Even before learning about my pregnancy, I’ve been collecting books for my future child. Of course, some of this collection includes kid-friendly mythology and history. I imagine this time of year being a bit confusing for the little one. Public schools are full of Christmas. The rest of my family celebrates Christmas, albeit some moreContinue reading “Teaching Children About Winter Holidays with “Lights of Winter””
Tag Archives: holidays
How to Carve Turnips into Jack-o-Lanterns: A Samhain Tutorial
Our turnips for Samhain this year! Photo by Weretoad, 2012. Carved pumpkins are a ubiquitous tradition here in America. It’s no wonder really – pumpkins have been growing here for generations! In Ireland, turnips were mostly used as Samhain decorations. There’s not a lot of evidence that this is an ancient practice. Writings on theContinue reading “How to Carve Turnips into Jack-o-Lanterns: A Samhain Tutorial”
Preparing for Imbolc
Imbolc is fast approaching and I can’t help but find myself anticipating it. As Brighid is my patroness, this holiday has become particularly important to me. The Wiccan group I used to work with emphasized quiet introspection, new beginnings, and storytelling in the dead of winter. To them, it was Candlemas. They did not particularlyContinue reading “Preparing for Imbolc”
And So It’s 2012
Well, a new calendar year has begun. As a few other Pagans have noted elsewhere, it is interesting to have celebrated a spiritual New Year at Samhain then a more secular one this weekend. As others have rightfully said, any day could be a beginning of a New Year, but there is so much collectiveContinue reading “And So It’s 2012”
On Thanksgiving
Let me come right out and say that I’m not very interested in Thanksgiving at all. It’s one of my least favorite secular American holidays. Every year I see kids doing their pilgrim and Native American pageants while adults smile and nod as they perpetuate misinformation… It makes me really jaded. I have Native AmericanContinue reading “On Thanksgiving”
Happy Mother’s Day!
A blessed Mother’s Day to my mum, all the mothers out there, the mother Goddesses, and The Earth Mother. Blessed be the works of your hands, O Holy One. Blessed be these hands that have touched life. Blessed be these hands that have nurtured creativity. Blessed be these hands that have held pain. Blessed beContinue reading “Happy Mother’s Day!”
“The dance is life, the dance is all…”
“Tine Bealtaine” by one of my favorite groups – Omnia. Time to get in the mood for tonight’s Beltaine festivities – the Maypole – the playful dance of fertility, the fires, and the celebration of renewed life!
Visting My Family for Easter
I think I’ve mentioned this before, but a majority of my clan is Catholic. Thus I find myself visiting my family for their Easter celebration. Now, I used to be an active participant. As a child, my mother woke us up singing either “Peter Cottontail” or “In Your Easter Bonnet.” We would find and thenContinue reading “Visting My Family for Easter”
Valentine’s Day?
So it’s Valentine’s Day. I’ve been seeing a lot of posts on Pagan blogs recently about the holiday’s Pagan roots, how we can/should repurpose it, information on love/sex spells, and how to celebrate it as a day honoring all love. That’s all well and good, and I’m happy for anyone who is celebrating today. It’sContinue reading “Valentine’s Day?”
New Years Scrooges?
I’ve seen a lot of people making pessimistic remarks about the New Year. I’m not referring to such comments as, “2010 sucked. Glad it’s over!” Some people have genuinely unfortunate years. While it’s true that most people don’t even know who Janus is and why it’s significant that the first month of the year isContinue reading “New Years Scrooges?”
Author M. A. Phillips 