A magic sketch pad, also known as a magic drawing board, is a device that allows you to create drawings and images using an analog mechanism. It consists of a plastic or metal frame with a clear plastic screen, which is attached to a backing board. Inside the frame, there is a layer of liquid crystal material that reacts to pressure and heat. The magic sketch pad works based on the principle of pressure sensitivity. When you apply pressure on the clear plastic screen with a stylus or your finger, the liquid crystal material in the pad responds to the pressure and changes its color. As a result, you can see the image or drawing appear on the screen.
Witch for Wedding
…So you think you've got everything ready for your wedding, do you?
The flowers, the ice sculpture, the dress, the embarrassing aunt, the Witch… The Witch?!
Welcome to the now!
Witches, once fearful lonely persons hiding from persecution, are the new black. Everyone knows a witch, or has heard of one, be it your daughter's best friend who's exploring ‘the old ways', or that lady in Southall who always wears pink and can bring your lover back – payment after results.
As the fires of the burnings died down, some witches stopped shying away. Little by little the position of the village wise woman was re-filled. In the last few decades witches became counsellors, herbalists, nurses (and, funnily enough, an astounding number of IT consultants) to reclaim their calling of helping their folk.
Witches marry in a ceremony called ‘handfasting', which is led by one or two fellow witches who act as priestess and priest. In a handfasting, the wrists of the willing couple are bound together to show their free will to be joined together in love. Some handfastings are for life, some last for all of your incarnations, or they could last as long as the bride and groom are in love (one for the commitment phobics). The most popular type of handfasting lasts a year and a day, and the vows are renewed every year.
As well as having a handfasting ceremony, most witches have their union registered in a more formal wedding, either to please their families or for legal reasons.
Now, it seems, tradition went a full cycle, and there are cases of non-pagan couples who choose to have their wedding blessed by a witch. Those couples feel that a spiritual woman, with a connection to the earth, who can invoke the old Gods and Goddesses, is just the person to bring luck and success to the marriage.
Those people invite Inbaal to their wedding.
Inbaal is a thoroughly modern witch. She doesn't follow one particular set of Deities, believing, instead, that each spell or blessing is individual and requires different herbs and chants.
When called upon to bless a wedding, Inbaal will gather the guests around the couple.
She will tell a story about an appropriate pair of deities. For example noble Here, the white-armed queen of heaven, Goddess of marriage and childbirth, and her husband great Zeus, the Thunderer, King of the Gods and Lord of the Sky. Or perhaps Hades, the Wealthy One, Ruler of the Underworld, and his young and beautiful Queen Persephone. At times simply Aphrodite (Venus) will be mentioned – she is the Goddess of Love and Beauty and generally just likes to have a good time.
When the Gods have been remembered and honoured, Inbaal will perform the ceremony in their names.
She ties the wrists of the husband-and-wife-to-be, explaining to the guests the symbolism of it, and then blesses them with each of the elements. The element of Air brings intellect and communication to the nuptials. Fire can bless them with undying passion and ambition. The emotional Water element would ensure their love would keep flowing, and Earth caps it nicely with security and stability. Often the couple would be happy to share their blessings with their guests.
Bride and groom then, aided by Inbaal, bless a drink, from which they drink first and then pass a chalice of drink around for all their friends and family, singles and couples alike, to sip from.
The traditional way of sealing a marriage ceremony is jumping over the broomstick. The witches' broom is a symbol of the joining of the female (twigs) with the male (stem), and jumping over it brings equality and endurance to the wedding.
After the newlyweds jump the broomstick, all couples who want their union blessed are invited to jump as well. This would normally seal the ritual, after which, if the witchy theme of the evening is to be kept, Inbaal can be found in the corner of the hall with her crystal ball and Tarot cards, doing readings and making herbal charm bags. Any quirky request is catered for, and charms can be made to bless an unborn child, to promote monetary success, to bring luck and stability, or whatever you may think you need magic for.
Now, that witchcraft is nearly mainstream, you find them everywhere. Inbaal arrives to the weddings purple-cloaked and robed and wearing a floral garland. ‘What's the point of being a witch', she says, ‘if no-one can tell?'
As a result, you can see the image or drawing appear on the screen. One of the unique features of the magic sketch pad is its ability to erase the image or drawing with a simple swipe of your hand or by lifting the clear plastic screen. The pressure from your hand or the lifting action removes the liquid crystal material and resets the pad back to its original state.
Subscribe to Inbaal's newsletter
Sent out about four times a year, I do not share you info with third parties, you can unsubscribe at an time.
When Pagans Wed: Modern Paganism & the Wedding Ritual
Published Monday, Apr. 12th, 2021
Sacred circles, handfasting unity candles, and feasting -- learn what to expect at a modern Pagan or Neopagan wedding ceremony, including marriage rites of Wicca, Druidism, and Norse inspired Heathen Vikings.
If you haven’t been asked to officiate or attend a Pagan wedding yet, don’t worry. You will be!
(And if you have, and that’s why you’re here… read on.)
At the rate that modern Paganism is growing in the US, it’s hard to imagine we won’t all be invited to sit inside a sacred wedding circle at some point soon, to bless a new union while breathing in the sweet musty scent of ceremonial incense wafting through the evening air. Paganism is the fastest growing spiritual movement in the country: There were nearly 1 million to 1.4 million “Wicca or Pagan” followers in the US in 2014, up from 340,000 in 2008, and only 8,000 openly practicing members in 1990. The number has continued to skyrocket since. To put that in perspective, there were only an estimated 1.4 million mainline members of the Presbyterian church in 2018. Unfortunately, despite being increasingly mainstream, Paganism and its various rites are often misunderstood. This is partly because popular media and entertainment frequently lump all modern Pagans together into one big group (and that group is usually Wicca). In truth, there are many smaller movements under the broad umbrella of modern Paganism, and many denominations within each movement. This means there are dozens and dozens of ‘types’ of modern Paganism.
A ceremonial circle in the woods sets a magical stage.
What can you expect at a Pagan wedding?
- A sacred circle: guests gather in a circle around the couple and the officiant, usually outdoors
- Blessing the space: The officiant, usually a priest, priestess, or honored friend, will light incense or sage, call to the gods, goddesses, or spirits, and create a spiritual circle to surround the physical circle.
- Gods, goddesses, spirits, and ancestors: Pagan faiths embrace many different gods and goddesses, spirits, and even the elements. These entities or forces will be called to join the event by the officiant at the start of the ceremony, before the vows or special readings.
- Offerings and altars: an altar filled with meaningful items, such candles, incense, or ceremonial wine might be placed near the officiant, and these items might be used in a unity ritual by the couple or offered to the gods… If you haven’t been asked to, don’t touch them.
- Handfasting and ring exchange: Most modern Pagans choose a traditional handfasting but will also exchange rings. (See AMM's new handfasting planning guide.)
- Poems, songs, theatrical performances, and stories: These joyful readings are given by the officiant and sometimes by guests, and can last much longer (and include more interaction with guests) than those at nonreligious or conventional weddings.
Although there will be many similarities between their wedding rites, all of these earth-based faiths are unique. They each have their own gods, their own stories, their own histories, and their own rituals, including the wedding rite.
So before you accidentally bring a Viking pig roast to a vegan Wiccan handfasting…
Take a minute to learn about the three most popular Modern Pagan movements in the US, and their special marriage customs.
Note: This article is in no way intended to offer a complete look at modern Paganism.
Scroll down for sample wedding and handfasting scripts.
Every part of the ceremonial altar has a meaning.
The magic sketch pad has become a popular tool for children and adults alike. It is often used as a creative outlet for drawing, doodling, and sketching. It offers a mess-free and convenient way to practice art and explore creativity. In addition to being a tool for artistic expression, the magic sketch pad also has educational benefits. It can help develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. It can also be used for practicing writing, letters, and numbers. Several variations of the magic sketch pad are available in the market today. Some models offer additional features such as color options, background patterns, and pen-like styluses. There are also electronic versions that come with an LCD screen and advanced features like saving and sharing drawings. The magic sketch pad is compact, portable, and environmentally friendly since it does not require paper or ink. It is a versatile and easy-to-use device that offers hours of entertainment and creative exploration. Whether you are drawing for fun or learning purposes, the magic sketch pad is a great tool to have..
Reviews for "From Idea to Reality: Majic Sketch Pad as a Design Tool"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Majic sketch pad. The texture of the paper is too rough, making it difficult to draw or sketch smoothly. Additionally, the colors appear dull and lack vibrancy once applied to the pad. I had high hopes for this sketch pad, but unfortunately, it did not meet my expectations. I would not recommend it to serious artists or anyone looking for high-quality sketching paper.
2. Emily - 1 star - I regret purchasing the Majic sketch pad. The paper feels cheap and flimsy, and it easily tears when erasing or rubbing the surface. The size is also considerably smaller than I anticipated, leaving limited space for drawing. Furthermore, the pages tend to stick together, making it frustrating to flip through and use effectively. Overall, I found this sketch pad to be subpar in terms of quality and functionality.
3. Steven - 3 stars - The Majic sketch pad is just okay in my opinion. The paper quality is average, and it lacks the smoothness I prefer for sketching. Although it claims to be suitable for a variety of mediums, I found that it didn't hold up well with wet media such as markers or watercolors. It's a passable sketch pad for casual artists or beginners, but I believe there are better options available at a similar price point.
4. Rachel - 2 stars - Honestly, I was not impressed with the Majic sketch pad. The pages are too thin, and I found that ink tended to bleed through onto the next page, ruining my drawings. The binding of the pad is also quite weak, and the pages started falling out after just a few uses. I wouldn't recommend this sketch pad to anyone who wants a durable and reliable option for their artwork.