Ancient Pagan New Year Traditions and Rituals

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The date of the pagan new year varies depending on the specific pagan tradition or culture. Unlike the widely recognized Gregorian calendar, which marks the new year on January 1st, pagans celebrate the start of a new year at different times throughout the year. This is because many pagan traditions follow lunar or agricultural calendars, which are based on the cycles of the moon or the seasons. Some pagan traditions, such as Wicca, celebrate the new year on October 31st or November 1st, which corresponds with the festival of Samhain. Samhain is a time when the veil between the physical and spiritual worlds is believed to be thinnest, and it is seen as a time to honor ancestors and let go of the old in preparation for the new. Other pagan traditions, such as Druidry, mark the new year at different times depending on the lunar cycle.


And through it all, rides the Gun-Witch. Astride their wolf, or wandering on foot, they walk the Sacred Path of the Six Chambers, the discipline of Shot and Steel, in service of… well, that’s up to them. Call it a Spark: for love, for money, for glory, for revenge. Children of Father Steel and Mother Cordite, they are cultists who wield the magic of the bullet, the sacred discipline of the gun. Their Covens hail from Orders, traditional and heretical, old and new:

Blessed by the living River, it is the sclerotic heart of humanity the great and the small, the rich and the poor, all hanging onto the remmants of civilization in a feverish dance of consumption designed to stave off oblivion for one more night. GUN-WITCH LEAD, THREAD, AND THE DEAD is a role-playing game designed for two or more players, centered on making your way in a world wracked by war and decay, where even the gods are struggling to find their footing.

Occult blade nitw

Other pagan traditions, such as Druidry, mark the new year at different times depending on the lunar cycle. The Druidic calendar is divided into eight festivals, known as the Wheel of the Year, with the new year falling on either the winter solstice or the spring equinox. These festivals are closely tied to the changing seasons and the cycles of nature.

Occult blade nitw

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Praise Father Steel and Mother Cordite, first among the Lingering Divine. Praise the River, which gives us succor. Praise the Coven, for the embrace of fellowship. Praise Hope and Defiance, last children of the God-War. Praise the Path of Shot and Shell, upon which we walk. But always remember: this world is a tomb, and the dead rise only as Horrors.

Elonanji is a graveyard: a tombstone in the shape of a continent blasted by a war which killed the Gods themselves. Prairies have dried up into deserts, deserts flooded into sorrow-soaked swamps; the land is pierced by blades, kissed by ash, and the cracks in reality itself bleed fragments of dead gods and creatures from the Elsewhen. Yet it is still a land trod by the living. A vast network of railways girds the world, pouring blood, food, and fuel into the heart of the continent: the last true city, Hexarail. Blessed by the living River, it is the sclerotic heart of humanity: the great and the small, the rich and the poor, all hanging onto the remmants of civilization in a feverish dance of consumption designed to stave off oblivion for one more night.

And through it all, rides the Gun-Witch. Astride their wolf, or wandering on foot, they walk the Sacred Path of the Six Chambers, the discipline of Shot and Steel, in service of… well, that’s up to them. Call it a Spark: for love, for money, for glory, for revenge. Children of Father Steel and Mother Cordite, they are cultists who wield the magic of the bullet, the sacred discipline of the gun. Their Covens hail from Orders, traditional and heretical, old and new:

  • The Western Order: the first rotation of the cylinder, the power and aura of flint and tradition, and the surety of a quick death.
  • The Eastern Order: the grace and elegance of violence, the turning of the wheel, and the individual mastery of the Path.
  • The Sacred Stitch: staple-gun and suture, making and unmaking, and the necessity of force.
  • The Seven Mile Order: the azimuth of the arc, the madness of the falling shot, and spite’s delirious flavor in the mouth.
  • The Broken Boundary: art, written on the face of the world in fire and flash, explosion and excess, and the joy and sadism of Hope Herself.

And, of course, the Order of What You Deserve, who forsake all philosophy and philanthropy in favor of a road paved in blood and silver.

Rifle, revolver, shotgun or sword, the Gun-Witch writes the story of what’s left of this world - be it tragedy or comedy, romance or revenge, or something stranger than any of these. This book will show you how to make that story - whatever it is - your own.

GUN-WITCH: LEAD, THREAD, AND THE DEAD is a role-playing game designed for two or more players, centered on making your way in a world wracked by war and decay, where even the gods are struggling to find their footing. It’s a game about building community and connection inimical to the very context, about finding common ground with people who view things in a way you never could, and about doing what you can to bear a weight that you can’t let drop, no matter how much you might want to let go. It’s also about the weight and power of violence, wielding your weapon properly, and working astonishing miracles of life and death at the end of the barrel of a gun.

  • окт 30, 2022 11:06 pm
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Praise Father Steel and Mother Cordite, first among the Lingering Divine. Praise the River, which gives us succor. Praise the Coven, for the embrace of fellowship. Praise Hope and Defiance, last children of the God-War. Praise the Path of Shot and Shell, upon which we walk. But always remember: this world is a tomb, and the dead rise only as Horrors.
Pagan new year date

In addition to specific dates, the pagan new year is also seen as a time of reflection, renewal, and setting intentions for the year ahead. It is a time to connect with nature, honor the cycles of life, and align oneself with the energies of the earth. In conclusion, the date of the pagan new year varies depending on the specific pagan tradition or culture. Unlike the fixed date of January 1st in the Gregorian calendar, pagans celebrate the new year at different times throughout the year based on lunar or agricultural calendars. Regardless of the specific date, the pagan new year is a time of reflection, renewal, and setting intentions for the year ahead..

Reviews for "The Role of Astrology in Determining Pagan New Year Dates"

1. John - 2 out of 5 stars
As someone who celebrates the traditional Gregorian New Year, I found the concept of a "Pagan new year date" to be quite strange. I believe that New Year's Eve and New Year's Day should be celebrated universally on January 1st, regardless of one's religious or cultural background. The idea of a separate pagan new year date seems unnecessary and divisive. Furthermore, it is confusing to keep track of multiple dates for New Year celebrations. I would prefer to stick to the widely recognized and accepted New Year's Day.
2. Sarah - 3 out of 5 stars
While I appreciate the diversity and inclusiveness that comes with acknowledging different cultural celebrations, I couldn't fully get on board with the concept of a "Pagan new year date." In my opinion, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day should be a time for reflection, setting goals, and celebrating the start of a new year for everyone, regardless of religious beliefs. By introducing separate pagan new year dates, it feels like we are fragmenting the sense of unity that comes with a global celebration. I believe it is important to find common ground and shared traditions, rather than creating more divisions.
3. David - 2.5 out of 5 stars
As someone who doesn't follow any specific religious or pagan practices, I found the idea of a "Pagan new year date" to be unnecessary. New Year's Eve and New Year's Day already provide a universal opportunity for reflection and celebration. Introducing a separate pagan new year date only adds confusion and complicates the celebration for those who are not familiar with pagan customs. I believe it's important to find ways to unite people and celebrate together, rather than creating additional dates that cater to specific religious beliefs.

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