The "Witch Filter TikTok" is a popular trend on the social media platform TikTok. It involves using a face filter or effects to transform oneself into a witch-like character. This filter gives users the ability to add virtual makeup, accessories, and other mystical elements to their appearances. This trend became especially popular during the Halloween season, as people embraced the opportunity to channel their inner witch. Users can film short videos of themselves using the filter and share them with their followers or the wider TikTok community. These videos often feature users lip-syncing to popular witch-themed songs or showcasing their best witchy poses and dance moves.
Traditional pagan songs
This was a hard list.
Thanks to an explosion in pagan folk groups at home and abroad, and mainstream rock bands dabbling in folk sounding tracks, I could have easily done a top 20 or top 50.
I've limited myself to one track per artist, and disqualified Jethro Tull, Nightwish and the Waterboys for being technically rock not folk-rock, and have had to miss out Telling the Bees, Skyclad, Druidicca, The Dolmen, Mad Magdalen, The Moon and the Nightspirit, Jim Faupel, Wendy Rule, Cernunnos Rising, Seize the Day and Paul Gill (who's Whisper on the Breeze is the best song to come out of the 1990s road protest movement) and many more. Sorry guys.
But what I'm left with are six songs I really love. Curiously only half are by artists that describe themselves as Pagan, which just shows how the zeitgeist works.
You just can't stop a folky being pagan.
You can debate exactly how pagan the Arthurian legends are, but this song about a magical hunting horn, written by John Renbourne, contains the sort of allusions that make the Arthurian tales so enchanting. It is also a fantastic song by one of the great pioneering folk acts at the height of their powers.
Bert Jansch, I hope you're strumming this now in the Otherworld.
For some people Eroll Flynn is the only true Robin Hood, but I suspect for people of my age it's Michael Praed.
Well made, well acted and dark and pagan enough to enrage Mary Whitehouse, it was essential viewing for any teenager who played Dungeons and Dragons. This song, dedicated to Herne the Hunter, sums up the whole thing.
And Clannad's music was sublime. A band from Donegal steeped in Ireland's Trad. scene, at some point they stopped being folk, but it's not entirely clear when, so I'll count them as folk act.
Along the way they lost some of their creative spark and departing member Enya eventually eclipsed them with her own solo career, but they remained a terrific live act up until their eventual semi-retirement.
Saruman the White, alias Count Dooku, alias Christopher Lee thinks The Wicker Man had the best use of music of any film he knew. Not the best music, he qualifies himself, but the best use of it.
Certainly Paul Giovanni sets the tone of Summerisle perfectly. The best song is Gently Johnny, but as it's basically just about shagging its the Maypole song gets the nod for being slightly more pagan.
Really this soundtrack is what started the whole Pagan-folk thing in the first place, and if they'd gone with different music we may now all be Goths instead.
'cos they're Dutch I've never had any close connection with Omnia, who seem to be a bunch of heavy metal headbangers who've forgotten to plug their instruments in.
They certainly take the Pagan thing seriously - perhaps someone should tell them it's only a laugh really?
The only problem with putting them in this list is choosing a favourite track.
Just to show that the Old World doesn't have the monopoly on music for the Old Religion, at number two we have from the land of AC/DC, Spiral Dance.
They've been around for a while and, amongst other songs they have my favourite version of Burning Times - a historically inaccurate but quite catchy tune.
This is the best though, a rare foray into Greek myths.
Well there could only be one winner couldn't there?
What can we say about our greatest living Pagan songsmith?
Well not a lot, but as I'm fairly sure it was him who woke me up one morning years ago at a PF mid-west bash by playing a medley of Fairport Convention songs when I was trying to sleep off a hangover, I suppose I should say I forgive him.
The only problem though, is what song to pick. Sons and Daughters of Robin Hood is the best pagan protest song of this century whilst Pagan Ways pretty much sums up why Romantics like me take up Wicca. Then there's Taliesin's Song, or Green and Grey or numerous others.
But whilst any of those would make a good runner up, there can only be one winner - the Pagan National Anthem, Spirit of Albion.
Beltane / May Eve
Beltane is on April 30th. In this time of abundant growth, we dance around the maypole and crown the May Queen and May King. The Crow Women love Beltane! Our first Beltane composition, Song of Beltane, expresses that joy. Beltane Spirits Come to Us depicts scenes at a Beltane festival. We have two songs about the balefire, a sacred fire pagans leap over on Beltane. Those are I Am Flame and Nine Sacred Woods. Our handfasting songs, Join Together and Chalice to Blade were written for handfastings that happened on Beltane, but could be used for a handfasting at any time of the year.
Check out our Beltane playlist on Spotify
Beltane blog posts:
These videos often feature users lip-syncing to popular witch-themed songs or showcasing their best witchy poses and dance moves. The Witch Filter TikTok trend has created a fun and creative outlet for users to explore their love for witchcraft and the supernatural. It allows people to express themselves and their interests in a visually appealing and entertaining way.
Celebrating Beltane with Pagan Music
April 27, 2023For thousands of years, people have been celebrating life’s cycles by honoring the coming of spring and the start of summer with the Pagan holiday of Beltane. But what does this have to do with music? Well, it turns out that pagan music has been an integral part of Beltane.
The filter has become so popular that it has spawned countless spin-offs and variations, with users experimenting with different ways to incorporate the witch theme into their content. As with any trend, there are both positive and negative aspects to consider. On the positive side, the Witch Filter TikTok trend promotes self-expression and creativity. It provides a platform for users to showcase their personality and style in a unique way. Additionally, it has helped to further popularize the idea of witches and witchcraft, making it a more mainstream and accepted concept. However, the trend has also faced criticism for potentially trivializing and appropriating witchcraft. Some argue that reducing this powerful and sacred practice to a mere filter on a social media app can be disrespectful to those who identify as witches and practice witchcraft as a religion or spiritual path. Overall, the Witch Filter TikTok trend is a fun and creative way for users to explore their love for witchcraft and the supernatural. It allows people to express themselves in a visually appealing and entertaining way. However, it's important to be mindful of any potential appropriation or trivialization of witchcraft that may occur as a result of this trend..
Reviews for "Getting Spooky with the Witch Filter on TikTok"
- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Witch filter tiktok, it just didn't live up to the hype for me. The effects were lackluster and it didn't transform me into a convincing witch like I expected. The filter just added some cheesy witch hat and broomstick to my face and that's it. I was hoping for something more magical and engaging. Overall, it was a letdown.
- Jason - 1 star - The witch filter tiktok is a complete waste of time. The filter does nothing to enhance my appearance or make me look like a witch. It's just a glamourized version of a witch hat superimposed on my head. The effects are poorly done and lack creativity. I was expecting a fun and spooky experience, but all I got was disappointment. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time with this filter.
- Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the Witch filter tiktok, but it fell short of my expectations. The filter was glitchy and didn't align properly with my face, making it look awkward and unrealistic. The added witch elements were poorly designed and didn't blend well with my features. It's a shame because I've seen other filters that do a much better job at transforming your appearance. Pass on this one.