Ellis, Peter Berresford. A Brief History of the Druids. New York: Carroll & Graf Publishers, 2003. Each Summer Solstice the news media releases a handful of articles on a modern group of Druids worshipping near Stonehenge. The photos are of regular looking people wearing long white robes and sometimes white head coverings that look more akin toContinue reading “A Brief History of the Druids”
Category Archives: DP
Autumn Equinox
The Autumn Equinox is a harvest holiday that is also known as Mabon to many Pagans (Ellison 187). It is generally celebrated around the actual equinox date, usually September 21st. Although it was not an especially important time to the ancient Celts, there are traditions throughout the British Isles and Ireland. According to Mara Freeman, there was aContinue reading “Autumn Equinox”
Lughnasadh
As July ends, numerous Pagans are mentally, spiritually, and in some cases physically preparing for Lughnasadh. On or around August first, many of us stop to remember the bounty of the summer and give thanks. Some of us stop and remember the holiday’s namesake – Lugh. Lughnasadh is a feast in honor of Lugh and his fosterContinue reading “Lughnasadh”
Summer Solstice
The Summer Solstice, or Midsummer, occurs this year on June 21st. Day light will be at its longest and summer, as the ancients saw it, will be half-way through. The energy of the season will be at its peak (Ellison, 176). Many modern Pagans refer to the holiday as Litha and feel that the sun, having reached its apex, diminishesContinue reading “Summer Solstice”
Beltaine
Beltaine is a Celtic holiday traditionally celebrated around May 1st. It is a day to celebrate the return of fertility to the Earth as well as the beginning of summer. In regards to the etymology of the word, linguists are fairly certain that the “-tain” refers to the word tene, meaning “fire”. The “bel-” is less certain among linguists. SomeContinue reading “Beltaine”
The Spring Equinox
The end of March is hardly how I imagine spring. Never the less, the Spring Equinox generally falls around March 21st every year (Freeman 71). In Upstate New York, snow can cling to existence until mid April. It is chilly, mucky, and gray – hardly what one considers spring-like weather. Yet I’ve grown to shrug off this more cynicalContinue reading “The Spring Equinox”
Oath Ring
When I performed my oath rite as part of ADF’s Dedicant Program, I decided to wear a ring as a sign of my commitment to the Kindreds. I found a lovely silver spiral ring and used that. It weakened and broke. I decided to replace it with a spiraly ring that had belonged to myContinue reading “Oath Ring”
TGIF and Doxtater’s Farmers Market
I don’t know if it’s the moon, the season, my hormones, or my lifestyle (it’s probably a combination!), but I have been one tired Pagan as of late. It seems that I want nothing more than to sit on my bum and vegetate after work. I’m sorry to say that our home is not asContinue reading “TGIF and Doxtater’s Farmers Market”
Imbolc
Imbolc is a celebration of the Celtic Goddess Brighid. For this reason, the holiday was always a strange one for me before coming to Druidry. When I first started out on the path of Paganism, I considered myself Wiccan and tried my best to form relationships with Greek and Egyptian deities. I was reluctant to delve into CelticContinue reading “Imbolc”
Winter Solstice
When the stores begin to play holiday music and plaster their shelves with red and green ornaments, I can’t help but get excited. Of course I have to admit that the sensation is very much a carry-over from my Christian upbringing, but having learned a bit about the background of Christmas and the Winter Solstice, IContinue reading “Winter Solstice”
Author M. A. Phillips 