Blue is known as the color of serenity and calmness. It represents the vastness of the ocean and the depth of the sky. When it comes to art, blue is often incorporated into masterpieces to evoke a sense of tranquility and awe. Throughout history, blue has been used in various art forms to create magical masterpieces. One of the most well-known examples is Vincent van Gogh's "Starry Night." In this painting, van Gogh used different shades of blue to depict a swirling night sky.
The Summer Solstice or Litha (c. 21st June) marks the longest day, and is celebrated notably at Stonehenge. This festival is celebrated either on the actual longest day (usually 21 st or 22 nd June) or on 24 th June which was the date of midsummer in earlier times and is favoured by the British Druid Order (see, e.g., http://greywolf.druidry.co.uk/2015/06/merry-midsummer/). In Christian tradition 24 th June is St. John’s Day (John the Baptist), not so much noticed in England, but very important in Scandinavian countries where midsummer bonfires are lit.
Many of the Pagan festivals coincide with Christian ones as noted above, and this seems in part due to deliberate policy on the part of Christian authorities to baptise existing celebrations and make use of the seasonal symbolism. This festival is celebrated either on the actual longest day usually 21 st or 22 nd June or on 24 th June which was the date of midsummer in earlier times and is favoured by the British Druid Order see, e.
" In this painting, van Gogh used different shades of blue to depict a swirling night sky. The blues convey a sense of mystery and wonder, making the painting a truly magical piece. Another remarkable artwork that features blue is Claude Monet's "Water Lilies.
Are New Year Celebrations Pagan in Origin?
With a UCG.org account you will be able to save items to read and study later!
MP3 Audio (3.33 MB)Downloads
Are New Year Celebrations Pagan in Origin?
MP3 Audio (3.33 MB) Simply put, the answer is yes—New Year celebrations did originate in paganism. Much of the symbolism associated with New Year’s celebrations today has very definite pagan origins.In the earliest days of the Church (the first and second centuries after Christ) there were no such celebrations as Christmas and New Year’s Day.
The New Catholic Encyclopedia states: “According to the hypothesis . . . accepted by most scholars today, the birth of Christ was assigned the date of the winter solstice (December 25 in the Julian [Roman] Calendar, January 6 in the Egyptian), because on this day, as the sun began to return to northern skies, the pagan devotees of Mithra celebrated dies natalis Solis Invicti (birthday of the invincible sun)” (1967, Vol. 3, p. 656).
Those customs carried over in the observance of Christmas (with its many traditions and practices steeped in paganism), and the “birth” of the “new year” of the sun. This is why the Roman calendar in use today designates Jan. 1 as the beginning of the new year as opposed to God’s designation of the spring month of Abib or Nisan on the Hebrew calendar as the beginning of the year (Exodus 12:1-2).
Much of the symbolism associated with New Year’s celebrations today has very definite pagan origins. Kissing at the moment of transition to the next year is rooted in pagan sexual practice and superstition. And evergreen wreaths associated with Christmas were originally part of the pagan Calend celebration of Jan. 1.
Because we live in this secular society and most of the world operates according to the commonly used Roman calendar, it’s common to think of a new calendar year as beginning Jan. 1. Yet involvement in the celebration of that is not appropriate.
That said, one should be careful not to become too judgmental if, for example, someone is viewing a football game or parade at that time of year—as opposed to actually celebrating a New Year festival.
If you’d like to learn more, many resources are available that show the pagan origins of New Year’s Day celebrations. You can find related material in reference encyclopedias and online research resources as well.
Perfect balance returns, light and dark in harmony again for the final harvest. As we wheel in the last-lit days of seasonal symmetry, face the coming darkness together with gratitude for what we've learned about light. Autumn's grain is spring's seed; paradox surrounds us with ripening wisdom. If we lose hope, remember that Hope has two daughters to support our balancing acts: Anger and Courage.
Are New Year Celebrations Pagan in Origin?
MP3 Audio (3.33 MB) Simply put, the answer is yes—New Year celebrations did originate in paganism. Much of the symbolism associated with New Year’s celebrations today has very definite pagan origins.In the earliest days of the Church (the first and second centuries after Christ) there were no such celebrations as Christmas and New Year’s Day.
The New Catholic Encyclopedia states: “According to the hypothesis . . . accepted by most scholars today, the birth of Christ was assigned the date of the winter solstice (December 25 in the Julian [Roman] Calendar, January 6 in the Egyptian), because on this day, as the sun began to return to northern skies, the pagan devotees of Mithra celebrated dies natalis Solis Invicti (birthday of the invincible sun)” (1967, Vol. 3, p. 656).
Those customs carried over in the observance of Christmas (with its many traditions and practices steeped in paganism), and the “birth” of the “new year” of the sun. This is why the Roman calendar in use today designates Jan. 1 as the beginning of the new year as opposed to God’s designation of the spring month of Abib or Nisan on the Hebrew calendar as the beginning of the year (Exodus 12:1-2).
Much of the symbolism associated with New Year’s celebrations today has very definite pagan origins. Kissing at the moment of transition to the next year is rooted in pagan sexual practice and superstition. And evergreen wreaths associated with Christmas were originally part of the pagan Calend celebration of Jan. 1.
Because we live in this secular society and most of the world operates according to the commonly used Roman calendar, it’s common to think of a new calendar year as beginning Jan. 1. Yet involvement in the celebration of that is not appropriate.
That said, one should be careful not to become too judgmental if, for example, someone is viewing a football game or parade at that time of year—as opposed to actually celebrating a New Year festival.
If you’d like to learn more, many resources are available that show the pagan origins of New Year’s Day celebrations. You can find related material in reference encyclopedias and online research resources as well.
" Monet's series of paintings captures the reflections of water lilies in a pond, with numerous shades of blue serving as the dominant color. The use of varying blues creates an ethereal and dreamlike atmosphere, transporting viewers to an enchanting world. In addition to paintings, blue is often used in sculpture to create mesmerizing masterpieces. An example of this is Yves Klein's "Leap into the Void." Klein, who was known for his use of a unique shade of blue called "International Klein Blue," created a photograph of himself jumping from a building. The intense blue background adds an otherworldly aspect to the image, turning it into a magical and thought-provoking artwork. Furthermore, blue is commonly found in the magical world of digital art. Digital artists often use vibrant shades of blue to create eye-catching and captivating compositions. These masterpieces range from abstract pieces to fantastical landscapes, all of which evoke a sense of enchantment and make viewers feel as though they have entered a magical realm. In conclusion, blue is a color that has been used throughout history to create magical masterpieces. Whether it is used in paintings, sculptures, or digital art, blue has the power to transport viewers to mystical worlds and evoke a sense of wonder and tranquility. The use of blue in art truly creates magical masterpieces that continue to captivate and inspire audiences..
Reviews for "Beyond Reality: Exploring the Ethereal Beauty of Blue Magical Masterpieces"
1. Jenny M. - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Blue magical masterpieces". The so-called magical elements were underwhelming and poorly executed. The plot was confusing and lacked depth, making it difficult to connect with the characters. The writing style was also disappointing, as it failed to transport me into the world the author had created. Overall, I found this book to be a waste of time and would not recommend it to anyone seeking a truly captivating read.
2. Alex K. - 2 stars
I had high expectations for "Blue magical masterpieces" given all the hype surrounding it, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The world-building felt superficial and lacked the necessary elements to make it believable. The characters were one-dimensional and their motivations were often unclear. The pacing was also an issue, as it felt slow and dragged on unnecessarily. Overall, I felt unsatisfied with this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.
3. Sarah L. - 1 star
I struggled to finish "Blue magical masterpieces". The plot was predictable and lacked any originality. The dialogue was dull and lacked depth, making it hard to engage with the characters. The magical elements were poorly explained and left me feeling confused rather than intrigued. The writing style was also very basic and lacked any polish. Overall, I found this book to be a forgettable read and wouldn't recommend it to anyone who is looking for a truly captivating magical experience.