Into the Woods: Magic Magic has long been a captivating element of human imagination. From ancient folklore and mythology to modern fantasy novels and films, the concept of magic continues to enthral audiences worldwide. One notable setting that often intertwines the world of magic with human experiences is the enchanted forest, commonly portrayed in stories, plays, and movies such as "Into the Woods." "Into the Woods" is a musical that premiered on Broadway in 1987, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and a book by James Lapine. The show weaves together various fairy tales, including Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel, and takes the characters and the audience on a journey into a magical woods. The woods in "Into the Woods" act as a metaphorical space where characters encounter both the wonders and dangers of magic.
The woods in "Into the Woods" act as a metaphorical space where characters encounter both the wonders and dangers of magic. Initially, the woods represent a place of desires and quests, where each character embarks on a journey to fulfill their dreams. They seek solutions to their problems, whether it's the childless Baker and his Wife longing for a child, Cinderella yearning to escape her oppressive life, or Jack hoping for a better future for himself and his cow.
Occult birthday blessing
(Does God endorse them?)
Many people today celebrate the day of their birth. It is so common that it would seem very odd to even think that God might be offended by such a practice. However, the question should be asked, does God have an opinion regarding our celebration of the day of our birth? This is a question that this article will try to answer. I want to state up front that there is not a clear cut answer in the scripture (at least I haven't found one). In other words, there is not a scriptural law that says we should not practice birthdays, but you can infer this from some passages. Please read with an open mind and understand that each believer needs to decide for themselves if they should practice birthdays or not. It is the intent of this article to demonstrate that birthdays are not endorsed by the scriptures and believers should not practice them.
Birthdays in History:
It might surprise some to hear that birthdays have a pagan origin. Though it seems innocent enough, the idea comes from witchcraft. “Originally the idea [of birthdays] was rooted in magic. The working of spells for good and evil is the chief usage of witchcraft. One is especially susceptible to such spells on his birthday, as one’s personal spirits are about at that time" (Ralph and Adelin Linton, The Lore of Birthdays, 1953, p. 20). People who celebrated birthdays did so in an attempt to reach the occult. This day is considered the highest day of the year for a witch or warlock (Lavey A, Gilmore P, The Satanic Bible, 1976, p. 96). The intent is to seek out the occult to receive special blessings on your special day.
If we think about it, all the traditions we do on birthdays have an occult meaning. Here is a short list of some of these traditions:
Ancient pagans believed the fire from the candles had magic powers. These represented their prayers to their pagan gods.
The cone hat from birthdays have a clear connection to the witches cone hat in history.
The receiving of gifts on ones birthday is associated with sacrifices to pagan gods. On this day you are the god receiving the sacrifice. This is why we make wishes when we blow out the candles. We want to receive a blessing from the gods and the candles carry the prayers for us.
Ancient pagans believed that the position of the stars at the time of one's birth had great meaning in the future of that person. This is where horoscopes come from. God intended the moon, stars, and sun to be used to distinguish times and seasons (Gen. 1:14), but not this way.
As you look at some of the birthday customs today you can clearly see the connection to pagan witchcraft. Ancient pagan man used birthdays as a means to appease their god, to exalt themselves, and to receive special blessings. This clearly is not a biblical practice.
Birthdays in the Early Church:
To my knowledge, there is no record of any of the Apostles, or early church fathers, who celebrated their birthdays. However, there are records of early church fathers who condemn the practice. Origen of Alexandria stated, "Of all the holy people in the Scriptures, no one is recorded to have kept a feast or held a great banquet on his birthday . It is only sinners who make great rejoicings over the day on which they were born into this world below" (Origen of Alexandria, in Levit., Hom. VIII, in Migne P.G., XII, 495, from the Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 10). The Catholic writer Arnobius, from the third century wrote, "you worship with couches, altars, temples, and other service, and by celebrating their games and birthdays , those whom it was fitting that you should assail with keenest hatred" (Arnobius, Against the Heathen, Chapter 64). Many other church fathers wrote against birthdays as well.
In fact, the Jews have always held that the practice of celebrating one's birth was against the scriptures. Josephus, a first century Jewish historian, wrote, "Nay, indeed, the law does not permit us to make festivals at the birth of our children, and thereby afford occasion of drinking to excess" (Josephus, Josephus Complete Works, 1977, p. 632). The Encyclopedia Judaica states, "The celebration of birthdays is unknown in traditional Jewish ritual" (Encyclopedia Judaica, vol.4, p.1054). There are numerous quotes from Jewish sources that validate this claim. It wasn't until recently that the Jews started accepting the practice of birthdays.
Birthdays in the Scriptures:
As stated earlier, the scripture does not speak directly to the topic of birthdays, but we can infer some things. Here are some scriptures commonly used to demonstrate God's displeasure with the celebration of birthdays.
- The Scriptures only mention two different birthday celebrations. Each of these celebrations were by pagan men and each contained an evil done on that day. The first of which is the birthday of Pharaoh in Genesis 40:20-22. Here the Pharaoh had one prisoner killed and one prisoner freed. The second is Herod's birthday in Mark 6:21, 25-28. Here Herodias' daughter danced for Herod and was promised anything she wanted. She asked for John the Baptist's head on a silver platter. This was promptly carried out.
- There is a law which bans witchcraft and sorcery (Deut. 18:10-12). We have already seen the connection between witchcraft and birthdays.
- Job, a righteous man, had great concern for his children who practiced birthdays (Job 1:4-5). Here Job sacrificed to the Lord out of concern that his children had a feast on their birthday. Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually" (Job 1:5). Apparently Job offered sacrifices for his children regularly for celebrating birthdays.
- The Prophet Jeremiah cursed the day he was born (Jer. 20:14-18).
- Job cursed the day he was born (Job 3:1-5).
- Solomon stated, "A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth" (Eccl. 7:1).
Though these verses do not directly state that birthdays are not to be followed, they do imply that they are a negative practice. It seems clear to me that the many negative aspects the scripture mentions relating to birthdays is cause enough to stop the practice. All this aside, there is one more reason stronger than all to not practice birthdays. If we are following the Hebrew calendar, the practice of birthdays is impossible. Remember, the Hebrew calendar is not a set calendar. In fact, you can hardly call it a calendar at all. The Hebrew calendar is based on the crops and the moon. When the first crops of the year turn green, the next new moon is the first day of the first month abib (Ex. 12:2, 13:4, , Deut. 16:1). The Hebrew word for abib is 'âbı̂yb which means, "to be tender, green, that is a young ear of grain" (Strong's Concordance - H24). The first day of the year changes each year and therefore the day of your birth is different each year. You can hardly call this celebrating your birthday when the calendar being used fluctuates. This alone has caused me to believe that the practice of birthdays is not endorsed by the God of the scriptures. If it were endorsed, His calendar would provide a way to celebrate it.
The evidence seems clear to me, although not directly stated, that believers are not to celebrate birthdays. If we were supposed to celebrate birthdays, God's calendar would have provided a way for us to celebrate them. If we were supposed to celebrate birthdays, the scriptures would have provided us the date of the Messiah's birth so we can celebrate it. If we were supposed to celebrate birthdays, there would have no doubt been a positive example of this celebration in the scripture. As it stands, there is not one piece of evidence from the scriptures to validate the celebration of the day of our birth. It might be wise for us to error on the side of caution and avoid the practice in light of this evidence. After all, if God wanted us to celebrate our birthdays, He probably would have made a law for it.
By Steve Siefken
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth
not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15 KJV
If we think about it, all the traditions we do on birthdays have an occult meaning. Here is a short list of some of these traditions:
However, as the characters venture further into the woods, they face unexpected challenges and confront their own fears and shortcomings. Magic in "Into the Woods" becomes a catalyst for transformation and growth, but it also presents them with moral dilemmas and consequences they hadn't considered. The woods function as a place of introspection, where characters must confront their desires and make choices that lead to lasting consequences. In the show, magic is portrayed not only through the fantastical characters and elements but also through the power of song and words. The musical numbers highlight the enchantment and mystery of the woods, showcasing how music can evoke emotions and provoke reflection. The interlocking melodies and harmonies create a magical atmosphere that draws the audience into the world of the story. Ultimately, "Into the Woods" explores the price of obtaining one's wishes and the importance of accepting responsibility for one's actions. It serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us that the pursuit of personal desires should be balanced with an understanding of the consequences it may bring. The magic of the woods acts as a reminder that life is a complex journey full of choices, and we must navigate carefully through its twists and turns. Like "Into the Woods," many other tales featuring enchanted forests and magic teach us valuable lessons about the human condition and the forces at work within ourselves. Whether it's the transformative power of love, the temptation of forbidden knowledge, or the importance of morality, magic serves as a lens through which we explore these universal themes. In conclusion, magic in storytelling, especially in tales set in enchanted woods, continues to captivate audiences and offer valuable insights into the human experience. "Into the Woods" is just one example of how magic can serve as a catalyst for personal growth and reflection. It reminds us that life itself is full of magic, and we must be mindful of the choices we make as we venture into the unknown, pursuing our dreams and confronting our fears..
Reviews for "Unveiling the hidden creatures of the enchanted woods"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Into the Wooda Magic". The storyline had so much potential, but it was poorly executed. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their struggles. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, and the pacing of the movie was all over the place. I found myself constantly checking my watch, waiting for something interesting to happen. Overall, it felt like a wasted opportunity.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I don't understand the hype around "Into the Wooda Magic". The film was a complete mess. The plot was convoluted and hard to follow, with random elements thrown in without any explanation. The acting was subpar, with wooden performances that failed to bring any believability to the characters. The musical numbers were forgettable and lacked the catchy tunes that make a musical enjoyable. I was left bored and unsatisfied by the end of the movie.
3. Emily - 2/5 stars - "Into the Wooda Magic" was a major letdown for me. The concept seemed intriguing, but the execution fell flat. The film lacked cohesiveness, with multiple storylines that didn't intertwine well. The pacing was slow and dragged on, making it a struggle to stay engaged. The songs were forgettable and failed to make an impact. I wished for more depth and character development, as the shallow portrayals left me feeling disconnected from the story. Overall, it was a forgettable experience that I wouldn't recommend.
4. Michael - 1/5 stars - I regretted spending my money on "Into the Wooda Magic". The movie was a jumbled mess from start to finish. The plot was confusing and poorly structured, with no clear direction. The characters were unlikable and lacked any redeeming qualities. The musical numbers were forgettable and failed to capture my attention. I found myself counting down the minutes until it was over. Save yourself the disappointment and skip this one.