August is a month filled with ancient pagan rituals and traditions that have been passed down through generations. These practices are deeply rooted in nature and the changing of seasons. One prominent ritual in August is the celebration of Lammas, also known as Lughnasadh. This festival marks the beginning of the harvest season and is celebrated with feasts, bonfires, and ceremonies. **Lammas emphasizes the gratitude for the abundance of food and the importance of the community coming together.** Another notable tradition is the honoring of the Celtic god Lugh, who is associated with the sun, craftsmanship, and harvest.
The legacy of the Black Knight runs through the history of the Marvel Universe, all the way back to the time of Camelot and King Arthur. With the Eternals also tied into Marvel's mystical, mythical secret past (including King Arthur who is mentioned in Eternals by name and Excalibur, which is actually seen), it's entirely possible that when Dane Whitman takes up the Ebony Blade to become the Black Knight, he'll open up a whole different wing of the MCU for exploration.
Though he doesn t become the Black Knight in the film, a post-credits scene does set up his future hero turn by putting the Ebony Blade in his hands with a bit of a twist from another unexpected Marvel character, the aforementioned Blade. It s also in this era that Whitman becomes connected to the Eternals, starting a romantic relationship with Sersi played by Gemma Chan in the Eternals film.
** Another notable tradition is the honoring of the Celtic god Lugh, who is associated with the sun, craftsmanship, and harvest. Devotees pay homage to Lugh through various rituals and offerings. **This ancient tradition showcases the reverence for the sun and the vital role it plays in sustaining life.
Black Knight AKA Dane Whitman - the Marvel Comics history of Kit Harington's Eternals character
The DCEU has a new Dark Knight and pretty soon the MCU will have a Black Knight.
He's not only one of Marvel Comics' longest-tenured superheroes having debuted in the late '60s, Dane Whitman, AKA the Black Knight. is also one of the longest-tenured Avengers (even serving as its chairman for a time), is the heir of an in-story legacy dating back to the time of King Arthur, and owns a comic book legacy that actually predates Marvel Comics itself.
Not bad for a guy most people probably never heard of before Kit Harington made his debut as Whitman in Marvel's Eternals, now streaming on Disney Plus.
Marvel's future Black Knight, Kit Harington as Dane Whitman in Eternals (Image credit: Marvel Studios)
As most fans know by now, while appearing as a regular dude and love interest of Sersi (which has deep comic book roots) for the entire film, Harington's Whitman made his first strides toward his superheroic Black Knight identity in one of the film's two post-credits teasers, joined by the off-camera voice of Mahershala Ali as another new addition to the MCU, Blade.
While we don't know where Whitman will make his next live-action appearance and/or where the Black Knight will make his first, now's as good a time as any to bone up on one of Marvel's most unsung mythological legacies and explore how he fits into the Marvel Cinematic Universe - including his surprising connections to the X-Men that could play into their MCU introduction as well.
For more on the new MCU characters and concepts introduced in Eternals, check out:
- Harry Styles' Eros/Starfox has one of the most disturbing Marvel Comics histories
- Pip the Troll - his Marvel Comics hard-partying history explained
- Could Celestial vomit bring mutants and the X-Men to the MCU?
- How Marvel Studios solved its Sprite immortality problem
** Additionally, August is a time when many pagans participate in the practice of divination, seeking guidance for the months ahead. This can include tarot card readings, scrying, or other forms of fortune telling. **These divination rituals are believed to provide insights and direction for the future and offer a sense of connection to the spiritual realm.** Overall, August is a time when pagans honor the cycle of life, show gratitude for the earth's abundance, and seek guidance for what the future may bring. These rituals and traditions serve as a reminder of our connection to the natural world and the importance of living in harmony with it..
Reviews for "The Role of Music and Dance in August Pagan Celebrations"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - The August pagan rituals and traditions event was not what I expected at all. I was looking forward to learning more about ancient pagan practices and participating in meaningful ceremonies. However, the event felt more like a costumed party than a genuine spiritual gathering. The organizers seemed more focused on the aesthetics and entertainment rather than imparting knowledge or creating a sacred space. I left feeling disappointed and disillusioned.
2. Mark - 1/5 - Attending the August pagan rituals and traditions event was a complete waste of time. It was poorly organized, with no clear structure or direction. The activities were haphazard and chaotic, leaving me confused and disconnected from the supposed spiritual significance. The organizers seemed more interested in selling merchandise and promoting their own beliefs rather than facilitating a meaningful experience for attendees. I wouldn't recommend this event to anyone seeking an authentic pagan experience.
3. Emma - 2/5 - I was excited to attend the August pagan rituals and traditions event, hoping to gain a deeper understanding of ancient pagan practices. However, the event fell short of my expectations. The workshops offered were superficial and lacked depth, often focusing on trivial aspects of paganism rather than exploring the core beliefs and rituals. Additionally, the event lacked a sense of community and connection among attendees. Overall, I found it to be a shallow and commercialized attempt at showcasing paganism, leaving me feeling unsatisfied and disengaged.
4. Mike - 1/5 - I regret attending the August pagan rituals and traditions event. It was a disorganized mess from start to finish. The presenters seemed ill-prepared and lacked expertise in the subject matter. The activities felt forced and contrived, lacking the authenticity I was hoping for. The event left me feeling like I wasted both my time and money. I would advise others to seek out alternative pagan events that offer a more genuine and enriching experience.