August 1st is an important date in the pagan calendar, as it marks the celebration of Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh. Lammas is a cross-quarter day, meaning it falls approximately halfway between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox. In pagan traditions, Lammas is a time of gratitude and abundance, when the first fruits of the harvest are celebrated. It is a time to honor the sun god Lugh, who represents the light and warmth of the summer season. The name Lammas itself derives from the Old English word "hlafmaesse," meaning "loaf mass," which reflects the connection to the harvest and the baking of bread. Lammas is often celebrated with various rituals and festivities.
“There’s a portion in the middle, a very action-packed set piece that takes up maybe the middle third of the cartoon, which in particular is at a very, very high tempo, which was used a lot in cartoons in the ’20s and ’30s,” said Christopher Willis, the shorts’ composer. Willis mentioned that a lot of the cartoons from the early days of animation took popular songs and sped them up. He tried to replicate that for this final short.
This included a technique from the 1920s in which the tempo of the short s music and action syncs up a term that is still known as Mickey Mousing in Hollywood. Paul Rudish the executive producer and supervising director of The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse pointed out that a madcap Mickey is vital to this final short, and to the history of the character himself.
Lammas is often celebrated with various rituals and festivities. Some pagans create altars adorned with items of the harvest season, such as grains, fruits, and flowers. Others may participate in outdoor gatherings, where they join in communal feasting and dancing.
‘The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse’ Concludes by Returning to Mickey’s Roots with “Steamboat Silly”
Mickey Mouse has lived many lives over his nearly 100 years. He’s been a sorcerer, composer of silly symphonies, and cultural icon. However, in “Steamboat Silly”—the final short of The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse—the most famous mouse in the world returns to his roots.
The short—now streaming on Disney+—starts harmlessly enough. Mickey and his friends Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Minnie sit down to enjoy some of Mickey’s home movies. That includes the one that started it all: 1928’s Steamboat Willie. However, soon Mickey finds himself overrun by hundreds of his monochrome character from the original short, resulting in a madcap adventure.
Paul Rudish—the executive producer and supervising director of The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse—pointed out that a madcap Mickey is vital to this final short, and to the history of the character himself.
“Our goal was to bring him back to the new audiences,” Rudish said. He added that the short’s silly nature harkens back to the original Mickey Mouse cartoons of the ’20s and ’30s thanks to their surrealism, physical comedy, and pantomime acting.
The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse—which started in 2013 as simply Mickey Mouse shorts—updated Mickey for a new generation using some of the character’s initial rough edges. He’s still the lovable company mascot that he’s been for decades, but now with a little extra spice as the zany scamp he was from the start.
“I wanted to return to that flavor of Mickey and that vibe, but not replicate them,” Rudish said. “We didn’t want to go, ‘Look, here’s a 1930s cartoon.’ We wanted to take the sensibilities of those things but then put that through the lens of a team of modern artists.”
“Steamboat Silly” balances the past and present of Mickey while also maintaining the comedy—and sometimes even avant-garde essence—of Rudish’s shorts. For example, The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse crew not only drew inspiration from the early days of Mickey in terms of look and feel for “Steamboat Silly,” but also in terms of its sound. This included a technique from the 1920s in which the tempo of the short’s music and action syncs up—a term that is still known as “Mickey Mousing” in Hollywood.
“There’s a portion in the middle, a very action-packed set piece that takes up maybe the middle third of the cartoon, which in particular is at a very, very high tempo, which was used a lot in cartoons in the ’20s and ’30s,” said Christopher Willis, the shorts’ composer. Willis mentioned that a lot of the cartoons from the early days of animation took popular songs and sped them up. He tried to replicate that for this final short.
“I wanted a tempo so high that I wasn’t sure at first if the band would be able to play that quickly,” he said.
“Steamboat Silly” is not just a celebration of Mickey, however. It’s a celebration of Disney as the company commemorates its 100th anniversary. The short is chock full of Disney easter eggs from 1929’s The Skeleton Dance, 1941’s Dumbo, and 1955’s The Mickey Mouse Club.
After more than 120 episodes, the Mickey Mouse shorts are coming to an end, but its impact is undeniable. The shorts have won multiple Emmy® and Annie Awards, been screened at the Venice Film Festival, and led to Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Florida and Disneyland Park in California—Mickey’s first Disney Parks ride-through attraction.
But Mickey has been beloved ever since he stepped foot on that steamboat in 1928. What made this latest version so popular?
“Our Mickey is a bit flawed,” Rudish said. “I think people responded to that. They root for the cheerful optimist, but it’s not always an easy road.”
Also, Mickey still represents “the ongoing message of if you’ve got big dreams and you really try hard, you can make them come true,” according to Rudish.
“Mickey has always been an icon of that idea,” he said. “It’s inspirational.”
“I wanted a tempo so high that I wasn’t sure at first if the band would be able to play that quickly,” he said.
The focus is on giving thanks for the bountiful gifts of the earth and recognizing the cyclical nature of life. Another significant aspect of Lammas is its association with transformation and sacrifice. As the first of the harvest festivals, it represents the sacrifice of the grain, which will later be turned into bread to sustain life during the colder months. This symbolism of sacrifice can also be seen in the changing of the seasons, as summer begins its gradual transformation into autumn. While Lammas is primarily celebrated by pagans and those who follow earth-centered spiritual paths, it is important to note that modern interpretations and celebrations of this holiday can vary greatly. Some may choose to incorporate elements from different traditions or create their own unique rituals. The key is to honor the significance of this cross-quarter day and express gratitude for the abundance of the harvest season. In conclusion, August 1st marks the celebration of Lammas, a pagan holiday that honors the first fruits of the harvest and symbolizes transformation and sacrifice. It is a time to express gratitude for the abundance of the earth and reflect on the cyclical nature of life. Celebrations may include rituals, feasting, and communal gatherings, emphasizing the connection to the harvest and the changing of the seasons..
Reviews for "Lammas: Harvesting Abundance and Gratitude on August 1st"
1. Emma - 1 star - I did not enjoy "Pagan Holiday August 1st" at all. The whole concept of celebrating a pagan holiday seemed absurd to me. The characters were poorly developed and the plot was predictable. I felt like the author was trying too hard to be edgy and different, but it just came across as forced. Overall, I found the book to be a complete waste of my time.
2. John - 2 stars - "Pagan Holiday August 1st" was an interesting concept, but it fell flat for me. The writing style was difficult to follow, and I often found myself getting confused and losing interest. Additionally, the pacing was all over the place, with long stretches of mundane details followed by rushed and underdeveloped climax. I appreciate the author's attempt to explore a unique holiday, but the execution left much to be desired.
3. Sophie - 1 star - I found "Pagan Holiday August 1st" to be utterly dull. The characters were unlikable and lacked depth, and I couldn't connect with any of them. The story itself was disjointed and lacked a clear direction. It felt like a jumbled mix of random events with no real purpose. I struggled to find any enjoyment in this book and cannot recommend it to others.
4. Alex - 2 stars - "Pagan Holiday August 1st" had an intriguing premise, but it failed to deliver. The writing was unnecessarily flowery and verbose, making it difficult to follow the story. The plot lacked coherence and any clear resolution, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. While I appreciate the attempt to explore different cultural traditions, the execution left much to be desired.
5. Sarah - 1 star - I was highly disappointed with "Pagan Holiday August 1st". The characters were poorly developed, and their motivations were unclear. The pacing was slow to the point of being monotonous, and I often found myself losing interest. The book lacked a cohesive narrative and failed to capture my attention. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging read.