In many Slavic traditions, the Friday that falls between Oct. 25 and Nov. 1 is the day that honors the Goddess Mokosh. Mokosh, also called Mokos, a chthonic Goddess of the Earth, was worshipped by the ancient Slavs. She is one of the most primeval deities in Europe. As is true in many countries where … Read more
It’s Spunky Night, it’s Spunky Night, Gie’s a candle, Gie’s a light If ‘ee don’t, ee’ll have a fright. Tonight kicks off one of the earliest of the Halloween celebrations in Great Britain. In Hinton St George in Somerset, the last Thursday of October is Punkie Night. The tradition of Punkie Night goes back over … Read more
Under the Full Moon light We dance spirits Dance we dance joining Hands we dance joining Souls rejoice – Libana Tonight’s Full Moon is a Blue Moon, not because it is a second Full Moon in a calendar month, but because it is a second Full Moon in an astrological sign. We had a Full … Read more
Only those who truly love and who are truly strong can sustain their lives as a dream. You dwell in your own enchantment. – Ben Okri, Nigerian poet and novelist For weeks now, I have been feeling the big shifting of energy that signals Samhain. This year, it feels more potent than most other years. … Read more
While things may seem fairly routine and quiet here in the Western world on this day, there are big celebrations happening amongst millions of people in other cultures. Today is the culmination of the ten day long festival of Navaratri. It is among the most important festivals celebrated on the India sub-continent. In Northern India, … Read more
In the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, this is Chung Yuan — the Moon of the Hungry Ghosts. Back on the New Moon, the Gates of the Underworld were flung open, allowing ghosts and spirits of the dead access to the world of the living. The spirits spend the month visiting their families, feasting and being … Read more
It is bad luck to fall out of a thirteenth story window on Friday. — Anonymous Before we get started on our Gratitude Journey (and please stop back by this weekend, when I will share some background on those Blessed Beads I featured here on Wednesday).. a pause to note this special day. Yes, beware, … Read more
We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. — Thornton Wilder With this week’s New Moon that follows the celebration of the First Harvest, we now transition into the Fall quarter of the year. “Fall?!?” you say. I know, I know. Here in North … Read more
When in still air and still in summertime A leaf has had enough of this, it seems To make up its mind to go; fine as a sage Its drifting in detachment down the road. — Howard Nemerov, Threshold This is the eve of Lughnassadh, also called Lammas in the Christian revision of the Pagan … Read more
In ancient Kemet (Egypt), and for those who still honor the spiritual practices of the Nile valley, we are in the midst of one of the most sacred weeks in the calendar. This week celebrates the birthdays of Ra and the five netjers (sometimes spelled without the J and meaning Divine Ones), who form the … Read more