The Winter Solstice is officially tomorrow at 4:47 PM EST in the Northern Hemisphere where I live. It marks the longest night of the year, but it’s also on a school and work night! How can we mark the occasion? Like other religious minorities in the US, I weigh my options each year. Honestly, it’sContinue reading “How I’m Observing the Winter Solstice this Year”
Tag Archives: tradition
Three Things Thursday: Irish Folklore in America, Blodeuedd, and Herb Spirals
My weekly post in which I share three things I enjoyed or thought about this week. Irish Folklore in America If you haven’t already, I encourage you to listen to the latest episode from one of my favorite podcasts , New World Witchery. Episode 164, “Irish Folklore and Magic with Morgan Daimler,” is excellent. IfContinue reading “Three Things Thursday: Irish Folklore in America, Blodeuedd, and Herb Spirals”
Reflection: The File Tradition in Ireland
As part of my work on the “Learn the Lore” course in the Irish Pagan School, I’m tasked with reflecting on my knowledge of the file tradition in Ireland as well as my current feelings on poetry. Next, I’m to share my thoughts and feelings on the story studied in days 1 and 2, “EchtraContinue reading “Reflection: The File Tradition in Ireland”
A Quiet Bealtaine at Home
Bealtaine is one of my favorite holidays. One reason is simply because, unlike the Spring Equinox, Bealtaine truly brings the warmer weather to Northern NY. Another reason for my fondness is that it’s basically my unofficial Pagan anniversary. I don’t know exactly when I started the conversion process, but my first experiences with two Pagan groupsContinue reading “A Quiet Bealtaine at Home”
Eggs in the Making
In preparation for the upcoming Spring Equinox gathering next month, I’m experimenting with making paper mâché eggs for an egg hunt the little ones can enjoy. I would rather do something a little more sustainable than using cheap plastic eggs. The Spring Equinox is a strange high day for me. It’s historically not very Celtic,Continue reading “Eggs in the Making”
Getting Festive
Despite how sick I was feeling last week, I decided we ought to decorate our tree. We bought a potted tree this year, with the intent to keep her around. My husband brought our box of decorations out, and we hung all our memories. This is the first year that my daughter was visibly excited andContinue reading “Getting Festive”
Blessed Winter Solstice!
I would like to wish everyone a magical Winter Solstice! I woke up a little early today to welcome the sun as it rose in Northern NY. The sky, once dark, lightened. I watched as the sun gilded the tree outside my window. I slipped out of bed and went outdoors with an offeringContinue reading “Blessed Winter Solstice!”
The Ninth Day of Yule 2013
The Ninth Day of Yule was dedicated to the evergreen trees. We remember the trees outdoors, home to other beings and shelter from the cold. They are a source of food for many such as the white tailed deer. Many people still use the white pine for tea as well which is a great sourceContinue reading “The Ninth Day of Yule 2013”
A Quiet Lughnasadh
Lughnasadh is difficult this year. Some sad and complicated things happened in my family this week. I’m looking forward to seeing grovies this weekend, but today was a quiet celebration at home. I made a simple dinner of homemade cornbread, tacos with local ingredients, and leftover salt potatoes. We made offerings of cornbread in thanksContinue reading “A Quiet Lughnasadh”
Author M. A. Phillips 