Pagan holidays are rooted in ancient pagan traditions and beliefs. These holidays, also known as sabbats, are observed by followers of various pagan and Wiccan religions. They celebrate the changing seasons, cycles of nature, and the spiritual connections between humans and the natural world. One of the most well-known pagan holidays is Samhain, which falls on October 31st. Samhain is considered the pagan New Year and marks the transition from summer to winter. It is believed that during this time, the veil between the physical and spiritual realms is thin, allowing spirits and ancestors to communicate with the living.
A GOOD REMEDY TO STOP BLEEDING – This is the day on which the injury happened. Blood, thou must stop, until the Virgin Mary bring forth another son. Repeat these words three times.
It can be speculated that the decline in the use of such books is a result of the 1929 York Witch Trial and the subsequent calls for superstition to be eradicated by the introduction of scientific education. Every living powwower I have interviewed has his or her recipes committed to memory and none of them uses any of the charm books described above or other written sources historically employed by powwowers.
It is believed that during this time, the veil between the physical and spiritual realms is thin, allowing spirits and ancestors to communicate with the living. Symbolic rituals, such as lighting bonfires and leaving offerings for the departed, are performed during this holiday. Yule, celebrated around the winter solstice on December 21st, is another important pagan holiday.
Pennsylvania Dutch witchcraft
It’s that time of year when it’s natural to think a lot about family and going home. I’m staying firmly planted in Texas this year, but I did return to PA for a short visit last month.
I grew up in the quiet, often isolating, country side of Pennsylvania—specifically the village of Gardners, which while as far as I know is not directly related to Gardnerian Wicca is a perfect place for nature worship. I know astoundingly little about my ancestry, but the one thing I'm fairly certain of is that I am a large percentage Pennsylvania Dutch. (The term ‘Fancy Dutch’ refers to a subset of Pennsylvania Dutch people that do not adhere to the plain life style of the Amish.) I certainly look the part, as does my entire family, but more importantly I feel the part. There's this undeniable connection I feel from where I'm from and it's a very large part of who I am today.
This doesn’t have a lot to do with The Prism Tarot, but it does have something to do with why I’m creating it. I've always had this strong, inherent interest in magical practices and I have no doubt that my heritage is at the root of it. When I was little I pretended to be a witch, not only every Halloween, but every day. Consequently, I didn't have a lot of friends. The benefit of that is that I got to know myself very well. It also may explain why I’m so (overly) introspective.
Pennsylvania has always been a place dedicated to religious freedom, at least in theory. The protections extend not only to traditional religions but also folk magic and witchcraft. The practice of folk magic was so ingrained in PA that at one time the state officially licensed hexenmeisters—spell casters of the Pennsylvania Dutch—but few exist today. What makes them stand apart from other practitioners is that their magic is deeply rooted in Christianity.
Christian magic may sound like an oxymoron, but the lines between religion and magic are so blurred that they barely exist at all. Both are tied to the concept of good and evil and how those constructs manifest themselves in our material world. Supposedly, even Jesus Christ was accused of witchcraft and using the Devil’s power. But as the bible says, “All people of good heart and a pure soul can perform miracles.” Of course hexenmeisters are not witches, but rather a reactionary force against specifically dark witches. Every spell— painted, written, spoken, or otherwise— is in essence a prayer to God for luck, health, or protection. The hexenmeister’s goal is to help good people and combat evil.
Hex Signs vs Sigils
The most iconic folk magic practice of PA Dutch country is hex signs. As their name would suggest they are painted spells generally used for luck or protection. They are similar to sigils in that way, but have a few fundamental differences. For one, sigils are normally created to manifest a personal intention and are designed to be forgotten about, while hex signs are created for the benefit of others and are more obvious in their purpose. Secondly, sigils are created with letters while hex signs use symbols, geometry, and colors to represent different ideas.
The above examples, which are earrings from my vintage jewelry collection, use a lot of the common colors and symbols of hex signs, but there are many other variations.
Top: The bird, which is especially iconic, is called a distelfink and is thought to bring luck and happiness. The raindrops are a symbol of abundance. They are green here which represents success, fertility, growth, and manifestation. White represents purity, blue represents peace and calm, and red represents love, passion, and masculinity.
Bottom: Again, blue represents calm, but when combined with the scalloped wave pattern here more accurately represents smooth sailing in life. The star is a symbol of protection, and the hearts are symbols of love.
The creation of hex signs is something I’ve always wanted to explore and as soon as I get the time I plan on making some of my own. Stay tuned!
Hex signs are often found on barns or in the home, but they can also be made small enough to carry like in the case of my earrings.
The last time I visited the area where I grew up I wasn’t able to get a good photo of a hex sign on a barn, but I did get this one of a derelict ice cream shop with a distelfink sign that’s pretty famous around the area. I think it exemplifies the way the symbols are so ingrained in local culture.
So the next time you find yourself in Pennsylvania keep your mind and your eyes open—you may just stumble across a little magic.
Notes on Religion
You can’t attempt to study the tarot and deny the religious symbolism which is present within from both Christianity and Judaism (especially kaballah), but my goal is for these cards to be as religiously neutral as possible while still retaining their meaning. I am technically a confirmed Presbyterian, but I don't really consider myself a Christian. It's not that I'm vehemently opposed to it, I just like to keep my mind open to all possibilities as to not deprive myself of opportunities for enlightenment.
If you are interested in this subject I highly recommend Karl Herr’s book, Hex and Spellwork: The Magical Practices of the Pennsylvania Dutch. He goes into specific practices, theology, and symbolism in much more depth. He sounds like a very open minded man and I really appreciated his views on religion.
Sign up for LibraryThing to find out whether you'll like this book.
It marks the return of longer daylight hours and the rebirth of the sun. Yule is often associated with the concept of renewal and the birth of the new year. Traditional rituals during Yule include decorating homes with evergreen wreaths, lighting Yule logs, and exchanging gifts. Imbolc, observed on February 2nd, is a pagan holiday that welcomes the arrival of spring. It honors the goddess Brigid and is associated with purification and healing. Imbolc is often celebrated by lighting candles and fires to symbolize the return of light and warmth. The spring equinox, commonly known as Ostara, is celebrated around March 21st. Ostara marks the balance between day and night and the awakening of nature after winter. Pagans often celebrate Ostara with rituals such as planting seeds, decorating eggs, and creating flower altars to symbolize fertility and new beginnings. Beltane, celebrated on May 1st, is a joyful pagan holiday that welcomes the arrival of summer. It is associated with fertility, abundance, and the union between the god and goddess. Maypole dances, bonfires, and fertility rituals are common during Beltane. Litha, observed around the summer solstice on June 21st, is a celebration of the longest day of the year. It honors the power of the sun and the abundance of nature during summer. Pagans often celebrate Litha by attending outdoor festivals, holding fire ceremonies, and performing rituals to honor the sun's energy. Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, is celebrated on August 1st and marks the beginning of the harvest season. It is associated with the god Lugh and the first fruits of the harvest. Lughnasadh celebrations often include feasting, making corn dollies, and performing rituals to show gratitude for the earth's bounty. Overall, pagan holidays are an integral part of pagan and Wiccan traditions. They offer followers the opportunity to connect with nature, celebrate the cycles of life, and deepen their spiritual practices. These holidays provide a sense of unity and reverence for the natural world, fostering a deep respect for the Earth and its cycles..
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