The solstice is a significant event in pagan practices, symbolizing the balance between light and darkness. Paganism is an ancient belief system that celebrates nature and its cycles. The solstice, whether it's the summer or winter solstice, holds great importance in pagan rituals and celebrations. During the summer solstice, pagans come together to honor the longest day of the year and the power of the sun. It is a time of joy, abundance, and fertility. Pagan rituals may involve dancing, bonfires, and feasting.
Pagan rituals may involve dancing, bonfires, and feasting. Many pagans also believe that the summer solstice is a time for healing and magical energy. On the other hand, the winter solstice symbolizes the rebirth of light and the return of longer days.
Bruno Mars - 24K MAGIC Vinyl
Released four years after the multi-platinum Unorthodox Jukebox, 24K Magic -- or XXIVK Magic, if you're foolish enough to go by the cover -- might as well be considered the full-length sequel to "Uptown Funk," Bruno Mars' 2014 hit collaboration with Mark Ronson. On his third album, Mars, joined primarily by old comrades Philip Lawrence, Brody Brown, and James Fauntleroy, sheds the reggae and new wave inspirations and goes all-out R&B. This is less an affected retro-soul pastiche -- like, say, The Return of Bruno -- than it is an amusing '80s-centric tribute to black radio. Sonically, '80s here means the gamut and the aftershocks felt the following decade, from the sparking midtempo groove in "Chunky," which recalls Shalamar even more than album two's "Treasure," to some full-blooded new jack swing moves. The clock is turned back a couple more decades to passable strutting James Brown-isms in "Perm," while "Too Good to Say Goodbye," co-written by Babyface, draws its structure and certain components from early-'70s Philly soul. Almost all of the material involves Mars in winking bad-boy player mode. He's often just ampin' like Bobby, yet the performances are undeniable, dealt out with all the determination and attitude of a kid who just bought a custom lavender Razz with his paper route money. Lead single "24K Magic" is a scrupulous compound of early-'80s funk tricks, another needed injection of good-time energy into commercial airwaves, but the album's true triumph is buried near the end -- not that it takes long to get there -- and scrapes the dawn of the '90s. In living color, decked out with a rattling breakbeat and zipping bassline, "Finesse" revisits the era when producers like Teddy Riley, Dave "Jam" Hall, and Dr. Freeze pushed their genre forward by fusing hip-hop to what they learned from electronic post-disco R&B pioneered by Leon Sylvers III, Kashif, and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Like much of what precedes it, the song is a blast. Those who want their rich and modern synthesizer funk minus flash would do well to seek Bugz in the Attic's "Consequences," D?m-Funk's "Galactic Fun," Amalia's "Welcome to Me," and Anderson Paak's "Am I Wrong," for starters. ~ Andy Kellman
- Genre: Pop
- Format: Vinyl
Shipping information
Please allow 1-3 weeks for packages to arrive! Order processing time is typically 1-3 business days with most orders shipping in 24 hours. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays are not business days. Shipping times may be slightly longer during peak holiday times.
Pagans celebrate this occasion as the beginning of the year and the triumph of light over darkness. Yule, as it's commonly known, is a time for reflection, renewal, and setting intentions for the coming year. Traditional practices include lighting candles, decorating evergreen trees, and exchanging gifts. Paganism views the solstices as opportunities to connect with nature and honor the cycles of life. It is a time to celebrate the changing seasons and the earth's constant renewal. Whether through joyful celebrations or quiet contemplation, pagans find ways to connect with the energy of the solstices and embrace the natural world. Overall, solstice pagan practices revolve around the celebration and reverence for nature's cycles. These rituals provide an opportunity for pagans to connect with the earth, express gratitude, and seek spiritual growth. The solstices symbolize the eternal ebb and flow of life, and pagans embrace this symbolism through their rituals and celebrations..
Reviews for "The Magic of Yule: Pagan Celebrations for the Winter Solstice"
1. Emily - 1/5 stars - I attended a Solstice pagan practice event out of curiosity, but I was extremely disappointed. It felt like a disorganized gathering of people who lacked any true understanding of the pagan practices they were supposed to be celebrating. There was no structure or clear purpose to the event, and it seemed more like an excuse for people to dress up in eccentric costumes and engage in meaningless rituals. It lacked the spiritual depth and connection that I was hoping to find. Overall, it was a waste of time for me.
2. Michael - 2/5 stars - I have always been open-minded about different spiritual practices and beliefs, but my experience with Solstice pagan practices left me feeling underwhelmed. The event was poorly organized, with little explanation or guidance for newcomers like myself. The rituals and ceremonies lacked substance, and it felt more like a performance rather than a genuine spiritual experience. Additionally, the event was overcrowded, which made it hard to truly connect with the energies and meanings behind the practices. I left feeling confused and unsatisfied.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - As someone who was curious about pagan practices, I decided to attend a Solstice event. However, I couldn't help but feel like an outsider throughout the entire gathering. The organizers and regular attendees seemed cliquish and unwelcoming to newcomers. Instead of fostering a sense of community and inclusivity, the event felt exclusive and isolating. Moreover, the rituals and practices were not well-explained to those unfamiliar with pagan beliefs, making it difficult to fully engage and understand what was happening. I left feeling like I did not belong and that I had wasted my time.
4. Daniel - 1/5 stars - I was hoping to experience a spiritual connection during a Solstice pagan practice, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The event felt more like a strange costume party than a meaningful spiritual gathering. There was a lack of seriousness and reverence for the practices, with people engaging in superficial rituals without truly understanding their significance. It seemed like an excuse for people to play dress-up and engage in eccentric behavior rather than deeply connecting with the solstice energy. I left feeling disappointed and disillusioned with the whole experience.