Wiccan autumnal magic is a practice and belief system that is centered around the autumn season and its corresponding energies and symbolism. Wiccans, who are practitioners of this nature-based religion, often see autumn as a time of transformation, reflection, and harvest. One of the key aspects of Wiccan autumnal magic is the celebration of the autumn equinox, also known as Mabon. This holiday, usually observed around September 21st, marks the time when day and night are of equal length. It is seen as a time of balance and gratitude for the abundance of the harvest. Wiccans may perform rituals and spells that honor the changing seasons and give thanks for the blessings in their lives.
"Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji are strangers brought together by fate when they meet during a seemingly normal field trip to Tokyo Tower. Accompanied by a great flash of light, they hear a mysterious woman's plea to save "Cephiro," and the junior high heroines are suddenly swept away by a giant flying fish. Afterwards, they arrive in an unknown land, where they encounter a man called Master Mage Clef.
The formerly lively and peaceful land has been in disarray ever since High Priest Zagato imprisoned the princess, who acted as Cephiro s pillar of stability. Clef informs the girls that they were summoned by Princess Emeraude to fulfill their destinies as Magic Knights, restoring peace and balance in Cephiro.
Wiccans may perform rituals and spells that honor the changing seasons and give thanks for the blessings in their lives. In Wiccan autumnal magic, the symbolism of the changing leaves and falling acorns plays a significant role. These natural elements are associated with the cycles of life, death, and rebirth, as well as the release of negative energies and the manifestation of new beginnings.
Magic Knight Rayearth and its English dub: highly influential and still worth watching
Magic Knight Rayearth was an anime that aired back in the mid 1990s. I only heard of it fairly recently after seeing it cited as an influence, both on some newer anime and even on a few western shows. It was a fairly unique show for its time, for the fact that it blended multiple genres/sub-genres together, and also went against the conventions of its target demographic.
Magic Knight Rayearth was a shojo series, ostensibly aimed at young girls. Despite this, it had a heavy emphasis on fighting/action, and also had dark themes, and had other elements not associated with the "shojo" series of the time. It was part magical girl show, part mecha anime, and part "isekai". Three girls are transported to another world to save it from destruction, are given magic powers, and eventually attain robots (sort of) to fight with. Without spoiling it, I'll just say that the plot can go in some unexpected directions, and can get darker later on.
As for the english dub, it admittedly starts off a little rough. It is a 90s dub. But I felt it got better as it went along. By season 2, most of the voice actors were doing a good job, even if not quite up to modern standards.
One last thing. TMS, the company that produced the series, has apparently been putting the show up on youtube for free legally. The english version, even. They are currently in the middle of uploading it, and putting up one episode per week (just like if it was new). Here's a link to the first episode: https://youtu.be/eutBzS30qhM
I should note that the opening is in japanese, as is typical for dubs. However, the show was once aired with an english version of the opening. I don't know if there is a legal version of the dub with the english opening still available anywhere. Nonetheless, here is the (first) separate opening if anyone is interested: https://youtu.be/9HWMIsqPNNc
The opening is sung by Sandy Fox, who also voices one of the characters in the show.
So, do people remember this show? As I said, I only watched it recently. Are there any other new viewers, or old ones? How do people feel the show holds up? I feel that its still worth watching. But I would like to see what others think.
Magic Knight Rayearth 「魔法騎士 レイアース」 is a Japanese manga series created by CLAMP, an all-female manga artist team consisting of Satsuki Igarashi, Ageha Ohkawa, Tsubaki Nekoi and Mokona. Appearing as a serial in the manga magazine Nakayoshi from November 1993 to February 1995, the chapters of Magic Knight Rayearth were collected into three bound volumes by Kodansha, and published from July 1994 to March 1995.
Many Wiccans use the vibrant colors of autumn, such as orange, red, and yellow, in their magical workings to evoke these transformative energies. Another important aspect of Wiccan autumnal magic is the connection to the spiritual realm. Wiccans believe in the presence of spirits and deities that are closely tied to the natural world. During the autumn season, they may conduct rituals and spells to honor these spiritual beings, seek guidance and protection, and connect with their ancestral roots. Wiccans also utilize various tools and elements in their autumnal magic. For example, candles are often used to represent the element of fire and to invoke warmth and light during the darkening days. Crystals, such as citrine and amber, are used for their energy-enhancing properties and their association with abundance and prosperity. Additionally, Wiccans may incorporate the use of herbs and plants in their autumnal magic. Some commonly used herbs during this season include cinnamon, nutmeg, and sage, which are known for their protective and purifying properties. These herbs can be burned or used in spell work to bring about desired outcomes or to cleanse and consecrate sacred spaces. Overall, Wiccan autumnal magic embraces the energies and symbolism of the autumn season. It is a time of reflection, transformation, and gratitude, when practitioners align themselves with the natural cycles of life and honor the spiritual forces that surround them. Through rituals, spells, and the use of various tools and elements, Wiccans seek to manifest their intentions and cultivate a deeper connection with themselves, the natural world, and the divine..
Reviews for "The Magic of Fall Colors: How Wiccans Use Autumnal Hues in Spellwork"
1. Sarah - 1/5 - I was really disappointed with "Wiccan Autumnal Magic." I was expecting a book that would provide insights and practical tips for harnessing the energy of autumn in a Wiccan practice. However, the book lacked depth and substance. The author barely scratched the surface of the topic, and I felt like I didn't learn anything new. The book also lacked practical exercises or rituals that readers could try out. The writing style was choppy and unengaging, making it difficult to stay focused and interested. Overall, "Wiccan Autumnal Magic" was a major letdown and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a comprehensive guide to incorporating autumn symbolism into their Wiccan practice.
2. David - 2/5 - While "Wiccan Autumnal Magic" had potential, it ultimately fell short. The book seemed more like a collection of blog posts rather than a coherent guide. The author jumped from topic to topic without offering any real depth or analysis. I was hoping for a deeper exploration of the spiritual significance of autumn within Wicca, but the book only provided surface-level information. Additionally, the formatting and editing were poor, with numerous grammatical errors and typos throughout the text. I found it difficult to take the book seriously because of these distracting mistakes. Overall, "Wiccan Autumnal Magic" had interesting ideas, but its execution was lacking.