A Pagan Yule tree antler topper is a unique and meaningful addition to a Yule tree decorating tradition. Yule, a holiday celebrated by modern pagans and some Wiccans, is a festival of the winter solstice, marking the longest night and the rebirth of the sun. Yule trees are an important symbol during this time, representing life, growth, and the cycle of nature. The antler topper holds its significance in pagan symbolism and belief systems. Antlers are seen as a representation of the Horned God, a central deity in many pagan traditions. The Horned God is often associated with the wild and untamed aspects of nature, symbolizing strength, fertility, and the masculine energy.
But, before we condemn Oland's "Yellowface" incarnation of Charlie Chan, consider this next curious bit of film history: In 1933, Oland made a trip to Shanghai, where he was celebrated by movie audiences there for bringing to life the first positive Chinese character in American film. (After all, compared with the venal Dr. Fu Manchu, whom Oland had also played in the movies, Chan was a hero.) The nascent Chinese film industry then got busy making a series of homegrown Charlie Chan movies. According to contemporary accounts, the Chinese actor who played Chan scrupulously copied the white Oland's Chinese screen mannerisms and speech. Cultural cross-pollination at work at its most endearing -- or dismaying.
As Huang chronicles, though, Apana s famous bullwhip was useless against the anti-Asian racism that prevailed within the police force and society of his time. The actor who played Charlie Chan in that and 40 other films was Warner Oland; like Sidney Toler, the actor who succeeded him in the role, Oland was Caucasian -- Swedish, in fact.
The Horned God is often associated with the wild and untamed aspects of nature, symbolizing strength, fertility, and the masculine energy. By placing an antler topper on their Yule tree, pagans honor and pay tribute to the Horned God and his connection to the cycles of life and nature. Additionally, the antler topper serves as a reminder of the sacredness of the natural world and the importance of harmonious coexistence with wildlife.
Black Magic [Charlie Chan in Black Magic] * (1944, Sidney Toler, Mantan Moreland, Frances Chan, Jacqueline de Wit, Claudia Dell) – Classic Movie Review 9054
Director Phil Rosen’s 1944 thriller Black Magic [Charlie Chan in Black Magic] [Meeting at Midnight] is a weak Charlie Chan (Sidney Toler) mystery about the Oriental Detective probing a séance killing.
Toler carries on regardless, and Frances Chan has much to do as Charlie’s daughter Frances, but Mantan Moreland is back as Charlie’s regular driver Birmingham Brown and overacts dreadfully, sabotaging any realism. Interestingly, this is the only film in which a daughter (Frances) plays Charlie’s assistant role usually given to Chan’s sons Lee, Jimmy or Tommy.
Birmingham gets a job as butler to William and Justine Bonner (Dick Gordon, Jacqueline deWit), psychics who conduct occult events at their house. Frances becomes a murder suspect when she attends a séance and Mr Bonner is shot.
Also in the cast are Jacqueline deWit, Claudia Dell, Edward Earle, Ralph Peters, Joseph Crehan as Police Sgt. Matthews, Helen Beverley, Geraldine Wall, Dick Gordon, Harry Depp, Charles Jordan and Frank Jaquet.
Black Magic [Charlie Chan in Black Magic] [Meeting at Midnight] is directed by Phil Rosen, runs 67 minutes, is made by Monogram Pictures, is released by Monogram Pictures (1944) (US) and Associated British Film Distributors (1944) (UK), is written by George Callahan (original screenplay), is shot in black and white by Arthur Martinelli is produced by James S Burkett and Philip N Krasne, and is scored by Alexander Laszlo, with Art Direction by Dave Milton.
The 33rd of 47 Charlie Chan movies, it follows Charlie Chan in The Chinese Cat (1944) and is followed by The Jade Mask (1945).
It was retitled Meeting at Midnight five years after its original release to avoid confusion with Black Magic (1949).
Frances Chan plays a character with her same real name. She played Charlie Chan’s youngest daughter in Charlie Chan’s Greatest Case (1933), possibly the same character. Charlie Chan’s Greatest Case is believed to be a lost film.
© Derek Winnert 2019 Classic Movie Review 9054
Checker`s recording of ''The Twist'' was first released in August, 1960, made the charts then faded away. It was re-released in late 1961 and again went to the top. By 1964, when the British took over the rock scene, Checker and the Twist were gone. Actually, according to the Encyclopedia of Pop, Rock and Soul, Checker didn`t originate the Twist. It was Hank Ballard, who wrote the song.
The choice to use an antler topper also reflects pagans' reverence for the animal kingdom and their commitment to eco-conscious living. Instead of using artificial or mass-produced decorations, pagans opt for natural materials, such as antlers, to reduce their ecological footprint and align their practices with their spiritual beliefs. Each antler topper is unique, as the antlers' shape, size, and appearance vary. Some pagans prefer to collect naturally shed antlers from the forest, while others choose to purchase ethically sourced antlers to ensure no harm is caused to the animals. Regardless of its origins, the antler topper serves as a beautiful and powerful symbol of pagan spirituality during the Yule season. In conclusion, the Pagan Yule tree antler topper is a significant and meaningful addition to the Yule tree decorating tradition. It symbolizes the connection between pagans and the natural world, paying homage to the Horned God and his influence on the cycles of life and nature. By using antlers, pagans demonstrate their commitment to eco-conscious living and their reverence for the animal kingdom..
Reviews for "The Spiritual Significance of the Pagan Yule Tree Antler Topper"
1. Sarah - 1 star - I was really disappointed with this Pagan Yule Tree Antler Topper. The quality was extremely poor and it looked very cheap and tacky. The antlers were flimsy and kept falling off, and the color was faded and dull. It definitely did not live up to the product description or the photos. I would not recommend purchasing this item.
2. John - 2 stars - While the concept of a Pagan Yule Tree Antler Topper sounded interesting, the execution was unfortunately lacking. The design of the antlers was not very appealing and looked more like plastic than real antlers. The attachment mechanism did not work well and the topper kept sliding down the tree. Overall, it did not add any charm or beauty to my Christmas tree and I ended up removing it after a few days.
3. Emily - 1 star - I regret buying the Pagan Yule Tree Antler Topper. It was poorly made and broke easily. The antlers were fragile and one of them snapped off just from trying to set it up. The overall design was not appealing and it looked cheap and unimpressive on top of my tree. I would not recommend wasting your money on this product.