Unburdened wiccan texts are a form of Wiccan writing that focuses on simplicity, authenticity, and stripped-down spirituality. These texts aim to provide practitioners with clear and concise explanations of Wiccan beliefs, rituals, and practices without any unnecessary or burdensome elements. Traditionally, Wiccan texts have been known for their elaborate symbolism, complex rituals, and intricate wording. While these aspects can be beautiful and meaningful to some, they can also be overwhelming and inaccessible to newcomers or those seeking a more straightforward approach. Unburdened wiccan texts seek to address this issue by presenting Wiccan concepts in a way that is easy to understand and apply. They often emphasize the core principles and beliefs of Wicca, such as reverence for nature, the importance of personal connection with the divine, and the power of intention and energy.
Teena Marie comes across as a throwback to the previous decade. This facet of Teena Marie provides her songs with something different, something spiritual, they can come across as gauche or just plain naive. But you can hear how much Teen Marie believes in the words she's singing, she is one hundred percent genuine. Coupled with her heartfelt and impassioned vocals you are won over, if only for the duration of a song. Luckily Teena Marie has a muse in the form of Motown funk master Rick James. Without him Teena Marie could have produced an album of long form ballads full of hippy whimsy and new age musings. But with a guiding hand such as the one he provides results in a great album.
Many soul and funk albums released in the early eighties had ballads and It Must Be Magic is no exception, but they are usually the least exciting or unimaginative tracks on any given album. Revolution is a call to arms but I would imagine many of the listeners would pay more attention to the fantastic bassline and wild guitar than to the lyrics.
They often emphasize the core principles and beliefs of Wicca, such as reverence for nature, the importance of personal connection with the divine, and the power of intention and energy. These texts may also provide simplified versions of rituals and spells, focusing on the essential elements and steps rather than long lists of ingredients or convoluted instructions. By doing so, they aim to make Wiccan practices more accessible and inclusive, allowing practitioners to adapt and personalize them to their individual needs and preferences.
Teena Marie It Must Be Magic
Without a doubt the best album Teena Marie ever made and a true 80's highlight. So many classic songs in the mix here but what really struck me were the deep cuts. "Revolution" & "Where's California" are incredible but "Yes Indeed" brought out emotions in me that I rarely ever encounter. Only the best of music can conjure these kinds of feelings and it's here for you in spades.
These songs in the hands of a lesser musician would have still been good because they're so well written and well played but Teena's voice is so ridiculously impactful that it sends this album into the stars. It's so good that we're going to ignore the below average "Ballad Of Cradle Rob and Me". If you're reading this right now buy this album. It's a requirement.
Highlights
It Must Be Magic
Revolution
Where's California
Square Biz
Portuguese Love
Yes Indeed
Teena Marie might be considered one of the best white soul artists, but lyrically comes across as a hippy, a child of the age of aquarius, a new age voyager. Quite the opposite of what other R&B artists were singing about in the eighties. I guess it could be something to do with being from California.
Teena Marie comes across as a throwback to the previous decade. This facet of Teena Marie provides her songs with something different, something spiritual, they can come across as gauche or just plain naive. But you can hear how much Teen Marie believes in the words she's singing, she is one hundred percent genuine. Coupled with her heartfelt and impassioned vocals you are won over, if only for the duration of a song. Luckily Teena Marie has a muse in the form of Motown funk master Rick James. Without him Teena Marie could have produced an album of long form ballads full of hippy whimsy and new age musings. But with a guiding hand such as the one he provides results in a great album.
It Must Be Magic starts off with a bang with "It Must Be Magic", the sheer exuberance is intoxicating. Teena is at her effervescent best here, it's like she's mainlining sugar. "Revolution" is a call to arms but I would imagine many of the listeners would pay more attention to the fantastic bassline and wild guitar than to the lyrics.
Many soul and funk albums released in the early eighties had ballads and It Must Be Magic is no exception, but they are usually the least exciting or unimaginative tracks on any given album. Not so here though. "Where's California" is a gloriously overblown affair. The vocals are wonderfully impassioned. It is one of the three examples on the album of Teena Marie and her songwriting ability, her unique version of soul, you wish for more ballads.
The following two tracks on It Must Be Magic "365" and Opus III (Does Anybody Care) (a one minute and thirty three second song isn't really an Opus is it Teena?) are minor affairs before the slam dunk of "Square Biz".
"Square Biz" like "It Must Be Magic" is an energetic track that features a rhythm that is contagious, the syncopation grabs you by the collar and doesn't let go, dragging you to your feet and making you dance or at least nod your head. Teena Marie is so sassy and charismatic, you just imagine the joy on her face when recording this. The whole track is filled with glee. One of her best funk tracks putting the 'up' in up-tempo'
One of the few tracks not written by Teena Marie is "The Ballad of Cradle Rob and Me" and while she does the best she can it's just not as good as the songs penned by herself. Which leads us to "Portuguese Love". Teena Marie has written many great songs, many of them garnered her hits, but some are on another level, songs that are classic, timeless. "Portuguese Love" is one such song. It can simply be described as an epic. All yearning and passion. A song where Teena Marie wholly is absorbed within the song she wrote, sounding enraptured by the song's romantic theme. The latin rhythms and string arrangements create a sensual mood, all simmering heat and humid intimacy. The breakdown is like an impassioned heartbeat beating against the chest that winds down, leisurely, creating an arbour of sensual bliss, lovers wordless whispers, and of intimate susurration.
"Portuguese Love" would have been a fine way to end It Must Be Magic but we get one more beautiful ballad in the form of "Yes Indeed". This piano led song is another fine example of Teena Marie's romantic side, albeit one with sadness wrapped up within its beauty.
With It Must Be Magic Teena Marie proved to be more than just the Ivory Queen of Soul, she was an artist with a singular style and had more to offer than just soul, she offered her soul, through her music.
It Must Be Magic starts off with a bang with "It Must Be Magic", the sheer exuberance is intoxicating. Teena is at her effervescent best here, it's like she's mainlining sugar. "Revolution" is a call to arms but I would imagine many of the listeners would pay more attention to the fantastic bassline and wild guitar than to the lyrics.
Unburdened wiccan texts can be especially beneficial for those who are new to Wicca or who prefer a more minimalist and straightforward approach to spirituality. They can provide a solid foundation for understanding Wiccan beliefs and practices, while also leaving room for personal exploration and interpretation. Furthermore, unburdened wiccan texts reflect an evolving understanding of Wicca as a living and dynamic tradition. While honoring the rich history and traditions of Wicca, they also recognize the importance of adaptability and individual spiritual growth. This approach encourages practitioners to explore and experiment with their own unique spiritual paths, rather than adhering strictly to established rituals or rules. In conclusion, unburdened wiccan texts offer a simplified and accessible perspective on Wiccan beliefs, rituals, and practices. Through their focus on simplicity, authenticity, and personal interpretation, they provide practitioners with a foundation for exploring and developing their own individual spiritual paths within the framework of Wicca..
Reviews for "Guardians of the Craft: Unburdened Wiccan Texts and their Role in Preservation"
1. John - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Unburdened wiccan texts". The book promised to be a comprehensive guide to Wiccan practices, but it fell short in so many ways. Firstly, the information provided was extremely basic and lacked depth. It felt like I was reading an elementary school textbook rather than a guide for spiritual growth. Secondly, the book was poorly organized, making it difficult to find specific information I was looking for. Overall, I found "Unburdened wiccan texts" to be a waste of time and money.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars - As a practicing Wiccan, I was excited to read "Unburdened wiccan texts" and expand my knowledge. However, I was left feeling underwhelmed and disappointed. The content seemed superficial and lacked the depth I was seeking. The author failed to provide any new insights or unique perspectives into Wiccan practices. Furthermore, the writing style was flat and uninspiring, making it difficult to stay engaged. I would not recommend "Unburdened wiccan texts" to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of Wicca.
3. Mark - 2/5 stars - I found "Unburdened wiccan texts" to be a mediocre attempt at exploring Wiccan principles. The author failed to captivate my interest and provide any meaningful insights. Much of the information presented felt repetitive and redundant, making it a tiresome read. Additionally, the lack of practical guidance and hands-on exercises left me feeling unsatisfied. There are much better resources available for anyone interested in studying Wicca than "Unburdened wiccan texts".