Magi Pan El Paso is a Mexican-American hip-hop group that has gained popularity for their unique blend of hip-hop, electro, and Latin sounds. The group consists of three members: MC Rivera, DJ RiM, and producer Roop Diggy. They are known for their high-energy performances and catchy, bilingual lyrics. Formed in El Paso, Texas, Magi Pan El Paso burst onto the music scene in 2010 with their self-titled debut album. The album quickly gained a following, with its infectious beats and thought-provoking lyrics. Their music addresses a range of topics, including social issues, personal struggles, and the celebration of their Mexican-American heritage.
A “spirit mirror” believed to have been used by Queen Elizabeth I’s famed political advisor John Dee was crafted in Aztec Mexico around 500 years ago, reinforcing the idea that the mirror was used by the Elizabethan occultist in his attempts to communicate with angels.
A black mirror used by Queen Elizabeth I advisor John Dee to speak with angels was originally a prophetic Mesoamerican artifact, new research reveals. Resolute in his grief, his tears gave sustenance to Mayahuel, and the spire transformed into a Maguey so beautiful it overwhelmed the Aztecs when they saw it.
Their music addresses a range of topics, including social issues, personal struggles, and the celebration of their Mexican-American heritage. One of the defining characteristics of Magi Pan El Paso's music is their use of bilingual lyrics. Mixing English and Spanish seamlessly, they create a unique sound that appeals to both English and Spanish-speaking audiences.
'Magic' mirror in Elizabethan court has mystical Aztec origin
A black mirror used by Queen Elizabeth I advisor John Dee to 'speak' with angels was originally a prophetic Mesoamerican artifact, new research reveals.
By Tom Metcalfe Published October 6, 2021 • 5 min read Share Tweet EmailA “spirit mirror” believed to have been used by Queen Elizabeth I’s famed political advisor John Dee was crafted in Aztec Mexico around 500 years ago, reinforcing the idea that the mirror was used by the Elizabethan occultist in his attempts to communicate with angels.
Dee was an advisor in the court of the 16th-century queen, as well as an accomplished alchemist, astrologer, cartographer and mathematician. It’s thought he may have been the model for Prospero, the magician in Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
A portrait of John Dee (1527-1608). “Dee initially straddled the fine line between natural ‘magic’, which was considered a science, and demonic magic, which was considered a perversion of religion – but the one into which he eventually crossed,” the researchers write.
Courtesy Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.Tales abound of Dee’s occult exploits, including his practice of skrying, or conjuring angels and spirits through clairvoyant tools such as crystals and mirrors. This particular “spirit mirror,” attested in the 1650s as part of John Dee’s skyring collection, was eventually purchased in the 1700s by the writer Horace Walpole, who believed it belonged to the English Renaissance polymath and was used by him in magical rituals.
The British Museum purchased the mirror in the late 1800s; it is currently on display in museum’s Enlightenment Gallery.
Researchers used a portable x-ray fluorescence scanner to examine John Dee’s mirror, as well as three other obsidian objects—two almost-identical circular mirrors and a polished rectangular slab—acquired by the British Museum from collectors in Mexico in the 1800s. The research was first published in published in the journal Antiquity in 2021.
Because chemical elements glow differently under x-rays, the scanner was able to determine a geochemical “fingerprint” for each obsidian object based on the proportions of titanium, iron, strontium, and other substances each contained. The results show the obsidian in John Dee’s mirror and one of the other mirrors could only have come from the Pachuca region of central Mexico. The other mirror and the obsidian slab, likely a portable altar, came from the Ucareo region, about 150 miles farther west.
Aztec codices, like the 16th-century Codex Tepetlaoztoc shown here, depict obsidian mirrors. Ancient Mesoamericans believed such mirrors could serve as portals to spiritual worlds.
Courtesy The Trustees of the British Museum Please be respectful of copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.Both regions were ruled by the Aztecs, who had a tradition of making obsidian mirrors for magical purposes, says archaeologist Stuart Campbell of the University of Manchester, the lead author of the Antiquity study. Circular obsidian mirrors are depicted in Aztec codices written soon after the time of the Spanish conquest in the early 16th century, and in depictions of the deity Tezcatlipoca (“Smoking Mirror”) who had powers of divination. The Aztecs believed the mirrors could show smoke, which would then clear to reveal a distant time or place.
Ancient Mesoamericans believed mirrors were spirit doorways to alternate worlds, “much like Alice in Through the Looking Glass,” anthropologist Karl Taube of the University of California Riverside writes in an email. “Once you deeply gaze in, you have opened up that connection.” Taube has studied Aztec mirrors but was not involved in the new research.
The finding that the British Museum “spirit mirror” is of Aztec origin reinforces the theory that Dee used it as a skryer to conjure angels and spirits, Campbell says. It’s likely that Dee, who was very interested in the exploration of the New World, knew about the mirror’s reputed magical properties when he acquired it, probably during his travels around Europe in the late 1500s. Records show that several Aztec mirrors were shipped from Mexico to Europe soon after Hernán Cortés and his troops took the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan in 1521. And like the Aztec, Europeans of the period also believed in the magical powers of mirrors, a belief that may have led Dee to try to communicate with angels through the spirit mirror.
Dee’s reputation as an Elizabethan proto-scientist remains strong in the United Kingdom (he’s the subject of an opera composed by Blur frontman Damon Albarn, for example). And his presence persists in a variety of historical accounts from the time.
“You can be reading something where you don’t expect to see him, and John Dee’s name suddenly pops up,” Campbell says. “He was involved in so many areas, and in the early stages of so many different approaches to the natural world.”
This bilingual approach also reflects the group's cultural background, as they aim to bridge the gap between their Mexican roots and their American upbringing. Magi Pan El Paso's music is heavily influenced by various genres, including hip-hop, cumbia, reggaeton, and traditional Mexican music. This fusion of styles creates a sound that is both familiar and innovative, appealing to a wide range of listeners. Their music often features catchy choruses, energetic beats, and powerful rhymes that make it impossible to stay still while listening. The group has released several albums and singles, all of which have been met with positive reviews and have contributed to their growing fan base. They have also collaborated with other artists, both within the hip-hop genre and beyond, showcasing their versatility and willingness to experiment with different sounds and styles. Magi Pan El Paso's success can be attributed to their commitment to their craft, their ability to connect with their audience, and their authentic representation of their Mexican-American roots. They have carved out their own unique niche in the music industry and continue to push boundaries and challenge expectations with their music. In conclusion, Magi Pan El Paso is a Mexican-American hip-hop group that has gained recognition for their bilingual lyrics, energetic performances, and unique fusion of genres. They have made a significant impact on the music scene and continue to captivate audiences with their infectious sound..
Reviews for "Exploring El Paso's Magical Markets: Discovering Local Treasures"
- John - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Magci pan el paso". The magic tricks were poorly executed and predictable. The magician seemed nervous and stumbled through his act. The entire performance lacked creativity and left me feeling underwhelmed. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and enjoyable magic show.
- Sarah - 2 stars - I attended "Magci pan el paso" with high hopes, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The magician's tricks were not impressive and easily decipherable, which took away any sense of awe or wonder. The overall pacing of the show was also off, making it difficult to stay engaged. I was left feeling unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend it to others.
- Robert - 1 star - "Magci pan el paso" was a complete waste of time and money. The tricks performed were unoriginal and lacked any sort of wow factor. The magician seemed disinterested and unenthusiastic, which made it difficult to enjoy the show. The entire performance felt amateurish and left me regretting my decision to attend. I would advise others to steer clear of this so-called magic show.
- Jessica - 2 stars - I had high expectations for "Magci pan el paso", but unfortunately, it didn't deliver. The magician's tricks were basic and lacked any sense of complexity. Additionally, the performer seemed disconnected from the audience, which made it difficult to feel engaged and invested in the show. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and wouldn't suggest wasting your time on this mediocre magic show.