Winter Solstice Traditions - Pagan The winter solstice, also known as Yule, is an important time for many pagan cultures and religions. Celebrated on the shortest day and longest night of the year, it marks the turning point where the days start getting longer and brighter. Pagan traditions and rituals surrounding the winter solstice often focus on themes of rebirth, renewal, and the celebration of light. One common Pagan tradition associated with the winter solstice is the lighting of bonfires. These fires symbolize the return of the sun and are believed to help dispel darkness and evil spirits. People gather around these fires, singing songs, telling stories, and offering prayers or intentions for the coming year.
Assemble the witch by inserting the dowel rod into the orange styrofoam base. Set the cone on the dowel rod, and begin embellishing your friendly witch!
Crowds around the courthouse, reveling in the comeuppance of the rich and condescending, screaming things like, How do pastels go with stripes, Martha. Crowds around the courthouse, reveling in the comeuppance of the rich and condescending, screaming things like, How do pastels go with stripes, Martha.
People gather around these fires, singing songs, telling stories, and offering prayers or intentions for the coming year. Another significant symbol of the winter solstice in many pagan traditions is the Yule log. This large, traditionally oak log is decorated with seasonal greenery, candles, and sometimes even small gifts.
Martha steswart witch
NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Martha Stewart is annoying and elitist. But that doesn't make her a criminal. Nevertheless, everyone is treating her like one.
Sure, it's titillating to think of Stewart -- with her clean-pressed linens and color-coordinated dinnerware -- being dragged away in handcuffs. Crowds around the courthouse, reveling in the comeuppance of the rich and condescending, screaming things like, "How do pastels go with stripes, Martha. " Shades of Leona "Taxes are for Little People" Helmsley.
But the fact of the matter is, Martha is looking pretty clean, even if Ms. Gracious Living hangs out with some characters who are less savory than one of her stews.
That would be, of course, Sam Waksal, the CEO of ImClone Systems who recently got arrested for insider trading.
Although he hasn't had his day in court, the prosecutors seem to have a pretty strong argument. Waksal got a heads-up that the FDA was going to give ImClone's wonderdrug, Erbitux, a thumbs-down. He allegedly tried to dump his stock in the company before that information was made public. During the process, prosecutors say Waksal alerted friends and family about the impending news as well, so that they could try to unload their shares as well.
Investigators are looking at Waksal's "friends and family" plan and deciding who should join him at the defendant's table.
Martha Stewart is a friend of Waksal's. Martha owned stock in ImClone. Martha sold her ImClone stock the day before it tanked on the FDA news.
Did Martha get a tip from Waksal?
They both say "no." And absent any proof to the contrary -- and FBI, SEC, and congressional investigators can't seem to find any -- you have to accept that.
And in fact, Martha has a plausible, even credible, explanation for her fortuitous stock sale -- the price went below $60 a share. That was her cutoff point for stopping a loss on her investment.
Sure, Martha and her broker may disagree on when she set that $60 price as her cutoff. He says mid-December, she says late November. Either way, it was before Waksal had his crucial bit of FDA news.
And face it, Martha is a smart businesswoman, well-versed in the ways of the market. She was a stockbroker at one time, for Pete's sake. It makes sense she would have a stop-loss strategy in mind and in place. Heck, we here at the CNN/Money make our living advising folks to do such sensible things.
In addition . folks, we're talking about a sale of 3,928 ImClone shares at $58. She made a little less than $230,000. If she had traded them in the day after the news, she would have probably gotten around $180,000.
So we're talking fifty grand. Martha Stewart makes more money blowing her nose with an Irish linen napkin on the TV.
You get the point?
And it's not just Martha getting personally damaged here. Her Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia stock has taken a pounding since the ImClone scandal broke. Investors, who may just think her Gracious Living lifestyle is worth something, are getting hurt too.
Now I'll be the first to admit I find Martha incredibly irritating. Former model, fashion diva, smart, famous . she's just so damn successful. And she still has time to cook puff pastries and fold towels correctly. Other folks -- including my wife -- find her advice and products useful and valuable. I see them as overpriced reminders that I'm time-compressed and socially inadequate.
But I recognize that these complaints are just me. And sure, Martha Stewart is part of the new aristocrat class that is distorting our country's democratic scheme. But that's not her fault.
Sure, there looks like there is plenty of corruption in the ImClone saga. For that matter, there is plenty of corruption in Corporate America in general. And, thankfully, it is being routed out.
But the danger in such purges is that they can easily become pogroms and witch hunts.
At this point, rhymes aside, Martha isn't a witch.
Allen Wastler is Managing Editor of CNN Money and a morning commentator on CNNfn. He can be emailed here.
Sure, there looks like there is plenty of corruption in the ImClone saga. For that matter, there is plenty of corruption in Corporate America in general. And, thankfully, it is being routed out.
The Yule log is lit on the eve of the solstice and burned throughout the night, representing the light and warmth reentering the world. Pagan communities also engage in various rituals during the winter solstice. One such ritual is the practice of divination or fortune-telling. Pagan practitioners believe that the solstice is a powerful time for receiving insights and messages from the spiritual realm. Tarot readings, scrying, and other forms of divination are popular during this time. Feasting and sharing meals with loved ones is another common practice during the winter solstice. Many pagans believe in the importance of coming together as a community and sharing in the abundance of the season. Traditional foods like roasted meats, root vegetables, hearty stews, and sweet treats are often enjoyed during these celebrations. Some pagans also incorporate the use of evergreen decorations into their winter solstice traditions. Evergreens such as holly, mistletoe, and pine symbolize life, fertility, and protection during the harsh winter months. These plants are often used to adorn homes, altars, and gathering spaces, and are believed to bring blessings and good fortune. In addition to these traditions, pagan cultures around the world have their unique customs and practices associated with the winter solstice. From Scandinavian Yule festivals to Celtic traditions, each pagan culture brings its own richness and diversity to the celebrations of this sacred time. Overall, pagan traditions surrounding the winter solstice emphasize the importance of light, renewal, and connection to nature. These traditions are a way for pagans to honor and celebrate the changing seasons, as well as reconnect with their spiritual beliefs and practices. The winter solstice serves as a reminder that even in the darkest times, light and warmth will return, bringing hope and new beginnings..
Reviews for "Honoring the Deities of Winter Solstice in Paganism"
1. Jane - 1 star - I was really disappointed with "Winter Solstice Traditions Pagan." I was expecting to learn more about the historical and cultural significance of paganism during the winter solstice, but instead, I was bombarded with a lot of nonsensical rituals and vague explanations. The book lacked depth and failed to provide any substantial information about the topic. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking to gain a better understanding of pagan traditions during the winter solstice.
2. Mark - 2 stars - I found "Winter Solstice Traditions Pagan" to be quite underwhelming. The book seemed more focused on the author's personal experiences and opinions rather than providing factual and informative content. While it did touch on some aspects of pagan traditions during the winter solstice, it was shallow and lacked in-depth analysis. I was hoping for a more scholarly approach to the topic, but unfortunately, this book fell short.
3. Sarah - 1 star - "Winter Solstice Traditions Pagan" was a complete waste of my time and money. The information presented in this book was repetitive and not well-researched. The author's writing style was confusing, and it felt like they were just rambling on without any clear structure or coherent points. I would strongly advise against purchasing this book if you're looking for a comprehensive and well-written exploration of pagan traditions during the winter solstice.