January 6 Pagan Rite: January 6th, also known as Epiphany or Twelfth Night, has its roots in ancient pagan traditions. This date marks the end of the Christmas season and is associated with various customs and ceremonies practiced by different cultures throughout history. In pagan times, January 6th held significance as the winter solstice had passed and days were beginning to lengthen again. It was a time for celebration and hope, as people looked forward to the return of warmth and fertility. The observance of this day varied across civilizations, but common themes included feasting, gift-giving, and religious rituals. One notable tradition that originated from pagan rituals is the Twelfth Night cake.
Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to connect an account.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.
One notable tradition that originated from pagan rituals is the Twelfth Night cake. This cake, often baked with a hidden bean or figurine, was consumed by revelers during festivities. Whoever found the hidden item in their slice would be crowned the "king" or "queen" of the event.
How to Make Your Very Own Fabulous Witch Hat
Going out with girlfriends to Witches Night Out at Granny’s Korner in Tomball, Texas for a little pre-Halloween fun calls for a special witches hat! Inspired by the “best hat” contest, exceeding craftiness and my lack of funds, I decided to go online and find a tutorial for making a witch’s hat. I didn’t think it would be very hard. (Spoiler alert: it wasn’t).
[Related: Making My Loblolly Witch Hat (including downloadable witch hat pattern)]
I found this lovely YouTube video by Nightskylullaby. I love the video, but there were a few fundamental steps left out. It took me some trial and error before I got the right size brim/opening. I ended up using the old trick my mother taught me with the tape measure and a pencil (or protractor, in this case).
I cannot stress this enough: MAKE A PAPER PATTERN. After cutting the brim out of black and purple felt, I hand sewed them together with a blanket stitch, like the video said. If you’re in a hurry, this could easily be done with a sewing machine using the zig zag stitch. You could use a piece of bias binding tape for a nice finish too. I cut the hole for the head out here as well.
After the brims were together, I inserted the wire. This was a great idea from Sheila—if it wasn’t for the wire the hat would be a floppy mess! I cut the wire to match the circumference of the outer edge of the brim then looped the wire ends around each other to close a circle. Once that was in place, I used a running stitch and embroidery floss to create the “casing.” Basically, I stitched about a half inch from the edge of the brim to hold the wire as close to the edge as possible.
Returning to the video, I measured out the remaining felt for the rest of the hat. I didn’t have enough purple to make it the proper length, so I pieced it together using some black. Turned out well, I think.
I cut out the top pieces, used a zig zag stitch to sew the black to the purple, then sewed trim over it to cover the line and make it look like I meant to do that. I closed up the back and attached the cone to the brim, using the zig zag stitch.
Following the directions on the video, I also gathered/bunched the top so it looked crooked. I adjusted the wire rim to something I was happy with and played around with some different styles.
The hole is a little too big, so I need to add an interior hatband to adjust fit. For that I’ll just cut some felt that fits my head exactly and sew it in to the hat.
Finally, all that’s left is the fun part: embellishing! I created a feather medallion like the ones that used to be featured on cowboy hats in the 70s and 80s, appliquéd some gorgeous black lace up the back to cover the seam and couched a big black satin ribbon around the base using silver jump rings. Once things were positioned in a way I liked, I sewed it all down. The finishing touch was a black stone faceted bead sewed to the tip!
[Shopping list at the bottom of this post]
Quick Steps
1. Cut pattern- DO IT
2. Cut felt (video for using tape measure & soap to make a circle)
3. Hand stitch brim layers together
4. Insert wire (cut wire length to match brim circumference; join wire ends to form circle)
5. Running stitch “casing” for wire brim
6. Cut hat; attach trim (I had to piece it b/c not enough felt)
7. Sew hat to brim (I used zig zag stitch to finish edge as I sewed); sew folds/bends in tip of hat per video instructions
8. Apply lace, ribbons, beads, net, feathers as desired for effect (see shopping list below); cardboard or foam can be cut into a triangle, then wrapped in a cylinder (like a pope hat) and inserted to make the hat stand up more firmly
[Related: Making My Loblolly Witch Hat (including downloadable witch hat pattern)]
Sarah Evans, Guest Blogger
Sarah has been sewing for decades and even taught Sheila how to sew in 2015 (she’s pretty much Sheila’s sewing fairy godmother). She loves making doll clothes, vintage clothing, and her costume holy grail is an Elizabethan gown.
This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, Red Shoes. Red Wine. will earn a small commission for the referral at no cost to you. Read more about affiliates & disclaimers here. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Materials Shopping List
This project used wool remnants and leftover notions/materials from prior projects. You may already have these things in your supplies cabinet. But if not, here are some of the materials Sarah and I combined:
Edited by Sheila 9/2021: Since publishing this post, I drafted a pattern for myself to make a witch hat for each season. I’ve digitized that pattern and it is available for free download on any of the following season posts:
Please follow me on Instagram @redshoesredwine for almost daily updates, adventures, and stories! All tutorials, patterns, travel tips, and packing lists are provided free on my blog. I do not charge for them nor allow advertising on my site, but if you would like to donate towards my domain/hosting costs or craft supplies, consider buying me a “coffee”: https://ko-fi.com/redshoesredwine -Thank you, and cheers!
This practice symbolized the cycle of life and the role of luck in determining fortune. In Christian tradition, January 6th is recognized as the day of the Epiphany, commemorating the visit of the Three Wise Men to the baby Jesus. This religious significance merged with pagan customs, leading to the blending of various elements in modern celebrations. Today, the January 6th pagan rite continues to be observed in different ways worldwide. In some cultures, people participate in parades and processions, dressing up as the Three Wise Men or other biblical figures. Others engage in bonfires and fireworks, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness. While the specific rituals and beliefs associated with the January 6th pagan rite may vary, the underlying theme of renewal and the transition from winter to spring remains constant. It serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of life and the interconnectedness of different cultural and religious practices throughout history. In conclusion, January 6th holds significant historical and cultural relevance as a pagan rite. The combination of ancient traditions and Christian symbolism creates a rich tapestry of celebrations and rituals that continue to be observed around the world. This date serves as a reminder of the shared human experience and the power of tradition in shaping our understanding of the world..
Reviews for "The January 6 Pagan Rite: Its Influence on Modern Celebrations"
1. John - ★☆☆☆☆
I was really looking forward to attending the "January 6 pagan rite" event, but it turned out to be a major disappointment. The organization was chaotic, with no clear instructions or leadership. The event started late, and there was a lack of organization throughout. The activities that were supposed to take place were poorly planned and executed. Overall, it felt like a disorganized mess, and definitely not the spiritual experience I was hoping for.
2. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆
I had high expectations for the "January 6 pagan rite" event, but unfortunately, it fell short. The location was difficult to find, and there was a lack of clear signage. Once inside, the event itself lacked structure and cohesion. It seemed like the organizers were just winging it, with no clear plan or purpose. The activities felt disjointed and didn't flow well together. It was a disappointment overall, and I wouldn't recommend attending this event.
3. David - ★★☆☆☆
I attended the "January 6 pagan rite" event with high hopes, but left feeling underwhelmed. The event lacked clear communication, making it difficult to understand what was happening and when. The rituals and ceremonies were poorly explained and lacked the depth and meaning I was expecting. The overall atmosphere was chaotic, and it felt more like a disorganized party than a spiritual gathering. I was disappointed in the lack of organization and professionalism, and wouldn't attend a similar event in the future.
4. Emily - ★☆☆☆☆
The "January 6 pagan rite" event was a complete letdown for me. The venue was overcrowded, making it difficult to fully participate in the activities. The event organizers seemed unprepared and overwhelmed, resulting in a disorganized and confusing experience. The lack of clear instructions and structure made it feel like a free-for-all rather than a intentional spiritual gathering. Overall, I felt like I wasted my time and money attending this event, and I wouldn't recommend it to others.