Yule celebrations have pagan origins and are typically observed during the winter solstice. This festive time is an important part of many pagan and Wiccan traditions. While Yule is most commonly associated with the Norse celebration of the same name, it is also observed in various forms by other pagan and earth-based spiritual communities. The origins of Yule can be traced back to ancient agricultural societies who relied on the winter solstice for their survival. It marked the longest night and shortest day of the year, symbolizing the rebirth of the sun and the return of longer days. This transition from darkness to light was seen as a time of hope, renewal, and new beginnings.

ANNA DEGUZMAN

Anna DeGuzman is a trailblazing Filipina-American cardist, mentalist and magician, and at just 24, she’s already recognized as one of the world’s premier female masters of cardistry. After being inspired by magician and “America’s Got Talent” season 13 winner Shin Lim, Anna began pursuing a career at 18 and soon proved to be a prodigious talent, full of charismatic personality with extraordinary range, performing everything from mesmerizing sleight of hand to illusions. As one of the only women and among the youngest in her craft, Anna’s charm, wit and relatability have won her loyal fans and viral success on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. She dazzled the judges and audience during her audition with playful banter and an impressive command of her craft. She dreams of winning “America’s Got Talent” and one day performing in Las Vegas as the strip’s first headlining female magician.

This transition from darkness to light was seen as a time of hope, renewal, and new beginnings. In Norse mythology, Yule was celebrated as a festival lasting several weeks, often beginning around December 21st. It involved feasting, gift-giving, bonfires, and the bringing in of evergreen decorations, such as holly, ivy, and mistletoe.

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Fil-Am magician Anna de Guzman finishes 2nd place in ‘America’s Got Talent’

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De Guzman makes history as the first female close-up magician to make it to the 'AGT' finale

MANILA, Philippines – Filipino-American magician Anna de Guzman finished as the runner-up in the 18th season of the reality talent competition America’s Got Talent (AGT).

For her final performance, the 25-year-old magician involved not only the judges but also host Terry Crews and all audience members.

She asked each of them to shuffle a deck of cards, pick one card, slip the chosen card into an envelope, and hide it under their respective seats.

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De Guzman then proceeded to show off several shuffling tricks while she asked Crews to also shuffle his own deck of cards and choose a chunk of it to keep.

She then unveiled that her chosen deck nearly matched the deck of Crews — with the last card, the queen of hearts, being the one found in the envelopes of the judges and audience members.

After completing her trick, De Guzman revealed that the set of cards — two of hearts, six of diamonds, nine of spades, two of diamonds, three of hearts, ten of clubs, and ten of spades — signified the broadcast time of her final performance: September 26, 2023, at 10:10 pm.

“I believe in her magic,” judge Sofia Vergara said. “That was amazing. I’m so proud that you’re here. You’re the first woman that has made it to the finals. You deserve to be here.”

Judge Simon Cowell exclaimed: “How the hell did you do that! That was magic, that was unbelievable.”

Meanwhile, judge Howie Mandel shared that he’s “very impressed.”

“You are magical, young lady. And you are adorable,” he said.

“You brought the wow to the finale and it packed a punch. It was fantastic,” judge Heidi Klum said.

De Guzman also disclosed after her performance that her mother flew all the way from the Philippines to support her in the finals round.

Although she fell short of winning the competition, De Guzman still made history as the first female close-up magician to make it to the AGT finals. Adrian Stoica and his dog Hurricane won the competition.

De Guzman also took to social media to celebrate the milestone.

“We did it. Season 18 runner-up. This is just the beginning. Can’t wait to show you what’s next,” she said.

In a separate post, she wrote: “I will remember this for the rest of my life. Thank you for being a part of history.”

During the audition round, De Guzman shared that she’s been doing “cardistry” or the “manipulation of playing cards” for five to six years now, but she felt like “magical things happen all the time” in her life.

Prior to America’s Got Talent, De Guzman also appeared in various shows such as MTV’s Amazingness, CW’s Penn & Teller: Fool Us, The Steve Harvey Show, and Australia’s Got Talent to showcase her cardistry skills. – Rappler.com

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LIST: Filipino acts that have gone viral for their ‘America’s Got Talent’ performances

How Anna DeGuzman Finished Her Historic Act Despite the "Unpredictable" Judges

The AGT 18 Act nearly didn't go as planned when Simon, Heidi, Howie, and Sofia antics led to "the most uncontrolled magic you'll ever see".

Following Anna DeGuzman's charming audition (which she confessed nearly didn't work out in the end) the magician and "cardistry" expert made America’s Got Talent history by becoming the first female close-up magician to advance to AGT Live Shows.

How to Watch

"That's kind of a big deal," she said during September 12's episode. "I'm here to inspire more young girls because I didn't have a female magician role model when I was getting started."

DeGuzman continued to break barriers during the fourth Live Results Show of Season 18, when she was advanced into the week's Top 2 alongside Chibi Unity via America's Vote. We'll now see her compete in the September 25 Finale as a member of the season's Top 11.

"My mom, she's why I do all of this. My mom raised me by herself and worked really hard to give me the best that she could, and now I wanna win AGT so I can give back to her," she said.

Read on for a recap of DeGuzman's Live Show performance, and how like her audition, it nearly didn't go as planned.

These evergreen plants were seen as symbols of everlasting life and fertility in the barren winter months. In modern pagan and Wiccan practices, Yule is celebrated as a time to honor the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. It is a time to reflect on the past year and set intentions for the year to come. Many rituals and ceremonies are performed during this period, including lighting of the Yule log, casting spells, and performing divination rituals. Some common Yule traditions include decorating an evergreen tree, exchanging gifts, hosting feasts with family and friends, and participating in outdoor rituals and ceremonies. The color themes of Yule often center around red, green, and gold, symbolizing warmth, nature, and wealth. Overall, Yule celebrations hold a special place in pagan and Wiccan traditions. They remind practitioners of the interconnectedness of nature and the cyclical nature of life. Yule offers a time to gather, celebrate, and give thanks for the blessings of the past year while looking forward to the new opportunities and growth of the future..

Reviews for "The Role of Music in Yule Celebrations: Pagan Songs and Chants for Winter Solstice"

1. John - 1 star

I was really disappointed with the Yule celebrations pagab. The event lacked organization and coordination. It felt like a chaotic mess, with no clear direction or structure. The performances were lackluster and the food options were limited and overpriced. Overall, it was a waste of time and money. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

2. Sarah - 2 stars

The Yule celebrations pagab had potential, but it fell short in execution. The event seemed out of touch with the true spirit of Yule. The atmosphere was too commercialized, with vendors trying to sell their products at every corner. The performances were mediocre and lacked authenticity. It would have been nice to see more traditional Yule activities and meaningful rituals. I left feeling unfulfilled and wouldn't attend again.

3. Mark - 2 stars

I had expected a magical and enchanting experience at the Yule celebrations pagab, but it was far from it. The event was crowded and noisy, making it difficult to truly immerse myself in the festivities. The entertainment was underwhelming, with repetitive performances that failed to capture the essence of Yule. The lack of proper facilities, such as clean bathrooms and seating areas, was also disappointing. Overall, it left me wanting more and I won't be returning next year.

4. Emily - 3 stars

While the Yule celebrations pagab had its moments, it was overall a mediocre experience. The event had potential, but it felt uncoordinated and poorly planned. The activities were limited and didn't fully showcase the beauty and significance of Yule. There were also long lines for food and drinks, which affected the overall enjoyment. With some improvements and better organization, it could have been a much better celebration.

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