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Folklorist James Frazer and the Golden Bough
Sir James George Frazer is perhaps best known for his collection of folklore and mythology, The Golden Bough, published in 1890. The work details legends and myths from many different cultures throughout history. Frazer theorized that human belief systems had begun as primitive magic, which was then replaced by religious dogma, which has now been replaced by scientific knowledge. Frazer was one of the first anthropologists to analyze the link between myth and ritual ceremony, so his writing is a fascinating bridge between the past and the present. The Golden Bough is a study of legend and myth and how they are interpreted into ritual and celebration. Frazer’s interpretation of…
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Set Up an Altar for Pagan Kids
If you have a family altar, that’s great! It’s a nice thing to have, whether you keep it up all year round or just bring it out seasonally. However, if you’re a Pagan or Wiccan parent, you may want to go ahead and let your kids have their very own altar. After all, an altar is a place where we keep things that are sacred to us–but what is sacred to children and what is sacred to adults can be two very different things. This is why it’s a great idea to encourage your kids to have an altar of their own in their bedrooms. It becomes a place they…
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Kids & Pagan Events: They Ain’t Always Welcome
Okay, so let me preface this by saying I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I’m going to get at least ten hatey emails from people who accuse me of being anti-kid, anti-family, and just an all around horrible human being after y’all read this post. It’s a risk I’m willing to take, because this is something that–as someone who has both attended and organized events–is a pretty important topic. Away we go. A reader says, I was recently planning to attend a big Pagan event, and my husband and I were very excited about going. However, when we asked what sort of kids’ activities would be available…
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5 Reasons You Need to Go to a Pagan Festival
Springtime is here, at least for those of us in the northern hemisphere! And that means that for those of us who are part of earth-based spiritual systems, festival season is looming right around the corner. Every year, as festival season rolls around, many of us happily load up our cars, pack tents and drums and coolers, and head off to the nearest community gathering. It’s a chance to spend a weekend–or even a full week–with the people you consider your tribe. However, something else also happens every year: lots of people miss out on those same festivals and experiences. Maybe you’ve thought about attending a festival but just never…
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Floralia: The Roman May Day Festival
The Romans had a celebration for just about everything. Certainly, any Roman deity worth their salt got a holiday of their own, and Flora was no exception. Because FLOWERS AND PROSTITUTES, y’all. I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot in my heart for Flora. She was the goddess of spring flowers and vegetation, and one of many fertility goddesses. In fact, she was so well respected as a fertility deity that she was often seen as a the patron deity of Roman prostitutes. You guys, she was the goddess of sex workers! How cool is that? Flora’s holiday, the Floralia, originated around 235 b.c.e. It was believed that…
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The Most Obnoxious Email EVAH
So this is an old one, but something I read the other day reminded me of it, and it’s always great to share because you guys, this dude is a total fuckmuppet. And as alla y’all know, when I encounter someone online who is this much of an asshat, I love to publicly denounce their douchiness. Honestly, I wish I still had the original email, which was from around 2010, because I’d share his name with you. Alas, we shall just have to call him Captain Bag O’Dicks. Captain Bag O’Dicks writes in with one of the most obnoxious emails ever. He says, “How come there are so many fat…
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Do I Have to Abstain Before Ritual? NOPE.
A reader wants to know, “I’m new to NeoWiccan practice and I read I’m not supposed to eat for 24 hours before a ritual. I’m getting ready to do my first ritual but I have a medical condition and I could get really sick if I go for 24 hours without eating. Is there a prayer or charm I can do before the ritual to keep from getting sick?” Answer: Yes, and this is very important. Look in the mirror, and repeat the following mantra: EAT. CELEBRATE. BE HEALTHY. Seriously, I know that some traditions require a 24-hour fast before ritual, but if you’re not part of those traditions then…
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Tarot Card Crafts
Looking for some craft ideas inspired by Tarot art and imagery? I have a ton of stray Tarot cards that have accumulated over the past thirty years, often with no rhyme, reason, or companions. I hate to throw them away, so I often upcycle them into something fun. Whether you like Tarot jewelry or other craft projects, here are some Tarot-themed craft project ideas to try out! Tarot Box If you’ve got a set of Tarot cards that you’d like to keep safe, one of the best ways you can store them is in a special box. This easy craft project is one you can make either for yourself, or…
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The Celebration of Eyvind Kelda
May 6 is celebrated by many Norse Pagans today as the day to honor Eyvind Kelda, also called Eyvind Kelve. According to Norwegian history, Eyvind Kelda refused to give up his Pagan beliefs and renounce his gods when King Olaf Trygvason was busily converting his country to Christianity. Around the year 995 c.e., King Olaf ordered Kelda to be tortured and eventually drowned, as a lesson to any Norwegian heathens who might be reluctant to embrace the king’s new faith. There isn’t a lot of information about Evyind Kelda himself, but King Olaf was fairly important for his role in bringing Christianity to the Scandinavian countries. Although he was only…
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Pagan Festival Tips
It’s nearly spring, which means festival season is looming on the horizon! I’m at the age where my kids can be left unsupervised for a few days at a time –they’re pretty much feral at this point and can hunt/gather their own food–so I allow myself the luxury of going away for a weekend sans familia every now and then. 2016 was really my first big festival year, and I set myself a goal of attending three to four a year, whether they’re weekend camping excursions, or single day events. At any rate, though, there are a few things I’ve learned so far–just from observation, personal experience, and discussion with…
