Pagan holidays, also known as neo-pagan holidays or modern pagan holidays, are celebrations and rituals observed by various pagan and neopagan religious groups. These holidays are based on ancient pagan traditions and often have roots in pre-Christian cultures and fertility festivals. In the United States, pagans and neopagans celebrate a variety of holidays throughout the year, each with its own significance and rituals. One of the most well-known pagan holidays is Yule, which is celebrated around the winter solstice in December. Yule marks the longest night of the year and the return of the sun. It is a time of celebration, feasting, and gift-giving.
In Ancient Egyptian religion, Ka refers to the divine spirit that protects a person. It is an aspect of a person’s or a god’s soul and could live on after the body’s death, for example, in a picture or statue.
The most prominent use of magic was as protection against evil, illness, disease, and danger; whether it be a snake bite, a life-threatening illness, or an invading army. People consulted them to use magic to aid healing or to protect against illness, diseases, parasites, or respiratory problems, for example, which were commonplace in the Egyptian desert.
It is a time of celebration, feasting, and gift-giving. Many pagans decorate their homes with evergreen branches and light candles to symbolize the rebirth of the sun. Another important pagan holiday is Imbolc, which takes place in early February.
Egyptian Magic
The ancient Egyptians were firmly convinced of the importance of magic, which was both a source of supernatural wisdom and a means of affecting one’s own fate. The gods themselves used it for creating the world, granting humankind magical powers as an aid to the struggle for existence. Magic formed a link between human beings, gods, and the dead. Magicians were the indispensable guardians of the god-given cosmic order, learned scholars who were always searching for the Magic Book of Thoth, which could explain the wonders of nature.
Egyptian Magic, illustrated with wonderful and mysterious objects from European museum collections, describes how Egyptian sorcerers used their craft to protect the weakest members of society, to support the gods in their fight against evil, and to imbue the dead with immortality, and explores the arcane systems and traditions of the occult that governed this well-organized universe of ancient Egypt.
CONTENTS
Preface 7
1 A PRESENT OF THE GODS 11
Cosmic wisdom or black art? 11
A struggle for life and death 12
The leading actors 18
2 THE MAGICIANS OF EGYPT 29
Witches and medicine men 29
High school for magicians 31
The major league 37
3 SURFING THROUGH THE UNIVERSE 47
The cosmic Internet 47
In quest of the laws of nature 51
Knowledge gives power 52
Sacred incisions 55
4 THE PRACTICE OF MAGIC 59
Showing one’s colors 59
Knowledge of commodities 60
The right time and place 66
Pulling the strings 68
5 BOOKS OF MAGIC 75
A magical toolbox 75
On the track of Khaemwas 77
An end and a new beginning 83
6 THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM 91
Women and children first 91
Doctor for invisible diseases 93
Home insurance 98
For better or for worse 99
7 THE VIGILANT AUTHORITIES 109
Battle at the temple gates 109
Playing for high stakes 112
Life out of death 118
Sex and violence 121
8 A MAGICAL FUNERAL INSURANCE 127
The troublesome dead 127
Going out by day 130
The body as microcosmos 133
The daily bread 136
9 ETERNAL LIFE 145
Defying death 145
Travel nerves 150
At the weight watchers’ 153
The quest for enlightenment 156
10 A CHANGING WORLD 163
Oriental wisdom 163
A Christian varnish 167
Jinn and buried pearls 174
11 ‘ENLIGHTENED’ EUROPE 183
Between witchcraft and Egyptomania 183
Moses and the sting-fish 187
Good chemistry 192
Thoth’s book of magic rediscovered ! 199
Chronology 203
Concise bibliography 204
Index 206
Maarten J. Raven is curator of the Egyptian Department of the National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden (the Netherlands). He has organized numerous exhibitions on pharaonic culture.
"This volume is very richly illustrated . . . .The described Egyptian practices and objects are introduced and presented in an excellent way."—Bibliotheca Orientalis
The sphinx is often associated with kingship and sun deities. It is used in the tenth card of the Tarot, The Wheel of Fortune, which depicts a light-blue sphinx at the top of the wheel wearing a crown and a cape. In the Tarot, the sphinx can be interpreted as a representative of wisdom and emotional life.
Imbolc is a celebration of the first signs of spring and the awakening of the earth. It is a time to honor the goddess Brigid, the patroness of healing, poetry, and crafts. Pagans often light candles and make offerings to Brigid during this holiday. Beltane is a pagan holiday that falls on May 1st and celebrates the beginning of summer. It is a time to honor fertility and growth, and many pagans celebrate by dancing around a Maypole. Beltane is also associated with bonfires, feasting, and the gathering of flowers and greenery. Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, is a pagan holiday celebrated in early August. Lughnasadh is a harvest festival that honors the Celtic god Lugh and celebrates the first fruits of the harvest. Pagans often make bread and share it with their community during this holiday. Samhain, which falls on October 31st, is perhaps the most famous pagan holiday in the United States as it has been adopted and adapted by mainstream culture as Halloween. Samhain marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. It is a time to honor ancestors and remember the dead. Many pagans hold rituals to communicate with the spirits of loved ones and set up ancestral altars. These are just a few examples of the pagan holidays celebrated in the United States in 2022. Each holiday has its own unique customs and rituals, but they all share a common thread of connection with nature, the cycles of the seasons, and the spiritual world. For pagans and neopagans, these holidays provide an opportunity to honor ancient traditions, celebrate nature, and connect with their spiritual beliefs..
Reviews for "Celebrate the Seasons: Pagan Holidays and Nature's Cycle in 2022"
1. John - 1/5 - I was really disappointed with "Pagan holidays 2022 us". The content was so ambiguous and unclear, making it difficult to understand the significance of each holiday. Additionally, the author did not provide any credible sources or references to support their claims. It felt like a collection of random information rather than a well-researched guide. I would not recommend this book for anyone looking to learn more about pagan holidays.
2. Sarah - 2/5 - As someone who is interested in learning about different cultures and their traditions, I was excited to read "Pagan holidays 2022 us". However, I found the book to be quite shallow and lacking in depth. The author provided very basic information about each holiday without delving into the history or meaning behind them. It felt like a missed opportunity to truly educate readers about pagan holidays. Overall, I was left unsatisfied and would not recommend this book to others.
3. Emily - 2/5 - I was expecting "Pagan holidays 2022 us" to be a comprehensive guide to understanding pagan traditions and celebrations. Unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The book was filled with inaccuracies and misinformation, making it difficult to trust the content. Additionally, the lack of organization made it confusing to follow along and fully grasp the concepts being presented. Overall, I felt like I wasted my time and would caution others about relying on this book for accurate information on pagan holidays.