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Magical Birds in Your Garden
OK, I know it’s really early to start talking about gardening — where I live, we don’t plant until Mother’s Day because frost — but still, it’s been sunny and not totally frigid, and the birds were doing bird things this morning outside my window. Birds do good things for your garden, like snacking on pests and insects, so why not invite them into your yard? During the spring, birds are busily building their nests. Many species have returned from wintering somewhere else, and eggs are getting ready to hatch. If you’d like to attract wild birds to your yard, provide them with places to nest that are safe and…
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Bear Folklore and Legends
I was recently chatting with someone about the protective nature of teddy bears as talismans for kids — especially those who might have trouble with sleep disruptions — and it occurred to me that this a good time to repost this short article I wrote years ago, which is no longer available on the About/LearnReligions network. There are many animals associated with magical myths and legends throughout a variety of cultures. The bear may be one of the most widely recognized animals — from the plains tribes of the Pacific Northwest to the travelers of the Russian steppes, the bear has appeared in folklore for a very long time. Let’s look…
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Samhain Ritual to Honor Animals
This ceremony is designed to honor the spirits of the animals — both wild and domestic. Man’s relationship with animals goes back thousands and thousands of years. They have been a source of food and clothing. They have protected us from the things that lurk in the darkness. They have provided comfort and warmth. In some cases, they have even raised and nurtured our discarded children, as in the case of Romulus and Remus. If you have animals in your home — pets or livestock — this is their night. Feed them before you feed the humans in your family. Put some food out for any wild animals that may…
