Winter Solstice is usually celebrated on Dec 21 (just a day after my birthday). But Yule is celebrated for exactly 12 days from Dec 22 until January 2. Ancient people and our hunter-gatherer ancestors who spent most of their time outdoors, were the first to notice the changing of ...
When the clock strikes midnight, we kiss. Lavish parties are thrown. We eat collard greens and black eyed peas for dinner. We all have some sort of tradition for New Years but might not know where those traditions came from. Let’s take a look at the magical history of New Years and the ...
The Christmas tree has long been the pillar of Christmas décor, but what about the other Christmas plants? Holly, Ivy and Mistletoe have also been a part of the Winter holidays, just as long as the Christmas tree. The poinsettia is also considered a magical Christmas plant in North America. But ...
When we think of Thanksgiving the image that pops up is of pilgrims and Native Americans sitting at a table, feasting on turkey and pumpkin. But is this really Thanksgiving’s origins? Weren’t there other harvest and fall festivals before Thanksgiving? Let’s take a look at ...
Deck the Halls With Bedknobs and Broomsticks! Before jolly ol’ Saint Nick, there were other mythical beings associated with Christmas. Some were nice, and some were naughty. Christmas today is celebrated all over the world, and many of the oldest customs have been forgotten or evolved to ...
Samhain is the ancient Celtic pagan festival of the dead celebrated in modern times on October 31st-November 1st in the Northern Hemisphere. And April 30th-May 1st in the Southern Hemisphere. Yes, Halloween is based on this sacred pagan holy-day when people believe the ancestors and spirits ...
I don’t know about you but September is one of my favorite months. The leaves start to turn. There’s a tangible energy in the air that whispers to us of the coming Fall days. Many of us begin our preparations for the winter, be it physically or spiritually. In this article, we ...
Mabon is the Pagan term for the celebration of the Autumnal Equinox which occurs between September 21st and 23rd annually. Because Mabon celebrates the first official day of Fall, we feast on all things Fall on this cozy sabbat. Let’s celebrate and feast together with these SIMPLE 10 ...
Lughnasadh is celebrated annually on August 1st in the Northern Hemisphere. And on February 1st in the Southern Hemisphere. This is a time when Summer is beginning to wane, and the harvest season begins. A time when the Wheel of the Year turns once more and beckons us to feel the sun’s ...
Summer’s here! Cicadas are buzzing. The frogs are croaking. And the sun is bathing us in its warmth and light. It’s time to harness that amazing solar energy. What better way to cool off on a hot summer’s day than with a cup of refreshing iced tea? And what better way to make ...