Pagan festivals are celebrations that take place throughout the year, marking important times in the agricultural calendar. These festivals are often based on ancient traditions and beliefs and are still celebrated by some modern pagan communities. One of the most well-known pagan festivals is Samhain, which is celebrated on October 31st. Samhain marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. It is believed to be a time when the veil between the physical world and the spirit world is thin, making it easier to communicate with ancestors and spirits. Many people associate Samhain with Halloween, as the traditions of dressing up in costumes and carving pumpkins originated from pagan practices.
My friend began to rush me, so of course your eyes do the rushed ‘pick something!’ thing, and the one thing that caught my eye was Black Girl Magic Sparkling Brut in a simple, tall black and gold sans serif font.
There are few areas in the world with a reputation quite as famous and respected as that of Champagne in France, and almost every wine region on earth has imitated or has been influenced by the careful process mastered by the wineries of Champagne. Of all the New World wine countries, perhaps the one which has demonstrated the most flair for producing high quality wines - using a combination of traditional and forward-thinking contemporary methods - has been the United States of America.
Many people associate Samhain with Halloween, as the traditions of dressing up in costumes and carving pumpkins originated from pagan practices. Another important festival is Imbolc, which is celebrated on February 1st or 2nd. Imbolc is a celebration of the return of light and the beginning of spring.
I Tried the McBride Sisters Sparkling Brut and…
There’s just something about the loud pop! when opening a bottle and the party of bubbles that dance in your glass when having sparkling wines or champagne… I cannot get enough of it!
Sparkling wines and champagne themselves can be quite harsh when you first take it in, but when eating a delectable plate of seafood pasta or mixing with your mimosa, it is the perfect complement. I was at the liquor store for my usual biweekly Friday run with a friend (don’t judge me!) and I found myself gazing at the tall wall of wine towards the left side of the store.
Now, I am not the greatest judge of wine and champagne, but I do love when it is above 13% (again, thou shalt not judge!) ? . While looking among the many bottles, the odd name or two pops out at me with their crazy designs. Eh, they’re doin’ too much.
My friend began to rush me, so of course your eyes do the rushed ‘pick something!’ thing, and the one thing that caught my eye was Black Girl Magic Sparkling Brut in a simple, tall black and gold sans serif font.
Already, I loved the bold letters for easily catching my eye and the gold foil about the top. I even stopped to read the back just to see their introduction…
Black Girl Magic is more than a phrase.
McBride Sisters Collection – Black Girl Magic Sparkling Brut – California
It’s a feeling. A look. A taste.
You damn right! I hustled toward the register with my other items, excitement heightening from the heavy, 750ml cold bottle in hand.
Lemme skip past the ride home, the choice in glass, the bit of extra chill time to give it that perfect crisp taste. First of all, the bottle was pretty easy to open. Love it even more. Take off perforated foil, twist the wire, pop the top.
They say you should wait for wine to aerate a bit before you taste. Ain’t nobody got time fo dat. I gave it about 60 seconds for the bubble foam to wind down, and took my first taste.
As I said earlier, the bubbly can be quite harsh when you first take it in (a good reason to aerate). Powerful, yet pleasantly cold and invigorating bubbles crept across my tongue, temporarily taking the taste out of my mouth, but leaving me wanting to taste more.
As the bubbles settled, the definite taste of green apples and pears crept up behind the dry taste of this brut. As labeled on the bottle, you will have the ‘crisp green apples, juicy pear, melon and citrus zest’. I can also smell the refreshing scent of said apples. Let me tell you, gurl, I loved it!
I cooked up some delish shrimp Alfredo pasta to go with it, and kept it chilled throughout my enjoyment as a lovely palate cleanser. You simply must keep it chilled (not really cold), it stays just perfect that way. Warm bubbles—for me—are no fun.
I learned later you can make a pretty cool recipe called the Oakland 75 using this sparkling wine, great for a Sunday brunch. Learn about the wine, then check out the recipe and the rest of the site with the link below.
Lemme skip past the ride home, the choice in glass, the bit of extra chill time to give it that perfect crisp taste. First of all, the bottle was pretty easy to open. Love it even more. Take off perforated foil, twist the wire, pop the top.
It is associated with the Celtic goddess Brigid and is often observed by lighting fires and candles as a symbol of purification and the hope for new growth. Beltane is another significant festival, celebrated on May 1st. Beltane marks the midway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. It celebrates the fertility of the land and the coming abundance of summer. Traditional Beltane celebrations often include dancing around a maypole and lighting bonfires. Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, is celebrated on August 1st. It is a festival of the first harvest and the gathering of the crops. Lughnasadh is named after the Celtic god Lugh and is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the land. It is often celebrated with feasting, music, and games. These are just a few examples of pagan festivals and their scheduled dates. They offer a glimpse into the rich diversity of pagan traditions and the ways in which they honor the cycles of nature throughout the year. Whether celebrated in ancient times or in modern times, these festivals serve as an important reminder of our connection to the natural world and the rhythms of life..
Reviews for "Pagan Festivals and the Healing Power of Nature"
1. John - 1-star rating: I found "Pagan festivals and their scheduled dates" to be incredibly dull and uninteresting. The book lacked any depth or insight into the origins and practices of these festivals. The author merely presented a list of dates and brief descriptions without providing any meaningful analysis or historical context. I was disappointed as I expected to learn more about these festivals and their cultural significance, but this book fell far short of my expectations.
2. Sarah - 2-star rating: "Pagan festivals and their scheduled dates" was a quick read, but I felt it was quite superficial. As someone with a genuine interest in pagan traditions, I was hoping for more detailed information and explanations. The book provided a basic overview of each festival, but it lacked the depth and exploration of their rituals and symbolism. If you're looking for a brief introduction to pagan festivals, this might suffice, but for a more comprehensive understanding, I would suggest looking elsewhere.
3. Michael - 1-star rating: I was thoroughly disappointed with "Pagan festivals and their scheduled dates". The author's writing style was dry and monotonous, making it difficult to engage with the content. Additionally, the book lacked any real substance. It felt like a haphazard collection of random facts about pagan festivals, rather than a cohesive examination of their cultural significance. Overall, I felt this book fell short in delivering any meaningful insight or understanding of pagan festivals.
4. Emily - 2-star rating: While "Pagan festivals and their scheduled dates" provided a basic overview of the festivals, I found the information to be poorly organized and lacking in depth. The book jumped from one festival to another without offering a consistent flow of information. Furthermore, the descriptions were too brief and often failed to capture the essence of the festivals. I was left wanting more detailed explanations and a deeper exploration of the traditions associated with each festival. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive understanding of pagan festivals.