Floralia: Beltane Renewal Spell with the Goddess Flora When thinking of Beltane, we usually think of the practices from northern Europe, but we can actually trace some of the roots to ancient Roman Paganism. The Romans honored many gods and goddesses, but during the Spring months, from the end of April to early May, the goddess Flora was celebrated with the flower festival Floralia.  Flora, the goddess of flowers, was the consort of Zephyrus and her major festival, Floralia, was associated with the dead as well as having strong sexual overtones. She was mainly worshiped by young girls who would giver her offerings of fruit and flowers and drape her…

Parilia: the Ancient Roots of Earth Day Parilia is a Roman holiday in honor of the god Pales (whose gender is uncertain).  As the guardian of the flocks and herds, April 21st was set aside as a day for shepherds to cleanse both himself and his flock.  Rural in nature and predating the founding of the city of Rome, in time it became more urban over time and instead of being officiated by a shepherd, the ceremony was led by a priest.    In more recent times, this holiday became Earth Day, where we set aside time to remember our responsibility to the environment. When in the hands of the shepherd,…

Idhunna’s Day: March 20 March 20th in the Norse Tradition is the day of the goddess Idhunna who is the personification of the light half of the year.  Also known as Idhunn, Iduna or Idun (Germanic), She is a Nordic-Icelandic goddess.  The consort of Bragi (the Poet God), she was widely worshiped during the Viking period (700 AD) and earlier until the Christianization around 1100 AD.  Some historians say that She is strongly connected to the Norse Tree of Life, the Axis Mundi, Yggdrasil.  On this day, She brings joy to humankind by appearing in the form of a sparrow.  Her name means “the Renewer” because she is a goddess…

Rebirth Through Oya Spell: Yoruba/Santeria Feast Day of Oya-2/2 Oya is the Orisha of death and rebirth and spring is the season of moving from the death of winter to rebirth.  She is the Keeper of the Cemetery, her home is the graveyard and the spirits of the dead are her subjects.  Oya has a relationship with Iku; the Spirit of Death whom she precedes, accompanies and carries with her on occasion.  When death strikes, Oya is the last breath taken along with the spirit Iku. On a much lighter note, Oya is also the river goddess of Yoruba as well as the deity in charge of wind, lightening, storms…

New Year’s Eve Asatru Festival of 12th Night (12/31) Hogmany (also as known as Hogmany, Hogmanay, Hogmannay, Hogmarmay, Hogmena, Hagmena, Hagmenai, or Hogg-night) is the Scottish New Year’s Eve Festival that commemorates the solar divinity Hogmagog.  Hogmagog, sometimes called Gogmagog, the God of the Sun, is really two divinities, Gog and Magog.  Gogmagog is the chalk figure carved into the earth at the Wandlebury near Cambridge.  This deity was divided into two giants, Gog and Magog.  Gog, the male fertility aspect, is the male consort of Magog and the spiritual guardian of London.  Magog, the female fertility aspect, is far more important.  Britain’s Megg’s Hills are named for her and…

Valley of the Yews November 22nd Ydalir (yew-dale) is a Norse holiday is under the ruler-ship of the god Ullr (pronounced “ool”).  Also known as the “The Magnificent”, the “bow God” and sometimes the “Death God”; he is the god of skiing, archery, hunting, sports, combat, contests, sky, fertility, magick, sea, beauty and enchantment.  He was thrown out of Asgard by Odhinn because the All-Father was jealous.  His parentage differs on whom you ask, but he is said to be the brother of Ullin, son of Sif and the Step-son of Thor.  He is responsible for justice and oaths were sworn on his ring, called the “ring of Ull”.  He…

Salutation to the Heroes: November 11th or 12th The Feast of the Einheriar or the Festival of the Einherjar is also known by other names including the Festival of Odhinn, the Feast of Fallen Warriors, Heroes’ Day, the Salutation to the Heroes and Old November Day.  Marking the day of the full onset of winter, this festival was Christianized and transformed into St. Martin’s Day (Martinmas), a catholic saint who was given many of Odhinn’s original attributes.  Originally this day was sacred to both Odhinn and Cernunnos (who has many similarities to the Wanderer Odhinn). This festival is a special ritual to honor Freyja (the Queen of the Valkyries) and…