Every June, a mystical and ancient witchcraft ritual takes place, captivating both believers and skeptics alike. The ritual is steeped in history and rooted in the practices of the ancient Celts, who believed in harnessing the power of nature and the seasons. During this ritual, witches gather in a sacred grove, typically shrouded in secrecy and hidden away from prying eyes. They come together to honor the solstice, which marks the arrival of summer and the longest day of the year. It is a time of abundance and fertility, celebrated by various cultures throughout history. Central to the June witchcraft ritual is the belief in the interconnectedness of all things.
This article was originally published in the June 2021 issue of 225 magazine.
The vaccine deployment to dozens of zoos follows Zoetis response in January to a request from the San Diego Zoo following confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. As the lights in his night house come on in the early morning, LSU s live tiger mascot Mike VII slowly wakes to the sound of his LSU School of Veterinary Medicine caretakers.
Central to the June witchcraft ritual is the belief in the interconnectedness of all things. Witches believe that everything in the universe is connected, and that by tapping into this cosmic energy, they can manifest their desires and bring about positive change. Through the ritual, they seek to align themselves with the natural rhythms and cycles of the Earth.
How the LSU Vet School keeps watch over the university’s iconic live mascot
As the lights in his night house come on in the early morning, LSU’s live tiger mascot Mike VII slowly wakes to the sound of his LSU School of Veterinary Medicine caretakers.
But before the mascot is greeted by the veterinary team, they thoroughly check and clean his habitat to ensure safety for him and visitors—and make sure his favorite toys and scents are out for him to enjoy.
During the day, Mike does his own thing, roaming the 15,000-square-foot habitat, sleeping, swimming, playing with his ball and interacting with visitors through the glass barrier. But the Vet School team is always watching. The Bengal tiger is visited by his veterinarian weekly and monitored daily through cameras set up in the habitat.
Once the evening arrives, his caretakers prepare 10 to 15 pounds of meat for dinner, pulverized into a mixture similar to ground beef. Once a week, Mike receives a frozen oxtail as a yummy treat to clean his teeth.
Since the Vet School students only observe him through a fence, they have different tricks to examine him from afar, such as holding up a meatball to coax him to stand on his hind legs so they can check his stomach and underside.
LSU has had a live mascot since 1936. In 2005, the university funded a $3.7 million habitat that provided plenty more space to roam and better vantage points for visitors to look in on the wild cat. Since Mike IV, each tiger has been donated to LSU. Mike VII was given to LSU from a sanctuary in Okeechobee, Florida, called the Wild at Heart Wildlife Center.
As the seventh Mike, the university has his care system down to a science. Mike’s caretakers are in the second phase of Vet School. The first phase is focused on lectures and labs, and the second provides more hands-on work with the hospital and Mike.
And while Ginger Guttner is not one of Mike’s caretakers, she is the woman behind the Mike we all know. Her many hats include being a professor and the communications manager of the LSU Vet School, its website and social media. She is also the spokesperson for Mike. Guttner has been doing this long enough to be able to identify which Mikes are on LSU posters and signs. “I can tell by the stripes, because the stripes are like fingerprints,” she says.
And it was the 2014 vet students and Guttner who came up with the famous idea of Mike’s meat art posted to social media.
“It started as an inside joke,” Guttner says.
Check out those teeth! Mike’s caretakers have various ways to monitor and inspect him to make sure he stays healthy.
When a Vet School student went to feed Mike the evening before the Alabama game, she shaped his meat dinner into the Alabama “A.” From there, the meat art tradition was born, and has even been covered by ESPN.
It’s all part of the Vet School’s goal of providing a safe home for Mike.
“I would love if all tigers could live in the wild. That would be amazing,” Guttner says. “But the wildlife sanctuary where we got him had to get rid of some of their animals and had to find new homes for them, or they were going to be shut down. They just had too many, and they couldn’t provide good enough care for the ones that they had, and so LSU is dedicated to providing a good home for a tiger.”
Head to mikethetiger.com for more on LSU’s mascot and to view his live habitat webcam.
This article was originally published in the June 2021 issue of 225 magazine.
The vaccine has been authorized for experimental use by the United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA, and the state veterinarian. The vaccine deployment to dozens of zoos follows Zoetis’ response in January to a request from the San Diego Zoo following confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the gorillas at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. There have also been confirmed cases of COVID-19 in captive tigers. Learn more about this program by Zoetis.
The ceremony typically begins at sunset and continues throughout the night. Witches perform various rituals and spells, invoking the energy of the sun and the elements. They may create bonfires, dance beneath the stars, and chant incantations to honor the summer solstice. One of the key aspects of the June witchcraft ritual is the practice of divination. Witches often use this time to seek guidance and insight into the future. They may use tarot cards, runes, or other tools to interpret signs and symbols that are believed to hold hidden meanings. Throughout the night, the energy builds, reaching a crescendo at sunrise. As the first rays of light break over the horizon, witches come together in a final moment of unity, expressing gratitude for the gifts of the Earth and setting their intentions for the coming months. The June witchcraft ritual is a powerful and meaningful experience for those who participate. It is a time to reconnect with nature, honor ancient traditions, and tap into the deep wellspring of magical energy that is believed to flow through the universe. Whether one believes in the power of witchcraft or not, the solstice ritual serves as a reminder of the beauty and mystery of the natural world, and our place within it..
Reviews for "The Power of Moon Phases in June Witchcraft Rituals"
1. Sarah - ★☆☆☆☆
I attended the June witchcraft ritual and was extremely disappointed. The event was poorly organized and lacked any meaningful content. There was no clear direction or intention set for the ritual, and the so-called "witches" leading it seemed unsure of what they were doing. It felt more like a half-hearted attempt to cash in on the popularity of witchcraft, rather than a genuine and meaningful practice. I left feeling like I had wasted my time and money, and would not recommend this event to anyone.
2. John - ★★☆☆☆
I had high hopes for the June witchcraft ritual, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The venue was overcrowded, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the experience. The ritual itself felt rushed and lacked the depth and authenticity that I was looking for. Additionally, the leaders did not provide enough guidance or explanation, leaving me feeling confused and disconnected. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and unsure if I had gained anything from attending this ritual.
3. Emily - ★★☆☆☆
I was excited to participate in the June witchcraft ritual, but it turned out to be a disappointing experience. The event was oversold, resulting in a cramped and uncomfortable space. The leaders seemed more interested in selling merchandise and promoting themselves rather than creating a meaningful ritual. It felt more like a gimmicky performance than an authentic practice of witchcraft. I left feeling let down and wishing I had spent my time and money on a different event.
4. Michael - ★☆☆☆☆
Attending the June witchcraft ritual was a complete waste of time for me. The whole event seemed disorganized and chaotic. There was a lack of clear instructions, leaving participants confused about what they were supposed to be doing. The leaders appeared inexperienced and unprepared, making it difficult to trust the authenticity of their practice. Overall, I found the ritual to be shallow and lacking the spiritual depth I was expecting. I would not recommend attending this event.