Yule: Origins and Customs

by Lisbeth Cheever-Gessaman

Celebrations During the Winter Solstice, Yule Log and Mistletoe

Yule is the name for the pagan festival which celebrates the Winter Solstice and many present day customs originate from those traditions.

Yule Correspondences:

• Incense: Pine, Cedar, Rosemary, Bayberry, Juniper, Frankincense, Sandalwood, Myrrh
• Metal: Gold
• Stones/Gems: Sapphire, Turquoise, Serpentine, Peridot, Jacinth
• Colors: Red, Green, White, Silver, Gold
• Foods: Nuts, Apples, Oranges, Mulled Wine, Turkey, Goose or Ham , Popcorn
• Herbs and Flowers : Holly, Mistletoe, Rosemary, Oak, Spruce, Pine, Ivy, Fir, Poinsettia
• Animals: reindeer, the stag, mouse, deer, horse, bear

Yule Customs and Origins

Nearly every ancient culture held a celebration to mark the shortest day of the year and the return of the Sun. Celebrated annually on the

Samhain and Halloween in Britian and Ireland

by Marc Latham

 

Millions of people still celebrate the Halloween festival that takes place on October 31st, and this article describes its history and traditions.

At the end of October and early November people all over the world celebrate the end of summer with festivals of fire and tricks. In Britain and Ireland the celebration has been taking place for centuries.

From Samhain to Halloween
 Samhain means summer's end, and was the Celtic New Year. It was the second major fire festival of the Celtic Year, and ran from sunset on 31 October to sunset on 2 November. In Ancient Wisdom (Parragon: 2002), Cassandra Eason wrote that 'It originally marked the onset of winter, when the cattle were brought from the hills...The Celts believed that with the onset of winter the ghosts of the departed would come shivering from the woodlands and bare fields for the shelter of their former cottages. Food would be left in the kitchens or parlours for them.'

British Paganism came under attack from Christianity after the Romans invaded in the first century AD, with many holy sites destroyed, and the old traditions frowned upon.

Fall Equinox - Autumn Harvest

by Janis Masyk-Jackson

The fall or Autumnal Equinox celebrates harvest time, the changing of the colors of the leaves, the first day of fall, and the Wiccan holiday Mabon

There's something very unique about the fall equinox. It's one of  only two days in the entire year in which night and day are of the same length everywhere in the world. The other day is in spring. It's also a time for harvesting crops and depending on where someone lives in the world or their religious background, a time of giving thanks.

Autumnal Equinox

As the hot days of summer end, the leaves on the trees begin to burst into color as they begin changing into tones of yellow, orange, and red, signifying that fall is here. It's also harvest time. In the United States, some people celebrate the equinox with festivals and street fairs. The equinox usually takes place either on or by September 22.
The United States isn't the only country that celebrates a harvest. Similar celebrations take place in various Asian countries. Korea has the celebration known as Chusok, while Japan's celebration is called Obon. In China, Harvest Moon is celebrated.

How to Cleanse Negativity from the Home

by Deanna

Smudging and Other Simple Techniques to Clearing Space from Negative Imprints

Clear negativity at home with cleansing agents like salt, smudging with sage, ringing a bell, letting in  adequate sunlight and fresh air, besides getting rid of clutter for "good movement"

Homes can accumulate negative energy over a period of time, especially if the space has not been cleansed in a long time. Clearing the space of negative energy is especially important when moving into a previously occupied  home.

Many believe that fights, conflicts, deaths, unpleasant traumatic episodes tend to leave their negative residual energy behind. Energy sensitive people may be able to sense this if a particular place feels