The winter solstice, also known as Yule or Midwinter, has been celebrated by various pagan cultures throughout history. It marks the longest night and shortest day of the year, and is often viewed as a pivotal moment of transition and rebirth. Pagan myths and legends surrounding the winter solstice have been passed down through generations, each offering unique perspectives on the significance of this celestial event. One prominent myth is the Scandinavian tale of the Wild Hunt, led by the god Odin. According to this legend, Odin would ride through the night sky on his eight-legged horse, accompanied by a ghostly procession of fallen warriors and supernatural creatures. This event was believed to herald the beginning of the winter solstice and was thought to bring both fortune and calamity to mortals.

Here's Who Plays the Dead Bodies on Forensic Files

Have you ever been watching a true crime show and found yourself wondering who they paid to lay in a pool of blood all day for those dramatic murder reenactments? Was it an actor who was just looking for an IMDB credit or did the director just put a P.A. in a wig and call it a day?

In the case of Forensic Files, which ran from 1996-2011, it turns out the dead bodies -- and crime scene re-enactors in general -- are played by various employees of the network.

"I could say very proudly that all those people are employees of CNN and HLN," Nancy Duffy, Senior Vice President of Development at CNN told reporters at the Television Critics Association winter press tour while promoting Forensic Files II. "They are producers and senior producers. People that work in the building will come up to me and say, 'I could be killed, I could be dead! I could kill someone!' . You would be surprised how excited people are to be killing or hiding or kidnapping, or tying up -- we actually had a producer agree to be bound and tossed off a boat into the water."

Talk about dedication to the job! Though honestly if you had the chance to be on TV in a role you couldn't possibly screw up, can you honestly say you wouldn't be the first one to volunteer as tribute?

Forensic Files II will premiere in February 2020 on HLN.

(Disclosure: TV Guide is owned by CBS Interactive, a division of ViacomCBS.)

Forensic Files II

Forensic Files: The Magic Bullet - S01E02

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This bundle contains the viewing guides for episodes 1-13 of Forensic Files. The guides follow the sequence of events in the video and include fill-in-the-blank style questions. I designed these to keep students on task and focused on the plot and forensic information presented in the episodes. A

This will be a perpetually growing bundle of everything from the Forensics section of our store! Please note that the earlier you purchase this bundle, the more you'll save in the long run as the cost will increase as we continue to add products!The resources are based on Bertino Forensics 2nd Ed.

Description

Episode description - "A fifteen-year-old boy died from a mysterious gunshot wound to his head while he was sitting in the lobby of his father’s gun club. Ballistics, laser technology, made-to-scale models and the latest in forensic animation showed that bullet had followed a tragic course after a misfire at the outdoor range."

I've created this detailed video guide to keep students on task while watching the episode. Questions follow in order of the video, and include fill-in-the-blank and short answer questions. An answer key is included and the YouTube video link is also in the document.

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Ep 97. The Magic Bullet

The episode titled "The Magic Bullet" in season 1 of Forensic Files is a fascinating look into the world of forensic science and ballistics investigation. This episode delves into the mysterious death of a prominent businessman named Gregory Allen. Allen died after being shot in the head, and the police have no suspects or leads in the case.

The investigation into Allen's death begins with the discovery of a single bullet casing at the scene of the crime. Forensic experts are brought in to analyze the evidence and determine what type of gun was used in the shooting. The bullet casing leads investigators to believe that a small-caliber handgun was used in the crime.

Ballistics experts are called in to further examine the bullet casing. They use state-of-the-art techniques to match the casing to a particular type of gun. This leads investigators to a suspect, a man named Jeffrey Briley. Briley has a history of violent crime, and the evidence against him is strong.

Investigators also use forensic evidence to place Briley at the scene of the crime. They recover microscopic pieces of evidence from the gun that was used in the shooting. These tiny fragments are then analyzed in a lab, where they are matched to paint chips found at the scene of the crime.

The evidence against Briley is overwhelming, and he is eventually convicted of Allen's murder. However, the case takes an interesting turn when a new piece of evidence comes to light. A witness comes forward, claiming to have seen a second person at the scene of the crime. This new evidence casts doubt on Briley's guilt and leads investigators back to square one.

Despite this setback, investigators continue to examine the evidence and use advanced forensic techniques to gather more information about the case. They focus on the bullet itself, which has several unique characteristics that can help identify the gun that fired it.

The bullet is eventually matched to a gun owned by a second suspect, a man named Roy Krug. Krug has a history of gun violence, and he is quickly brought in for questioning. After an intensive interrogation, Krug confesses to the crime and is charged with Allen's murder.

The case of Gregory Allen's death is a fascinating study in the power of forensic science and ballistics investigation. Through painstaking analysis of the evidence, investigators are able to identify a suspect and eventually solve the case. The use of advanced forensic techniques, such as the analysis of microscopic evidence and ballistics testing, is critical to the success of the investigation.

Overall, "The Magic Bullet" is a captivating episode that highlights the importance of forensic science in criminal investigations. It shows how even the tiniest pieces of evidence can be used to crack a case and bring justice to those who have been wronged.

This event was believed to herald the beginning of the winter solstice and was thought to bring both fortune and calamity to mortals. It was believed that those who witnessed the Wild Hunt would experience various strange phenomena, ranging from hearing the ghostly cries of the warriors to being visited by the spirits themselves. Another popular myth associated with the winter solstice is the story of the Oak King and the Holly King.

In Celtic mythology, these two figures represent the battle between light and dark in the natural world. During the summer solstice, the Oak King reigns, symbolizing the triumph of light and warmth. However, as the winter solstice approaches, the Holly King takes his place, embodying the darkness and cold of the season. This cycle represents the eternal process of death and rebirth, with the Holly King eventually giving way to the Oak King, signaling the return of the sun and the promise of spring. In Greek mythology, the winter solstice is linked to the story of Demeter and her daughter Persephone. This tale explains the changing of the seasons, as Persephone is abducted by Hades, the god of the underworld. When Demeter discovers her daughter's disappearance, she plunges the earth into a never-ending winter in her grief. Eventually, a compromise is reached where Persephone spends part of the year in the underworld and part of the year with her mother. This myth illustrates the concept of balance and the cyclical nature of life, with the winter solstice representing the time when Persephone returns to the land of the living, bringing with her the promise of spring and new life. Overall, pagan myths and legends surrounding the winter solstice offer diverse interpretations of the significance of this celestial event. From the Wild Hunt to the Oak King and the Holly King, these stories provide insight into the cycles of nature, the balance between light and dark, and the themes of rebirth and renewal. They remind us of the ancient and enduring human connection to the natural world, and the importance of honoring and celebrating the changing of the seasons..

Reviews for "The Dark Goddess and the Winter Solstice: A Pagan Perspective"

1. Jean - 2 stars - I was really hoping to learn more about the history and traditions surrounding the winter solstice, but this book was more about Pagan myths and legends. I found it hard to connect with the content and it didn't provide the educational information I was looking for. I would recommend it only to those who are interested specifically in Pagan mythology.

2. Mark - 1 star - As someone who is not interested in Pagan myths and legends, I found this book completely unengaging. The content was dry and didn't offer any new or insightful information. I wanted something more factual and informative about the winter solstice, but this book didn't deliver. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the winter solstice traditions.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - I was excited to read this book and explore the Pagan myths and legends surrounding the winter solstice, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing style was convoluted and hard to follow, making it difficult to fully grasp the content. Additionally, the book lacked depth and didn't offer any new insights or perspectives on the subject. Overall, I was disappointed with the book and wouldn't recommend it to others.

4. Michael - 1 star - This book was a complete waste of time. It was filled with vague and repetitive information about Pagan myths and legends, which didn't provide any real understanding of the winter solstice. I was hoping for a more comprehensive exploration of the topic, but this book failed to deliver. I would advise readers to look for alternative resources if they want to learn about the winter solstice and its cultural significance.

The Role of Fire in Pagan Winter Solstice Celebrations