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I had no idea (Or completely forgot) this video exists.
This is an old Disney short educational film about Ancient Greek mathematics and this short cartoon (made by Walt Disney) has Donald Duck learn the mathematical significance of the magical symbol of the pentacle / pentagram.
It's fascinating stuff. I forgot Walt Disney ever addressed this.
Triskeles, Triquetra, Trinacria are different version of an ancient Indo-European symbol that we can find in different civilizations trough history.
The Triskele symbol, otherwise known as the Triskelion, is a trilateral symbol consisting of three interlocked spirals. It evokes the Celtic interpretation of the three realms of material existence: earth, water, and sky and all their interconnections. The symbol is also thought to represent the three worlds: spiritual, physical, and celestial. Other Trinity connections associated with the triskele are life-death-rebirth, past-present-future, earth-water-sky, and creation-protection-destruction. Triskeles with the left facing spirals recalls the sun symbol of life and rebirth, while the right facing spirals recall the Katabasis, the descending to the underground and the transformation.
The Triquetra is a triangular figure composed of three interlaced arcs that relates to the number three, like the three activities of ancient society: worship, war, and toil, the tripartite division of the world into the realms of Land, Sea, and Sky, the three moon and sun phases. It is also thought to have a connection with ancient triple goddesses.
Trinacria is a triangular symbol composed of three legs bent at the knee. The symbol is anciently closely associated with Sicily and the Greek society. The three legs in the Trinacria Symbol stand for the three promontories of Sicily. In the Symbol of Sicily, the Trinacria also presents the head of Medusa with entwined serpent’s hair and ears of corn. The ears of wheat represent the symbol of the fertility of the land while the head of Medusa refers to the three gorgon and the ancient apotropaic symbol of the gorgoneion. The arrangement of the three legs, suggests a rotation connected with the cycles of Time, Sun, and Moon.
The Three Hares symbol features three hares or rabbits chasing each other in a circle. Each of the ears is shared by two hares, so that only three ears are shown. The symbol is thought to have a range of symbolic or mystical associations with fertility and the lunar cycle. Rabbits and hare have always been associated with the fertility of the earth, the rebirth of spring and the moon phases, so the symbol is also connected with the idea of life, death, and rebirth, with the three phases of women’s life and with the menstrual cycle.
Thanks to those powerful symbolism, these figures have always been used as a protection amulet, as an apotropaic symbol, and as a charm for luck, abundance, and prosperity.
89- Samantha Stephens (Elizabeth Montgomery) from Bewitched (1964-1972).
If there is a witch who needs no introduction, its Samantha Stephens. She was perhaps one of the first witches to enter the hearts and homes of millions of Americans through the hit television show centered around her. Up until the recent popularization of witchcraft, very few witches have achieved the kind of impact and inter-generational staying power as that of Samantha, and she continues to serve as the gauge against which all future witches and occult-based television shows are judged.
Bewitched was ground breaking for its time. Shows about white, upper-class families were commonplace, but in its own way Bewitched turned that on its head. Samantha was caught struggling with the dichotomy of her power and her marriage. Instead of the traditional role of “good housewife” coming easily to Sam, it’s a role intrinsically opposed to her nature. While the point of the show is still ultimately her trying to adopt this persona of a traditional mortal wife, her true self is not contained within the metaphorical broom closet as quietly and easily as she’d like.
Samantha was one of the first domestic witches struggling to live this dual life. As much as I loved her husband(s) Darrin, he illustrates the ongoing theme of men who can’t handle a strong woman, and asks her to restrain herself and the use of her magic. Samantha is a powerful sorceress who is briefly hinted at being potentially hundreds of years old, and yet he wants her docile. This is a theme women know all too well— conceal your strengths and be subservient.
The show as a whole defined much about our collective understanding of witchcraft and our idea of the magical realm. It raised the serious concerns witches (and any minority) have of being discovered/outed, and the lengths people will go to in hopes of concealing their true identity. In this way, Bewitched continues the longstanding parallel between the witch identity and a queer identity, and Elizabeth Montgomery outside of Bewitched was an active supporter of women’s and gay rights.
Samantha is the original American housewife witch. In later episodes, she becomes a great Witch Queen, but still remains in her domestic role. Interestingly, Samantha’s birthday makes her a Gemini, perfectly illustrating her ability to live a double life of mortal and witch. The lesson from her is not “be a wife” or “be a witch”, but rather “be whoever your nose twitching self wants to be”. Samantha’s impact and longevity within witchcraft can be seen by anyone who goes to Salem, Mass., where she has a statue in her honor.
I'll be explain the difference between the four practices and the similarities.
Some put more into the Yule aspect than the Christ aspect. If it makes those remember the "reason for the season" then by all means, separate the two
Considering the residents can read the old Norse eddas & sagas in the original language without any difficulty, I’m sure they have a version closer to the original version of Norse Paganism than anyone else.
I think the most harmful thing to come out of consumerism in witchcraft communities is that people have thrown philosophy, theory, self discipline, history, and introspection to the wayside as skills to develop later. While putting the "need" to aquire objects and tools as the most important first step.
What's the point of all the crystals and herbs in the world if you don't know and understand WHY you're using them.
Oh and uh it blocks out poor and stigmatized communities from participating and makes it a luxury hobby. Which defeats the whole point of it historically being a resource for the oppressed and disadvantaged.
i never really understood the whole "you need this and that for your magic" mentality.
i grew up learning to do magic with nothing but myself, and even though i enjoy using tools and crystals and herbs and whatnot, i can very well practice magic anywhere when i need to, even when i don't have any tools with me.
and while i don't think everyone should be required to learn how to magic with nothing but their mind and soul, i do believe that the witchcraft community as a whole needs to stop telling themselves and others that they need this specific crystal because it's gonna "change your life", or that you absolutely have to have fancy incense, 300 different herbs and the bones of at least 4 different animals.
work with what's available to you, at least once in a while. no fancy stuff.
If someone ever tells you "it's VITAL you have this __ for your craft" walk the other way.
Using what you have on hand is key, because back in the day witches did not have all these "fancy" things on hand. They relied on their gnosis and the earth.
You may be missing very important magical symbols, lessons, and spirits if you're only looking for things to present themselves in ancient, mystical, or "natural" ways. Sometimes a deities presence is felt in a fast food restaurant, and the universe slips sermons into the song selection of your daily commute.
The world we live in is modern, do not reduce the universe to only the archaic. It aged with us.
(Note Well: this post is based on what I remember from my high school Latin classes, *cough* years ago, heavily supplemented with information taken from The Wikipedia Article About the Festival)
A feast dedicated to the God Saturn, who ruled over the world during humanity’s Golden Age, when we lived off the bounty of the land, without labor, or social hierarchies, The days of festival were meant to (temporarily) recreate those conditions (Jove forbid it be permanent! *clutches pearls*)
The length of the feast celebration expanded over the years, starting with one day of a public festival, until it ended up being a week long by the end of the Roman Empire.
At its greatest extent, it was celebrated from the 17th to the 23rd of December.
This varied over the centuries, naturally, and some of what we have about the festivities were written by Christian authors, after the fact, so add salt to taste, accordingly.
On the first day of Saturnalia (the 17th), the statue of Saturn was taken from his temple and paraded through the streets on a couch. A sacrifice was made to him in the Greek manner. Courts were closed, schools were closed, and mandatory exercise regimens were suspended.
Throughout December, gladiatorial games were held and (according to Christian sources) the gladiators who were killed were offered as sacrifices to Saturn.
Gambling was allowed.
On the second and third day of Saturnalia (the 18th and 19th), families had private ceremonies, and the wealthier sacrificed a suckling pig. Business was suspended.
Slaves were freed for the period of Saturnalia, and were free to make fun of their masters without punishment. Everyone wore a Pileus – a conical felt hat that was worn by emancipated slaves.
Decorum was abandoned, and people wore their brightly colored evening clothes during the day.
The 19th of December was dedicated to gift-giving. Because this was a holiday of egalitarianism, ostentatious gifts between adults were frowned on in favor of “gag” gifts – a personalized, cheep, gift that referenced an inside joke between you and a friend were the best*. Gifts of candles and masks were the common “general” gift – a recognition of the practice of human sacrifice, and a celebration of the fact that we Don’t Do That Anymore. And children got toys.
“Io, Saturnalia!” ‘Io” was pronounced as either “Yo!” or “ih-oh!”
*(The origin of the British Christmas Cracker, which spread outward from the Roman Provincial Capital city of Londinium)
Todays blog is on the history & origins of Yule, Christmas, Saturnalia, & the winter solstice
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The Pagan holiday called Yule takes place on the day of the winter solstice, around December 21 in the northern hemisphere (below the equator, the winter solstice falls around June 21). On that day, an amazing thing happens in the sky above us. The earth's axis tilts away from the sun in the Northern Hemisphere, and the sun reaches its greatest distance from the equatorial plane.
Did You Know?
Traditional customs such as the Yule log, the decorated tree, and wassailing can all be traced back to the Norse people, who called this festival Jul.
The Romans celebrated Saturnalia beginning on Dec. 17, a week-long festival in honor of the god Saturn, that involved sacrifices, gift-giving, and feasting.
In ancient Egypt, the return of Ra, the sun god, was celebrated, as a way of thanking him for warming the land and the crops.
Many cultures around the world have winter festivals that are in fact celebrations of light. In addition to Christmas, there's Hanukkah with its brightly lit menorahs, Kwanzaa candles, and any number of other holidays. As a festival of the Sun, the most important part of any Yule celebration is light — candles, bonfires, and more. Let's take a look at some of the history behind this celebration, and the many customs and traditions that have emerged at the time of the winter solstice, all around the globe.
European Origins of Yule
In the Northern hemisphere, the winter solstice has been celebrated for millennia. The Norse peoples, who called it Jul, viewed it as a time for much feasting and merrymaking. In addition, if the Icelandic sagas are to be believed, this was a time of sacrifice as well. Traditional customs such as the Yule log, the decorated tree, and wassailing can all be traced back to Norse origins.
The Celts of the British Isles celebrated midwinter as well. Although little is known today about the specifics of what they did, many traditions persist. According to the writings of Pliny the Elder, this is the time of year in which Druid priests sacrificed a white bull and gathered mistletoe in celebration.
The editors over at Huffington Post remind us that:
"Until the 16th century, the winter months were a time of famine in northern Europe. Most cattle were slaughtered so that they wouldn’t have to be fed during the winter, making the solstice a time when fresh meat was plentiful. Most celebrations of the winter solstice in Europe involved merriment and feasting. In pre-Christian Scandinavia, the Feast of Juul, or Yule, lasted for 12 days celebrating the rebirth of the sun and giving rise to the custom of burning a Yule log."
Roman Saturnalia
Few cultures knew how to party like the Romans. Saturnalia, which fell on December 17, was a festival of general merrymaking and debauchery held around the time of the winter solstice. This week-long party was held in honor of the god Saturn and involved sacrifices, gift-giving, special privileges for slaves, and a lot of feasting. Although this holiday was partly about giving presents, more importantly, it was to honor an agricultural god.
A typical Saturnalia gift might be something like a writing tablet or tool, cups and spoons, clothing items, or food. Citizens decked their halls with boughs of greenery, and even hung small tin ornaments on bushes and trees. Bands of naked revelers often roamed the streets, singing and carousing — a sort of naughty precursor to today's Christmas caroling tradition.
Welcoming the Sun Through the Ages
Four thousand years ago, the Ancient Egyptians took the time to celebrate the daily rebirth of Ra, the god of the Sun. As their culture flourished and spread throughout Mesopotamia, other civilizations decided to get in on the sun-welcoming action. They found that things went really well... until the weather got cooler, and crops began to die. Each year, this cycle of birth, death, and rebirth took place, and they began to realize that every year after a period of cold and darkness, the Sun did indeed return.
Winter festivals were also common in Greece and Rome, as well as in the British Isles. When a new religion called Christianity popped up, the new hierarchy had trouble converting the Pagans, and as such, folks didn't want to give up their old holidays. Christian churches were built on old Pagan worship sites, and Pagan symbols were incorporated into the symbolism of Christianity. Within a few centuries, the Christians had everyone worshiping a new holiday celebrated on December 25, although scholars believe it is more likely that Jesus was born around April rather than in the winter.
In some traditions of Wicca and Paganism, the Yule celebration comes from the Celtic legend of the battle between the young Oak King and the Holly King. The Oak King, representing the light of the new year, tries each year to usurp the old Holly King, who is the symbol of darkness. Re-enactment of the battle is popular in some Wiccan rituals.
Next blog will be on the Holly & Oak King stay tuned
Holiday blessings,
Culture Calypso’s Blog
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Michael Kerbow, Esther Remmington
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the star fairies by edith odgen harrison
