Each festival in the Wheel of the Year has some sort of divination practice associated with it, perhaps because the veils between the realms were always considered to be thinnest at the fire festivals, making it easier to communicate with the realms of ancestors, the living and that of the deities and fairies, aka The… Continue reading Divination practices for Imbolg
Creativity: the Brighid – Lugh connection
On February 1st (the traditional date), we celebrate the fire festival of Imbolg (aka Imbolc) in the Northern Hemisphere and Lúnasa (aka Lughnasadh aka Lammas) in the Southern Hemisphere. Rather than looking at these as different events, let us consider the commonality of these two festivals and how they might complement each other — perhaps… Continue reading Creativity: the Brighid – Lugh connection
New Moon Candle Magic for Brighid
New Moon in Aquarius January 21 @ 20:53 UTC, 12:53 pm PST, 3:53 pm pm EST, January 22 @ 9:53 am NZDT Imbolg Can be celebrated on February 1st, 3rd and/or 5th! Celebrate the New Moon in Aquarius with a candle blessing for the Celtic goddess Brighid or Saint Brigid, a lovely way to honour… Continue reading New Moon Candle Magic for Brighid
2023, a year of 13 moons
Women have a special connection with Grandmother Moon. She is associated with all the divine feminine qualities such as nurturing, intuitive, cooperative, being rather than doing, creative, emotional and focused on one's inner world. And the energies our menstrual cycles (even when pre-menarche or post-menopause) are aligned with her months. And let us remember that… Continue reading 2023, a year of 13 moons
The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come
On the Darkest Night by Stephanie Law The period between Samhain and Winter Solstice was recognized by my Celtic ancestors (and likely many ancestors around the world!) as a time when the veil between this physical world and the Otherworld was thin, when communication was most common between the realms. Some believed that spirits roamed… Continue reading The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come
The Pagan Spirit of Winter Solstice
Witch of the White Wood, 2014, by Eran Fowler Solstice is here! Solstice Blessings! Solstice arrived earlier today, December 21st, at 03:27 UTC, manifesting as Winter Solstice north of the Equator (and the beginning of astronomical winter) and as Summer Solstice south of the Equator (marking the beginning of astronomical summer). At sunrise, over several days,… Continue reading The Pagan Spirit of Winter Solstice
Celebrate your Herstories on January 6, Nollaig na mBan
A few years ago, I started celebrating with a special practice to close the Winter Solstice season: Nollaig na mBan (Women’s Little Christmas in Irish, roughly pronounced null-ig nuh mahn), traditionally observed on the 12th Day of Christmas, January 6th, or on the closest weekend to that date. This celebration is just a few weeks away, so it's a good… Continue reading Celebrate your Herstories on January 6, Nollaig na mBan
Solstice Practice: 12 Omen Days for 12 Months
What message or medicine might these images reveal? Several years ago, I started to observe not just the 12 Days of Solstice (and/or Christmas) but also a lovely ritual and divination process for the new calendar year (or coming months) known as 12 Omen Days, a traditional Celtic practice from the people of Wales and… Continue reading Solstice Practice: 12 Omen Days for 12 Months
Craft and Ritual: a Solstice Wishes Pinecone
seasonal crafting with pine cones and other botanicals This is a lovely craft for Solstice, which can be done on your own or with your family and friends, each creating their own wishing cone with their hopes and dreams inserted and held for the coming year. And you can add a little magic and ritual… Continue reading Craft and Ritual: a Solstice Wishes Pinecone
Wisdom of the Autumn Sunflower
Image by SergioByrdejnij from Pixabay This time between Samhain and Grianstad an Gheimhridh (Winter Solstice, in Irish) is more and more my “cauldron time” — a time of slowing down, a time of deep connection with the land, and a time to contemplate and reset before Father Sun completes his waning cycle and, at Solstice,… Continue reading Wisdom of the Autumn Sunflower