Today is a significant day in the pagan calendar. It is the celebration of Samhain, which marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Samhain, also known as Halloween, is a time when the veil between the world of the living and the spirit world is believed to be thinnest, allowing for communication with the dead. This ancient Celtic festival is filled with various rituals and traditions, such as lighting bonfires, wearing costumes to ward off evil spirits, and carving pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns. It is a time of reflection, remembrance, and honoring the ancestors. On this day, pagans believe that the spirits of loved ones can return to visit, and it is common to set up an ancestral altar or participate in divination practices to connect with the other realm.
But the first official mention of rabbits or hares in association with Easter was only made in 1722, in a folklore book written by Georg Franck von Franckenau, a German writer. One of the stories recounted in this book mentions an Easter hare that hides coloured eggs for children to find – the first written mention of an Easter egg hunt. Since the book was a collection of folklore, it’s reasonable to suggest that Easter egg hunts were already a custom at the time.
This ritual is still popular in many Eastern European countries, where you ll find families hand painting and eating actual non-chocolate eggs on Easter. Goddess of fertility and new beginnings, we take this opportunity to embrace Eostre s passion for new life and let our own lives take the new direction we have wanted for so long.
On this day, pagans believe that the spirits of loved ones can return to visit, and it is common to set up an ancestral altar or participate in divination practices to connect with the other realm. While Halloween has become a commercialized holiday in modern society, for pagans, it holds deep spiritual significance and serves as a time for communing with nature, honoring the cycles of life and death, and embracing the mysteries of the unseen world. So, on this pagan holiday of Samhain, take a moment to remember and honor the ancient traditions that have been passed down through generations.
The Pagan Origins of Easter – and Different Easter Foods From Around the World
Everybody loves Easter – whether it’s the chocolate bunnies or egg hunts – but did you ever stop to think where these traditions came from? How did a celebration of Christ’s resurrection come to be celebrated with rabbits and chocolate eggs? Well, we have these traditions because Easter was originally a pagan festival – much like Christmas. As Christianity gained popularity, a lot of pagan customs and rituals were integrated into Christian festivals like Easter. Let’s take a closer look at the pagan origins of Easter and the different foods eaten on Easter around the world today.
.
Reviews for "Beltane Bonfires and Maypole Dances: Uncovering the Pagan Roots"
1. Megan - 1 star
I really did not enjoy "What pagan holiday is today". The storyline felt forced and the characters were one-dimensional. The author seemed to be trying too hard to make the story intriguing, but it fell flat for me. Additionally, the pacing was off, with slow-moving scenes and abrupt, rushed resolutions. Overall, this book did not live up to my expectations and I would not recommend it.
2. Jason - 2 stars
I found "What pagan holiday is today" to be quite disappointing. The writing style was convoluted and hard to follow. It felt like the author was more focused on demonstrating their vocabulary prowess rather than creating an engaging and coherent story. The characters lacked depth and development, making it difficult to connect with them. While the premise had potential, the execution was subpar. I would not recommend this book to others.
3. Sophie - 2.5 stars
"What pagan holiday is today" was not my cup of tea. Although the concept seemed intriguing, it quickly became confusing and hard to follow. The narrative jumps between different timelines and perspectives without clear transitions, leaving me feeling disoriented. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard for me to invest in the story. While some elements of the book were interesting, overall, it failed to captivate me. I would advise others to approach this book with caution.