Pagan winter traditions have deep roots in various ancient cultures and continue to be celebrated today. These traditions are often associated with the winter solstice, marking the longest night of the year and the rebirth of the sun. Pagan beliefs revolve around nature and the cyclical pattern of life, death, and rebirth. One of the most well-known pagan winter traditions is Yule, celebrated by Wiccans and other modern pagan groups. Yule takes place on the winter solstice and is a time to commemorate the return of the sun and the lengthening of daylight. Many Yuletide traditions involve welcoming the sun's return through fire rituals, such as burning a Yule log or lighting candles.
In 1999, George Harrison was attacked in his home by a man who believed The Beatles were witches who flew around on broomsticks.
For his 1830 piece about a witches Sabbath, Hector Berlioz instructed violinists to strike the back of their instrument with the bow a technique known as col legno. With 232 pages and an expanded 12 by 12 format, our biggest print issue yet celebrates the people, places, music, and art of our hometown, including cover features on David Lynch , Nipsey Hussle , Syd , and Phoebe Bridgers Saddest Factory Records , plus Brian Wilson, Cuco, Ty Segall, Lord Huron, Remi Wolf, The Doors, the art of RISK, Taz, Estevan Oriol, Kii Arens, and Edward Colver, and so much more.
Many Yuletide traditions involve welcoming the sun's return through fire rituals, such as burning a Yule log or lighting candles. Another winter tradition with pagan origins is the celebration of Saturnalia. Saturnalia was a Roman festival held in honor of the god Saturn and typically took place from December 17th to 23rd.
Witchcraft Explainer: The poly rhythm solution
Anyone losing their mind's listening to Witchcraft? There has been two discussions about the time signatures, but no one quite cracks the code. (Credits listed at the bottom. u/Bellyhands actually nailed it, but didnt get a single upvote. this one is for you.)
TLDR version: 35 beat phrase. Drums are 7/16 in groups of 5, and the guitar is total mixed meter, with a common time feel. The drummer is treating the first note we hear as the start of his count, but the guitarists are feeling that as a 2 beat pickup! From the drummer's POV, the guitar count feels insane: [2] + [16] + [15] + [2"WC!]
There are two Cheat Codes to understanding the time signature/poly meter:
- The first note of the song is a 8th note pickup! (well only for the guitarist, more on that)
- A pickup note is a note(s) that precedes the beginning of a musical phrase. Like "haaaapy |birthday to you". Bold is the downbeat.
Okay lets get into it!
Here is how you count (as the guitarist): Treat the first note of the song like two beats of 16, then start the phrase with the first lyric, not the guitar note and count:
- 1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & a [16 beats] "In the fields once "
- 1 e & a 2 e & a 3 e & a 4 e & [15/16] " A supercell rage"
- 1 e & a [4/16] "WhichCraft!-[beat-beat]"
The main guitar/vox line feels like common time, but the second phrase is "missing" a beat. Then. there is an extra bar of 4/16, starting at Witchcraft. This is what makes the "Witchcraft!" stand out, because if you are just vibing with the song. you start feeling the long 4/4 phrase, then on the repeat of the phrase, "Witchcraft!" interrupts the 2nd phrase on the 16th beat. Then there is two more beats before the guitar starts again. But the drummer has already started without you.
"Witchcraft!" is the highlight and destination of the polyrhythmic phrase, accented by both Guitar and Drums. "Witchcraft!" is the last two beats of the drummer's phrase, but the beginning of the guitarist's last bar.
Here are the last four beats of the 35 beat phrase.
"Witch" - "Craft" - (Drummer starts 7/16) - [Rest] | (Guitar starts Common time, before devolving into madness)If you are a drummer, then I am lying when I said that the first note of the song is the pickup note, because that's where the the Drummer starts his count (even tho hes not playing for 10 bars, f**k me), but the guitarist treat that first note like a pickup 8th note.
The drummer, Cavanagh, plays in 7, in groups of 5.
To count the drum part, start your count immediately following "WhichCraft!". Drummers of REDDIT, please correct me. I have emboldened the beats where I guess the phrases start compared to the guitar line feel. [EDIT: The drummers have corrected me that I should have used the word poly METER]
Notes: You will notice that the snare is on the off beat of the guitars first phrase, then lines up more often on the second guitar phrase, which is very cool. Cavanagh appears to accent the beginning of "above the lyre", which makes me feel like my count is correct.
If the guitarist doesn't want to loose his mind but start where the drummer is, then they would feel:
[2] + [16] + [15] + [2"WC!] u/Bellyhands . you just didn't get the credit you deserve on this one.
Thank you for coming to my TED TALK!
Shout out to the people who got the ball rolling:
As you study music you will notice every style has its own set of unique rhythms. The rhythms are part of the language of each musical style. To master a style, you need to master its rhythms.
During Saturnalia, social norms were temporarily suspended, and people engaged in feasting, gift-giving, and merry-making. The festival was characterized by its festive atmosphere and reversal of societal roles, allowing slaves to be treated as equals and masters to serve their servants. In Norse paganism, the midwinter celebration known as Yule was a significant event. Yule was a time to honor the gods and spirits and seek their blessings for the coming year. The festival included feasting, drinking, and storytelling, and often lasted for several days. Yule was also associated with the Wild Hunt, a mystical event where Odin and his hunting party would ride across the sky. Pagan winter traditions also encompass various folklore and superstitions. For example, mistletoe is often associated with pagan traditions and was believed to have magical properties. It was hung in doorways or above decorations to bring luck and ward off evil spirits. Similarly, holly and ivy, which stay green during the winter months, were seen as symbols of life's resilience. Overall, pagan winter traditions celebrate the natural rhythms of the Earth and the changing of the seasons. These customs and rituals offer a connection to our ancestral past and remind us of the importance of nature and its cycles. While some of these traditions have evolved or been merged with modern practices, they continue to hold significance for many individuals today..
Reviews for "The Importance of Pagan Ancestor Worship during the Winter Season"
1. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - While I appreciate the attempt to celebrate ancient traditions and connect with nature during the winter season, I found "Pagan wintr traditions" to be lacking in substance. The book seemed more focused on providing a surface-level explanation of various rituals and activities, without truly delving into the meaning behind them. Additionally, I found the writing to be a bit disjointed and unclear at times, making it difficult to fully comprehend the intended message. Overall, I was disappointed and didn't feel that the book added much value to my understanding of Pagan winter traditions.
2. Mark - 1 out of 5 stars - I was excited to learn more about Pagan winter traditions and hoped this book would provide in-depth insights and explanations. Unfortunately, "Pagan wintr traditions" fell short of my expectations. The content felt superficial and repetitive, lacking any real depth or exploration of the topics at hand. It seemed as though the author was trying to cover too much ground without going into detail about any one tradition. The writing style was also choppy and poorly organized, making it a struggle to follow along. Overall, I would not recommend this book to those seeking a comprehensive and informative guide to Pagan winter traditions.
3. Alex - 2 out of 5 stars - As someone who has been studying and practicing Paganism for several years, I was disappointed by "Pagan wintr traditions". The book seemed to oversimplify and generalize the vast array of Pagan winter traditions, reducing them to shallow explanations and surface-level practices. It lacked the depth and nuance that I was hoping for, leaving me craving more substantial information and insights. Additionally, I noticed several inaccuracies and misconceptions throughout the book, which further diminished my opinion of it. Overall, I found "Pagan wintr traditions" to be lacking in both content and accuracy, and would not recommend it to anyone seeking a genuine understanding of Pagan winter traditions.
4. Megan - 1 out of 5 stars - "Pagan wintr traditions" was a disappointing read, to say the least. The book felt more like a mishmash of random information thrown together without any clear organization or structure. It read like a poorly researched internet article rather than a comprehensive guide to Pagan winter traditions. I found myself questioning the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, as it often seemed contradictory or too simplistic. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking an authoritative and well-written resource on Pagan winter traditions.
5. Jason - 2 out of 5 stars - I was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of Pagan winter traditions, but "Pagan wintr traditions" failed to deliver. The book lacked coherence and clarity, often jumping from one topic to another without proper transitions. The information provided felt shallow and lacking in detail, leaving me with more questions than answers. Additionally, I found the writing style to be convoluted and difficult to follow, further diminishing my overall experience. While there were some interesting snippets of information scattered throughout, they were not enough to salvage the book's shortcomings. Overall, I would not recommend "Pagan wintr traditions" to those seeking a comprehensive and well-presented exploration of Pagan winter traditions.
The Role of Music and Dance in Pagan Winter Celebrations