Secular pagan holiday adornments are a unique way to embrace both the secular and pagan aspects of certain holidays. These adornments are a departure from traditional religious symbols and instead focus on nature, the seasons, and other pagan themes. They can be used to decorate homes, gardens, and public spaces during certain holidays, adding a touch of whimsy and a connection to nature. One popular adornment is the Yule wreath, which is a circular arrangement of evergreen branches, berries, and other natural materials. The wreath symbolizes the cyclical nature of the seasons and the continuity of life. It can be hung on doors or walls, bringing a festive and earthy touch to any space.
Use chenille stems in your favorite color to create pipecleaner pentacle ornaments. They're easy, and your kids can do it once you show them how to bend the stems. You'll need three pipe cleaners, or chenille stems, for each pentacle.
But, if the board is already displaying other religious symbols, then, to avoid a claim of religious discrimination, all members who request displaying their religious symbols should be allowed to do so as well. Even though Christmas trees once carried religious connotations, the Supreme Court found that a Christmas tree, by itself, is not a religious symbol.
It can be hung on doors or walls, bringing a festive and earthy touch to any space. Yule wreaths are typically adorned with candles, which represent the returning light of the winter solstice. Another popular adornment is the Maypole, which is a tall pole decorated with ribbons, flowers, and other natural materials.
Secular Holidays in a Pagan Context
As we approach Thanksgiving, perhaps it might be time for a repeat of my own theory, which is mine, of America’s holidays. American holidays range from the almost-completely secular (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Arbor Day, Mothers’ Day, Memorial Day, Fathers’ Day, Fourth of July, Columbus Day, and Vetrans’ Day, etc.) to a group of holidays that either mimic or are associated with religious holidays while still managing to be essentially secular holidays (Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, Easter, April Fool’s Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Xmas, and New Years, etc.).
So, in addition to celebrating, with my co-religionists, the eight major Pagan holidays of the year and a host of Esbats, I also celebrate a number of secular and quasi-secular holidays. In my own practice, celebrating this latter group of holidays is an important piece of being a member of my community, rooted in my landbase. And, so, although there are bits of almost each of these holidays that I won’t practice (the patriarchial, pro-war bits of Memorial Day and Vetrans’ Day, the commercialism of Presidents’ Day, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Xmas, the pro-genocide aspects of Columbus Day, and the lies about First Peoples inherent in Thanksgiving), I always look forward to a respite from work, to time spent with family and friends, to good food and drink, to watching G/Son enjoy the festivities. After all, all acts of love and pleasure are rituals of the Goddess.
Tomorrow, my wonderful DiL, who is a spectacular cook, will make our Thanksgiving feast. I’ll show up with the wine (Goddess, it’s wonderful to be old!) and bathe in the pleasure of sitting at a full table with my family. I know that not everyone in America can enjoy these gifts, and I will, once again, promise myself to work harder to change that. Because, for me, sitting down to a meal with my family is cell-restoring, health-enhancing, one of the best things, ever. And practicing gratitude is always restorative.
It’s those holidays that overlap and mimic religious holidays — Halloween and Xmas, for example — that seem to give people the most trouble. And I believe that this is because people keep mixing up what’s religious and what’s secular.
For example, Halloween overlaps the old Pagan holiday of Samhein and the newer Christian holiday of All Saints’ Day (which is a mimic of the old Pagan Samhein). Those are religious holidays. But Halloween has become a secular holiday in its own right. It’s about dressing up in costumes (even for — maybe especially for — adults), parties, kids going trick-or-treating, decorating our homes with pumpkins, and enjoying that little thrill that comes from things that we usually consider too scary to discuss.
Similarly, many religions have religious holidays around the time of the Winter Solstice. Pagans celebrate Yule at the Solstice. Christians celebrate Christmas shortly thereafter, and we all know that Christmas was placed on the calendar at that time in order to make it more palatable for Pagans to celebrate Christmas. But Xmas (which term I recommend to separate it from the Christian religious holiday of Christmas) has become a secular holiday in its own right. It extends from about the Winter Solstice to about January 1st and is about getting together with friends and family, giving gifts, eating cookies, sending cards to old friends, making plans for the coming secular year, etc.
All of the nonsense about whether to let your kids go trick-or-treating or whether some group is being oppressed because they are wished a “happy holiday” instead of, say, a “Blessed Yule,” or a “Happy Chanukah,” or a “Good Soyal,” or a “Wild Saturnalia,” or a “Merry Christmas” (you see what I did right there) comes, IMHO, from people confusing (albeit in a sometimes deliberate and not-so-innocent way) secular holidays with religious holidays.
There’s no reason why merchants should have to wish you blessings on your religious holiday, especially not in a country with as much religious diversity as America. (Go to your church or other religious gatheringplace for religious wishes.) But it’s fine, if the merchant wants to, for hir to wish you a happy secular holiday. I didn’t spend the Autumnal Equinox wishing my clients a blessed Mabon harvest, but I was happy to tell those I spoke to today to have a good Thanksgiving. It’s wrong for town and municipal governments to put up creches, or menorahs, but it’s fine for them, if they wish to, to put up snowpeople, and candycanes, and nutcrackers. (Go to your temple or other religious gathering place for religious decorations.) I won’t wish my clients a blessed Yule, but I’ll enjoy sending them e-cards proclaiming the virtues of Peace on Earth between now and January first.
And, so, as we head into the Holiday Season, I wish you: family, friends, good meals, gratitude, fun, and laughter. I’m grateful for all of you who spend your precious time reading my blog and commenting here. May all of your holidays be joyful.
And, so, as we head into the Holiday Season, I wish you: family, friends, good meals, gratitude, fun, and laughter. I’m grateful for all of you who spend your precious time reading my blog and commenting here. May all of your holidays be joyful.
Maypoles are traditionally associated with the pagan festival of Beltane, which celebrates the arrival of spring and the fertility of the land. Dancing around the Maypole is a common activity during Beltane celebrations, and the ribbons are often woven together as a symbol of unity and community. In addition to these specific adornments, secular pagan holiday decorations can also include other natural elements such as pine cones, acorns, holly berries, and feathers. These items can be used to create centerpieces, garlands, and other decorative arrangements. Incorporating natural materials into holiday decor helps to create a connection to the Earth and to celebrate the beauty of the natural world. Overall, secular pagan holiday adornments offer a way to embrace the traditions and symbolism of both secular and pagan holidays. By incorporating natural materials and themes, these adornments bring a sense of the sacred and the seasonal into our homes and public spaces. They provide a way to honor the cycles of nature, celebrate the changing seasons, and connect with the Earth during holiday celebrations..
Reviews for "The Unique Charm of Secular Pagan Holiday Adornments"
1. John - 1 star
I found "Secular pagan holiday adornments" to be extremely disappointing. As someone who values traditional holiday decorations, this collection felt completely out of place. The designs were bizarre and lacked any coherent theme. Additionally, the quality of the products was subpar, with flimsy materials that easily fell apart. I would not recommend these secular pagan adornments to anyone who appreciates traditional holiday decor.
2. Emily - 2 stars
I was excited to try out something different with "Secular pagan holiday adornments", but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations. The designs were indeed unique, but they felt more like a mishmash of different ideas rather than a cohesive collection. The quality of the products was also disappointing, with poorly constructed pieces that didn't stand the test of time. While I appreciate the attempt to offer alternative holiday decor, I cannot recommend these adornments to others.
3. Sarah - 1 star
I am usually open to trying new things, but "Secular pagan holiday adornments" definitely missed the mark for me. The designs were downright bizarre and didn't convey any sense of holiday cheer. The materials used were also of low quality, causing many of the decorations to easily break or unravel. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and regretful of my purchase. I would caution others to steer clear of these secular pagan adornments if they're seeking a traditional holiday atmosphere.