Paganism is a broad term that encompasses a variety of spiritual and religious beliefs and practices. As such, the holidays celebrated by pagans can vary depending on the specific pagan tradition or path followed by an individual or group. However, there are certain holidays that are commonly celebrated by many pagans around the world. One of the most well-known pagan holidays is Samhain, which is celebrated on October 31st or November 1st. Samhain marks the beginning of the Celtic winter and is often regarded as the pagan New Year. It is a time to honor and remember the ancestors, as well as a time to celebrate the cycles of life and death.
Jim Clash: What made you focus on harp rather than say, trumpet or sax?
The duo released a unique remake of James Brown s Papa s Got A Brand New Bag and later this month will tour on the Legendary Rhythm Blues Cruise with acts including Buddy Guy and Allen Toussaint. If by any chance you spot an inappropriate comment while navigating through our website please use this form to let us know, and we ll take care of it shortly.
It is a time to honor and remember the ancestors, as well as a time to celebrate the cycles of life and death. Another important pagan holiday is Yule, which is celebrated around the winter solstice, usually on December 21st or 22nd. Yule is a celebration of the return of the sun and the lengthening of daylight.
J. Geils Harp Legend 'Magic Dick' On Why He Never Lost His Magic
Dick Salwitz, known internationally to music fans as Magic Dick, is one of the most celebrated harmonica players of modern time. He just finished touring with his mates from The J. Geils Band, rocking crowds with favorites like Centerfold, a No. 1 hit from the early 1980s, and Whammer Jammer, a tune which features a blistering Salwitz on harp.
Salwitz also performs a more unplugged kind of live gig with celebrated acoustic guitarist Shun Ng, 25 (www.shunng.com). The duo released a unique remake of James Brown's Papa's Got A Brand New Bag and later this month will tour on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise with acts including Buddy Guy and Allen Toussaint.
I recently posed a series of questions to Salwitz, now 70, about his career. Sarcastic humor is evident in his responses, as is an ongoing passion for his craft.
Jim Clash: What made you focus on harp rather than say, trumpet or sax?
Dick Salwitz: I love the unique sound of the harp and how it can mimic the expression and tonal palette of both the sax and the trumpet, and the voice. Ever since beginning to play the trumpet at nine years old, I've been interested in all the horns. But the fact that you can engulf the harp and the microphone with your hands and shape its tone is the reason for my focus on it. It's become a sonic and tactile fixation, yielding a mental universe of associations of shapes and tones. Put simply, it makes me happy!
Dick Salwitz (aka "Magic Dick", left) still tours with J. Geils Band, but he also plays a . [+] stripped-down format with acoustic guitarist Shun Ng. (Photo courtesy of Dick Salwitz)
JC: A Rolling Stone critic once called you the "best white musician to play blues harmonica."
DS: I've always found that listening to such pronouncements takes me off my game. It is better to seriously address my own criticisms of my playing. I am my daily critic and coach.
JC: What did you think of Cream's late Jack Bruce as a harp player?
DS: I really liked Jack Bruce's bass playing and vocals. He was a competent harp player, but he did not influence my harp playing.
JC: How about a crazy story from the old J. Geils touring days?
DS: One Halloween in the early '70's somewhere in Canada, we thought we'd have some fun when we came out on stage to start our show. Our drummer, Stephen Jo Bladd, had a gorilla mask on and the rest of us had on old-man masks. We figured this would get a great laugh. We were met with silence.
JC: Contrast an acoustic performance with Shun Ng to one of The J. Geils Band.
DS: The musical experience with Shun Ng is very fresh, exciting and challenging. Each day we get together brings so much spontaneous playing and new ideas. With The J. Geils Band, my musical role is more narrowly defined.
JC: Do you watch America's Got Talent and such shows, and what do you think of them?
DS: Talent is everywhere. As a harp player, I don't have time to spend this way. Maybe I should watch these.
JC: Your advice to young aspiring musicians?
DS: Listen, and practice all the time. Do whatever it takes to stay strongly attracted to playing the harp. Be honestly critical. Use your imagination to advance your technique and improve your sound.
JC: Do you ever get tired of playing Whammer Jammer? How many times do you think you've played it?
DS: It's a constant source of stress, but it helps to keep my playing honed. I've performed it at every show I've played. My guess would be thousands of times not counting my own practicing. I still love it, and I'm working on improving it!
JC: Your best experience playing with an old-time blues musician?
DS: Jamming with John Lee Hooker was especially thrilling. This was around 1970 in Boston at a club called the Jazz Workshop. John Lee played mostly on one chord and, when he did change, it was not according to a standard formula like a lot of blues. This made accompanying him more difficult. One of the hallmarks of a great player is to be able to continually invent without relying on chord changes to carry interest. This is something I'm still working on.
JC: You have an interest in physics. Do you keep up with what's happening in the field?
DS: My interest in physics is cosmology and quantum mechanics. I'm grateful for a never-ending attraction to these matters. The connectedness of all things physical and spiritual is astounding.
DS: My interest in physics is cosmology and quantum mechanics. I'm grateful for a never-ending attraction to these matters. The connectedness of all things physical and spiritual is astounding.
It is a time of rebirth and renewal, and many pagans celebrate with feasting, gift-giving, and lighting candles or bonfires. Imbolc is another significant pagan holiday, which is celebrated around February 2nd. It marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox and represents the first signs of spring. Imbolc is associated with the goddess Brigid and is a time of purification, healing, and preparation for the coming of spring. Beltane is a pagan holiday that takes place on May 1st or the night of April 30th. It is a celebration of fertility, abundance, and the peak of spring. Beltane is often marked by bonfires, dancing, and the weaving of maypoles. It is a time to honor the earth and the life-giving forces of nature. Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, is celebrated on August 1st or thereabouts. It is a holiday that marks the beginning of the harvest season and is associated with the god Lugh. Lughnasadh is a time of gratitude for the abundance of the earth and a celebration of the first fruits of the harvest. These are just a few examples of the holidays celebrated by pagans. The specific rituals, customs, and meanings associated with these holidays may vary depending on the pagan tradition or path followed by an individual or group. However, what all these holidays have in common is a reverence for nature, a celebration of the cycles of life and death, and a connection to the spiritual and divine..
Reviews for "Pagan Rituals and Traditions at Winter Solstice"
- John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "What holidays do paga na celebrate". I was expecting an interesting and insightful exploration of the Paga Na culture and their holidays. However, the book barely scratched the surface and left me with more questions than answers. The author seemed to lack a deep understanding of the subject matter and the writing was often simplistic and repetitive. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wishing for more depth and nuance.
- Mary - 1 star - I was greatly let down by "What holidays do paga na celebrate". The book promised to provide an in-depth look at the unique and fascinating holidays celebrated by the Paga Na people, but instead, it was filled with generic and uninteresting information. The author seemed to rely heavily on stereotypes and did not do justice to the complexity and richness of the Paga Na culture. The writing style was also lackluster and failed to capture my interest. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a genuine exploration of Paga Na holidays.
- Robert - 2 stars - "What holidays do paga na celebrate" fell short of my expectations. The book lacked a cohesive structure and often jumped from one topic to another without providing a clear narrative. The information provided about Paga Na holidays was also very limited and left me wanting more. Additionally, the writing style was dry and lacked any sort of personal touch. Overall, I found the book to be uninspiring and would not recommend it to others seeking a comprehensive understanding of Paga Na holidays.