PaganPages.org

Yule Fashion: Fireworks- outfit In my calendar Yule extends up to the middle of January. Yule is the only Sabbat that includes two major, populist, holidays; X-mas and New Year. Both have strong, unique, individual styles.   After X-mas I quickly start feeling uncomfortable in my red-and-gold colored clothes, and begin longing for New Year´s colors; electric blue and silver. It was at the turn of the Millenium, when I realized that those are the colors of my New Year. Sadly that era only lasts for up to three weeks (of each year, and year after year of course). But I feel it is important to include an outfit or…

I’m not a joiner. You could say that I’m a hermit forced by circumstances to socialize. And, to be honest, this has put me at a bit of a disadvantage during this spiritual search. In books like Man Seeks God, Devoted, and The Unlikely Disciple, the authors get out there and get involved. They take part in worship services and interact with the faithful. I can’t do that. I could blame it on crippling anxiety. Or, I could say I just don’t have time. Both of those are true. But, it mostly boils down to the fact that I don’t want to get involved with a faith in that sort…

  December in our Book of Seasons   Winter is my favorite season of the year.  Shorter days and longer nights are the in-breath of the year’s cycle.  Now we can pause amid the flurry of busy-ness and remember the deep connection to all of the elements as each can be clearly viewed at this time of year.  Pay attention to how earth, air, fire, water, and spirit show themselves to you in the dark of winter.     Affirmation for December   In the darkness of winter I stand and illuminate this place as a beacon for others to remember that the Light shall return.     Lights are everywhere…

You hear the words, but do you listen? You see the signs, but do you read? You know the way, but still you wander. You get your wants, forget your needs. Then in the early morning lightness when you wake still half asleep, unwanted thoughts bombard your mind, you try to decide which ones to keep. You hear the stillness in the silence. You taste the freshness in the air. You close your eyes, go back to dream time, you know the answer’s there somewhere. Then when the darkness drowns you, when there is no end in sight, finally you can surrender, realize there was no fight. Kathleen Morgan ©

Trees and Their Spirits   Tree spirits are nature deities relates to a tree. They are loosely connected to their physical bodies because they are multidimensional and enjoy freedom. Some tree deities are the dryads, hamadryads, Meliae, hathor and rakapila. It is Also believed that sometimes ghosts use trees to hide in while on earth, and that some trees can be haunted by bad spirits   Trees are connected to the Underworld through their roots. Their trunks and lower branches are in our world, and tall trees and branches connect to the upperworld. they can connect to other realms as well. The aura of a tree has seven layers; four…

Rites of Passage and Social Acknowledgment Our family stays up to keep an all-night vigil for the longest night of the year at the Winter Solstice. We drum in the sunrise and then have a breakfast feast. Our children tried their best to stay up all night with us. Inevitably they crashed, one on the floor and one voluntarily taking to bed. But they were both too tired to get up and join us at sunrise. Next year we’ll have to remind them that they’ll have to go to sleep sooner if they want to participate in the morning. But I think what it came down to it they were…

Religion is an extremely sensitive subject.  Even those that do not claim to follow a religion are usually adamant in their denials of faith.  Discussions about religion with people that practice different belief systems often move from thoughtful, logical discussions to emotional and irrational arguments. Many religious groups obviously believe their way is the only way.  They attack the practices of others when they are different from their own, ignoring obvious commonalities and opportunities for dialog.  Usually what those groups know and say about us and what practice is wrong (either they do not care or have information from bad sources). I’d like to think that we as Pagans are…

To Purchase or Craft?   It has been asked of me numerous times, “Is better to purchase my magickal tools (wand, athame, chalice, pentacle) or to craft them myself?” My answer is always the same, “What are you guided to do?” I believe it is vital to follow Spirit’s guidance. If you feel moved to craft the item, then do so; if you are guided to purchase the item, then do that. Some of my magickal tools were purchased, some were gifted to me and others I crafted myself. There are benefits of all these options and in my opinion none of them should be overlooked.   The items that…

Are you cyclically confused? In a ceremonial quandary? Completely clueless? Wonder no more.                                   *Ask Your Mama™                          Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Spirituality and Didn’t Know Who to Ask™   by ©Mama Donna Henes, Urban Shaman     A Question of Sun Goddesses     Dear Mama Donna,   I have always heard that the sun is associated with the male and the moon with the female. Are there any sun goddesses? Who? Where?   Sun lover, in Arizona   Dear Sunny,   In archaic times, people perceived the sun, in its shining prime and glory, the giver of heat and light and life, to be…

Merry Meet everyone. I am back after taking a month off to plan my wedding for Halloween. Wow, I didn’t know that getting married could be so hard! But we made it and are so happy. I was raised in a Christian household and came into my path after I was grown and away from home, so I still observe some of the Christian holidays with my family. November brings us Thanksgiving and to me it does not matter what your faith or path is, it is never a bad thing to take time to be thankful and give thanks for all that we have. My husband (that sounds so…