Winter Solstice Feast Ideas for Pagans The Winter Solstice is a significant event for pagans, marking the longest night of the year and the return of light and warmth. It is a time of celebration, reflection, and gathering with loved ones. If you are planning a Winter Solstice feast for pagans, here are some ideas to make it special and meaningful. **Decorations** Create a cozy and mystical ambiance by decorating your space with natural elements like evergreen branches, fairy lights, and candles. You can also incorporate symbols of the sun and moon, such as golden discs and crescent shapes. Setting up an altar with crystals, feathers, and statues of deities associated with the sun or rebirth can enhance the spiritual essence of the feast.

LYCANTHRO Conjures Visions Of The Salem Witch Trials In "Crucible"

Canadian power metal outfit Lycanthro have unleashed a very Arthur Miller inspired video for the lead single off their newest album Mark of the Wolf, "Crucible." As with all things Lycanthro, they manage to encapsulate a solid classic heavy metal sound whilst keeping it fresh and new. "Crucible," and the entirety of Mark of the Wolf, is packed with soaring vocals, killer guitar riffs and solos, pounding bass lines and thunderous drums.

Vocalist and guitarist James Delbridge explains in further detail: "I wrote this song back when I was in high school; I actually wrote the lyrics of this song while I was in English class instead of doing my school work. The story of 'The Crucible' really fascinated me and I felt as though it would translate perfectly into a metal song. There are also references to other witchcraft stories such as William Shakespeare's Macbeth. In terms of the music, I was aiming for a kind of a Judas Priest meets Death vibe and I think that got pulled off on this track."

Mark of the Wolf is out now via Alone Records and can be purchased HERE.

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Witch Hunt - history told in music, sound, and story Brian O'Connell

The history of the 1692 Salem Witch Trials told through music and story-telling in a format recalling an old time radio drama with a modern experimental prog-rock twist. Witch Hunt borrows freely from original sources of information from the time of the trials such as letters, books, poems, transcriptions of the trials themselves, as well as melodies from the Puritan hymn books. The music is highly original art-rock ranging from soft ambient soundscapes to heavy power riffs with many other stops along the way. The narrator provides a story teller voice that weaves a historical thread throughout each episode. Witch Hunt is conceived, written, and produced by Brian O'Connell, who records and produces the show, playing a wide variety of instruments and voice parts. O'Connell is a well known bassist and composer in New England who has performed with: Arukah, Dead Man's Waltz, Uncle Sammy, Gordon Stone, Gary Backstrom, Dave Brunyak, Interminable, and many others. In 2012 Brian debuted his rock opera Over The Line, a Jungian journey through modern consciousness, for a successful series of performances in Boston. Brian O'Connell - voice, 6 and 12 string guitars, fretted and fretless bass, upright bass, touch guitar, sintir, keyboards, moog synth, percussion Mike Harmon - drums, cymbals, percussion Rachel Koppelman - accordion www.brianvoconnell.com

• OCT 30, 2023

Episode 5 - Examinations

The three suspected witches are now in custody in Salem Village and are publicly examined by colonial magistrates at the Meeting House. The first two suspects, local beggar woman Sarah Good and the scandalous but frail Sarah Osborn, deny being witches and blame others. The third suspect, Rev. Parris' Native American slave Tituba, begins like the others by denying the charges. However she soon changes her story and weaves a kaleidoscopic narrative full of fantastic characters that enthralls the village. Everyone is amazed with wonder but also struck with fear at the potential size of the witch conspiracy, which now seems much larger than the usual small handful of suspects that New Englanders are used to.

The actual 1692 written accounts of these three examinations are used as the primary source for the script of this episode.

All music written by Brian O'Connell - www.brianvoconnell.com

Episode 5 Parts:

Part I - Gathering Storm
Part II - Witches Teats, Magistrates Arrive, Meeting House
Part III - Examination of Sarah Good
Part IV - Examination of Sarah Osborn
Part V - Examination of Sarah Tituba
Part VI - The Familiars
Part VII - The storm begins to spread (Gathering Storm Reprise)

Brian O'Connell - voice, guitar, 12-string acoustic guitar, bass guitar, upright bass, keyboards, synthesizers

Recorded at Studio Vinniechops
Mixed, Edited, Mastered by Brian O'Connell

“The Salem Witch Trials – A Day-By-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege” by Marilynne K. Roach, Taylor Trade Publishing, 2002

"A Storm of Witchcraft - The Salem Witch Trials and the American Experience“ by Emerson W. Baker, Oxford University Press, 2015

"In the Devil's Snare - The Salem Witchcraft Crisis" by Mary Beth Norton, Vintage Books, 2002

Salem Witch Trials - Documentary Archive and Transcription Project - University of Virginia - https://salem.lib.virginia.edu/n125.html

Support the show

• OCT 26, 2022

Episode 4 - Accusations

The hysterical and violent fits of the young girls in Salem Village spreads from the family of Minister Samuel Parris to that of Thomas Putnam, the head household of one of the most powerful families in the village. When Elizabeth Hubbard, niece of the local doctor, begins to have fits the door is opened for legal action, as the other girls were too young to be witnesses in court. It is widely assumed that malefic witchcraft is taking place. Putnam goes with some supporters to Salem Town to make official accusations against local suspects. The accused are: Tituba, a native-American household slave of minister Parris; Sarah Good, a local beggar woman who is an embarrassment and a nuisance to the village, and Sarah Osborne, a scandalous figure who had gone against the Putnam family in court. The three women, all likely suspects for witchcraft are rounded up and brought into custody. All the while the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay colony live in constant terror of encroaching warfare in Maine and New Hampshire.
All music written by Brian O'Connell except:
“Long Cold Nights” from the collection of traditional fiddle tunes called “Apollo’s Banquet” compiled by Henry Playford, 1690.
“Second Meter – Psalm 119” adapted from the Bay Psalm Book, 1698.
Recorded at Studio Vinniechops, 2021-2022

Episode IV Parts:
Part I - “Long Cold Nights”
Part II - Sarah Good, Mary Sibley’s witch cake (music – “Long Cold Nights” & “Second Meter”)
Part III - “A Perfect Storm”
Part IV – “The Accused”
Brian O’Connell – nylon and steel string acoustic guitars, electric 12-string guitar, bass guitar, piccolo bass guitar, acoustic and electric upright basses, piano, moog synthesizer, acoustic guitar w/ glass slide & ebow, cymbal, percussion, voice
Rachel Koppelman – accordion

A Perfect Storm
Long cold dark nights
Growing shorter with each day
The rains of March
Winter washed away
Tempest driving on the fields
Roads turn into mud
To the west the river has overflowed
And drowned the cows
From London comes a new charter
New government and laws
Blasphemers are welcome now
In the land of puritans
New masters come to rule us all
The city on the hill will fall
War is coming from the East
Bringing refugees
Telling tales of burning homes
And mutilations
How many have already turned
Signed their names into his book
If we need someone to blame
We can provide a list of names
Our complaint we swore before the court
We gave the names of the accused
Much mischief done on our poor girls
The constables have been sent out
To bring them before the Magistrates

“The Salem Witch Trials – A Day-By-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege” by Marilynne K. Roach, Taylor Trade Publishing, 2002

"A Storm of Witchcraft - The Salem Witch Trials and the American Experience“ by Emerson W. Baker, Oxford University Press, 2015

"In the Devil's Snare - The Salem Witchcraft Crisis" by Mary Beth Norton, Vintage Books, 2002

Support the show

• MAR 9, 2021

Episode 3 - Fits

During the extremely cold winter of 1692 an intense frustration has been building in Salem Village, a small farming community up the road from the more prosperous and worldly port city of Salem Town. Many factors are coalescing into a perfect storm: the repressive nature of the Calvinistic Puritan church, the limited prospects for girls and young women, the village resistance to the conservative and overbearing minister Samuel Parris, and a terrifying new war that is breaking out with the French in Canada and their Native allies. During the months of January and February several young girls in the households of Minister Parris and his close ally Thomas Putnam begin to exhibit extremely wild and disturbing behavior. They contort their bodies, go mute and stiff, run about the house wildly, and scream obscenities. The girls are not the first to act in this way, just a few years before in nearby Boston the children of the Goodwin household acted in the same manner, resulting in a neighboring Irish servant woman being put to death as an accused witch. The fits of the girls in Salem Village are determined to be the results of witchcraft and three women are accused, including Minister Parris's slave Tituba.

All music written by Brian O'Connell except "Cambridge Short Tune - Psalm 70" adapted from the Bay Psalm Book, 1698.

Episode 3 Parts:

Part I - Village and Town

Part II - Fear of God (Cambridge Short Tune - Psalm 70)

Part III - King William's War

Part IV - The Fits

Part V - (Cambridge Short Tune reprise)

Brian O'Connell - voice, piano, upright bass, acoustic 12-string guitar, electric guitar, bri-lo, drum, percussion

Rachel Koppelman - accordion

Recorded at Studio Vinniechops

"Diares of Samuel Sewall" by Samuel Sewall, 1672-1729

"More Wonders of the Invisible World: or the Wonders of the Invisible World Displayed in Five Parts" by Robert Calef, 1700

"A brief and true narrative of some remarkable passages relating to sundry persons afflicted by witchcraft, in Salem Village: which happened from the nineteenth of March, to the fifth of April, 1692" by Deodat Lawson, 1692

"A Modest Inquiry Into The Nature Of Witchcraft" by John Hale, 1702

"Memorable Providences, Relating To Witchcrafts And Possessions" by Cotton Mather, 1689

"A Storm of Witchcraft - The Salem Witch Trials and the American Experience“ by Emerson W. Baker, Oxford University Press, 2015

"In the Devil's Snare - The Salem Witchcraft Crisis" by Mary Beth Norton, Vintage Books, 2002

Support the show

• OCT 31, 2020

Episode 2 - The City on a Hill

Samuel Parris takes on the job as minister to Salem Village, a marginalized farming community split by rivalry and controversy. Salem Village is overshadowed by the larger and much more prosperous Salem Town, one of the two largest towns in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The colony is ruled by the Puritans, who have broken away from the Church of England and colonized New England in hopes of creating a model Christian society, a "City on a Hill”. Crisis evolves as newer generations lack the religious enthusiasm of the founders. Hardship presses down on the colony on many fronts: war with Native tribes, disease epidemics, religious controversy, political and economic crisis. The entry of Parris into the powder keg that is Salem Village sets off a firestorm of persecution and retribution.

All music written by Brian O'Connell, except "Second Meter - Psalm 119", adapted from The Bay Psalm Book, 1698.

Episode 2 Parts:
Part I - The Parsonage - Parris, with his family and Tituba, come to Salem Village
Part II - The City on the Hill - the story of the Puritans and New England (Second Meter - Psalm 119)
Part III - The Great Migration (w/ some lyrics borrowed from Michael Wigglesworth’s poem: “God’s Controversy with New England”, 1662)
Part IV - Village vs. Town
Part V - The Parsonage Reprise (w/ text taken from the sermon book of Samuel Parris, 1690-1691)

The Great Migration

We have crossed the ocean of rebirth
Planted seeds in this God given earth

Behold the pleasures of the fruitful fields
Flowing full of all good things that they yield

Realize his will
Let the world see the city on the hill
His word shall be fulfilled, his kingdom we shall build
*
Search your soul and pray for holy grace
Confess your sins let the tears baptize your face

Only a very few are chosen to be saved
The Devil takes the rest for his own to be enslaved

By searching deep within
You might find a clue and then begin
To see the holy truth, to realize your sin
*
We brought ourselves to plant on the western shore
Where none but beasts and warriors did swarm

One wave another follow and one disease begins
Before another cease because we turn not from our sins

Our fruitful seasons cast in doubt
Through great pain and dry and parching drought
Defenders in a route, our hopes are all dashed out
*
The clouds gather as if we finally will see rain
But for our sinfulness are scattered round again

We pray and fast as if to take a turn
But we turn not and our fields and fruits will burn

Oh sinful land don’t think it strange
If judgement comes down on you unless you change

The Devil in a rage, affairs must rearrange

Brian O'Connell - voice, bass guitar, fretless bass, 8-string bass, piccolo bass (solo on The Great Migration), 6 and 12-string acoustic guitars, keyboards, moog synthesizers, bass drum

Mike Harmon - drums, cymbals, percussion

Recorded at Studio Vinniechops and Wachusett Recording

Sources
"A Storm of Witchcraft - The Salem Witch Trials and the American Experience“
by Emerson W. Baker, Oxford University Press, 2015

"Salem Possessed - The Social Origins of Witchcraft“
by Paul Boyer and Stephen Nissenbaum, Harvard University Press, 1974

"The Puritans in America - Narrative Anthology”
edited by Alan Heimert and Andrew Delbanco, Harvard University Press, 1985
Support the show

• SEP 29, 2020

Episode 1 - Tituba's Journey

This is the story of an Arawak woman called Tituba: how she was kidnapped by the English from South America when she was just a young girl and enslaved. Growing up on a plantation in Barbados, she absorbed multiple cultural influences from her fellow enslaved Africans and her English mistress. Her inner world becomes a confluence of Arawak, West African, and English myths and magic. We follow her as she is taken by a frustrated and angry young Puritan man named Samuel Parris to a new life in Massachusetts. They arrive first in Boston and then move to Salem Village, a small frontier community infested with jealousy and rivalry, and haunted by fear and suspicion.

All music written by Brian O'Connell except "Old Oxford Tune (Psalm 4)" adapted from the Bay Psalm Book, 1698.

Episode 1 Parts:

Part I - Witch Hunt Theme
Part II - Oxford Tune
Part III - Captured and Enslaved
Part IV - The Cunning Tradition
Part V - Parris, Boston, and Salem
Part VI - Witch Hunt Theme (reprise)

Variation on the Oxford Tune
(Music adapted from The Bay Psalm Book, published in Boston in 1698)

Do you know of the coming storm?
The people gone astray
Their sins break free Satan from his chains
Stars fall, moon turns to blood
Fear, greed, and gossip rule the day
Old rivalries reborn
Blame cast upon thy neighbor’s home
The Beast is free to roam

Brian O'Connell - voice, bass guitar, fretless bass, touch guitar, 12-string acoustic guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, sintir, percussion

Mike Harmon - drums, cymbals, percussion

Recorded at Studio Vinniechops and Wachusett Recording.
History Book Sources

"Tituba - Reluctant Witch of Salem - Devilish Indians and Puritan Fantasies"
by Elaine G. Breslaw, New York University Press, 1996

"The Devil's Dominion - Magic and Religion in Early New England"
by Richard Godbeer, Cambridge University Press, 1992

The Crucible Activity | Salem Witch Trials Music Playlist and Song Analysis

The Teacher-Author indicated this resource includes assets from Google Workspace (e.g. docs, slides, etc.).

Also included in

Your students will make personal connections to early American literature and Puritan society with this creative Salem Witch Trials Resource Bundle! Provide students with the background knowledge they'll need and heighten their anticipation while reading "The Crucible," The Scarlet Letter, or any ea

Enhance your American Literature curriculum with these modern, relevant, and engaging high school English resources! This diverse bundle will breathe life into your 11th grade American Literature course throughout the entire year! This resource includes research projects, high school English bell ri

Description

Are your students suffering from disconnect while reading "The Crucible," The Scarlet Letter, or with any early American literature? This music playlist project will help your students make modern connections with Puritan society and their beliefs!

The application activities will deepen students' background knowledge while also fostering their critical and creative thinking skills. This is the project for all those students who wear their headphones constantly. Who says fun activities don't have academic value.

Let's prove them wrong!

Students will select thematic songs that represent the history of 17th Century Massachusetts, the Salem witch trials, the motivation behind the accusers, and the inferred emotions of the accused. This activity will help your students relate to some of the REAL motivating factors behind those who accused others - including, but not limited to, greed, revenge, resentment, and fear!

Model song playlists have been created for you in Spotify and SoundCloud. The sample playlists will inspire and excite your students! An alternative has also been provided if students are unable to create song playlists online.

Differentiation is included so all of your students can be successful! Step-by-step directions are outlined on a modern Google Slides Hyperdoc. You can easily differentiate your instruction for those students who need information and directions grouped in small, organized steps!

Your students will have a completely different perspective when examining early American literature or learning about colonial history once the activities have been completed!

Please note that this is not an introduction to Puritan society or the Salem Witch Trials but created to supplement your current teaching!

The following activities and materials are included with this resource:

• Students will enjoy relating a modern-day Rob Zombie song to the historical events behind the Salem Witch Trials. They will be even more engaged while crafting their own unique music playlists!
• Also included with this resource is a screenshot tutorial that instructs students on how to use the highlighting tool within Google Docs and how to insert comments as annotations. This can be utilized each year with students who may lack familiarity with Google Doc tools.
• Two highlighting and annotation application activities are included with answer keys (using songs with relevant themes)
• Salem Witch Trials Project Hyperdoc with step-by-step directions
• Music Playlist Grading Rubric and Teacher's Answer Keys for the 2 additional activities
• Editable materials]
• Printable option for student handouts
• Teacher's Guide with Google Drive resource links and implementation tips

The Salem Witch Trials Music Playlist and Song Analysis Activity provides 3 high-interest, engaging activities for students to enjoy! This activity is perfect as a final project after reading The Crucible!

This resource is also offered in a teaching bundle! Buy the Digital Salem Witch Trials Resource Bundle and Save!

This resource is copyrighted by Teen Tech University and includes a single license for classroom use.

Setting up an altar with crystals, feathers, and statues of deities associated with the sun or rebirth can enhance the spiritual essence of the feast. **Menu** When planning your feast, focus on foods that are seasonal and representative of the earth's bounty. Root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and parsnips are an excellent choice, as they symbolize the nourishing qualities of the soil.

Incorporate fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage to add warmth and flavor to your dishes. Additionally, you can serve hearty stews and soups made with ingredients sourced from local vendors or farmers' markets. **Beverages** Mulled wine or cider is a popular choice for Winter Solstice feasts as they provide warmth and comfort. You can infuse them with spices like cinnamon, cloves, and star anise to add depth of flavor. Non-alcoholic options like herbal teas or hot chocolate can also be served to cater to different preferences and dietary restrictions. **Rituals and Activities** Take the opportunity to engage in rituals and activities that honor the Winter Solstice. Lighting candles or a bonfire can symbolize the return of the sun's light. Sharing gratitude and reflections on the past year can foster a sense of connection and appreciation among attendees. Singing songs, reciting poetry, or performing traditional dances can also add a joyous and festive atmosphere to the gathering. **Gifts** In the spirit of gratitude and giving, consider incorporating a gift exchange into your Winter Solstice feast. Encourage attendees to bring a small, meaningful present that aligns with the symbolism of the season. This can be anything from handmade crafts, baked goods, or plants - the key is to focus on items that are thoughtful and have personal significance. In conclusion, a Winter Solstice feast for pagans should embrace the themes of rebirth, warmth, and gratitude. By incorporating meaningful decorations, seasonally inspired dishes, and engaging in spiritual rituals, you can create a memorable and enchanting experience for all..

Reviews for "Nourishing Body and Spirit: Pagan Winter Solstice Feast Ideas"

1. Sarah - ★☆☆☆☆

I was really disappointed with "Winter Solstice Feast Ideas for Pagans". The book promised unique and creative recipes for celebrating the solstice, but it felt like a collection of generic dishes with pagan-themed names slapped on them. The author could have provided more information on the significance of certain ingredients or explained how each dish related to pagan traditions. Overall, I found the book to be lacking in substance and not worth the purchase.

2. Mike - ★★☆☆☆

As someone who has been practicing paganism for years, I was excited to find a book dedicated to winter solstice feast ideas. However, "Winter Solstice Feast Ideas for Pagans" didn't meet my expectations. The recipes were not anything out of the ordinary and could be found in any basic cookbook. I was hoping for more innovative ideas and recipes that truly showcased the spirit of the solstice. While the book may be helpful for beginners or those with limited cooking experience, it certainly did not cater to experienced pagans looking for something unique and special.

3. Melissa - ★★☆☆☆

I found "Winter Solstice Feast Ideas for Pagans" to be underwhelming. The recipes were uncomplicated and lacked the depth and complexity I was hoping for. I was expecting to find a variety of flavors and ingredients that symbolize the solstice, but instead, I got superficial suggestions that didn't capture the essence of the celebration. I was left feeling disappointed and unsatisfied with the book as a whole.

Pagan Feast Ideas for a Magical Winter Solstice Celebration