The National Geographic scientific and magical experiment kit is a comprehensive educational tool that allows children to explore and understand various scientific and magical concepts. This kit includes a wide range of experiments and activities that are designed to be fun and engaging while also teaching valuable skills and knowledge. The kit comes with a detailed guidebook that provides step-by-step instructions for each experiment, ensuring that children can easily follow along and understand the scientific and magical principles at play. The guidebook also includes explanations of the concepts being explored, helping children to deepen their understanding and make connections between the experiments. One of the key features of the National Geographic scientific and magical experiment kit is its focus on hands-on learning. Children are encouraged to actively participate in the experiments, allowing them to see and experience the concepts firsthand.
As Merriam-Webster.com defines it, “pagan” in our context means “of, relating to, or having the characteristics of pagans”—which, we are told, are “follower[s] of a polytheistic religion (as in ancient Rome).” Essentially, paganism represents those religions and cultic practices whose origins are outside of the three religions traditionally associated with the patriarch Abraham, which are Judaism, Islam, and Christianity.
Winnail discussed in detail in his Tomorrow s World magazine article The Rise of Modern Paganism November December 2019 ; you can read it online at TomorrowsWorld. Many assume that while various activities, celebrations, traditions, and symbols originated in paganism, they have, in a sense, been baptized by Christianity.
Children are encouraged to actively participate in the experiments, allowing them to see and experience the concepts firsthand. This approach helps to make the learning process more memorable and engaging, as children can directly observe the effects of their actions and make connections between cause and effect. The experiments included in the kit cover a wide range of topics, including chemistry, physics, biology, and even magic tricks.
What Are the Pagan Holidays?
Because “Paganism” is an umbrella term for a wide variety of new religious movements, it is difficult to describe holidays or festivals that each share. Some may build on ancient religious traditions in contemporary ways, and these may use celebrations described in earlier cultures—Celtic, Norse, Greek, or German, among others. Others may identify as Wiccan, recreating a culture of witchcraft based on lore from diverse historical backgrounds. Still, others may fashion their own religious beliefs and expressions based on their personal understanding of the supernatural. Paganism has no uniform doctrine, creeds, dogmas, rituals, or practices. Personal freedom is an imperative of every Pagan expression. Despite the diversity, most Pagans today recognize some form of what is called the “Wheel of the Year,” which is the cycle of holidays that move through the solar and seasonal changes of the earth. For them, each year’s circuit retells the sacred narrative around the divine, in whatever way that is recognized. The waxing and waning of the Sun’s course through the year—and the subsequent light, growth, life, and warmth that come and go—provide the scaffolding for the festivals which make up the Wheel of the Year. The “Wheel” includes the eight major festivals observed by most Pagans. Wiccans call these festivals “Sabbats.” The eight festivals include four that are derived from ancient Celtic or western European traditions and four from transitional times in the seasons of the year. The four seasonal festivals include the two equinoxes (Spring and Fall) and two solstices (Summer and Winter). Among other things, these holidays recognize the shift in time and light and, thus, are considered solar-based holidays. The two equinoxes are points of stability, of equality between darkness and light; the two solstices are times of transition, of shifts from light to growing darkness or darkness to growing light.
The cycle of holidays alternates between one festival dedicated to solar-based events or seasonal holidays, and one festival dedicated to earth-centered events, represented by those festivals that draw on ancient traditions. Each of these is an opportunity to worship gods and goddesses, welcome the changes of nature, draw on spiritual powers, and practice healing magic. Many Pagans gather during these times of the year to practice these rituals communally. These major festivals are opportunities for Pagans to recognize the essential unity between the spiritual and the physical, between the earth with its seasonal transitions and the supernatural. Many Pagans measure the festivals from sunset to sunset, and most of the rituals and their associated magic (or magick) are conducted at night. The Wheel of the Year begins on 1 November, so the first festival of the year is the Winter Solstice, or Yule (on or around December 21st). In Wiccan circles, the other festivals in calendrical order include Imbolc (early February), Ostara (the Spring Equinox), Beltane (early May), Midsummer (the Summer Solstice), Lammas (early August), Mabon (the Fall Equinox), and Samhain (Halloween). Old Norse paganism, or Ásatrú, is sometimes called “heathenism,” and has its own calendar with eight major holidays. Though its calendar overlaps with the Wiccan festivals in places, Heathens may have some different names for their festivals and traditions of celebration.. Read more about Pagan’s diverse beliefs here. Image Credit: Shutterstock.com
3/7/2023 10:48:32 PM About About Kathleen Mulhern, PH.D.
Kathleen Mulhern is a writer, editor, historian, speaker, and professor. She teaches courses in world history, European history, and history of Christianity. She has taught at Colorado School of Mines and Regis University, and is currently an adjunct professor at Denver Seminary in the areas of Church History and Spiritual Formation. Kathleen graduated with a B.A. from Wheaton College, earned an M.A. in French Literature from the University of Denver, an M.A. degree in Church History from Denver Seminary, and a Ph.D. in History from the University of Colorado.
To hold on to the tradition of observing Christmas—the tree, the gifts, even the date itself—one must reject the commandment of God, who says plainly that He does not want to be worshiped using heathen customs. Keeping Christmas requires us to lay aside God’s desires and explicit commands—and Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the very founder of Christianity, condemns this in no uncertain terms.
This allows children to gain a broad understanding of various scientific and magical principles and encourages them to explore different areas of interest. In addition to the guidebook and experiments, the kit also includes various materials and equipment needed to conduct the experiments, such as test tubes, chemicals, magnets, and other tools. This ensures that children have everything they need to fully engage in the learning process and carry out the experiments safely and effectively. Overall, the National Geographic scientific and magical experiment kit provides a comprehensive and engaging educational experience for children. With its focus on hands-on learning and wide range of experiments, this kit is an excellent tool for sparking curiosity and fostering a love of science and magic in children..
Reviews for "Uncovering the Wonders of Nature with National Geographic's Magic Kit"
1. Sara - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with the National Geographic Scientific and Magical Experiment Kit. The experiments included in the kit were not engaging or exciting at all. The instructions were confusing and difficult to follow, making it frustrating for both myself and my child. The materials provided were also of low quality and easily broke. Overall, the kit did not live up to its promises and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and educational science kit.
2. John - 2 stars - The National Geographic Scientific and Magical Experiment Kit was a big letdown for me. The experiments seemed outdated and lacked creativity. The materials provided were flimsy and not durable. Additionally, the instructions were poorly written and difficult to understand, especially for younger children. My child quickly lost interest in the kit due to these factors. I was expecting more from National Geographic, but unfortunately, this kit does not live up to their reputation.
3. Emma - 3 stars - I had high hopes for the National Geographic Scientific and Magical Experiment Kit, but it fell short of my expectations. The experiments included were not as captivating as I had anticipated. The instructions were somewhat confusing, which made it challenging to successfully complete the experiments. The quality of the materials was average, but not exceptional. While the kit did provide some educational value, it did not engage my child as much as other science kits we have tried in the past. Overall, it was decent, but not something I would repurchase.