Blackpool Magic Convention 2022 Calendar The Blackpool Magic Convention is an annual event that brings together magicians from all over the world. It is known as the largest magic convention in the world and attracts thousands of attendees each year. The convention showcases the latest tricks, techniques, and performances from some of the most renowned magicians in the industry. The convention features a packed schedule of events, including lectures, workshops, and performances. Magicians have the opportunity to learn from experts in the field, as well as network with other professionals. Attendees can also explore the dealer's hall, where they can purchase the latest magic props and accessories.
Attendees can also explore the dealer's hall, where they can purchase the latest magic props and accessories. The 2022 Blackpool Magic Convention calendar is highly anticipated by magic enthusiasts. The convention is set to take place from February 17th to 20th at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, England.
Mother Earth and fairy queens: the pagan goddesses Christianity has failed to stamp out
We are, arguably, poised on the edge of a pagan revival. With mainstream Christianity suffering a decline – Anglicanism’s best-known priest, the Rev Richard Coles, warned over Easter that the rural parish system is at risk of collapsing – as anxiety about climate change and the state of the planet escalates, those who are spiritually engaged but denominationally disinclined are being pushed into personifying nature once more as something of a deity.
But perhaps revival is not the right word since, as historian Ronald Hutton chronicles in his new book Queens of the Wild, despite the best efforts of Christianity over 20 centuries, Europe’s pagan traditions never seem to have been stamped out. Instead, parts of them have been with us all along, as he demonstrates in his sprightly – and spritely – account of four female figures: Mother Earth; the Fairy Queen; the Lady of the Night; and the Cailleach of the Gaelic tradition.
In its first millennium, expanding Christianity operated a successful policy of subsuming many of the beliefs of the “old religion”. Shrines to water deities were rebranded as holy wells, and attributed to saints, while yew-lined sacred groves became the graveyards around churches. Yet through to medieval times and beyond, especially in rural areas, pagan beliefs continued to hold sway, even over those who turned up to church on Sundays.
Mother Earth, encapsulating the unpredictable power of nature, can be found even in leading Church theologians. Augustine of Hippo, in the early 5th century, certainly not renowned as an advocate of women’s empowerment, characterised her as Natura, appointed by God to teach humankind about earth’s bounty. (I’m struggling to imagine what the old grump would make of Natura now being repurposed in the branding of 21st-century planet-friendly health and beauty shops.)
This Mother Earth – not at odds with Christianity, but an adjunct to the creator God in his heaven – also made her way into medieval literature, such as Geoffrey Chaucer’s 14th-century poem “The Parliament of Fowls”, where she is enthroned in a palace of green boughs, presiding over birds each spring as they choose their mates.
Wildman's woman with children on a deer, 1470s Dutch engraving Credit : RijksmuseumBy contrast, Lady of the Night became, especially in Germany, the focus of a rival belief system to Christianity. Around 900, the Archbishop of Trier publicly lamented her influence. “Certain wicked women, who have been perverted by Satan, believe and profess that during the night they ride on certain beasts with the goddess Diana and an unaccountable host of women.”
There are strong parallels here with the medieval obsession with the devil. The Lady of the Night was accused of seducing the God-fearing in the same manner as the succubus: a copulating female demon in the service of God’s arch enemy, preying on unwary males.
Some real-life self-styled fairy queens felt the wrath of both Church and state. In 1613 Alice West was ordered with her husband John to be flogged and put in a pillory on public display to punish them both for posing as the Queen and King of Fairies in order, it was alleged, to swindle a wealthy couple of Hammersmith, west London.
They are said to have staged shows where they were attended by elves and goblins, persuading the couple’s servant to sit naked in the garden with a pot of earth in her lap. By morning they had told her, it would turn to gold. It didn’t, and in the meantime they had made off with all her money and clothes.
Then there are the Cailleach of the Gaelic parts of the British Isles, older, lone female figures, often roaming the countryside with herds of sheep or cattle. They were found near water and rivers, a source of ancient wisdom, but potentially malign and so never to be crossed.
It is an intertwined folklorish and religious picture that Hutton carefully assembles, all rooted in nature. He might have profitably extended his cast by examining their relationship with other figures with a more secure foothold in the Christian tradition such as angels, equally popular, and often with a good deal of independence from Church rules and regulations. All, to some extent, were (and are) taken as outward signs of a transcendent dimension that many discern in the world around them that is beyond logic, reason, science and even the control of organised religion. And that, in today’s sacred-seeking, anti-institutional but imperilled world, is part of their persistent allure.
Queens of the Wild by Ronald Hutton is published by Yale University Press at £18.99. To order your copy for £16.99, call 0844 871 1514 or visit Telegraph Books
Some real-life self-styled fairy queens felt the wrath of both Church and state. In 1613 Alice West was ordered with her husband John to be flogged and put in a pillory on public display to punish them both for posing as the Queen and King of Fairies in order, it was alleged, to swindle a wealthy couple of Hammersmith, west London.
The four-day event promises to be filled with excitement and wonder. The convention kicks off with a grand opening gala on the evening of February 17th, featuring performances from some of the biggest names in magic. Throughout the weekend, attendees can attend a variety of lectures and workshops covering a wide range of topics, from close-up magic to stage illusions. Notable events during the convention include the Close-Up Competition, where magicians showcase their skills in close-up magic, and the Grand Prix competition, which highlights the best performers in the industry. These competitions are highly anticipated and draw large crowds. In addition to the scheduled events, there are also opportunities for attendees to socialize and network with other magicians. The convention provides a unique platform for magicians to connect and share their passion for the art of magic. Overall, the Blackpool Magic Convention 2022 calendar promises an unforgettable experience for magic enthusiasts. From the world-class performances to the educational workshops, attendees will be immersed in the world of magic. The convention is a must-attend event for any magician looking to improve their skills and be inspired by the best in the industry..
Reviews for "The Magic Event of the Year: Blackpool Magic Convention 2022 Calendar Unveiled"
1. Dave - 1/5 stars: I was really disappointed with the Blackpool magic convention 2022 calendar. The photos featured in it were poorly done and didn't capture the essence of the convention at all. I was expecting to see some amazing magic tricks and performances showcased, but instead, it felt like a collection of random images. The calendar also had a cheap feel to it, with low-quality printing and flimsy pages. Overall, it was a big letdown and not worth the money.
2. Sarah - 2/5 stars: The Blackpool magic convention 2022 calendar didn't live up to my expectations. The choice of images was rather dull and didn't convey the excitement and wonder of the convention. Moreover, the calendar lacked any additional information about the convention's schedule, performers, or special events. I was hoping for something more engaging and interactive, but unfortunately, it fell short. It might be okay for someone who attended the convention and wants a simple keepsake, but as a standalone product, it's lackluster.
3. Mark - 2/5 stars: As a fan of magic and the Blackpool magic convention, I was really looking forward to the 2022 calendar. However, it didn't meet my expectations. The photos featured were uninspiring and seemed hastily put together. I was hoping for some behind-the-scenes shots or exclusive content, but it felt like any other generic calendar. The design was also quite basic, lacking any creative flair or attention to detail. It's a shame because I had high hopes for this calendar, but unfortunately, it fell flat.
4. Lisa - 1/5 stars: I was highly disappointed with the Blackpool magic convention 2022 calendar. The images were blurry and lacked clarity, making it difficult to appreciate the magic performances they were capturing. The overall design of the calendar was also quite dull, with a lack of creativity and innovation. I was expecting a visually stunning calendar that reflected the magic and excitement of the convention, but instead, it was a major letdown. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who is a true fan of magic or the convention.
5. John - 2/5 stars: The Blackpool magic convention 2022 calendar was underwhelming. The choice of photos felt random, without any clear theme or story behind them. Additionally, the calendar lacked any detailed descriptions or information about the convention or the performers featured in the images. I was expecting more than just a collection of pictures; I was hoping for a calendar that would truly capture the magical atmosphere of the Blackpool magic convention. Unfortunately, this calendar missed the mark and left me disappointed.