Traditional pagan burial ceremonies are rituals conducted by ancient pagan cultures to honor and remember their deceased loved ones. These burial ceremonies were deeply rooted in the spiritual beliefs and practices of the pagans, who believed in various deities and afterlife realms. One of the main ideas of these ceremonies was to celebrate the life of the departed and ensure a smooth transition of their spirit to the afterlife. The ceremonies varied among different pagan cultures but commonly involved certain rituals and customs. **One common aspect of these burial ceremonies was the preparation and handling of the deceased body**. Pagans believed that proper care and respect for the body were essential for the soul's journey after death.
Even in the 18th Century tourists were flooding to Hawkstone, making it one of Britain's most popular tourist destinations. The 1988 TV version of CS Lewis's tale raised Hawkstone's profile once again. Today the Grade I listed park attracts around 60,000 visitors a year and boasts a truly timeless appeal.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was an adaptation of the novel of the same name, which formed the first of 4 Narnia miniseries produced by the BBC. Peter and Susan speak to the professor about Lucy s recent behaviour and the professor says that her story could well be true, as it is obvious that she is not mad and does not tell lies.
Pagans believed that proper care and respect for the body were essential for the soul's journey after death. **This involved cleaning and dressing the body, sometimes adorning it with specific objects or symbols representing the person's life or beliefs**. **Another important element of these ceremonies was the use of sacred spaces and rituals**.
BBC’s “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” (1988) Review
In 1988 the BBC did a TV miniseries based on the first three books (in publication order, not reading order) of C.S. Lewis’ famous and beloved series “The Chronicles of Narnia.” The first of the three is “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” and it is truly my favorite film rendition of the book (even over the more recent version…I’ve always had a fondness for puppetry, animatronics, and costumes over CGI). I was lucky enough to find a DVD boxed set and brought it home to watch. Tonight is the first night, so I started with the first installment (I have actually never seen the other two, so this will be fun!). The books always made me feel a bit more magical and even now the movies inspire feelings of witchiness.
Being as it was 1988, the animation and special effects are not great at all, very elementary and easily seen to be “fake”, but for a TV miniseries in the 80’s I’m sure it was considered fantastic (and I thought so as well when I first watched it in the early 90’s). The acting is theatrical and so funny, but in a very happy, nostalgic way. The comic relief with Mr. and Mrs. Beaver is welcome as, even now, the more intense scenes still make me feel a little scared. I remember Aslan seeming more lifelike when I was a child whereas now…well, the animatronics are very obvious. I also used to have the BIGGEST crush on the actor who played Peter. It follows the book very well (or at least what I remember of it) and is 168 minutes in length. The music is well done and has a perfect eeriness to it for the White Witch and has a pure fantasy sound through the whole thing. I will say the battle scenes are just terribly cheesy and silly; so many of it involves animated creatures which takes more away from it than adds. However, even with that, the rest of the movie is quite brilliant, but that is a biased one since I’ve loved this movie for 20 some odd years!
They just don’t make fantasy movies like they used to. Overall, I’d give this movie high marks and a strong recommendation for everyone to see at least once. It’s possible it may be a bit scary for really young children (I first saw it when I was in 2nd grade, so about 7 or 8 years old, I think, but I did find certain parts scary) so best to watch it either before them to gauge how you think they’d respond or watch it with them.
Have a very goodnight and blessed be!
Welcome to the Spring Book Club brought to you by Wessels!
Pagan cultures often designated specific locations for burial, such as mounds, tombs, or groves, which were believed to have a spiritual connection to the afterlife. **These sacred places were often adorned or marked with objects or symbols related to the pagan beliefs**. The actual burial or cremation was conducted in these spaces, accompanied by various ceremonies and rituals. **Rituals performed during these ceremonies included prayers, chants, songs, and dances**. These practices were meant to honor the deceased, ask for blessings from the gods, and guide the soul to its rightful place in the afterlife. **Pagan priests or spiritual leaders, known as druids, shamans, or priests, often officiated these rituals**. Their role was to invoke the powers of the gods, offer blessings, and lead the community in mourning and remembrance. **Offerings and sacrifices were also made as part of the burial ceremonies**. This could include food, drinks, valuable objects, or even animals. **The belief was that these offerings would appease the spirits and deities, ensuring the safe passage of the departed to the afterlife**. **Pagan burial ceremonies were not just a solemn affair but often included feasting, storytelling, and communal gatherings**. The community would come together to celebrate the life of the deceased and support the mourning family. **These gatherings were an opportunity to share memories, pass down traditions, and strengthen social bonds within the community**. In conclusion, traditional pagan burial ceremonies were highly spiritual and community-oriented events. **They aimed to honor the deceased, ensure a peaceful transition of the soul to the afterlife, and strengthen the bonds within the pagan community**. These ceremonies were deeply rooted in the beliefs and practices of the ancient pagan cultures and varied among different societies. They involved various rituals, handling of the deceased body, use of sacred spaces, prayers, and offerings, among other customs..
Reviews for "An Inside Look at Traditional Pagan Funeral Rituals"
1. John - 2 stars - I recently attended a traditional pagan burial ceremony and I must say, I was quite disappointed. The whole event seemed disorganized and lacked any meaningful structure. The chanting and rituals felt disconnected and didn't invoke any sense of spirituality. Additionally, there was a lack of explanation or guidance for those of us who were unfamiliar with pagan traditions. Overall, it was a confusing and underwhelming experience.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I had high hopes for the traditional pagan burial ceremony I attended, but it ended up being a complete letdown. The ceremony seemed more like a mere spectacle rather than a genuine way to honor the deceased. The participants were overly focused on their own performance and seemed disconnected from the emotional aspect of the event. It felt more like a cosplay gathering rather than a sacred ritual. I left feeling utterly unsatisfied and would not recommend it to anyone seeking a meaningful tribute for their loved ones.
3. Mark - 3 stars - As someone with little knowledge of pagan traditions, attending a traditional pagan burial ceremony was an eye-opening experience. While I appreciated the emphasis on nature and the earth, I found it difficult to connect with the rituals and symbolism used. The lack of explanation or context left me feeling disconnected from the ceremony and unable to fully appreciate its significance. It would have been more meaningful if there had been a guide or introduction to help newcomers understand the purpose and symbolism behind each action.