. The characters felt underdeveloped and lacked depth, making it hard to connect with them. Overall, I found the movie to be a bit of a mess and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Michael - 1/5 stars - "Modern times dink magic" was a complete waste of time. The acting was terrible, with performances that felt forced and unnatural. The dialogue was cringe-worthy and the attempts at humor fell flat. The plot was incredibly weak and the special effects were laughable. I can't believe I actually paid to see this movie.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Modern times dink magic" based on the trailers, but it ended up being a huge letdown. The pacing was all over the place, with slow and boring segments followed by rushed and confusing ones. The film lacked any emotional depth, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story. I also found the ending to be unsatisfying and anticlimactic. Overall, it was a forgettable movie that I wouldn't recommend to others.
4. James - 3/5 stars - While "Modern times dink magic" wasn't terrible, it didn't live up to my expectations. The plot had potential, but it was poorly executed. The pacing was off, dragging in some parts and rushing through others. The characters were interesting, but their actions and decisions didn't always make sense. Despite these flaws, there were some visually stunning scenes that kept me engaged. However, I wouldn't rush to watch it again.