This Is Samhain – Witch’s New Year – The Blood Harvest

Halloween. The word conjures images of caramel apples, jack-o’-lanterns, costumes, and of course all things “spooky.” This is one of those holidays that, try as the Catholic church may have, it never could separate from its Pagan roots. Another name for Halloween is Samhain—usually pronounced “sow-iyn”—and, for many folks who identify as Pagan, like Witches … Read more

Yule, and Heading Off Into the Dark of Winter

Winter Solstice marks the official threshold of a journey undertaken by Witches, Pagans, Heathens and other polytheists all over the planet, and shared by all of our ancestors going back to the deepest reaches of memory and time. Because of a random 23 degree tilt to our planet, we experience our four seasons. A deep … Read more

Thesmophoria, The “Bitching Festival” for Demeter Thesmophoros and Baubo

In late October, bridging the time between Mabon and Samhain, we come upon a beautiful multi-day holiday from the Greeks called Thesmophoria. Greek femmes held this rite after all the pomp and ritual of the Eleusinian Mysteries. They dedicated this festival to Demeter Thesmophoros, a variant of Demeter who was the Law-Giver. Observed after the … Read more