Pagans at the pub and a reply to skyflower

Well I have just got home from my pagans at the pub night. It was great! When we first got there I couldn’t see any “weird” looking ppl so we sat abd had a bite to eat and a drink. Then I went for a wander and found them sitting around the corner on the verandah. So we moved and joined them. There were a couple of familiar faces, some of which I hadn’t seen for a couple years. It was nice to remake that contact.

We sat and had a couple beers and everyone just talked and laughd. We discussed everything from art, to star trek to Fiona Hornes books.Somewhere in all that sex was mentioned ALOT….but hey…we are pagans…we are allowed to*laughs*.

I will definatly be going again next month…was so nice haveing a drink and a chat with like minded ppl:)

Skyflower left me a note asking me about “special days or holidays”. There was too much to mention in a note so I decided to put it here for her. Those of you that don’t want to know skip this now*smiles*

I will do this Northern hemisphere for you, but basically because I am in the souther hemisphere and what I practise is a nature based religion…add 6 months to all the dates and thats when I would be celebrating them.

Oct 31 Samhain (also known as halloween or All hallows eve):

Samhain means summers end. So now the days shorten and the nights lengthen. This is the time that the sun gods and the earth slumber. It is the night where the veil between the two worlds is thinist and allows the return of the dead to the living so their spirit and memory can be celebrated. It is also the time where animals are harvested for food to see us through the winter months.

Dec 31 Winter Solstice (also known as Yule):

Yule means wheel and this is the time of year that the wheel of the year has reached its turning point with the longest night of the year. It is midwinter and a time to look within and try to comprehend ourselves and our true nature. This is the night where the great Goddess mothe gives birth to the baby sun god ie: the days start to lengthen again. It is a time to recognise that death is rebirth. Was celebrated also to hurry the last days of winter and bring forth spring.

Feb 2 Imbolc (also known as candlemas):

Imbolc means belly of the mother and is celebrated becuase that is where seeds are beginning to stir as it is spring. We celebrate the return of the goddess to her maiden aspect, just as the sun god is reaching puberty. This holiday is also known as St Bridits day and is sacred to St Brigit the celtic firegoddess, patron of healing, midwifery and poetry

March 21 Spring Equinox:

Spring has reached midpoint, night and day stand in perfect balance. The young sungod now celebrates a sacred marriage with the young Maiden goddess who concieves. In nine months she will again be the great mother. It is a time to celebrate fertility, new growth and newborn animals.

April 30 beltane (also known as May day):

Beltane also means fire of Bel, Belinos being a name for the Sun god whos corination it is we are now celebrating. Sunner is approaching and the weather becomes warmer, flowers are blooming and the earth is awakening. It is in celtic traditions (and others embrace this *grins*) a time of sexuality. May pole dancing happens on this day where maidens dance around a huge phallic symbol…the may pole.

June 21 Summer Solstice:

This is the longest day of the year, the opposite of Yule. The sun god has at this point reached his greatest moment of strength. Also known as midsummers eve and is special to those of the faerie faith.

July 31 Lughnasadh(also known as Lammus, August eve, harvest home)

Lughnasadh means funeral games and refers to Lugh the Irish sun god. This isnthe day where ppl celebrate the first harvest. It was known as the time when plants of spring would wither and drop their fruits or seeds for our use as well as to ensure further crops the following year. It is the beginning of Autumn and the sungod has reached old age but is not yet dead. The god symbolically looses some of his strength as the days grow shorter and the nights longer.

Sept 21st Autumn Equinox:

This is the day the sun god is killedDay and night here too are equal, but from here forth nights wil be lionger and days shorter. This is when the god prepares to leave his physical body and begins to travel into the unknown back to the great mother goddess for rebirth. At this time, in nature, the earth is declining and preparing for its rebirth…spring.

So there is our 8 festivals that I celebrate. I also celebrate full moons ( there are 13 of them in a year) and some witches even celebrate new moons as well. Each is for different purposes. I hope this was of some help and answered your question and didn’t confuse you too much:)If you want more info there are some good sits on the net and some even bette books…just let me know:)

Just another little piece of me…..