The winter solstice is a significant event in many pagan traditions. It marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, and is celebrated as the rebirth of the sun. Pagan winter solstice ceremonies are rich with symbolism and rituals that honor the cycles of nature. One of the main ideas behind pagan winter solstice ceremonies is the concept of light overcoming darkness. This idea is central to many pagan traditions, as the winter solstice represents the beginning of the gradual return of sunlight and the promise of longer days. In these ceremonies, participants often light candles or bonfires to symbolize the returning light and to bring warmth and hope into their lives.
Black Friday
i only wish that they hadn t shown the demon right in the beginning and instead waited, but it s got plenty more going for it, such as elegant dialogue, intelligent characters, and a moody atmosphere. It begins with feelings of being followed, hearing strange folk music meant to invoke the devil, unexplainable cold, and even being chased by a monstrous smoky shape.
In these ceremonies, participants often light candles or bonfires to symbolize the returning light and to bring warmth and hope into their lives. Another key aspect of pagan winter solstice ceremonies is the connection to nature. Many pagans believe that the solstice is a time when the Earth is most in tune with its natural rhythms.
Night of the Demon
Even as a child I was always drawn to the occult, the strange and the macabre. Night of the Demon was one of many horror films my Dad would record for me, and it would become part of my ‘select few’ – my carefully chosen collection of well-loved VHS tapes, watched repeatedly, sometimes daily if it was the school holidays (yes I was a weird child, I know).
I can remember watching Night of the Demon with my grandad, and he would roar with laughter when the demon appeared, saying you could hear the wheels squeaking as they pushed the figure along on a trolley. I didn’t have the heart to tell him that sound was actually the unearthly chittering of a fire demon. Yes ok, the demon was a bit ropy. Yes, some say that revealing the creature in the first ten minutes of the film ruined the suspense. But to me, that reveal just added to the impending sense of inevitability. We know the demon is real, but will our sceptical protagonist John Holden realise before it’s too late?
Night of the Demon (UK, Jacques Tourneur, 1957) is the tale of American psychiatrist John Holden (Dana Andrews) and his battle of wills with a satanic cult leader. Holden has come to England to investigate this cult and how it uses powers of persuasion and suggestion to manipulate its followers. Cult leader Julian Karswell (played with villainous relish by Niall MacGinnis) is not a happy chappy about being exposed, and politely warns Holden off. He has already threatened Holden’s colleague Professor Harrington, who upon Holden’s arrival in England has suddenly died in an accident with some power lines ‘But his body should have only been burned – it was mutilated, horribly!’ beseeches his niece Joanna (Peggy Cummins) as she warns Holden of the danger he is in.
The curse that Karswell places on his enemies gives them three days to live, after which time a fire demon is invoked to brutally kill them. It is the three days of psychological mind games that I love about this curse. It begins with feelings of being followed, hearing strange folk music meant to invoke the devil, unexplainable cold, and even being chased by ‘a monstrous smoky shape’. Whether Holden believes in witchcraft or not, he is certainly being psyched out.
At one point Karswell’s Mother tries to help Holden by calling upon her medium friend Mr Meek to hold a séance. There follows a fantastic scene of comic relief, with Mr Meek’s wife and Karswell’s Mother wailing along to a crackly old gramophone recording of ‘Cherry Ripe’ to help invoke the spirits. Holden mocks the medium scathingly until Meek is suddenly possessed by the voice of Professor Harrington and warns Holden to drop the investigation. Kate Bush fans will recognise his cry of ‘The Demon! It’s in the trees! It’s coming!’ as the intro to ‘Hounds of Love’. Perhaps one of the film’s most enduring legacies in pop culture.
Night of the Demon was based on the M.R. James short story Casting the Runes. For US audiences it was retitled Curse of the Demon to avoid confusion with the similarly titled The Night of the Iguana (John Huston, 1964) The film was allegedly beset by many conflicts. There was an ongoing disagreement between producer Hal E. Chester and director Jacques Tourneur over whether to fully reveal the demon. Then there are many anecdotes about Dana Andrews’ struggle with alcoholism during filming, which threatened to disrupt production altogether. Many have criticised Andrews’ performance in this film, but I find his slightly wooden delivery really enhances his displacement in the world of witchcraft and devil worship. As an American discovering strange British folklore and customs, he really is a stranger in a strange land.
Arguably, Niall McGinnis is the star of this production. He has some fantastic pieces of dialogue which he delivers in a perfect Shakespearean baritone: ‘If it’s not someone else’s life, it’ll be mine. Do you understand, Mother? It’ll be mine’.
Diehard fans of the film may like to seek out ‘Beating the Devil: The Making of Night of the Demon’ (Tony Earnshaw, 2005). Now sadly out of print, you can expect to pay upwards of £70 for this fantastic companion book. The very fact that it even spawned such a publication is a testament to the importance of Night of the Demon in British folk horror history. But to me, it will simply always be one of very few films that stands up to multiple rewatches, that never fails to give me chills and to make me hang on to every beautifully crafted line of dialogue.
Jenny Davies
Jenny Davies is an avid horror fan but new to the writing scene, having previously only written a couple of pieces for retro gaming site Adventure Classic Gaming. A busy working Mum, her spare time is spent devouring folk horror in art, literature and film. She loves Stephen King, cats and anything paranormal. Follow her on Twitter @misstwinpeaks79.
Therefore, ceremonies often take place outdoors, surrounded by nature. Participants may gather around a sacred tree or create an outdoor altar to honor the earth and to connect with the natural world. Rituals in pagan winter solstice ceremonies often involve chanting, drumming, or singing to invoke the energies of the season. Some traditions include the use of herbs, crystals, or other objects that are believed to hold magical properties. These objects may be used to create spells or to create an atmosphere of spiritual power. Throughout the ceremony, participants may engage in various activities to honor the solstice. These activities can include storytelling, dancing, feasting, or making crafts. Many traditions also include a time for reflection, where individuals can contemplate the past year and set intentions for the coming months. Overall, pagan winter solstice ceremonies are a time to celebrate the return of light and to connect with the cycles of nature. They provide a space for individuals to honor their spiritual beliefs and to celebrate the changing of the seasons. By participating in these rituals, pagans hope to bring balance, harmony, and renewal into their lives..
Reviews for "Honoring the Deities in Pagan Winter Solstice Festivities"
1. Karen - 1/5 stars - I recently attended a pagan winter solstice ceremony and I was extremely disappointed. The whole event felt strange and uncomfortable. The rituals were bizarre and nonsensical, with people dancing around a fire, chanting in a language I couldn't understand. It felt more like a cult gathering than a celebratory ritual. I didn't feel any connection to nature or spirituality during the ceremony. Overall, I found it to be a strange and perplexing experience that I would not recommend.
2. John - 2/5 stars - I attended a pagan winter solstice ceremony out of curiosity, but I left feeling underwhelmed. The ceremony was disorganized and lacked structure. There were too many participants, making it difficult to fully engage in the rituals. The ceremonies themselves were repetitive and seemed unrelated to the winter solstice theme. Additionally, the event lacked any explanation or context about the meaning behind the rituals, leaving me feeling disconnected and confused. It was far from the spiritual experience I was hoping for.
3. Rachel - 2/5 stars - I had high expectations for the pagan winter solstice ceremony I attended, but unfortunately, it fell short. The atmosphere was quite dull, with a lack of energy and enthusiasm from both the participants and the organizers. The rituals felt cliché and uninspiring, more like a reenactment of what one would expect a pagan ceremony to be, rather than an authentic experience. The event lacked creativity and innovation, making it feel mundane and unmemorable. I was hoping for a meaningful and transformative experience, but instead, I left feeling disappointed and unfulfilled.