Wiccan is a term that individuals often use to refer to a belief system known as Wicca. Wicca is a modern pagan witchcraft tradition that was developed in the mid-20th century. It is commonly mentioned in popular culture and often misunderstood or misrepresented. People may sometimes use the term Wiccan to describe someone who practices witchcraft or believes in magic, but there is more to Wicca than just spellcasting. At its core, Wicca is a nature-based religion that honors the divine in all things. Wiccans typically see the natural world and the cycles of the seasons as sacred and strive to live in harmony with the Earth.
Line-up:
Eric Bloom - Voice, Guitars
Buck Dharma - Guitars
Allen Lanier - Guitars, Keys
Danny Miranda - Bass
Bob Rondinelli - Drums
Due to unsuccessful level of sales the label terminated the contact with Blue Oyster Cult, leaving Curse of the Hidden Mirror without promotion, so it quickly fell off the radar, which is unfortunate. The critics received it rather warmly and it probably enjoyed some popularity, because in 3 years their last at least, at the moment LP is put out, titled Curse of the Hidden Mirror.
Wiccans typically see the natural world and the cycles of the seasons as sacred and strive to live in harmony with the Earth. They often worship a goddess and god, representing the feminine and masculine aspects of divinity. Wiccans may also believe in various spirits and deities from different mythologies.
Blue Oyster Cult
Curse of the Hidden Mirror
Blue Oyster Cult has nothing left to prove. The band, that released a string of excellent albums in the 1970s and 80s, has already left its imprint in the popular culture. Unfortunately, it is mostly known for 2-3 songs ((Don’t Fear) The Reaper, Burnin’ for You, Godzilla), but it is not going to be news that they have a much wider selection of quality tracks. The period of extensive studio activity has ended for them following the release of Imaginos. Afterwards the band barely produced any new material, mainly existing on their classic output. So it was a surprise when in 1998, ten years later, Blue Oyster Cult released a full-fledged studio album Heaven Forbid. The critics received it rather warmly and it probably enjoyed some popularity, because in 3 years their last (at least, at the moment) LP is put out, titled Curse of the Hidden Mirror.
For people familiar with the band’s repertoire the new record is going to be like a long-awaited return to familiar grounds. Obviously, it’s not going to surprise anyone, since the line-up includes three musicians, who practically never left, and there is no doubt that Eric Bloom, Buck Dharma and Allen Larnier know what a Blue Oyster Cult album should sound like. So all the major components are preserved with utmost professionalism on Curse of the Hidden Mirror. The band still avoids clear labels, shifting between hard rock and heavy metal, with occasional stop on the pop-rock territory. The songs still maintain the signature quirkiness and eccentricity of topics: there are both creepy or mystical cuts, as well as those performed in a more ironic or grounded way. As on Heaven Forbid some assistance with lyrics was provided by the cyberpunk author John Shirley, again carrying on the tradition of working together with science fiction writers and songwriters, which started in the early days of the band.
The songs included on the album leave mainly positive impression. Of notable interest are four songs sung by Buck Dharma: the opening track Dance on Stilts with its start-stop riff; perky and somewhat philosophical Pocket; fast-paced pop-rock gem Here Comes That Feeling Again with a surprising twist; and the mystical Stone of Love. Remarkably Mr. Roeser has not lost and wonderfully preserved his voice (as well as his sweet guitar skills), so it is sheer pleasure to listen to his tracks. Unfortunately, the songs performed by Eric Bloom are of hit and miss variety. The reason for this is twofold. Firstly (and it would seem mainly) is that the voice of Mr. Bloom is partially gone, so his yapping and grating manner of singing requires some getting used to. Though it should be noted, some of the cuts effective build on his more limited vocals adding necessary rawness and aggressiveness. A good example is apocalyptic The Old Gods Return or sinister One Step Ahead of the Devil. He manages himself pretty well on Showtime (which was actually written during the sessions for the 1980’s Cultosaurus Erectus), as well as Good to Feel Hungry. The second shortcoming is related to the songs themselves, specifically choruses. They are often built around repetition of several words or based on the track title with some variations, leading to a sense of certain monotony. This is represented in the above mentioned The Old Gods Return and One Step Ahead of the Devil or Eye of the Hurricane.
Nevertheless, despite some missteps it should be acknowledged that the veteran act released a strong effort, which, unfortunately, was passed over by the buying public. Due to unsuccessful level of sales the label terminated the contact with Blue Oyster Cult, leaving Curse of the Hidden Mirror without promotion, so it quickly fell off the radar, which is unfortunate. However, it can be assumed that those few who purchased the record were satisfied with the solid album that can stand among their classic releases.
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"Curse of the Hidden Mirror" is the 14th studio album by Blue Öyster Cult, originally released in 2001 on Sanctuary Records. The album has been out of print for quite some time and this will also be the first time it is officially available on vinyl.
On their first album of the the new millennium, BÖC proved that they're still smart enough to play to their strengths, wearing their ‘70s classic rock standing as a badge of honor.
The band took the album title from a song on the unreleased album by the Stalk-Forrest Group, the band that would eventually become Blue Öyster Cult, recorded in 1970. John Shirley, an author of cyberpunk science fiction, wrote the lyrics for many songs of the album. Musically, the album offers a style which could be described as “classic" Blue Öyster Cult.
Produced by Donald “Buck Dharma” Roeser. the albums showcases the band's familiar charms with understated clarity.
One of the key principles of Wicca is the Wiccan Rede, which states, "An it harm none, do what ye will." This means that Wiccans strive to live in a way that does not harm others or themselves. They believe in personal responsibility and the power of their actions and intentions. Wiccans often practice rituals and spellcraft to bring about positive change in their lives or to connect with the divine. It is important to note that Wicca is a diverse and individualistic religion, and beliefs and practices can vary greatly from person to person. Some Wiccans may focus more on witchcraft and spellcasting, while others may emphasize the spiritual and religious aspects of the tradition. Wicca also encourages personal exploration and allows for adaptability and evolution within the belief system. Overall, when individuals use the term Wiccan, they are typically referring to someone who practices or believes in Wicca, a nature-based religion that honors the divine in all things. While there may be misconceptions or misunderstandings about Wicca, it is a rich and complex belief system that encompasses a wide range of beliefs and practices..
Reviews for "Wiccan as a Ritual Practice: Understanding its ceremonial meaning"
1. Samantha - 2/5 stars - I found "What do individuals imply by wiccan" to be lacking in depth and substance. While the title intrigued me, the content was quite disappointing. The author barely scratched the surface of the topic and failed to provide any meaningful insights into the world of Wicca. It felt more like a brief overview rather than an in-depth exploration. I was left wanting more and ultimately unsatisfied with the shallow treatment of such an interesting subject.
2. John - 1/5 stars - "What do individuals imply by wiccan" was a complete waste of time. I was hoping to gain some understanding of Wicca, but all I got was a jumbled mess of unrelated information. The author seemed confused about their own topic and failed to provide any coherent explanations. The writing style was convoluted and hard to follow, making it difficult to grasp any meaningful concepts. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking genuine insights into Wicca.
3. Emma - 3/5 stars - I had higher expectations for "What do individuals imply by wiccan" and was left slightly disappointed. While the book contained some interesting information, it lacked structure and coherence. The author jumped from one topic to another without proper transitions, making it difficult to follow the flow of thoughts. However, there were a few interesting insights that piqued my interest, but overall, it failed to live up to my expectations and provide a comprehensive understanding of Wicca.
4. Michael - 2/5 stars - As someone who is relatively new to the world of Wicca, I was hoping for a beginner-friendly introduction through "What do individuals imply by wiccan". Unfortunately, this book fell short in that regard. The author assumed a certain level of knowledge and familiarity with the subject, leaving me feeling confused and overwhelmed. The explanations were too vague and lacked practical examples or guidance. While it may be useful to someone with prior knowledge, it is definitely not suitable for beginners like myself.
5. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I found "What do individuals imply by wiccan" to be a complete waste of time and money. The book lacked any meaningful content and seemed more like a collection of random thoughts rather than a cohesive piece of writing. It failed to provide any substantial insights into the world of Wicca and left me feeling confused and frustrated. I would not recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding Wicca or seeking genuine knowledge on the subject.