Sunny Day Real Estate is a band that was formed in Seattle in 1992. They are often credited with pioneering the emo genre of music, with their unique blend of emotional lyrics and powerful instrumentation. One of their most iconic albums is "Diary," released in 1994, which is often hailed as one of the best emo albums of all time. In 1997, Sunny Day Real Estate released their third studio album, "How It Feels to Be Something On." This album featured a more experimental and textured sound, showcasing the band's growth and maturity as musicians. One of the standout tracks from the album is "Lioton Witch," a haunting and atmospheric song with introspective lyrics.
The Grey Wayfarer
One of the standout tracks from the album is "Lioton Witch," a haunting and atmospheric song with introspective lyrics. "Lioton Witch" features the distinctive vocals of lead singer Jeremy Enigk, who has a unique ability to convey emotion through his singing. The song begins with a gentle acoustic guitar and builds up gradually, incorporating layers of electric guitars and dynamic drumming.
A Blog of Ed Raby, Sr. – The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard and Philosopher
“Basic Pagan Principles – An Introduction” – The Pagan Pulpit
Announcements:
There is going to be a format change to the Pagan Pulpit. Most notably that I will be removing two songs and the poem out of it. I want to focus on music specifically in The Skald’s Lyre which debuted yesterday. Poetry I am still deciding what to call that but it will also be separate. Any poem I write myself Goes under Skald Poems. This will leave Announcements, Theme Song, Meditation, Text, Sermon and Parting Thought. Hopefully, this will make it both easier to write for me and a little more streamlined for you. I am just trying to provide some spiritual inspiration here, not dominate your Sun’s Day. To the rest of the announcements.
We don’t pray here – we figure God, the gods, goddesses, or whatever powers that be either know already, don’t give a fuck, or are busy with more important matters than our petty stuff. We also kind of assume that they expect us to do stuff that we can do for ourselves and that we will do them ourselves and not be lazy. We also believe in being good friends, so we don’t presume on our friendship with the powers that be by asking them all the time for stuff while giving them nothing in return.
We also don’t take an offering here. We figure the powers that be probably don’t need it. Let’s be honest, offerings are not giving to the divine powers, they are given to an organization to support it. Just being honest. God, the gods or whatever never sees a dime, farthing or peso of that money; it all goes to the church, mosque or shrine.
Theme Song: “Odin” – SKALD
A band called SKALD and a song about Odin. It fits my Paganism and a great song to start this series with.
Meditation:
With paganism, each person’s path is unique to them. There is no right or wrong path necessarily. Just a journey.
Text:
“Pagans may be trained in particular traditions or they may follow their own inspiration. Paganism is not dogmatic. Pagans pursue their own vision of the Divine as a direct and personal experience.” – Pagan Federation international
Sermon:
The real problem with getting the dictionary definition of pagan or paganism is that the word has had a negative connotation in common use for so long; those definitions are still colored by that negativity. The observation above is made by pagans themselves and when people ask me why I consider myself a pagan is it because of this basic idea of each pagan chooses their own spiritual path. I have had my fill of religions telling me what to believe, I seek it myself.
For the next six weeks including this one, I want to go over the basic five principles that pagans hold in common. Specifics can vary quite widely. The five principles I see most often are:
- Responsibility of Belief
- Personal Responsibility for Your Actions and Personal Development
- Everything is Sacred
- Freedom of Choosing Diety
- Scope of Consciousness
For myself, I have realized for a long time that religions, in general, are simply that someone did the above and then codified it to a point they discarded large chunks of this until you are left with none of it.
The truth is we all choose our faith, and within that faith choose a path. Some of us choose a religion and that religion limits the paths to a certain selection of choices approved by others. Paganism throws all that off. It says that all paths are valid, the real issue is to responsibly walk the one you are on.
Over the next five weeks of the pagan Pulpit, I will be exploring each of the above principles in detail. I hope you enjoy it or at least learn something about the path of the people who identify themselves as pagans.
Parting Thought:
Yep, highly recommended that you do this from time to time. Don’t let anyone else define this for you, do it yourself. This should include your spirituality.
The Rabyd Skald – Wandering Soul, Bard, and Philosopher. The Grey Wayfarer.
Principles for Living in a Pagan Society
This outline is taken from a series of messages on the book of Daniel, preached by Dr. Charles Surrett.
- Recognize that God has arranged the situation and has both placed you and allowed you to be in a pagan society. (1:1-2)
God is in control, and He sets up and removes kings. Don’t kick and scream against the society in which you live. He has a purpose for you being here.
- Admit that you do not deserve better circumstances. (9:4-15)
We are always better off than we deserve. Were it not for His mercies, we would be consumed.
- Learn to discern what you can do and what you should avoid. (1:3-5)
What can/should you as a Christian avoid in this culture? Daniel and his friends were taught the learning and the language of foreigners. They received government education and government food. He did not refuse to learn the language and culture. He refused only the meat and wine, and that was for a religious principle. He was not belligerent or arrogant. He was discerning. You must live by principle. (I Cor. 10:31)
- Determine to remain personally pure. (1:8)
You must have this purpose or you will be defiled and impure by default. There must be a clear determination to be pure. Purity gives value to anything. Impurity devalues anything.
Eventually we as believers will be pure, without spot or wrinkle; yet in the present day we must strive for purity. Make your determination to purity when you are not under the influence of emotional feelings and desires. Purity is possible, but it takes determination.
- Trust God to give you whatever help you need. (1:9)
God arranged it so that Daniel could receive favor in the eyes of his superiors, without going against his principles. God has a way for you to do things right. When called to take a stand, you must trust God to arrange the circumstances.
- Do not be defiant in spirit, but never compromise in actions. (1:12-14; 3:16-18)
Be determined. Take a stand. But, do it in the right way. Daniel respectfully made his request. Shadrach, Meshak, and Abednego were polite when speaking to the king.
- Try to establish an excellent testimony. (1:19-20; 6:4-5)
Unbelievers may not appreciate the stand you take, but they ought to know you have a good testimony.
- Depend on prayer to get you through the trials. (2:17-18)
Daniel had the kind of friends who would pray.
- Give God the glory for your victories. (2:19-23, 28, 30)
Don’t claim victory for self. Be humble. Point others to God. He does not give victory because you are someone special. We are here for the glory of God.
- Accept the fact that in this world you will have enemies. This should not take you by surprise. (3:8-12)
Your presence will or should put them under conviction. They may be jealous. Don’t let this get to your head. They hate your God. Don’t develop a martyr’s complex. If you represent God, His enemies will be your enemies. Love them. Do good to them.
If you are a friend of the world, God will be your enemy. Either way you will have an enemy. It’s far better to be on God’s side with the world as your enemy.
- Remember that God is able to deliver from persecution and oppression. (3:18)
Have the attitude of Christ, “Not my will, but thine be done.” The leper cried, “Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.” You must recognize God’s ability, but also yield to His will.
- Recognize that God may not choose to deliver. (3:18)
As Job said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him.” The psalmist wrote, “As for God, his way is perfect.” You must still be true to God, even if He chooses not to deliver you.
- Do not make moral decisions on the basis of convenience. (3:18)
This is what makes people become compromisers. If it is the right stand to take, then take it regardless of the outcome. God can give you another job or new friends. Don’t try to bargain with Him that you will do right if ____ happens. It sometimes hurts to do right, but it always hurts more to do wrong.
- Live so wisely that unbelievers can see the difference. (4:18; 5:11-12)
They may not appreciate or agree with you, but thy should see a difference and see that you can be victorious regardless of what happens to you. The best testimony you have is how you deal with difficulty. (I Thes. 4:13)
- Speak the truth uncompromisingly, but not unkindly or arrogantly. (4:24-27; 5:22-23)
- When secondary authorities command you to disobey God, you must disobey the secondary authority. (6:7-10)
They exist so that you will obey God. He established the system. Obey – in the Lord. You must not disobey God in order to obey secondary authorities. When you must disobey a secondary authority, do so respectfully.
- Do not fear the consequences of obeying God. (6:10)
Instead, fear the consequences of disobeying Him. It is your choice whether God will bless or chastise you. He is not a respecter of persons and does not play favorites.
- Depend upon the coming Lord to eventually make all wrongs right. (7:21-27)
He is coming. You may not see things made right in your lifetime. The martyrs died, not seeing the fulfillment of the promises, but God is still faithful. In His time and way, He will take care of it. Remember that He is merciful and gives time and space to repent.
Five Principles of Green Witchcraft, by Asa West
In an era of climate change and late capitalism, when everything sacred is paved over or commodified, how do you attune yourself to the rhythms of nature? How do you listen for—and hear—the language of the land on which you live? How do you push your magical practice beyond rote rituals into true communion with the spirits around you?
This short book explores green witchcraft through the lens of five principles:
1. The Forest Speaks with One Voice (unity)
2. Twilight Precedes Starlight (liminality)
3. Witchcraft Lives in the Body (embodiment)
4. The Witch Always Pays Her Coin (reciprocity)
5. The Goddess Reveals Herself in Silence (silence)
Originally published as a wildly popular and sold-out zine, Gods&Radicals Press now offers Five Principles of Green Witchcraft by special arrangement with the author.
PRE-ORDER INFORMATION
Five Principles of Green Witchcraft will retail for $6.00 US, but we are offering it at a reduced rate for pre-order. Until 15 September, single copies may be purchased for $4.50 US plus shipping.
In addition, we are offering two special pre-release book packages.
The first, Zine Collection, contains all three of our published zines: Five Principles of Green Witchcraft, Of Monsters & Miso, and A Pagan Anti-Capitalist Primer, both by Alley Valkyrie. Full retail price on these books together is $25 US, but you can order them all together here for $20 US
The second is our Green Witch collection, containing Five Principles of Green Witchcraft, Circling the Star (by Anthony Rella), and Gods-Speaking (by Judith O’Grady). Full retail price on these books together is $33.50 US, but you can order them all together here for $25 US.
Please note that for package orders, all books are shipped together when the primary book (Five Principles of Green Witchcraft) is released.
TO PRE-ORDER:
Select your option below, then add to cart. To check out, click the cart icon at the top right of the page (for web browsers) or the bottom of the menu (for mobile browsers).
Enigk's lyrics explore themes of longing, confusion, and self-discovery, painting a vivid picture of inner struggles. Sunny Day Real Estate's music is often characterized by its cathartic and introspective nature, with lyrics that delve into deeply personal experiences and emotions. Their songs often tackle themes of love, loss, and identity, resonating with fans who connect with the raw and vulnerable nature of their music. Although Sunny Day Real Estate disbanded in 2001, their music continues to have a lasting impact on the emo and alternative rock genres. Their unique sound and emotionally charged lyrics have influenced countless bands that have come after them, cementing their place as pioneers of the emo movement. "Lioton Witch" remains a fan favorite and serves as a reminder of the band's talent and musical legacy..
Reviews for "Lioton Witch and the Art of Blurring Genres: Innovators in the Indie Music Scene"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really excited to listen to "Sunny day real estate lioton witch" after all the hype, but I was left feeling disappointed. The album just didn't do it for me. The songs lacked depth and originality, and the overall sound felt repetitive. I couldn't connect with the lyrics, and the vocals sounded strained at times. It's unfortunate because I had high expectations, but this album just didn't live up to them.
2. Emily - 1/5 - I really tried to give "Sunny day real estate lioton witch" a chance, but it was a struggle to get through the entire album. The music felt chaotic and disjointed, making it hard to find any enjoyment in it. The lyrics were hard to decipher, and the vocals were grating and off-key. It felt like a mess of sounds with no purpose or direction. I don't understand all the positive reviews this album received, as I found it to be a complete letdown.
3. David - 2/5 - I don't understand the appeal of "Sunny day real estate lioton witch". The songs lacked cohesiveness and failed to leave any lasting impression on me. The music felt uninspired and the production quality was subpar. The vocals were decent, but they couldn't redeem the overall mediocrity of the album. It's not the worst I've heard, but it's far from being a standout release. I won't be revisiting this album anytime soon.