In the Christian tradition, the story of the Magi, also known as the Three Wise Men or the Three Kings, is an important part of the Nativity narrative. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the Magi were astrologers or wise men from the East who followed a star to Bethlehem to pay homage to the newborn Jesus. Some scholars suggest that the Magi may have come from Persia, as they were known for their study of astrology and astronomy at the time. Others believe they may have come from Arabia or even India. Regardless of their exact origins, the Magi were seen as wise and learned men who had great knowledge of the heavens. The Magi set out on their long journey following a star, which they believed signaled the birth of a great king.
Recognised as one of the most psychedelic movies of all time, Eiichi Yamamoto’s Belladonna of Sadness is also staggeringly beautiful, being constructed mostly using still paintings. Based on the book Satanism and Witchcraft by Jules Michelet, the story follows Jeanne, a young peasant who makes a deal with the devil after being raped to gain mystical powers in order to overthrow the patriarchy.
Still, nothing quite compares to the terror and colourful punch of the 1977 original, which tells the story of a newcomer to a German ballet school who comes to discover that not everything is as it seems. The film feels exactly what I imagine 18 th Century rural England felt like when the Devil still roamed the land and witches met secretly in groves after attending the day s Church services.
The Magi set out on their long journey following a star, which they believed signaled the birth of a great king. The star is often referred to as the Star of Bethlehem or the Christmas Star. It is said to have guided the Magi to the exact location where Jesus was born.
The 10 greatest occultist movies
Before we discuss ten of the greatest occultist movies of all time, let’s go back to the textbooks. What’s the difference between ‘cult’ and ‘occultist’, we hear you ask? Well, where ‘cult’ refers to religious or philosophical devotion towards one particular earthly object or person, the word ‘occult’ refers to something very different, generally being used to describe secretive, spiritual practices such as Satanism, witchcraft and dark magic.
Such practices are often complex and esoteric, making them the perfect subjects for horror movies in which the viewer is flung into a foreign world and tasked with making sense of the terror around them. British folk horror throughout the mid-20th century was particularly impressive at translating this fear, with the ‘Unholy Trinity’, consisting of 1968’s Witchfinder General, 1971’s The Blood on Satan’s Claw, and 1973’s The Wicker Man, providing the foundations for the modern genre.
Whilst occult movies existed long before the 1970s, with Benjamin Christensen’s 1922 horror Häxan being one of cinema’s earliest examples, such films flourished in the late 20th century when horror enjoyed a liberating boom. Films such as Richard Donner’s The Omen and William Friedkin’s The Exorcist saw great success in 1973 and 1976, respectively, whilst, in the coming decades, John Carpenter’s Prince of Darkness and the indie sensation The Blair Witch Project attracted even more attention to the horror sub-genre.
Whilst each aforementioned film holds a special place in the history of occult cinema, not all of them were significant enough to make it onto our list of the ten greatest occultist movies of all time. Spanning almost a century of cinema, take a look at our definitive list below.
The journey of the Magi was presumably difficult and took a considerable amount of time. It is estimated that it could have taken them several months, if not years, to reach their destination. However, they persevered and were determined to find the newborn king. Upon their arrival in Bethlehem, the Magi presented gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus. These gifts were symbolic and carried great meaning. Gold was often associated with kingship, frankincense was a symbol of divinity and worship, and myrrh was used for embalming and represented Jesus' future sacrifice. The story of the Magi's voyage is a significant part of the Christmas narrative, as it emphasizes the universal nature of Jesus' birth. The fact that the Magi came from afar to pay homage to Jesus shows that his message is meant for all people, regardless of their background or social status. The story of the Magi's voyage continues to be celebrated and reenacted in various ways during the Christmas season. In many cultures, it is common to include figures of the Magi in nativity scenes or to have children dress up as the Wise Men in Christmas pageants. Overall, the Magi's voyage serves as a reminder of the extraordinary events surrounding Jesus' birth and the far-reaching impact of his life and teachings. Their journey symbolizes the search for truth and the willingness to follow a guiding light, no matter the obstacles..
Reviews for "The Magi's Voyage and the First Christmas: Separating Fact from Fiction"
1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The Magi Voyage". The story felt predictable and unoriginal, with characters that lacked depth and development. The plot was formulaic and lacked any real surprises or twists. The writing style was also lacking, with repetitive descriptions and dialogue that felt stilted. Overall, I didn't find any compelling reasons to recommend this book.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I couldn't finish "The Magi Voyage". The pacing was incredibly slow and the story failed to capture my interest. The characters were unrelatable and their motivations felt shallow. Additionally, the world-building was weak, with sparse descriptions and a lack of detail. It's a shame because the premise had potential, but the execution fell flat.
3. David - 2 stars - "The Magi Voyage" had promising elements, but ultimately it felt underwhelming. The plot meandered with unnecessary subplots that added little to the overall story. The dialogue was uninspiring and the characters lacked depth. The writing style was also repetitive and failed to engage me as a reader. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend this book.
4. Emily - 3 stars - While I didn't hate "The Magi Voyage", I found it to be a mediocre read. The concept was interesting, but the execution fell short. The pacing was uneven, with moments that dragged and others that rushed by without much explanation. The character development was minimal, leaving me uninvested in their journey. The writing style was also lacking, with clunky dialogue and excessive use of cliches. Overall, it was a forgettable book that didn't leave much of an impression.
5. Mark - 2 stars - "The Magi Voyage" had potential, but it failed to live up to my expectations. The plot felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction. The world-building was inconsistent, with elements that didn't make sense or lacked sufficient explanation. The characters were forgettable and their interactions felt forced. The writing style was also convoluted and made it difficult to fully immerse myself in the story. Overall, it was a disappointing read that I wouldn't recommend.