In celebrating the winter solstice, Pagans observe a festival known as Yule. This is a time to welcome the returning sun and celebrate the cycles of nature. One important aspect of Yule celebrations is the communal feast enjoyed by family and friends. If you are looking for Pagan Yule meal ideas, there are plenty of delicious and meaningful options to consider. Because Yule is a celebration of the return of the sun, many traditional Yule meals incorporate vibrant and warming ingredients. For example, dishes featuring oranges, ginger, cinnamon, and cranberries are often favored.
Song Magic: How Music Can Help You Manifest Your Dreams
In this installment of Practical Magic, Lisa Stardust explains song magic, and how to use music to manifest your dreams. Always remember that magic is for believers, but this column can also simply serve as a guide to getting in touch with yourself — magically or not.
If you are anything like me, you’re constantly looking for ways to up your magic and to bring your dreams to fruition. Manifestation is a great way to do this — especially through sound, music, and songs.
How can music translate to magic? Well, there is something extremely mystical and enchanting about it. Mystic and tarot reader Gary D’Andre says that “music is so integral to helping us tap into a vibe that we want to feel course through our veins and body.” Gary has used music alongside manifestation for years, and says finding the right frequency to help your manifestations come to life takes time. Still, it always helps his desires come to the surface when he finds a song with the right energy.
First, let me explain what a songspell is: Instead of simply stating your intentions and incantations, you can add some umph to a spell by humming and singing your desires out loud. To really tap into song magic, you can even set the words to music and play it everyday as a personal reminder to stay on the magical path.
Tarot reader and author of The Cosmo Tarot: The Ultimate Deck and Guidebook, Sarah Potter says, “You can use songs to raise the vibration, thin the veil, and enhance your spellwork. What are you trying to manifest? Choose songs that echo this energy. You are sending out a message to the universe with this music and getting yourself into a magical mood as well.”
Not only can you use the song for spell work, but it’ll come in handy when manifesting any and all of your goals. You don’t have to use a vision board to make things happen (although they are swell). You can use the most organic instrument that one has to offer — our voices. And, with a little help of musical instruments, we can jam our way into a new mindset.
Before I explain how you can use music to tap into your inner magic, it’s important to note that you are the one in charge of creating this spell and intention. There is no right or wrong way to craft a songspell, so while I'll give tips on how to use music to manifest your desires, you're the one guiding the ship. Like other forms of magic, when mixing ingredients and setting intentions, the person who is using their energy to bring their desires to fruition is calling the shots. Below are the how to’s and tips from Alexa Dexa, a “crafter and caster of songspells."
Tune In To Your Intentions
The first step in manifestation is to set the right and proper intention. This requires deep thought and mediation to ensure that you’re calling in the right energy. For instance, instead of just calling in a relationship or love, it’s best to be as hyper specific as possible. Make a list about what you want and need from a partner. Make sure you’re mentioning the attributes that are important and deal breakers, instead of glossing over the details. Then, start humming them to yourself and create a tune.
Issue #61: Practical Magic for Pragmatic People
🎧 Taylor Swift’s new album ‘ Midnights (3 am Edition) ’: It feels fitting that I was still awake at midnight the night Taylor’s latest album, all about insomnia, came out. At 3 AM EST, she dropped seven additional songs (everything after “Mastermind”). The album is about everything that’s kept her up late at night: love (the album is full of references to Joe Alwyn, including a song she co-wrote with him), self-sabotage , revenge, and false friendships . I’ve been a devoted fan since the days I felt like “Fifteen” was speaking directly to me, but this album, and its accompanying “Anti-Hero” music video, has major ‘1989’ vibes and reminds me of Lorde’s album, ‘Solar Power’ (“Karma” in particular). Favorite songs include, “Lavender Haze,” “Maroon,” “Anti-Hero,” and “You’re On Your Own, Kid.” And, though it feels like poor timing… Carly Rae Jepson’s new album ‘ The Loneliest Time ’ also came out Friday and is, as the title suggests, all about her relationship with loneliness, written during pre-vaccine pandemic.
🎥 Bodies Bodies Bodies : I knew my best chance of making it through this movie, as with any scary movie, was to see it in theaters. Peer pressure is often the only power strong enough to keep me in my seat and outlast the scary parts. And it was scary, but mostly for Sarah DeLappe’s cutting dialogue. DeLappe, who I attended high school with, wrote the play, “ The Wolves ,” a Pulitzer Prize finalist comprised of conversations amongst a teen soccer team during warm ups. ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ applies her sharp dialogue to an Agatha Christie tale. A group of friends plays a Mafia-type game where one person “kills” people by tapping on their shoulder, that suddenly gets real when someone actually ends up dead.
For example, dishes featuring oranges, ginger, cinnamon, and cranberries are often favored. These ingredients not only bring a festive touch to the table but also symbolize the sun's warmth and vitality. For a main dish, consider preparing a hearty roasted root vegetable medley.
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The Meaning Behind The Song: Practical Magic by Axel Thor
This dish can include carrots, parsnips, beets, turnips, and sweet potatoes. Coat the vegetables in olive oil and sprinkle with rosemary and garlic to add flavor. Roast them in the oven until they are tender and golden. This dish not only represents the bounty of the earth but also showcases the beautiful colors of winter produce. As for side dishes, a warm and comforting apple and cranberry sauce can be a wonderful addition to the Yule feast. Simply simmer chopped apples with cranberries, sugar, cinnamon, and a splash of orange juice until the mixture thickens and becomes fragrant. This sauce complements roasted meats or can be enjoyed on its own. For dessert, a spiced orange cake or gingerbread cookies are popular choices. These treats capture the flavors and aromas of the season. Additionally, you can garnish the desserts with fresh berries or a dusting of powdered sugar to add an extra festive touch. It is important to note that the symbolism and significance of the Yule meal may vary among different Pagan traditions. Some Pagans may choose to include specific foods that resonate with their personal beliefs and practices. Therefore, it can be beneficial to research and explore different Pagan Yule traditions to find meal ideas that resonate with your own spiritual path. Ultimately, the Pagan Yule meal is an opportunity to gather with loved ones, honor the turning of the seasons, and celebrate the return of light. It is a time to focus on gratitude for the gifts of nature and to embrace the warmth and togetherness of the holiday season. So, whether you stick to the traditional dishes or create your own twist, the most important aspect of the Yule feast is the love and intention behind the meal..
Reviews for "Exploring the symbolism of food in Pagan Yule celebrations"
1. John - 2 stars - As someone who was curious about incorporating pagan traditions into my yule celebrations, I was disappointed with this book. The meal ideas provided were not only uninspiring but also lacked creativity. The recipes felt generic and were not specific to pagan beliefs or rituals. Overall, I found the book to be underwhelming and not helpful in creating a meaningful yule experience.
2. Melissa - 1 star - I was really excited to find a book on pagan yule meal ideas, but this one fell short of my expectations. The recipes were basic and didn't reflect the uniqueness of pagan traditions. I was looking for inspiration and guidance on incorporating symbolic foods and ancient practices, but this book barely scratched the surface. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone seeking a truly pagan yule celebration.
3. Robert - 2 stars - The title of this book is misleading. It claims to provide "pagan yule meal ideas," but what it really offers are just ordinary recipes that you'd find in any other cookbook. There was no exploration of the spiritual significance behind the ingredients or instructions on how to infuse pagan symbolism into the meals. It felt more like a random collection of recipes rather than a helpful guide for pagan yule celebrations. Disappointing.
4. Sarah - 1 star - I expected more from "Pagan Yule Meal Ideas" but was left unimpressed. The recipes were unoriginal and lacked any connection to pagan beliefs or traditions. I was hoping for something more enriching and informative, but this book provided nothing of substance. I would advise seeking other resources if you're genuinely interested in pagan yule meals.