Imbolc celebrations included bonfires, merrymaking, and parading the Brídeóg doll through the village. But, at its heart, Imbolc is observed in the home. Fires or candles were lit in every room, the home was cleaned, the stores were checked, a feast was made for the family, and a bed was made near the fireplace for Brigid to […]
Read More...Uncategorized
Janus: God of Beginnings, Endings, and Doorways
The Poet’s Calendar – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow JANUARY “Janus am I; oldest of potentates; Forward I look, and backward, and below I count, as god of avenues and gates, The years that through my portals come and go. I block the roads, and drift the fields with snow; I chase the wild-fowl from the frozen […]
Read More...Hygge
“I first heard of the Danish concept hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) four years ago, and I was thrilled to put a name to the aesthetic that I had been creating in my own home since I first had a home. Hygge does not have a direct English translation; “cozy conviviality” is close, but it is more than that. Hygge is like […]
Read More...Philadelphia Krampuslauf/Parade of Spirits
This weekend we attended the 8th annual Krampuslauf/Parade of Spirits in the Northern Liberties neighborhood of Philadelphia. According to their website , their inaugural parade in 2011 was picked up by NPR and heralded Krampus culture in the U.S.. Krampus has been enjoying some recent notoriety in the U.S.. There are Krampus sweaters, Krampus art aplenty […]
Read More...Frau Holle, the Germanic Winter Goddess
Frau Holle, or Holda, is the Germanic goddess of agriculture and women’s crafts, and is celebrated with a midwinter festival. She lives at the bottom of a well, and first taught women the craft of spinning flax. Holle or Holda is also associated with witchcraft, and leads an army of witches riding distaffs. According to […]
Read More...