Witch Hunter Robin is an anime television series that was first aired in 2002. The show revolves around a secret organization called the Solomon Foundation, which is responsible for hunting down and capturing witches who use their powers for evil. The main character, Robin Sena, is a young girl who possesses the ability to control fire and is brought into the organization to help in their mission. Throughout the series, Robin and her team face various challenges and uncover dark secrets about the nature of witches and the organization itself. The show explores themes of identity, prejudice, and the blurred line between good and evil. One of the main ideas in Witch Hunter Robin is the concept of identity.
Traditional “Christmas” carols that are really just winter songs
Solstice Carol by Wyrd Sisters This simple song is easy to sing along with and is written in Dorian mode, which seems to be a standard for Pagan music. At any rate, it s become associated with the Yule holidays in part due to the many variations in the lyrics - one of the best known variants is What Child is This , which celebrates the birth of Jesus.
One of the main ideas in Witch Hunter Robin is the concept of identity. Robin struggles with her own identity as a witch and the societal stigma attached to it. She faces discrimination and mistrust from her teammates, who view witches as dangerous and evil.
Top Twenty Songs to Sing at Yule
As a Wiccan and a music teacher, one of my favorite things about the holiday season are singing holiday songs. While some people enjoy them, there’s nothing that bothers me more than Christmas songs that have had their lyrics changed to Pagan words. I think we have many other options of both traditional and original music that there really is no need for it. Here is a list of songs you can sing during Yule. I have also created a playlist for them all on YouTube so you can play through them to set a holiday atmosphere this Yule!
Traditional “Christmas” carols that are really Pagan
1.Deck the Halls – Most people think of it as a Christmas song, but there is no mention of Christ or Christmas. The lyrics of the first verse portray decorating the house with Holly, wearing festive clothes, and singing carols. The second verse refers to the Yule log and “Yuletide treasure”. This is definitely a Pagan song.
2. Here We Come A-Wassailing – This “Christmas” song is about the tradition of wassailing in Great Britain. It stems from the idea that fuedal lords shared their exceeds with the peasents. Most people think of the holiday tradition of wassailing where people go caroling from house to house and are given wassail to drink. There are also traditions in cider producing regions of England that are more in line with Mabon where they crown a king and queen who bless the fruit to ensure a good apple harvest.
3. Boar’s Head Carol – This lesser-known carol gives the details of a feast featuring a boar. There are a few Latin phrases, but none of them really translate to anything related to Christmas.
4. O Tannenbaum – Most people think tannenbaum translates to “Christmas Tree”, but it really means fir tree or pine tree. The rest of the carol talks about how the tree stays green all year round and how beautiful the tree is. How Pagan can you get?
5. The Holly and the Ivy – It is very clear that this song was originally Pagan. The entire first verse is full of nature references . It mentions the rising of the sun, a popular Solstice theme. It also references the battle between the Holly King and the Oak King, though he is referred to as the ivy in this song. For example, “of all the trees that are in the woods, the Holly wears the crown.” Only the subsequent verses are Christian in nature, leading us to believe they were added to the song after the fact. The comparisons of the holly to Mary and the Christ child in the following verses are really a pretty far stretch. We don’t have any historical evidence that I am aware of with other lyrics for the other verses, but I think that the first verse does well on its own.
Honorable mentions: Patapan – Who can resist a carol with Pan in the title? It’s mostly about celebrating with music. There is a mention of Noel in the original language, which could translate to either Christmas or Yule, though all of the modern English versions opt to use Christmas. Another honorable mention: In The Bleak Midwinter – the first verse is full of beautiful winter imagery, but the rest is all about Christ. All of the lyrics were written at the same time, so it was definitely intended to be a Christmas song. Even so, the first verse might make a beautiful addition to your carols.
Traditional “Christmas” carols that are really just winter songs
6. Jingle Bells – A lot of people think of this song as a Christmas song, but there is no mention of the holiday at all. The lyrics merely detail a sleigh ride.
7. Let it Snow – This song describes a common feeling many of us have if you live anywhere that it snows. It is the feeling of being warm and comfortable and watching it snow.
8. Winter Wonderland – The idea that the season of winter changes the landscape into a wonderland is definitely a Pagan one.
9. Jingle Bell Rock – This is a nice upbeat song about nothing in particular. It certainly doesn’t mention any holidays, Christian or Pagan.
10. Frosty the Snowman – What Pagan doesn’t love the idea of personified snow? It’s a great song for kids, though the lyrics don’t exactly make it easy for kids to remember.
Honorable mention: It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – I think the title of this one describes this song nicely. There are references to holiday traditions, but there is one mention of “Christmases long long ago”. Other honorable mention: Baby It’s Cold Outside – I don’t particularly like this song because to the modern ear it sounds a lot like date rape. However, in the context of the time it was written, it was more likely meant as a woman who was reluctant to leave and felt the need to say she had to go because of societal expectations of the time.
Modern original songs about Yule
11. The Christians and the Pagans by Dar Williams – This song is a favorite of mine. It tells the story of Amber and Jane who were visiting a town for Solstice and decide to visit Amber’s “Christ-loving uncle”. It is an upbeat feel-good song with some amusing moments about the meeting of cultures like when Amber’s cousin asked if she was a witch.
12. Santa Claus is Pagan Too by Emerald Rose – I almost didn’t include this one in the list because it mentions Santa Claus. However, it’s clever and catchy and explains the Pagan origins of Santa.
13. Solstice Carol by Wyrd Sisters – This simple song is easy to sing along with and is written in Dorian mode, which seems to be a standard for Pagan music.
14. Solstice Evergreen by Spiral Dance – There is some nice imagery in addition to a singable tune.
15. On Midwinter’s Day by Damh the Bard – This upbeat song mentions other Pagan holidays and ideas, while celebrating Midwinter’s day.
Modern popular music that could be used to celebrate Yule
16. White is In The Winter Night by Enya – This song evokes thoughts of celebration and the winter holidays without directly mentioning any of them. Mistletoe, holly, candles, and colors of the season are all mentioned in this song by Enya.
17. Song for A Winter’s Night by Sarah McLaughlin – Her haunting voice really evokes the sense of winter, even though the vocals often dwell on other things.
18. Winter by Tori Amos – I chose this song because it mentions some of the symbolism of winter. Winter is a time for introspection (“Mirror mirror, where’s the crystal palace? But I can only see myself.”). Winter is also considered a time symbolizing old age (“Hair is grey and the fires are burning. So many dreams on the shelf.”). Tori Amos isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, mostly because it’s abstract and full of symbolism, but that’s why it makes this list.
19. Solstice Bells by Jethro Tull – It’s tough to believe that popular bands were playing music about the Solstice for this long, but Jethro Tull was ahead of it’s time. It is sad that in the mix the instruments overwhelm the vocals.
20. Here Comes the Sun by the Beatles – While not really a song one tends to associate with the holiday, it’s lyrics very much describe the coming of the sun.
Honorable mentions: A Long December by Counting Crows, December Child by Cyndi Lauper, A Hazy Shade of Winter by Simon and Garfunkel, To Try For The Sun by Donovan, Wintertime Love by The Doors, Winter Sun by Led Zeppelin
Bonus: other instrumental music to get you in the holiday mood
- Wizards In Winter by Trans Siberian Orchestra
- Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson
- Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky
- March of the Toys from Babes in Toyland
- Yule Log and Holly Berries by Rathkeltair
Honorable mentions: A Raven in the Snow by Jeff Johnson, The Druids Winter by Will Millar, Winter Bourne by Paul Candless
Here is the playlist containing my top choices for each category including instrumentals, for your holiday celebrations. I tried to choose videos that didn’t have to ensure songs played consecutively.
Do you know of a song that should make this list? If so, leave it in the comments below!
Modern original songs about Yule
However, as the series progresses, Robin begins to question these beliefs and seeks to understand herself and her powers in a deeper way. Another important theme in the show is prejudice. The Solomon Foundation is tasked with hunting down witches, but it becomes clear that not all witches are evil. Some witches are shown using their powers for good, while others are innocent victims caught in the crossfire. The show challenges the notion of judging others based solely on their supernatural abilities and emphasizes the importance of understanding and empathy. The concept of good and evil is also explored in Witch Hunter Robin. As the series unfolds, it becomes apparent that not everything is as it seems within the Solomon Foundation. The organization itself has a dark side, and some members are willing to do whatever it takes to maintain control. This raises questions about the nature of good and evil and challenges traditional notions of morality. Overall, Witch Hunter Robin is a thought-provoking anime series that delves into complex themes of identity, prejudice, and morality. It provides a unique perspective on the concept of witches and offers a nuanced exploration of the blurred lines between good and evil. The show is a must-watch for fans of supernatural and psychological anime series..
Reviews for "The Representation of Witchcraft in Witch Hunter Robin: Breaking Stereotypes"
- John - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really excited to watch "Witch Hunter Robin" as I have always been a fan of supernatural anime. However, I found the plot to be incredibly slow and lacking depth. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked development which made it hard for me to connect with them. Additionally, the animation style felt outdated and the action sequences failed to impress me. Overall, I was disappointed with "Witch Hunter Robin" and would not recommend it to others.
- Sarah - 1 out of 5 stars - I found "Witch Hunter Robin" to be a complete letdown. The pacing was extremely slow and it took forever for the story to progress. The characters were uninteresting and lacked any real depth or growth. The animation was mediocre at best and the action scenes were extremely underwhelming. I had high hopes for this anime but it failed to live up to my expectations. I would not recommend "Witch Hunter Robin" to anyone looking for an engaging and thrilling supernatural series.
- Alex - 2 out of 5 stars - I had heard so many good things about "Witch Hunter Robin" but I was greatly disappointed by it. The story felt disjointed and hard to follow, leaving me confused most of the time. The characters were bland and unmemorable, making it difficult to invest in their struggles. The animation was lackluster and failed to create a visually captivating experience. Overall, "Witch Hunter Robin" lacked the substance and excitement that I was hoping for in a supernatural anime. I would not recommend it to others.
- Emily - 3 out of 5 stars - While "Witch Hunter Robin" had an interesting premise, it failed to deliver on many fronts. The pacing was slow and I found myself getting bored easily. The characters lacked depth and I did not feel invested in their stories. The animation, while not terrible, was not anything exceptional either. The series had potential, but ultimately fell short for me. I would not actively recommend "Witch Hunter Robin" but I can see how some people might still find some enjoyment in it.