Witchcraft is a topic that has intrigued and captivated people for centuries. The practice of witchcraft dates back to ancient times, and it has been associated with various cultural and spiritual beliefs. One significant event in the witchcraft calendar is the summer solstice, which holds great significance for witches and other practitioners. The summer solstice, also known as Midsummer or the Litha Sabbat, marks the longest day and shortest night of the year. It usually falls around June 21st in the Northern Hemisphere. This day holds deep spiritual and magical significance for witches, as it is a time of power and energy in nature.

Bluey magic asparagus wand

If you’re reading this, it’s very likely you’ve at least heard of Bluey, the Emmy award-winning Australian preschool show featuring the Heelers, a family of anthropomorphic dogs. Since it first started airing in 2018 on ABC Kids in Australia, as well as on Disney Junior in the US and internationally on Disney+, the show’s popularity has only grown, both among its target demographic and adults with or without children. So much so, in fact, that it spawned a live stage show, appropriately titled Bluey’s Big Play, that started in its native Australia in early 2021, followed by a US tour in late 2022 that’s still going as of this writing.

Like many others, I first heard about Bluey through social media, in my case Facebook ads promoting the Disney broadcast. The more I saw these ads, and later sightings of merchandise, the more my curiosity grew until I finally caved in and watched the first episode through Disney+. From that moment, I was hooked and soon enough, I had caught up with the entire show as made available in the US. Despite its status as a preschool show, Bluey focuses on simply being a good show, with great writing that doesn’t talk down to its target audience, high-quality animation, great music without being a musical and, best of all, an actual positive depiction of family life that emphasizes the importance of play in a child’s development.

At some point while watching the show, we stumbled on upcoming performances of Bluey’s Big Play at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. After careful consideration, we bought tickets to the Sunday 2:00 performance, the final one for the venue. Though well worth the money, it’s best suited for those who are already familiar with the show, no matter who they are.

I’ll start by briefly mentioning that we ran into an issue getting into the theater where the ticket taker couldn’t scan our digital tickets. As such, we had to go down to the box office and get physical tickets printed out so we could actually get through the door. On the upside, we actually prefer owning physical tickets of shows we’ve been to, so we got a unique souvenir out of it.

Once we finally sat down, we had a much better time. Without going too much into the story, since it’s the only one they have, Bluey’s Big Play fits right in with the show, as it’s basically an extended episode. The play depicts a day in the life of the Heeler family that touches on an important lesson of sisterhood. While the story, written by series creator Joe Brumm, does include elements from different episodes of the show, including an extended recreation of the opening theme and an appearance from the “Grannies”, the plot is unique to the show. The entire performance runs a short but sweet fifty minutes, is very easy to follow and has a surprisingly emotional ending. As an added bonus, there aren’t any surprise musical numbers (unless you count Bluey and Bingo singing “Ten Green Bottles” for a few seconds) and the scant audience interactions are so mercifully short that they’re actually fun, even for adults.

Due to more relaxed COVID restrictions, the stage show added back in an additional interaction where the audience could play a game of “Keepy Uppy” with Bluey. Fortunately, Bluey plays this game at the end instead of stopping the plot cold. Unfortunately, if you’re sitting at a higher elevation in the venue, as we did, you can’t participate.

As for the production values, it’s clear that a lot of thought and passion went into the play. Each member of the Heeler family, as well as Lucky’s Dad, is represented with an impressive life-size puppet that not only faithfully translates the show’s art style to real life, but also allows for a wide range of movement and expression. Although the puppeteers are always visible onstage, they’re not too distracting, as they all wear neutral colors, including light or dark green, to better blend in with the backgrounds and let the audience focus on the puppets. This approach also lets the play get away with a very unique feature, and a big highlight of the show, where the audience gets to hear the Bluey voice actors’ pre-recorded and well-acted lines through the speakers instead of from an actor onstage. Performing to a pre-recorded track, which also includes original music from series composer Joff Bush, also arguably makes the puppeteers look even more impressive, as they skillfully lip-synch to the audio and move around the stage while expertly hitting their marks with little room for error.

From where I sat in the venue, cheap $39 seats in the second Mezzanine, I could tell that the stage and certain effects were designed with the floor audience in mind, though I could still easily see what was going on. This vantage point also gave a better view at how they had cleverly designed the sets not only for maximum portability, but to better serve multiple purposes during each performance. Simple backgrounds and minimal set designs not only convincingly place the audience within the Heeler household, but also incorporate a well-placed ramp in the center that lets the puppeteers onstage more easily move around while hiding others either activating special effects or moving props.

Following the show, we headed straight to the merch table hoping to snag some official Bluey’s Big Play merchandise. Unfortunately, they had run out of t-shirts in our sizes by the time we finally got to the front of the line, but we at least walked away with some exclusive merch, a button set and two Asparagus Wands (light-up spinner toys based on the episode “Asparagus”). I will also note that while the exclusives were already a little pricey, the non-exclusives, like plushies, a book and a Season 1 & 2 DVD set, were sold at a markup compared to retail. As such, if you’re looking to buy a souvenir, it would be better to emphasize something you can’t get anywhere else.

If you’re a fan of Bluey, it’s almost a no-brainer to try and see Bluey’s Big Play if the opportunity presents itself. Of course, it’s always best to take the distance and cost of tickets into account, as prices may vary depending on the venue. If you’re considering the play and haven’t seen Bluey beforehand, it would be best to at least familiarize yourself with the show first.

Bluey Transcripts

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This day holds deep spiritual and magical significance for witches, as it is a time of power and energy in nature. During the summer solstice, witches celebrate the sun at its peak strength. They honor the abundance and growth that comes with the summer season.

01x49 - Asparagus

Follows the adventures of a Blue Heeler puppy, Bluey, who lives with her parents and sister and gets into all sorts of fun situations.

01x49 - Asparagus

Post by bunniefuu » 04/30/22 20:24

[up-tempo music plays]

-[music stops]
-[all] Bluey!

Bluey, don't talk
with your mouth full.

And sit up straight.
Don't slouch. It's bad manners.

[mouth full]
Is this bad manners?

Mum, why do we
have to have manners?

Because we're not animals.

I'm happy as long as
you eat your veggies.

Hey, hey, hey! Elbows
off the table, thanks, Mum.

Can you believe that, kids? Ha!

[Bingo and Bluey laugh]

[whispering] Psst!
Bluey, take this.

It's a magic asparagus.

What does it do?

It turns people into any animal you want.

Don't play with
your food, Blu--

-[laughter]
-It worked!

No, no,
I want to be a piglet.

Eee! Eee!
Whee! Whee!

[normal voice]
Now that's taken care of,

I need you to do
a little something for me.

[Bluey] This episode of Bluey
is called Asparagus.

-Bawk! Bawk-bawk-bawk-bawk!
-Eee! Eee! Whee! Whee!

Here, chook, chook, chook!

Now, be free,
my animal friends.

No more rules for anyone.

Aah! Pig Bingo,
you're making a mess!

Come here,
you wriggly little --

-[trumpets]
-[shrieks] Put me down!

Um-dum-dum!
Hey, hey!

You can't just grab people
and swing them around!

[chitters]
Hey, hey!

You can't chew people's toys!

[groans]
This is hard work.

Maybe I'll turn you into
slightly calmer animals.

[all warbling softly]

Ahh.
That's a bit better.

Hey, mind your manners,
Mr. Show-Off!

Okay, you asked for it.

That will teach you to show off.

Noooo!
Don't go outside!

[panting]
Where'd they go?

There you are! Walrus!

Now, where are those lions?

♪ One Sunday morning
as I went walking ♪

♪ By Brisbane waters,
I chanced to -- ♪

Is that you, Lucky?

Oh, well, I guess it's nothing.

[screaming in distance]

Oh, I don't know
about this! Aah!

-Bunny!
-[clicks tongue]

Polly want
a cr*cker?

-[panting]
-Get back in the house, you two!

Sorry, Lucky's Dad!

No worries, Bluey.

I shouldn't have
let my guard down.

-Mwoaaar!
-Get in here, you lot!

-[clicks tongue]
-Squawk!

That's it! You animals need
to learn some manners.

No doing that thing!

First manners is.

Polly want a cr*cker.

Oh! First is, don't speak
when someone's speaking!

Second manners is.

[clicks tongue]
Hey!

Eee! Mmmmn! Mmmmn!

No running away
from manners lessons!

Now, third one is.

don't eat the next-door neighbors.

That's a really important one.

Hey, where's Daddy Walrus?

-[grunts]
-Fourth manners is,

-Mwoaaar!
-don't go to the toilet on the rug!

[groans] You big grub!

This is hopeless.

I'm gonna turn you
all back into dogs.

Where's my asparagus?

Polly want a cr*cker!

You're stuck like this forever!

Polly want more asparagus!

Wait!
I've got an idea!

Okay, Bird Bingo, you've eaten
the magic asparagus.

Too late to change that.

But I think
if you say "doggie,"

everyone will turn back to doggies.

Can you say,
"Polly want a doggie"?

Polly want a cr*cker!

Ugh! No,
"Polly want a doggie"!

Hands to yourself,
Daddy Walrus!

Come on, Bird Bingo!

"Polly want a doggie"!

Come on, Bird Bingo!

-It's hard to get a walrus.
-Mwoaaar!

-Mwoaaar!
-. to sit at the dinner table!

-[parents] Roaaar! Roaaar!
-Aah!

No eating your manners teacher!

Polly want a. doggie!

Hooray! You did it, Bird Bingo!

We're just eating dinner. Remember?

Ah, yeah --
dinner.

Okay, well,
make sure you --

I've finished
my vegetables, Father.

I shall now excuse myself
to go tidy the kitchen.

Well.
That's more like it.

Squawk!
Bawk, bawk, bawk!

For the last time,
use a Kn*fe and --

One Good Thing: The cartoon dog who taught me how to be a dad

Bluey opened up my imagination and made the most boring part of parenting fun.

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The solstice is seen as a time of balance between light and darkness, as the sun reaches its peak and begins its descent. It is a time to acknowledge the cycles of nature and connect with the energy and vitality of the sun. Witches often gather in groups or perform solitary rituals to honor the summer solstice. These rituals may involve casting spells, making offerings to deities, or engaging in divination and meditation. Fire plays a significant role during this time, as bonfires are lit to symbolize the power of the sun and burn away negative energies. The sabbat of Litha is also associated with various pagan deities, such as the Sun God and Goddess. Witches may invoke these deities during their rituals and ceremonies. They may also incorporate traditional symbols and correspondences, such as herbs, flowers, and crystals, to enhance their magical work. One popular tradition during the summer solstice is the creation of a "wishing tree." Witches write their desires and intentions on strips of paper or cloth and tie them onto a tree branch. As the wind blows through the tree, it is believed to carry the wishes to the universe, increasing the likelihood of manifestation. In addition to its spiritual significance, the summer solstice also holds cultural and historical importance. It has been celebrated in various ways by different cultures throughout history. For example, the ancient Celts held bonfire festivals to honor the solstice and ensure a bountiful harvest. Similarly, the Scandinavians celebrated Midsummer with festivities, including dancing around maypoles and lighting bonfires. Overall, the summer solstice holds a special place in the witchcraft calendar. It is a time for witches to connect with nature, harness the energy of the sun, and celebrate the abundance and growth that comes with the summer season. Through rituals and ceremonies, witches honor the cycles of nature and seek to align themselves with the power and vitality of the sun..

Reviews for "The Power of Fire in Summer Solstice Witchcraft Spells and Rituals"

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The Magic of Midsummer: Exploring Summer Solstice Witchcraft Practices