Midsummer Celebrations Across the World
byMidsummer is one of the oldest and most widely observed seasonal turning points across human history. Long before calendars were formalized, people tracked the…
Pagan History
Pagan History is world history. In this section we look at ancient civilizations, witchcraft over time, specifics and myths that surrounded events throughout time, and the origins of modern holidays. Also, our annual pagan calendar can be found here.
Lughnasadh or Lammas – What is the Difference?
byAt first glance, Lughnasadh and Lammas appear to describe the same moment in the great wheel of the year. Both fall at the beginning…
Lughnasadh: Meaning, History, and the First Harvest
byLughnasadh marks the first harvest—the seasonal turning point where the early season work of the growing year finally begins producing returns. Falling around August…
Handfasting At Beltane
byHandfasting is one of the most recognizable customs associated with Beltane, symbolizing commitment, partnership, and shared intention. The word itself comes from an old…
The Green Man and Beltane Symbolism
byThe larger-than-life figure known as the Green Man appears across Europe as a symbol of vegetation, renewal, and the living spirit of the natural…
The Maypole: Origins, Symbolism, and European Traditions
byThe Maypole is one of the most recognizable symbols of celebration in Europe. It is closely associated with May Day and with the seasonal…
Blood Moons in History: Omen, Fear, and Power
byA “Blood Moon” occurs during a total lunar eclipse, when Earth passes directly between the Sun and the Moon. Sunlight filters through the Earth’s…
Pagan Symbols Rebranded by Christianity
byFor hundreds and in some cases thousands of years before Christian missionaries entered the thick Celtic forests, rugged Germanic highlands, orderly Roman provinces, or…
Baba Yaga: The Witch of the Wild Forest
byBaba Yaga is one of the most enduring and complex figures in European folklore, terrifying to some, an odd curiosity to others. She is…
Milk, Lambing, and Survival Symbolism at Imbolc
byAt Imbolc, survival was fairly certain, notwithstanding any rare event. By early February, winter had already tested most households to their limits. Food stores…