Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go. — Brooks AtkinsonTomorrow is the New Moon, occurring just before noon, Eastern Standard Time. The lunation period that surrounds Samhain can be thought of as the Samhain season, during which … Read more
Love is the vital essence that pervades and permeates, from the center to the circumference, the graduating circles of all thought and action. Love is the talisman of human weal and woe — the open sesame to every soul.— Elizabeth Cady StantonIf you have been a regular reader here in past years, you know that … Read more
The Mexican, in contrast, is familiar with death. (He) jokes about it, caresses it,sleeps with it, celebrates it. It is one of his favorite toys and his most steadfast love. — Octavio Paz (1914 – 1998) Nobel Laureate for Literature, 1990 In many parts of Mexico, the Day of the Dead is observed on more … Read more
Demeter Thesmophoros Ah! Beautiful Thesmophorae! Grant me your favors, protect me, both within the temple and on my way back…Mighty divinity, oh, Demeter, and thou, Persephone, grant that I may be able to offer you many sacrifices… — Aristophanes, from Women at the Thesmophoria In ancient Greece, the Thesmophoria was performed annually at this time. … Read more
Autumn Equinox Ritual21 September 1997Indiana Pagan Resource Network Lamplight glimmers in darkened roomsAnd you fold your hands across a swelling bellyCradling the fruits of your labor.The rich scent of new-mown hay, the dark Earth beneath itWhere seeds that fall soon deeply sleepHere as we move towards the darkness of SamhainThe shadow that brings the light … Read more
Please do not offer my God a peanut.— Apu, from The Simpsons Today is Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival that celebrates the birthday of the great Hindu God, Ganesh. Also known as Ganapati and Ganesha, He is the son of Shiva and Parvati. He is the Lord of success, destroyer of evils and remover of obstacles. … Read more
Virgo – from the zodiac window at Chartres CathedralDo not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person. — Mother Theresa, spoken like the true Virgo she was Today, the Sun enters the sign of Virgo, and so we enter into, according to some traditions, the Month of Isis, a time of the creative … Read more
As you have sown, so shall you reap.— Marcus Tullius CiceroAccording to Dan Furst’s Hermes World Calendar, in the Zoroastrian calendar of ancient Persia, the day before the Sun exits Leo and enters Virgo is considered the climactic moment of Solar radiance and power, and is celebrated as the first day of the New Year. … Read more
Every man is a quotation from all his ancestors. — Ralph Waldo Emerson On the Indonesian island of Bali, today is one of the most important holidays of the year. Galungan commemorates the triumph of good (Dharma) over evil (Adharma). It is based on the myth of the demon king “Mayadenawa.” Mayadenawa was very cruel, … Read more
The Grace of Festivity and Cheer, Euphrosyne now leads our journey of a year and a day to Graceland. Pronounced “you FRAHS uh nee,” She welcomes us as we honor the turning of the Wheel of the Year, and will reveal to us the rich diversity with which cultures throughout the world now begin a … Read more