Witchcraft customs in Colombia are deeply ingrained in the country's cultural and religious practices. It is a complex and multifaceted tradition that incorporates elements from indigenous, African, and European spiritual beliefs. The main idea is that witchcraft in Colombia is a diverse and rich practice that reflects the country's diverse cultural heritage. Colombian witchcraft, also known as "brujería," encompasses a wide range of practices and beliefs. One common aspect is the use of herbs and plants for healing and spiritual purposes. Curanderas or healers often prescribe herbal remedies and perform rituals to promote physical and emotional well-being.
The words and music of Christmas carols were not always written at the same time. The music for Ding Dong Merrily on High dates back to the mid-1500s but the lyrics are from the 1800s. The tune for Good King Wenceslas is a medieval dance tune from the 1200s, while the words were written in the 1800s.
In Charles Dickens 1854 short story The Seven Poor Travellers he describes a group of musicians performing in a town one winter s evening As I passed along the High Street, I heard the Waits at a distance, and struck off to find them. Gain a global view of key events and decode their impact on business, politics and beyond with updates and analysis from our worldwide network of 700 journalists.
Curanderas or healers often prescribe herbal remedies and perform rituals to promote physical and emotional well-being. These practices are often rooted in indigenous knowledge and traditions. Another important aspect of Colombian witchcraft is the belief in spirits, both benevolent and malevolent.
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!
Lex column Lexコラム More info 表示
Mueiras, which are female spirits, are often associated with fertility and protective powers. On the other hand, brujos and brujas, or male and female witches, are believed to possess supernatural powers and can use them for good or evil purposes. This belief in spirits and witches is a reflection of the country's African spiritual traditions, brought by enslaved Africans during colonial times. Witchcraft in Colombia is also closely tied to Catholicism. Many rituals and practices blend elements of Catholicism with indigenous and African traditions. For example, some witches may incorporate prayers to Catholic saints or perform rituals at Catholic shrines. This syncretism is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of Colombian witchcraft throughout history. Witchcraft customs in Colombia often involve rituals and ceremonies. Some of these rituals are public, such as the "Día de las Velitas" or Day of the Little Candles, where people light candles to honor the Virgin Mary. Others are more private and involve personal offerings or consultations with a witch or healer. Despite its rich history and cultural significance, Colombian witchcraft has faced marginalization and persecution throughout the years. In the past, witches were often associated with dark and evil practices and were sometimes persecuted by the Inquisition. Today, witchcraft continues to be stigmatized and misunderstood by some sectors of society. However, there is also a growing interest in traditional medicine and spiritual practices, which has led to a resurgence of interest in Colombian witchcraft. In conclusion, witchcraft customs in Colombia are rooted in a diverse and complex mixture of indigenous, African, and European traditions. The main idea is that Colombian witchcraft is a rich and varied practice that reflects the country's cultural heritage. It incorporates elements such as herbal medicine, belief in spirits, and syncretism with Catholicism. Despite facing marginalization and persecution, there is a renewed interest in Colombian witchcraft, highlighting its importance and resilience in the country's cultural and spiritual life..
Reviews for "The role of Colombian witches in shaping spiritual beliefs"
1. John - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with this book. I was hoping to delve into the rich history and practices of witchcraft in Colombia, but instead, it felt like a shallow overview. The information provided was limited and lacked depth. I expected more detailed explanations of rituals and customs but instead, it felt like a rushed compilation of general knowledge. Overall, this book fell short of my expectations.
2. Maria - 3/5 - While there were some interesting bits of information in "Witchcraft Customs in Colombia", I found the writing style to be dry and uninspiring. The book lacked a cohesive flow, making it difficult to stay engaged. Additionally, more visuals or illustrations would have been helpful in understanding the practices described. I feel like this book has the potential to be so much better with a more engaging writing style and better structure.
3. Michael - 2/5 - As an avid reader of books on witchcraft, I was really excited to read "Witchcraft Customs in Colombia". However, I found it to be a shallow and superficial exploration of the topic. The author barely scratched the surface of Colombian witchcraft customs and failed to provide any real depth. The book lacked substance, and I was left wanting more. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an in-depth understanding of Colombian witchcraft.
4. Emily - 2/5 - I was hoping to learn about unique and fascinating witchcraft customs in Colombia, but I was left disappointed. The book felt like a collection of random facts without any structure or flow. The author jumped from one topic to another without providing much context or explanation. It felt disjointed, and I struggled to stay engaged. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a comprehensive understanding of witchcraft in Colombia.