Today is New Year’s eve and like last year I am spending the day reflecting on the past 12 months. Later tonight I will honor Frau Holle and see the old year out while welcoming the new in, but I find that the best way to let go of the past year(…)
Tumbled Dreams: December 22 – December 28, 2012
What are “Tumbled Dreams”? These are the posts I made to my tumblr during the week because I felt they did not warrant a separate post on this blog. However, these “interstitials” often explain some of the backstory to the larger dream posts. For those readers that only read Three Different Ways, they may help explain some of the characters and sudden changes in plot and direction.
6,661 words.
Fulltrui – Dedication to a Deity in Heathenry
Within Heathenry you will see a wide range of approaches and beliefs, from those who don’t believe in the Gods at all, to those who see them as archetypes, to those who believe the Gods exist as unique inidual beings. In the same way you(…)
In Memorial ~ Christine Winkler
On Sunday, December 23rd, one of the strongest, most intense, women I have ever known passed from this world to the next after a hard fight against cancer. In the past four years she had fought and beat cancer four times, but this fifth round proved(…)
Allons-y
Allons pulled from the bag an elaborate cape and several brightly wrapped blades. Wrapping the cape around his neck and arm, he hefted the blades and walked towards the emerging bear, laughing. “You shall see, dear Lady Athena! You have the queen’s seat! And I, your humble torero, shall show you there is nothing to fear!” He placed one blade in his right hand and pointed it at the bear. “And then I shall show you there is nothing.”
2,706 words.
Modern Altars
It seems that most modern pagans have or use altars of some type. Sometimes permanent, sometimes transitory, the altar is often the focal point of worship, a place we can connect to our Gods in an active way. A place to go when we need something to focus(…)
No fucking cookies given from this quarter
Ever get your buttons pushed by something you read even if you don’t know the other people saying it? It happens a lot if one takes an interest in the outside world. Social media is good for that. I got one of those knee jerk responses today as(…)
Yule 2012
Happy Yule and a merry solstice to all!
Yule is always one of the busiest times of year for me; as I mentioned last year I have usually approached Yule form a strictly Germanic/Norse perspective but have recently started trying to incorporate more Irish and Druidic aspects. Since the heathen Yule celebration lasts for 12 nights its been hard to work in anything else – which is complicated by the very limited Irish folklore and practices. This year I am going to attempt to juggle four different types of celebration.
Hag Snow
The Hag dances over the land, frost and snow and hail are falling and it’s too cold to venture to my forest. I hang every manner of charm, talisman,amulet and general anathema around the witch-wreath- a haggard old grapevine wreath that become the graveyard of charms and amulets meant to burn in the fires of Imbolc when I purge the home and welcome the blessed Bride; exalted and holy. She guards this wreath in the wintertime-it is a tomb for the shells and vessels that have held spirit and shade alike, and she consecrates the remains, unwind and unmake, bend and brake.
Grian, Goddess of the Sun
I blogged back in June about Aine and mentioned there her sister Grian; I also discussed Aine’s connection to the summer solstice. As we quickly approach the winter(…)