The Wiccan calendar wheel, also known as the Wheel of the Year, is a system used by Wiccans and other pagan traditions to celebrate and observe the changing seasons and cycles of nature. It is based on a cyclical understanding of time and the belief that the natural world goes through different phases throughout the year. The calendar wheel is divided into eight major Sabbats or festivals, each representing a significant point in the agricultural and seasonal cycle. These eight festivals are commonly referred to as the Wheel of the Year. The festivals are usually celebrated with rituals, ceremonies, and gatherings that honor the specific themes and energies associated with each festival. The Wheel of the Year begins with Yule, also known as the Winter Solstice, which typically falls around December 21st.
Cream of the Crop includes all three of the band's singles in their entirety, and hearing them again reminds me why rave reviews of Purple Wizard 45s were once annual events in my life. It's a pleasure to again enjoy the band's knockout renditions of the Hollies' 1965 album cut "I've Been Wrong" (famously covered by The Buckinghams and Everly Brothers), Cheryll & Pam's 1963 Stax single "That's My Guy", The Strangeloves' "I Want Candy" B-side "It's About My Baby", and the Everly Brothers' 1966 A-side "The Power of Love". Beyond the 7" tracks, covers of the likes of Carla Thomas, Chris Montez, The Hollies, Lee Rogers, and the almighty Beatles are absolutely stunning. And originals like "Stalker" and "Scrapin", featuring Peitsch on lead vocals, are so on-point that I still can't believe they're not long-lost recordings from the heyday of rhythm & blues!
Cream of the Crop includes all three of the band s singles in their entirety, and hearing them again reminds me why rave reviews of Purple Wizard 45s were once annual events in my life. And originals like Stalker and Scrapin , featuring Peitsch on lead vocals, are so on-point that I still can t believe they re not long-lost recordings from the heyday of rhythm blues.
The Wheel of the Year begins with Yule, also known as the Winter Solstice, which typically falls around December 21st. Yule marks the longest night of the year and celebrates the return of the sun and the promise of new life. It is a time for introspection, renewal, and setting intentions for the upcoming year.
Faster and Louder
When I think about all of the great music that made the mid-2000s so memorable for me, Purple Wizard is one of the first names that comes to mind. It's almost criminal how forgotten this band seems to be just a decade later. I'm optimistic that that will change thanks to Girlsville's release of Cream of the Crop - a 28-track collection of singles, album cuts, unreleased songs, and radio sessions from this late, great New York City band.
Formed from the ashes of The Prissteens by Lori Lindsay and Leslie Day, Purple Wizard released three singles and an LP between 2004 and 2007. Purple Wizard was essentially the realization of a musical vision that Lori Lindsay had had since she and Leslie Day began playing together: less "rock" and more along the lines of a female Everly Brothers. Also on board were Dave Lindsay, Jon Chalmers, and Bill Peitsch (RIP). What I admired about this band from the start (along with those amazing harmonies!) was that it was never reluctant to record other people's songs. Inspired by the British Invasion, Stax soul, girl groups, and '60s pop in general, the band went right to the source and covered songs it loved from arguably the greatest era of music ever. In my mind, one of the things that made that period so special was that artists could be identified with and admired for performing songs they didn't write (seriously: who wants to live in a world without Dusty Springfield's "I Only Wanna Be With You" or Aretha Franklin's "Respect"?). The magic of Purple Wizard was in selecting wonderful and often lesser-known songs from the '60s and performing them to absolute perfection.
Cream of the Crop includes all three of the band's singles in their entirety, and hearing them again reminds me why rave reviews of Purple Wizard 45s were once annual events in my life. It's a pleasure to again enjoy the band's knockout renditions of the Hollies' 1965 album cut "I've Been Wrong" (famously covered by The Buckinghams and Everly Brothers), Cheryll & Pam's 1963 Stax single "That's My Guy", The Strangeloves' "I Want Candy" B-side "It's About My Baby", and the Everly Brothers' 1966 A-side "The Power of Love". Beyond the 7" tracks, covers of the likes of Carla Thomas, Chris Montez, The Hollies, Lee Rogers, and the almighty Beatles are absolutely stunning. And originals like "Stalker" and "Scrapin", featuring Peitsch on lead vocals, are so on-point that I still can't believe they're not long-lost recordings from the heyday of rhythm & blues!
Once again, Girlsville has given us an essential and lovingly-assembled compilation featuring a great overlooked band. Longtime fans will be psyched to get their mitts on the radio sessions and unreleased tracks. Meanwhile, this is the perfect introduction to Purple Wizard - with the songs from the singles playing a starring role. Kudos to Courtney for securing all of this material and to Patrick Haight for the impeccable mastering. If you loved last year's Demos & Rarities collection from The Prissteens, think of Cream of the Crop as the next chapter. I consider The Prissteens and Purple Wizard to be equally great bands, but it was the latter group that really showed the world what a fantastic singer Lori Linsday is. Purple Wizard was a band inspired by timeless music that sought to create timeless music. They were as good as it got when it came to garage rock in the mid-2000s. Get Cream of the Crop now on cassette or digital LP from Girlsville's Bandcamp!
Formed from the ashes of The Prissteens by Lori Lindsay and Leslie Day, Purple Wizard released three singles and an LP between 2004 and 2007. Purple Wizard was essentially the realization of a musical vision that Lori Lindsay had had since she and Leslie Day began playing together: less "rock" and more along the lines of a female Everly Brothers. Also on board were Dave Lindsay, Jon Chalmers, and Bill Peitsch (RIP). What I admired about this band from the start (along with those amazing harmonies!) was that it was never reluctant to record other people's songs. Inspired by the British Invasion, Stax soul, girl groups, and '60s pop in general, the band went right to the source and covered songs it loved from arguably the greatest era of music ever. In my mind, one of the things that made that period so special was that artists could be identified with and admired for performing songs they didn't write (seriously: who wants to live in a world without Dusty Springfield's "I Only Wanna Be With You" or Aretha Franklin's "Respect"?). The magic of Purple Wizard was in selecting wonderful and often lesser-known songs from the '60s and performing them to absolute perfection.
Imbolc, the next festival, takes place around February 2nd and marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. It is a time of purification and preparing for the approaching spring. Imbolc celebrates the awakening of the earth and the growing power of the sun. Ostara, also known as the Spring Equinox, occurs around March 21st. It is a festival of balance and fertility, symbolizing the equal length of day and night. Ostara is associated with new beginnings, growth, and the first signs of spring. Beltane is celebrated on May 1st and represents the height of spring and the beginning of summer. It is a time of fire and fertility, with rituals focused on love, passion, and abundance. Beltane is often associated with maypole dancing and bonfires. Midsummer, also known as Litha or the Summer Solstice, takes place around June 21st. It is the peak of summer and the longest day of the year. Midsummer celebrates the power of the sun and the abundance of nature. It is a time for outdoor celebrations, connecting with the natural world, and harvesting the first crops. Lughnasadh, also called Lammas, occurs on August 1st. It marks the beginning of the harvest season and is associated with gratitude, abundance, and the sacrifices made for sustenance. Lughnasadh is a time to honor the harvest, both literal and metaphorical, and to reflect on the cycle of life and death. Mabon, the Autumn Equinox, typically falls around September 21st. It is a time of balance and gratitude, as day and night are once again of equal length. Mabon celebrates the second harvest and the changing of the seasons. It is a time to give thanks for the abundance in our lives and prepare for the approaching winter. Finally, Samhain, also known as Halloween, is celebrated on October 31st. Samhain marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dark half of the year. It is a festival of remembrance and honoring the ancestors. Samhain is believed to be a time when the veil between the worlds is thinnest, allowing for communication with the spirits and reflection on mortality. Overall, the Wiccan calendar wheel provides a framework for Wiccans and pagans to connect with the cycles of nature and celebrate the ever-changing seasons. It is a way to honor and connect with the rhythms of life and the spiritual significance of each phase of the year..
Reviews for "The Wiccan Calendar Wheel and the Divine Feminine: Honoring the Goddess in Wiccan Rituals"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the "Wicca calendar wheel" book. I found the information to be overly simplistic and poorly organized. It felt like a collection of random thoughts rather than a cohesive guide. Additionally, the writing style was choppy and difficult to follow. I was expecting a comprehensive and informative resource, but this fell short.
2. John - 1 star - As someone who has been practicing Wicca for years, I was extremely underwhelmed by the "Wicca calendar wheel". The content presented in this book was superficial and lacked depth. It didn't delve into the complexities and nuances of the Wiccan calendar, which left me feeling unsatisfied. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive exploration of the Wiccan calendar system.
3. Emma - 3 stars - While the "Wicca calendar wheel" had some useful information, I found it to be quite repetitive. The author seemed to constantly reiterate the same points without providing any new insights or perspectives. Additionally, I was hoping for more practical guidance and suggestions on how to incorporate the Wiccan calendar into my daily practice, but this book fell short in that regard. Overall, it was a mediocre read that left me wanting more substance.
4. Michael - 2 stars - I felt like the "Wicca calendar wheel" was trying too hard to appeal to a broad audience. The content seemed watered down and lacked depth. As someone who has studied Wicca extensively, I was looking for a more scholarly approach to the topic. Unfortunately, this book didn't meet my expectations. It may be suitable for beginners, but for those seeking a more in-depth exploration of the Wiccan calendar, I would recommend looking elsewhere.