For Your Deliberation To me, Samhain focuses on a different type and aspect of death than does Halloween.  It’s more familial than scary.  Samhain is for moving on into what’s next instead of hanging around here on this side of the veil making trouble. Of course, there are exceptions….   Waiting for the Dark The houses in our neighborhood share a big leafy backyard which is crisscrossed by a warren of short bridges and long pathways.  Lots of trees, almost woodsy, it hosts a murder of crows, a dray or two of squirrels and an alarming number of very bold skunks.  We have lights back there, but after twilight it can…

For Your Deliberation I’m no scholar, and I tend to see things in simple ways.  To me, Samhain is religious while Halloween is secular.  The latter was derived from the former, and both observe and even celebrate death in their own ways.  Sure, there’s LOTS more to it than that, but in the interests of brevity I’ll go with Einstein’s statement on comprehension and simple explanations.  (With, in my case of course, an emphasis on “simple.”) MAGAZINE Reviews Sparkle and I are both ardent readers, and we love magazines!  Here are three I highly recommend, all Halloween themed with recipes, crafts, eats and treats and other seasonal delights. Woman’s Day. …

Mabon Sometimes considered a minor sabbat (as opposed to major ones Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh and Samhain), celebrations can vary widely between Wiccan Trads.  Inspirations have been drawn from the American Thanksgiving and the German Oktoberfest, among others. Mabon can be observed in various ways, but the focus is usually on themes of balance, or the second harvest angle.  I’m big on lists, so I’ll tout a gratitude inventory.  Scribble down whatever you’re thankful for.  Your health, your family, your home.  Tack that list up on the wall where you can eyeball it every day.  And feel free to add to it often! Sources: Learn Religions, the busy pagan, and Wikipedia.…

Weyland’s Whey, August 30th, 2024 Good Morning, Good Morning I like writing my column in bed.  It violates just about every feng shui rule I can think of, but this way I can spread out my notes and New York Times and listen to music while I work.  My fierce little doxie and familiar Delinquent joins me, pressing her furry little buttski against my hip while she keeps a close eye on the open bedroom door, ready to defend me from any invaders who might try to barge in.  On my other side, our rescue Yorkie (and five pound familiar) Morsel slumbers in his own little bed, one ear standing straight up…

Weyland’s Whey, August 17th 2024, “Sounds Like Salem”, Conclusion For Your Deliberation It takes a village to help an idiot!  And here are some of the townies who make me look good twice a month! Mihos.  I’ve mentioned him a lot in this column.  And with good reason.  He’s my Renaissance man.  And he’ll be penning his own column in PaganPages real soon!  (Watch for Crystal Clear!) Hershey.  My go-to guy for all things Spanish.  He’s fluent, I’ve got the working vocabulary of a grade schooler.  Maybe a preschooler… Crystal.  Hershey’s partner and lady love.  One of the quickest and smartest people I know.  I seek out her advice quite often. The Brain.  This guy’s…

Lughnasadh It’s pronounced LEW-NAS-AH.  One of the eight Pagan Sabbats, the focus is typically on an early harvest aspect and/or celebrations of the Celtic god Lugh.  During the Middle Ages it included large gatherings for ceremonies, athletic contests, horse racing and feasting, among other activities.  More recently, Lughnasadh observances were typically held atop hills and mountains.  The tradition of climbing hills and mountains has survived in some areas, reinterpreted as Christian pilgrimages.  (I’m thinking Sound of Music in robes, but that can’t be right.)  Since the late twentieth century, Celtic neopagans (us, kinda) have celebrated Lughnasadh–or observances based on it–as religious holidays. Hey, any excuse for a party! (Sources: Wikipedia, learnreligions.com)…

Weyland’s Whey July 13th “Sounds Like Salem” Part Two Column “Tact is after all a kind of mind reading.”  –Sarah Orne Jewett Sounds Like Salem, Part Two: Here There Be Pirates” Salem is most famous for witches, real and imagined, past and present, sure.  But there were pirates here too.  Lots of ’em.  And plenty roamed the North Shore during the Golden Age of Pirates (1650s to the 1730s). Guys like Black Sam Bellamy, who captured over fifty ships in the course of his career, including famous slave ship Whydah Galla.  Black Sam was one of the youngest and richest pirates ever, nicknamed the “Prince of Pirates”.  He and his crew perished…

  “In Wicca, rituals are ceremonies which celebrate and strengthen our relationships with the Goddess, the God and the Earth.” –Scott Cunningham   Doubleheader Say it “LEE-tha””.  (Don’t fret if you’ve had it wrong for years, I just learned how to pronounce it last week.)  I prefer the name Midsummer, cause to me it just sounds cooler.  Either way, this Summer Solstice Sabbat celebrates the year’s longest day.  The focus is usually on the power of the sun. This year’s Litha overlaps the June esbat.  To me, that definitely adds another layer to the celebration!  I plan to do a Sun Salutation in the morning and a Full Moon circle…

“Magick is the science and art of causing change to occur in conformity with the will.” –Aleister Crowley MUSIC Review Faun German group.  Pagan, folk, medieval music and darkwave.  Performances combine medieval and modern instruments like the hurdy-gurdy, lutes, bagpipes and celtic harp.  Their vocals are in diverse languages including Latin, Greek, German and English.  Formed in 1998. I had the good fortune to score a telephone interview with one of the band members a few years ago during my first stint with PaganPages.  (How many years ago?  Oh, about umpteen, back when I was still in my frisky fifties!)  It was an absolute pleasure and the friendliest interview I’ve…