The Megalesia, Ancient Sparkle Party Dedicated to The Magna Mater, Cybele, and Her Band of Phrygian Phreaks

The Megalesia was a multi-week festival celebrating the Phrygian Goddess, Cybele and her eunuch Son/Lover Attis, a vegetation God that died at Winter and was resurrected at Spring. Romans brought the festival from Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). We have some reasonably complete records of the Roman Megalesia. However, time left us few records from the thousands … Read more

Two of Wands – Everyday Living in the Minor Arcana Tarot

This is a multi-part series intended to help folks recognize the Minor Arcana in their day-to-day lives. In this piece we look at the Two of Wands. I’ll generally base my interpretations off Pamela Colman Smith’s illustrations in the Smith-Waite or Rider-Waite deck. Here at the beginning of Spring we get an opportunity to work … Read more

Lupercalia: The Risqué History of this Frisky Festival!

Lupercalia Whips. Wolves. A lottery where girls are given to men. Sex in the streets. The Pagan root of Valentine’s Day. History and misinformation has put A LOT at the feet of this ancient Roman festival. Let’s take a look at what was possibly the truth and what is modern projection on the holiday Lupercalia. … Read more