Piff the Magic Dragon, the beloved comedian and magician renowned for his unique blend of humor and magic, will be embarking on a concert series in 2022. Piff, known for his comedic persona as a grumpy dragon in a tuxedo, has gained a massive following over the years, thanks to his appearances on popular shows like "America's Got Talent" and "Penn & Teller: Fool Us." The Piff the Magic Dragon concert series is highly anticipated, as fans are eager to witness his famous magic tricks and hilarious banter firsthand. Whether he's performing mind-boggling illusions or incorporating his trusty sidekick, Mr. Piffles, the world's first magic performing Chihuahua, into his act, Piff continues to captivate audiences with his entertaining antics. The 2022 concert series promises to be a memorable experience, with Piff showcasing new tricks and incorporating fresh material into his shows.
There are three key symbols that are common to Thanksgiving celebrations: the cornucopia (aka the horn of plenty), the turkey, and corn. All these symbols were viewed as very important among Pagan societies. Let’s begin with the Cornucopia, which was an important symbol in ancient Greece and Rome. A cornucopia is a horned shaped basket that is usually filled with harvest fruits and vegetables. This symbol goes back to a story from Ancient Greece where a goat pulled off his horn and offered it to the God Zeus. This was a magic horn that would refill indefinitely with food and drink ensuring that Zeus would never go hungry. To give thanks to the goat, Zeus made the goat’s image in the night sky, which became the constellation we now call Capricorn.
And during the first American Thanksgiving that took place in 1621, the Native Americans paused to give thanks to many spirits and deities that aided in the bountiful harvest. 1 Kings 11 9-11 So the LORD became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the LORD God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not keep what the LORD had commanded.
The 2022 concert series promises to be a memorable experience, with Piff showcasing new tricks and incorporating fresh material into his shows. From card tricks that defy logic to impossible acts of escapism, Piff's performances are a masterclass in entertainment. One of the highlights of the upcoming concert series is Piff's ability to engage with the audience and incorporate their participation into his acts.
Thanksgiving’s Pagan Roots – The Secret in the Symbols
For those who live in the United States, Thanksgiving is just a few short weeks away. Families will gather, friendships will be renewed, and everyone will exclaim what they are “thankful for” or “giving thanks for the blessings they have received during the year.” Enormous plates of food will be served, including turkey, potatoes, and pumpkin pie. Parades and football games will be watched and naps will be taken. No one will leave empty handed and still the counters will be overflowing with leftovers. It’s an American eating tradition.
But of all American holidays, this one is neither tied to our patriotic history, or any religious occasion. It’s just Thanksgiving and its so much more. Throughout history people have gathered together for great feasts celebrating the harvest or the first beers being brewed, or any of a number of celebrations tied to the earth. And anyone who is anyone knows that earth-based anything has its roots in paganism. In case you are unfamiliar with the exact meaning of the word pagan, it must be understood that it was originally a term used to identify anyone who wasn’t a Christian. All of the earth-based old world religions were considered pagan. As time passed the term took on a darker tone and was used to demonize and persecute those who refused to convert.
The great civilizations of the past had their own versions of Thanksgiving. The Romans celebrated a holiday called Cerelia in early October. The festivities were included feasting while thanking the Goddess of the Harvest, Ceres. In ancient Greece they honored Demeter. She was the Goddess of the harvest, agriculture, and especially corn. The Celts and Anglo-Saxon’s had many celebrations connected to thanking the Gods for a productive harvest. Lammas, Mabon, and Samhain were the names of the three great harvest festivals of the ancient world. As time progressed, these events were adopted and adapted. In England, an autumnal feast called Harvest Home and was derived from a variant of the ancient Celtic feasts.
But instead building great balefires and worshipping the ancient Gods, the Christians appropriated parts and added others. Harvest Home was a three-day feast that began with a special church service followed a communal dinner. Later, the Puritans would shun Harvest Home as well as Christmas and Easter on the grounds that they had pagan origins. The belief that merging pagan celebrations with Christian doctrine for the sake of converting people didn’t sit well with the common people, once they discovered it. Their religious beliefs as well as the austerity and difficulty of their lives in the rather primitive settlement, did not permit them the luxury of celebration. Their severe living conditions required discipline and sacrifice. Yet the creation of a new holiday that specifically thanked their God for the harvest that enabled them to survive the winter, seemed just fine.
Native American spiritual worship was also considered pagan by the church since it didn’t fit into their one-god doctrine. Yet, the Wampanoag tribe of Native Americans that had their meal with the Pilgrims on that faithful day gave thanks to the many Spirits they worshipped on that day. They gave standing to the precious corn crop for it’s life-giving nourishment. They celebrated Kiehtan the Creator, as well an obvious similarity to the Christian God.
Despite the passing of time, the Christian church has not been able to eliminate Thanksgiving as a holiday, eventually accepting it as a nationalistic day with no connection to the church. Basically they rejected it as another potential stolen pagan celebration that they could repackage to their parishioners. Much like Halloween, Thanksgiving had a deeper root into the lives of the early people than the church could imagine.
Symbols of Thanksgiving & Their Meaning
Cornucopia – A Cornucopia is a horn shaped basket, usually filled to the point of overflowing with the bounty of the recent harvest. Items such as fresh fruits, dried grains, and other root vegetables were piled around the opening of the cornucopia to demonstrate “plenty.” So much that the cornucopia has been referred to as the “horn of plenty.” The cornucopia dates back to ancient Greece. In an old tale, Amathea the goat, broke off his horn and offered it to Zeus as a sign of reverence. In return for his loyalty, Zeus interred the image of the goat in the night sky, an image we now known as Capricorn. This tale demonstrates an exchange of gratitude and offering, thanks and giving.
Corn – One of the easiest symbols of Thanksgiving to recognize is corn. Native Americans would know it as maize or maiz. Maize played an important mythological role in many tribes and in some, Corn was a respected deity, while in others, corn was a special gift to the people from the Creator. In addition to its importance as a food source, corn also played a ceremonial role in many tribes, with sacred corn pollen or cornmeal being used as ritual adornment and spiritual offering. It is believed that native Americans had been growing corn a long time before the pilgrims arrived in the new world, and they taught pilgrims how to grow corn and help them survive the bitter winter. Corn was from that day forward, a part of the Thanksgiving dinner, and the tradition continues today.
Turkey – Long before the pilgrims sat down to eat with the native American’s who saved them from starving, the turkey was associated with abundance and being thankful. Some tribes viewed the bird as a sacred symbol of abundance and fertility, one which would serve as the sacrificial guest of honor in various ceremonies. Turkey feathers are a prized possession and are an integral part of ritualistic smudging ceremonies. Animal symbolism is considered powerful medicine among natives and should not be treated disrespectfully. Turkey medicine is strongest in the fall and a visit from a turkey means we should be mindful of the blessings bestowed upon us.
A Few Thanksgiving Facts You Might Not Have Known
The official version states that Thanksgiving started in 1621 with a three day feast by pilgrims to celebrate their survival through their first winter in the new world. It was later made a permanent holiday by President Lincoln in 1863.
President Franklin Roosevelt made one of the only changes to the holiday’s celebration; changing the date from the late Thursday in November to the next-to-last, in hopes that a longer Christmas shopping window would boost retailers profits. The term Black Friday, being the first shopping day of the Christmas season has it’s origins in the same logic FDR worked with.
The ancient Roman celebration of the harvest is called Cerelia, which is the origin of the word cereal that we use today.
Ben Franklin had proposed the turkey as the official bird of the nation, but eventually the bald eagle won out.
The Christmas classic, “jingle bells” was originally penned by James Pierpont for children celebrating Thanksgiving at his Boston Sunday School. It was so popular that it was repeated for Christmas, a holiday which made the song what it is today.
91% of Americans consume turkey on Thanksgiving.
The very first TV Dinner consisted of a Thanksgiving meal – Swanson Foods found themselves with a surplus of frozen turkey after a slow Thanksgiving one year and a senior executive came up with the frozen meal idea – it debuted at $0.98 for the complete meal, a factor which helped establish a permanent market.
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the single largest sales day for tavern and bar sales nationwide.
Additional Reading
Originally published, November 23rd, 2016. Updated November 10th, 2022, by the original author.
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the single largest sales day for tavern and bar sales nationwide.
His quick wit and improvisational skills ensure that no two shows are alike, creating a unique and interactive experience for every attendee. In addition to his awe-inspiring magic, Piff's comedic talents shine through in his sarcastic and dry humor. His deadpan delivery and clever one-liners never fail to elicit laughter from the audience, making each show a delightful blend of magic and comedy. Piff the Magic Dragon's concert series in 2022 is a must-see event for fans of magic, comedy, or simply anyone looking for an entertaining and unforgettable night out. With his distinctive character and remarkable talent, Piff continues to redefine the world of magic and captivate audiences worldwide. So mark your calendars and get ready to be amazed, as Piff the Magic Dragon takes center stage in 2022 with an enchanting concert series that will leave you laughing and bewildered. Get your tickets now and prepare to embark on a magical journey like no other..
Reviews for "Prepare to Be Amazed: Piff the Magic Dragon's 2022 Concert Series Revealed"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Piff the magic dragon concert series in 2022. The magic tricks were lackluster and predictable, and his comedy fell flat. The entire performance felt rushed and unscripted. I expected more from a well-known magician like Piff. The overall experience was underwhelming and not worth the money.
2. John - 1 star - I went to the Piff the magic dragon concert series with high expectations, but unfortunately, it was a complete letdown. The humor was juvenile and not at all funny. The magic tricks were poorly executed and lacked any wow factor. Piff seemed disinterested and it was evident that he was not putting in much effort. I wouldn't recommend this concert series to anyone looking for a quality magic show.
3. Emma - 2 stars - The Piff the magic dragon concert series in 2022 was a disappointment. The show felt disorganized and lacked coherence. Piff's magic tricks were unimpressive and didn't leave me in awe like I expected. The comedy was at times cringeworthy and didn't resonate with the audience. Overall, I left feeling unsatisfied and wished I had spent my money on a different show.
4. Mike - 1 star - I attended the Piff the magic dragon concert series and it was a waste of time and money. The tricks were basic and unremarkable, with no real surprises. The humor was forced and didn't generate many laughs from the audience. It felt like Piff was going through the motions without any passion or enthusiasm. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this show.