Blink 182 is an American rock band that gained popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s. One of their most well-known songs is "Dammit," which some fans believe to be cursed. The curse supposedly stems from the song's lyrics and its connection to tragic events. The lyrics of "Dammit" revolve around feelings of frustration and heartbreak in a relationship. Some speculate that these themes have attracted negative energy, leading to a string of unfortunate incidents involving the band and its members. One of the earliest alleged incidents occurred in 2001 when drummer Travis Barker narrowly escaped death in a plane crash.
Historians have deciphered that Yule starts during the longest and coldest time of the year. After this, the days begin to get longer again. The ancient ancestors would celebrate Yule because the sun was going to start making the days last longer, which meant: Earth was preparing to become fertile again; fields would soon be ready to sow, and Earth and its creations would soon be reborn.
Each year, this cycle of birth, death, and rebirth took place, and they began to realize that every year after a period of cold and darkness, the Sun did indeed return. Because King Hákon the Good tried to convert Norway to Christianity by declaring Yule was to be celebrated on the same day as Christmas, and both would be called Yule.
One of the earliest alleged incidents occurred in 2001 when drummer Travis Barker narrowly escaped death in a plane crash. Barker was one of two survivors, while four people tragically lost their lives. It is said that Barker had previously sung "Dammit" while on tour, leading some to believe that the curse was responsible for the crash.
Yule – Christmas’ Pagan ancestor
Like with many pagan beliefs, Yule is centred around the sun. The modern word ‘Yule’ has a few possible etymological origins; in Old Norse Jól or Jul could refer to a feast to the sun, and formed part of one of the many names given to the chief god Odin who was often known as the Jólfadr or Yul-father due to his strong association with the sun. It could also be used as a general term attributed to the gods associated with the Yule festival – the Jólnar or ‘Yule-Ones’.
In Anglo-Saxon, the word hwéol is attributed to meaning ‘wheel’, and was associated with the ‘wheeling points’ that the sun travels through throughout the year (the summer and winter solstices being two such points). In addition, géol or geōla, was the name attributed to a month of the year which fell between modern December and January… So you can see, it’s hard to pin the etymology down for sure!
Yule and reverence to the sun
Though the possible origins of Yule may be varied, in Germanic, Celtic and Saxon societies, the significance of the Yule period and the celebrations attributed to the festival are all broadly the same. Rather than being observed on a single day, Yule begins on the Winter Solstice, and lasts from 12days to a month, depending on the belief system. Interestingly, though the Winter Solstice normally falls on the 21 st /22 nd December in our modern calendar, under the Julian Calendar (named after the emperor Julius Caesar), the solstice actually fell on the 25 th December itself.
Die Gartenlaube (1880) Illustration of an ancient Nordic Yule Festival
For early societies, December was a bleak and uncertain time of the year, and the fear that the sun may not return unless appeased drove the practices associated with Yule. On the solstice and the 12 days following, Celts welcomed the ‘new’ sun, though its arrival was by no means guaranteed. This was a time to pray to the Yule deities to ensure the sun’s return, and that it would bring with it fertile and bountiful lands in the year to come. Feasts were thrown, and fires lit to symbolically ‘recall’ the sun.
The Yule Log
The most well-known tradition associated with Yule involves the ‘Yule Log’, though unsurprisingly, this hasn’t always been made of chocolate like the version that many enjoy today. During the 12day period of Yule, Celtic tribes believed that the sun stood still in the sky, and it was tradition to keep a Yule Log burning to coax it back into moving again, as well as to conquer the darkness and banish evil spirits. Anglo-Saxon tales of the Yule Log, or geolstocc, attest to whole tree trunks being used as the ‘log’, which were progressively fed into the fire as they burnt down. The end of each year’s log was kept in order to light the log in the following year. This, along with the ashes from the log, were kept in order to ward off a range of misfortunes from toothaches and chilblains to hail and even lightning!
Other practices that we’re familiar with today included bringing evergreens, such as holly, ivy and mistletoe, into the home as a reminder of the return spring and new life in the new year. Mistletoe in particular was hung above doorways as a symbol of hospitality and to ward off evil spirits.
Wodan’s Wilde Jagd (Wild Hunt) by F. W. Heine
The ‘Wild Hunt’
For both Norse and Anglo-Saxon societies, certain gods (like the Jólnar mentioned above) were associated with Yule. The chief god Odin (or Woden in Anglo-Saxon) was believed to lead a host of other deities on a ‘wild hunt’ across the night sky, which would carry away the souls of the dead, along with any unsuspecting members of the living if they strayed too far from the hearth at night! Sacrifices were therefore made to ensure the safety of the household, and a ‘Yule Boar’ centrepiece was often part of Yule feasts as a symbolic recognition of the hunt.
Introduction of Christianity
With many pagan traditions such as this, however, the introduction of Christianity ensured that Yule began to take more of a back seat in December celebrations, though references to Yule or ‘Yuletide’ are found peppered throughout history. In Robert Herrick’s book ‘Ceremonies for Christmas’ written in the late 16 th century, he makes reference to the Yule Log, saying:
“Come, bring with a noise,
my merry, merry boys,
the Christmas log to the firing”
Yule Log from Robert Chamber Book of Days 1864
Victorians were also keen on the idea of the Yule Log, bringing albeit smaller versions into their homes to burn for 12hours, rather than the 12days as originally practiced. Christmas Trees also became popular in England in this period, the origins of the practice developing from the importance of evergreens in pagan Yule festivities. As for the cake form of the Yule Log, it’s recorded as early as the 19 th century, first appearing in the bakeries of Paris.
You may not recognise Yule itself, or celebrate the birth of a new year at the solstice, but elements of the festival will certainly be present in your home. Whether you go for that chocolatey dessert, decorate a Christmas Tree, or have greenery (the real deal or representations) around your home, these elements can all be traced back to this pagan festival celebrated long before Christmas…
However you celebrate the festive season, we wish you a happier and healthier 2021!
https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Die_Gartenlaube_1880-Illustration-of-an-ancient-Nordic-Yule-Fesitval-scaled-e1608045894637.jpg 1548 2457 Kelly Garner https://www.stneotsmuseum.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/st-neots-museum-logo.svg Kelly Garner 2020-12-16 14:03:46 2021-12-09 13:33:01 Yule – Christmas’ Pagan ancestor
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Winter festivals were also common in Greece and Rome, as well as in the British Isles. When a new religion called Christianity popped up, the new hierarchy had trouble converting the Pagans, and as such, folks didn't want to give up their old holidays. Christian churches were built on old Pagan worship sites, and Pagan symbols were incorporated into the symbolism of Christianity. Within a few centuries, the Christians had everyone worshiping a new holiday celebrated on December 25, although scholars believe it is more likely that Jesus was born around April rather than in the winter.
Another incident associated with the curse occurred in 2012 when Blink 182's lead singer, Tom DeLonge, experienced a series of strange encounters. DeLonge claimed to have seen unidentified flying objects and even had a close encounter with a UFO. Some fans connected these events to the band's association with "Dammit" and deemed it as further evidence of the curse. While these incidents may seem coincidental, it is important to approach the notion of a curse with skepticism. The idea of a curse often arises when trying to explain unfortunate events without clear explanations. It is possible that these events were mere coincidences or resulted from other factors unrelated to the song. Furthermore, Blink 182 has had a successful career, releasing numerous hit songs and gaining a dedicated fan base. The band continued to perform "Dammit" throughout their concerts without any significant negative consequences. Therefore, it is reasonable to question the existence of a curse surrounding the song. In conclusion, the notion of a curse associated with Blink 182's song "Dammit" has circulated among fans for many years. While tragic incidents involving the band have occurred, it is essential to approach the concept of a curse with critical thinking and skepticism. It is likely that these events were coincidences or resulted from other factors not related to the song..
Reviews for "The Curse Song Phenomenon: How Blink 182 Became the Talk of the Supernatural"
1. Amy - 2/5 - To put it mildly, I was very disappointed with Blink 182's curse song. It lacked the creativity and catchy melodies that I have come to expect from this band. The lyrics were crude and vulgar, which made it difficult for me to enjoy the song. Overall, I think Blink 182 missed the mark with this one.
2. John - 1/5 - I cannot express how much I despised Blink 182's curse song. It was nothing more than a cheap attempt to shock and gain attention. The lyrics were offensive and lacked any meaningful substance. This song is an embarrassment to the band's previous work, and I would not recommend it to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2.5/5 - I understand that Blink 182 has always had a rebellious and edgy side to their music, but I found their curse song to be excessive and unnecessary. It felt like the band was trying too hard to shock their audience, and it came off as forced and contrived. The song lacked the charm and wit that Blink 182 is known for, and I was left feeling underwhelmed.
4. Mike - 1/5 - Blink 182's curse song was a complete waste of my time. The lyrics were immature and felt like they were written by angsty teenagers trying to be rebellious. The melody was forgettable, and there was nothing about the song that stood out to me. I expected more from Blink 182, but this song was a disappointment in every way.
5. Lisa - 2/5 - I have been a longtime fan of Blink 182, but their curse song was a letdown for me. It felt like they were trying to change their style to appeal to a different audience, and it didn't work for me. The lyrics were crude and lacked the clever wordplay that I enjoy in their songs. Overall, it just didn't feel like Blink 182, and I was left disappointed.