On Halloween night, when the moon is high in the sky and darkness blankets the world, a mysterious phenomenon known as "blue magic" occurs. This extraordinary event is said to bring about an infusion of enchantment and wonder into the air, igniting the imagination of all who witness it. The origins of blue magic on Halloween are steeped in ancient folklore and legends. According to one tale, a powerful sorcerer known as "The Blue Wizard" cast a spell centuries ago, imbuing the night with an ethereal blue glow on this particular occasion. It is said that this wizard, with his dark cloak and glowing blue eyes, used his magic to protect Halloween from the forces of evil. In modern times, the blue magic of Halloween has come to signify a time of mystical connection and supernatural occurrences.
In modern times, the blue magic of Halloween has come to signify a time of mystical connection and supernatural occurrences. It is believed that during this enchanted night, the veil between the mortal realm and the spirit world is at its thinnest, allowing for communication and interaction with supernatural beings. Some say they have seen ghosts wandering the streets, witches brewing potions, and creatures of the night emerging from the shadows.
Monday Magick: Blue Magic – Born on Halloween (Video)
Returning to the routine of pumping out a new Monday Magick post every week over the last month has been rewarding. And I’m especially happy I was able to do it during the month of October. It took afew weeks of getting back into the swing of things, but as the month began drawing to a close I kept my eyes peeled and ears open for an ideal selection to celebrate the outgoing “Season of the Witch” in style. And I do believe the track I picked for this week’s feature fits that bill. Taken from a 1975 LP from Philadelphia Soul quintet Blue Magic by the appropriately ominous title of ‘Thirteen Blue Magic Lane’, that song is the smooth but spooky soul ballad “Born on Halloween”.
“Born on Halloween”? By Blue freakin’ Magic? Can we ask for a more perfect Halloween themed Monday Magic candidate than that.
I’ve complained more than once in this space about the lack of diabolical subject matter in certain musical genres. My personal aesthetic tends to lean towards Funk, Soul, and R&B more than anything. But sadly those are genres that, due largely to cultural reasons and an admittedly tenuous link to “Chruch Music”, tend to shy away from lyrics about The Devil, witches, and the occult. Don’t get me wrong. I like all music. But if I had to write a column dedicated to, say Norwegian Black Metal, just so I could write about music with an occult twist I probably wouldn’t by typing this post right now. Dig? Despite digging soulful shit and having a decent collection of old Soul records I’ve neglected the fact that one of the most popular Soul groups of the ’70s, Blue Magic, actually has the word “magic” in their name and released several songs with vaguely “spooky” titles that allude to the dark paths of the occult in one way or another.
Being reminded of “Born on Halloween”, one of the most glaring examples of this spooky Soul dichotomy, was like a slap to the face.
The song itself, which was produced by Norman Harris and Ron Kersey at the famous Sigma Sound Studios featuring their notorious house band MFSB, is anything but, coming off soothing to the ear in a manner that is typical of the Philly Soul and Soul vocal group sound of the era. Sophisticated orchestral arrangements of dramatic strings provide a chilling but chilled out backdrop for vocal harmonies and a signature keening falsetto that tells a tale of spellbinding romance, abandonment, heartbreak, and supernatural obsession. The protagonist laments falling in love with a “Scorpio” who haunts his dreams to the point of feeling cursed by “the witches brew” of someone who was “born on Halloween, a queen of witchcraft”. That’s about as deep as the song goes to the occult rabbit hole, but it’s a surprisingly dark supernatural take on the standard brokenhearted R&B “simp” template if you ask me.
“Born on Halloween” was recorded for ‘Thirteen Blue Magic Lane’, the group’s third LP. They released a total of nine studio albums, the last of which, ‘My Magic is Real’, was released in 1995. All of the original members of the group appear to be alive and kicking. But there are reportedly three different version of “Blue Magic” featuring various lineups touring at this time.
Music is magick!
The song itself, which was produced by Norman Harris and Ron Kersey at the famous Sigma Sound Studios featuring their notorious house band MFSB, is anything but, coming off soothing to the ear in a manner that is typical of the Philly Soul and Soul vocal group sound of the era. Sophisticated orchestral arrangements of dramatic strings provide a chilling but chilled out backdrop for vocal harmonies and a signature keening falsetto that tells a tale of spellbinding romance, abandonment, heartbreak, and supernatural obsession. The protagonist laments falling in love with a “Scorpio” who haunts his dreams to the point of feeling cursed by “the witches brew” of someone who was “born on Halloween, a queen of witchcraft”. That’s about as deep as the song goes to the occult rabbit hole, but it’s a surprisingly dark supernatural take on the standard brokenhearted R&B “simp” template if you ask me.
The blue magic of Halloween also takes the form of captivating and awe-inspiring displays. As the darkness descends, blue flames dance on the tips of candles, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Pumpkins adorned with blue divination symbols are said to possess the power to reveal glimpses of the future to those who dare to look. Spellbooks filled with blue-inked incantations come alive with whispered spells and conjurations. For those fortunate enough to experience the blue magic of Halloween, it is a night of adventure, mystery, and enchantment. It is a time to embrace the unknown, as secrets long kept are whispered on the wind and elusive magic manifests in unexpected ways. It is a night where anything is possible, where dreams become reality, and where the fantastical and the supernatural intertwine. As the night draws to a close, the blue magic fades, leaving only the memories of a truly extraordinary experience. And as the dawn breaks on November 1st, the world returns to its regular state, but the whispers of blue magic on Halloween linger, forever reminding us of the enchantment that lies just beyond the veil of ordinary life..
Reviews for "The Allure of Blue Magic: Embracing the Supernatural on Halloween"
1. Sally Jenkins - 2/5 Stars
I was really excited to read "Blue Magic Born on Halloween" as I usually enjoy supernatural fantasy novels. However, I found the plot to be extremely confusing and poorly executed. The characters lacked depth and development, and I struggled to connect with any of them. The writing style was also quite disjointed, with abrupt shifts in perspective and unclear timelines. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. John Thompson - 1/5 Stars
"Blue Magic Born on Halloween" was a complete letdown. The premise sounded intriguing, but the execution was terrible. The dialogue was clunky and unrealistic, making it difficult to engage with the story. Additionally, the pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself losing interest frequently. The book also struggled with poor editing, with numerous grammatical errors and typos throughout. I couldn't wait for it to end.
3. Emily Mitchell - 2/5 Stars
I was initially drawn to "Blue Magic Born on Halloween" by its unique title and cover, but sadly, the content did not live up to my expectations. The story lacked focus and direction, with multiple subplots that felt unrelated and poorly woven together. The main character's motivations were unclear, and it was challenging to invest in their journey. While the author had some interesting ideas, the execution fell short, leaving me feeling underwhelmed and disconnected from the story.