I do consider Samhain to be the beginning of my spiritual year, but I also cannot deny the status quo in regards to modern society. Generations have looked to the point between December and January as the threshold to a new year and the continual existence of all. I can’t deny the power associated withContinue reading “Looking Forward to the New Year”
Category Archives: holidays
Personal Religion
Ireland has captured my imagination, for better or for worse. A few years earlier, I never would have believed that I would be seriously studying Irish lore, Irish history, considering learning the Irish language, and worshiping the Irish Gods. A few years ago, the Irish Gods were “the strange Gods with even stranger names.” In a society thatContinue reading “Personal Religion”
Ready or Not, Here Comes Samhain!
Samhain is my favorite holiday. I love the Winter Solstice as well, but there’s something about the magic of this liminal time… Perhaps it’s the vague boundaries, whimsical to ridiculous costumes, celebrations, harvest food, or simply the visible changes all around. It’s a great time of year and, for many, it’s when magic and “energy”Continue reading “Ready or Not, Here Comes Samhain!”
4th of July
The latest post on The Wild Hunt inspired me. Today I did a formal ritual to honor, well, the spirit of America*. Most people who know me realize I’m not the most patriotic person in the world. I’m proud of my country, but not blind to its offenses. I also don’t fly a million littleContinue reading “4th of July”
Visiting for Easter
My parents want to visit next weekend! I’m very happy and excited to see them, but the situation makes me laugh. They were talking about going out to eat somewhere but I suggested making dinner. “But it’s Easter! We don’t want you to have to work.” Oh, my silly if well-meaning parents. I explained, forContinue reading “Visiting for Easter”
It’s that time of year again!
When I was a jaded high schooler, newly converted from Catholicism to “Wicca,”* I didn’t have a good understanding of ancient or medieval history. I knew quite a bit about American history thanks to years and years of emphasis in school, but otherwise… I knew a bit about feudalism, I knew that the Egyptians wereContinue reading “It’s that time of year again!”
Valentine’s Day
The “writer’s block” topic on Live Journal today is about Valentine’s Day and I decided to add my two cents. Given that we’re less than a week out from Valentines, how do you feel about the approaching holiday? Will you participate or abstain? If you’re not in a relationship, how will you celebrate your singleContinue reading “Valentine’s Day”
Author M. A. Phillips 