Pagan Yule is a celebration that takes place during the winter solstice, typically on December 21st. It is a time to honor the return of the sun and the rebirth of nature. One way that pagans celebrate Yule is through the use of various adornments and decorations. **Adornments and decorations for Pagan Yule** play an important role in setting the atmosphere and creating a sacred space for the celebration. These adornments often incorporate natural elements such as evergreen branches, holly leaves, pine cones, and berries. They are symbolic of the enduring life force and the promise of new beginnings.
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.
They are symbolic of the enduring life force and the promise of new beginnings. **Evergreen branches** are a central adornment during Pagan Yule as they symbolize the resilience of nature during the winter months. They are often used to create wreaths, garlands, and swags that are hung on doors, windows, and altars.
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.
The freshness and vibrant green color of the evergreens serve as a reminder of the life that continues to exist even in the darkest of times. **Holly leaves** are also commonly used in Pagan Yule adornments. The prickly leaves and vibrant red berries are seen as a representation of protection and fertility. Holly is often incorporated into wreaths and other decorative arrangements to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. **Pine cones** are another popular adornment during Pagan Yule. They symbolize the seed of new life and growth, as well as the masculine energy associated with the sun. Pine cones are often painted or glittered and used as ornaments for Yule trees or hung as decorative accents throughout the home. **Berries**, particularly those of the winterberry or mistletoe, are also commonly used in Pagan Yule adornments. They represent the feminine energy and the potential for new life. Mistletoe is often hung in doorways or over the Yule altar, and it is tradition to kiss under the mistletoe during the Yule celebration. In addition to these natural elements, candles play a significant role in Pagan Yule adornments. The soft glow of candlelight represents the return of the sun and the warmth it brings. Candles are often placed in decorative holders or lanterns and used to light the Yule altar or other sacred spaces. Overall, the adornments and decorations used during Pagan Yule serve to create a visually stunning and spiritually meaningful environment. They honor the natural world and the interconnectedness of all living things. Through their use, pagans celebrate the return of the sun and the promise of new beginnings in the darkest of times..
Reviews for "Pagan Yule Adornments: Preserving Cultural Heritage and Traditions"
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Traditional Pagan Yule Adornments around the World: Global Perspectives