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Day of Danu: Celtic Mother Goddess
Celtic Tree Month Birch: December 24 - January 20
The birch tree symbolizes starting over, fertility, rebirth, and regeneration. In fact, birches are one of the first trees to grow back after a forest fire.
Birch or Beithe, is the first tree of the Ogham, the Celtic tree alphabet. Beithe (pronounced ‘bey’) is the Gaelic word for birch and means inception or existence.
Two Faces of Janus: Roman God of Beginnings and Endings
In ancient times, Janus was a god of beginnings and endings. He also represented the year's transitions from one season to another. In modern times, we recognize him as the god of doors and gates. He is depicted in art with two faces looking in opposite directions - one facing forward and one facing back."
Yule Plants and Ethnobotany
10 Fun and Easy Yule Decorations
Get Ready! Yule is right around the corner.
I love holiday decorating - as long as it’s fun and easy. I also like when it is inexpensive!
These decorations will bring joy and meaning to your holiday. For those of you in the broom closet - these are perfect because only you will know the true meaning of the decor!
Navajo Night Chant
Winter Nights: Norse Festival
Saturnalia: Roman Precursor To Christmas?
What came first? Saturnalia or Christmas?
Saturnalia is an ancient Roman pagan holiday in honor of the god Saturn. Held on the 17th of December it has evolved from a one-day holiday to a week-long festival, ending on the 23rd.
Saturnalia also has a big influence on modern-day religions such as Christianity. Many Christmas traditions come from pagan celebrations such as Saturnalia.
Days of Horses: Rodnovery Winter Festival
Morana: Slavic Goddess of Death and Rebirth
Morana (Mara, Marzanna, Mora, Mare) is one of the Major Rodnovery deities. The Slavic Goddess of winter and darkness is associated with seasonal rites based on the idea of death and the rebirth of nature.
As the Goddess associated with winter’s death, rebirth, and dreams her death marks the end of Winter and the birth of Lada and Vesna, the deities of Spring.
Vodokres: Rodnovery Celebration of Water
Veles: Rodnovery Deity
Hogmanay: Scottish New Year
Hogmanay is a centuries-old New Year celebration originating in Scotland. It is associated with the giving of gifts, good luck, and the saining of households in the spirit of out with the old and in with the new.
Originally, Hogmanay was celebrated at Samhain to rejoice in the harvest. It was later moved to coordinate with Yule and the Nordic influences.
Heliogenna: Helios God of the Sun
Celtic Month of Ash: February 18 - March 17
Disablot and Charming the Plow
Disablot is a Norse/Germanic pagan holiday that honors female deities. Female spirits of ancestors, Disir, Odin’s Valkyries, or other women in your life are honored. Frig, Freya, and Ostera are often celebrated.
Disir are female deities that honored women ancestors and were felt to guard the living. We honor women who give us life and their fertility.
The Dises by Dorthy Hardy (1909)
Celebrated in Scandinavia before Christian conquerors to enhance the coming harvest season. The holiday is also referred to as the “charming of the plow” after the namesake spell.
Dísablót is celebrated each year in Uppsala Sweden at the Disting festival around January 31. Traditionally this winter holiday was held during the vernal equinox.
The name Dísablót means Thing (or assembly) of the Goddesses. Celebrated in Sweden as the first Moot Fair of the season.
The Thing was a famous gathering where law and justice were discussed. Contracts were made and grievances were expressed. Bravery was honored and it was a time to consider how your acts affected others.
Feasting
This holiday holds a great feast celebrating new beginnings. Offerings were made to female ancestors. Farmers asked for blessings for the future planting season.
In preparation for the feast, small cakes were baked. These cakes were then placed in the furrows the plow made as an offering to mother earth.
Charming the Plow
A time to give thanks for the coming spring and the fertility of the soil. During the ritual, the equipment, seeds, and fields would all be charmed for an abundant growing season.
The ancient legend states that the Swedish King told the goddess Gefjon she could take ownership of as much land as she could plow in one day.
Gefjon turned her four sons into oxen and they plowed the land from coast to coast.
Celebrate Today
Bake some small cakes to honor Mother Earth. Dig four holes in your garden in the cardinal directions and place a cake in each hole. Ask that the cakes bless the soil with fertility.
Lift your arms to the sky and ask that the Gods bless your garden with fertility and abundance.
Anoint your plow (or garden tools) with olive oil and herbs such as myrrh and cinnamon.
Honor the Women in Your Life Today
Celebrate this holiday by recognizing and honoring those women in your life that make a difference. What women this year have had an impact on you?
You may also want to celebrate Thorroblot this season.
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Imbolc
Imbolc, also referred to as Candlemas or Oimelc, occurs on February 2, 2021. This is an exciting holiday of the returning light. Spring is coming!
The Celtic holiday honors Brigid, the fire goddess of healing, inspiration, and smithcraft. The mantra is refresh, renew, rededicate!
Imbolc is a cross-quarter holiday, midway between winter and spring. It’s one of the eight Wiccan Sabbats in the Wheel of the Year and one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals.
Celtic Month of Rowan: January 21 - Febuary 17
Sementivae
This year Sementivae falls on January 24, 2020
This Roman festival was also called Feriae and the exact dates were made by the local priests or magistrates. During this time, we honor Tellus (Mother Earth) and the Goddess of Agriculture Ceres. Sementivae is a grain-oriented festival that celebrates the preparation of the fields for sowing.
So, you want to become a Norse pagan? That's great! In general, pagan religions don’t ask you to convert, proselytize, or profess allegiance to a single God.
Norse paganism is open to anyone who believes in their deities and practices. There is a growing interest in Nordic religions. In fact, the old Norse religion is going through a major revival.