Modern pagan holidays and traditions have seen a resurgence in recent years, as people from various backgrounds and belief systems explore alternative ways of connecting with nature and the cycles of the seasons. These new pagan practices draw inspiration from ancient pagan traditions, but also incorporate modern elements and interpretations. One of the most well-known modern pagan holidays is Samhain, which is celebrated on October 31st and marks the end of the harvest season. It is believed to be a time when the veil between the spirit world and the physical world is thinnest, allowing for communication with the deceased. Many pagans celebrate Samhain with rituals and ceremonies that honor their ancestors and seek guidance from the spirit world. Another important pagan holiday is Yule, which takes place around the winter solstice in late December.
Fun, isn’t it? I can’t remember where I read it, but there was a story about a woman with a weird big, flat rock in her yard, where she didn’t want it. She tried to pry it, then dig it up to move it, but the farther down she dug, the bigger it seemed. Her husband helped and they spent a day trying. The next day they got their strong young kids to help, but again, the more they dug, the bigger the base was! Well, they hired a handyman and his crew- same! Picks, shovels, rakes, boots- Now it was a big excavation with piles of dirt around, centered with a huge rock. A guy with equipment was hired. It was getting expensive now! They were on a mission, though! He circled the big rock, on his excavator, taking out dirt, moving the growing mounds around, ruining the grass, while a growing audience came and went. At the end of a long day, the hole was deep surrounding the rock, the yard was a mess, the enormous rock sat, unmoving. It turned out the it was a part of an actual mountain. What she thought was an annoying large rock in the yard was like the tip of an iceberg! So they have a $2,000+ rock garden, with some nice bulbs, perennials, a birdbath, etc.
One idea is to make one bed of each style this year, knowing in advance that unless you decide you like the whimsy of it next year you ll be removing the styles you decided against. I found this about St Joseph and thought you would get a kick out of it since you are the buyer lol Tradition says the statue should be buried upside down and facing toward the direction of the desired moved.
Another important pagan holiday is Yule, which takes place around the winter solstice in late December. It is a time to celebrate the rebirth of the sun and the return of longer daylight hours. Yule is often marked with feasts, bonfires, and the exchange of gifts.
stream Arcade Fire's new song "I Give You Power" ft. Mavis Staples
Arcade Fire have been promising a new album for this year and now a new single is officially out. It’s called “I Give You Power” and it features soul legend Mavis Staples. It’s quite an appropriate inauguration eve song. Originally streaming exclusively on TIDAL, it’s now also on YouTube, and you can listen right HERE or below.
The timing of this song isn’t coincidental, and it wouldn’t be the first time Arcade Fire got involved in this election, or did something Obama related.
Meanwhile, Mavis Staples released her own excellent album in 2016 (it even won a Grammy). Produced by indie rock singer-songwriter great M Ward, it featured songs written by a who’s who of indie rock including Nick Cave, Neko Case, Ben Harper, Justin Vernon (Bon Iver), tUnE-yArDs, and Valerie June. Mavis, who goes way back with Bob Dylan (as you can learn about in her documentary which is streaming on Netflix), worked with Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy on her previous two records.
UPDATE: Win Butler talked about the song on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 show, and said, “It’s the eve of the inauguration and I think it’s easy to get sucked into sitting on the couch and checking your news feed and watching things on CNN, and we’re just musicians and the only thing we have to offer is our music. I talked to Mavis last night and she said, ‘Now more than ever we just need to hold onto each other.’ For us it’s a feeling of solidarity—to not feel powerless and focus on what we can do as individuals and try to do our part.”
Here’s the whole interview:
In related news, Sam Patch aka Arcade Fire’s Tim Kingsbury has a new album coming out and is touring. Arcade Fire drummer Jeremy Gara (who drums on the Sam Patch album) is also playing shows, including Big Ears Fest.
Still no details on album title, release date, etc, but Arcade Fire recently said their tour may start this April (and continue through April 2019). So far only European festivals have been announced, like Primavera Fest in Spain. Arcade Fire last played NYC at Panorama Fest in 2016.
Next week (1/27), they’re releasing a new double-disc DVD/blu-ray with a documentary on disc 1 and a live concert on disc 2.
And, in case it means anything, here’s their new Facebook profile picture:
Arcade Fire — 2017 Tour Dates
Jun 03 Primavera Sound Barcelona, Spain
Jun 10 Isle of Wight Festival Newport, United Kingdom
Jun 17 Best Kept Secret Festival Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands
Jun 19 INmusic Festival Zagreb, Croatia
Jun 24 Roskilde Festival Roskilde, Denmark
Jun 29 Rock Werchter Werchter, Belgium
Jul 09 Eurockéennes Festival Belfort, France
Jul 11 Ahoi! The Full Hit of Summer Linz, Austria
Jul 15 Vieilles Charrues Carhaix Plouguer, France
Still no details on album title, release date, etc, but Arcade Fire recently said their tour may start this April (and continue through April 2019). So far only European festivals have been announced, like Primavera Fest in Spain. Arcade Fire last played NYC at Panorama Fest in 2016.
Pagans may also decorate their homes with evergreen branches and symbols of the sun to celebrate this festive time of year. Beltane is another significant pagan holiday, occurring on May 1st. It is a celebration of the arrival of summer and the fertility of the earth. Many pagans honor this holiday by dancing around Maypoles, which symbolize the union of the masculine and feminine energies in the natural world. Beltane is also a time of joyous celebration and merriment, often featuring bonfires, music, and dancing. Litha, or the summer solstice, is another pagan holiday that falls on June 21st. It marks the height of the summer season and the longest day of the year. Many pagans celebrate Litha by gathering in nature, such as at Stonehenge in England, to witness the sunrise and participate in rituals that honor the power of the sun. It is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the earth and celebrate the warmth and light of the sun. These are just a few examples of the modern pagan holidays and traditions that have gained popularity in recent years. They serve as a way for individuals to reconnect with nature, honor ancient traditions, and find spiritual meaning in the cycles of the seasons. Whether through ceremonies, rituals, or festive celebrations, modern pagans are finding new ways to express their beliefs and create a sense of community with others who share their love for the natural world..
Reviews for "Modern Pagan Practices for Connecting with the Divine during Holidays"
1. John Doe - 1/5 stars - I found "Modern pagan holidays and traditions" to be a complete waste of my time. The book lacked depth and substance, and I felt like I was reading a Wikipedia article rather than gaining any real insights. The author's explanations of various pagan holidays and traditions were shallow, and I was left with more questions than answers. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of modern pagan practices.
2. Jane Smith - 2/5 stars - As someone who is interested in modern pagan practices, I was truly disappointed with this book. While the author attempted to cover various holidays and traditions, the information provided was vague and lacked depth. I was hoping to gain a better understanding of the significance and rituals associated with these holidays, but the explanations felt superficial and incomplete. Additionally, the book seemed more focused on historical background rather than offering practical guidance. Overall, I would not recommend "Modern pagan holidays and traditions" as a valuable resource for those seeking to explore this subject in-depth.
3. Matthew Johnson - 1/5 stars - This book was a letdown for me. The author failed to deliver any meaningful insights or explanations about modern pagan holidays and traditions. It felt like a collection of random facts and general information rather than a comprehensive guide. The lack of depth and analysis left me unsatisfied, and I was hoping for more practical advice and guidance. I would not recommend "Modern pagan holidays and traditions" to anyone genuinely interested in understanding and practicing modern pagan traditions.
4. Sarah Thompson - 2/5 stars - I had high expectations for "Modern pagan holidays and traditions," but unfortunately, it fell short. The book lacked cohesion and structure, making it difficult to follow and understand the subjects being discussed. The explanations of various holidays and traditions felt disjointed, and I struggled to grasp the underlying concepts. While it did provide some historical context, it failed to offer any practical guidance or real-life examples. For someone seeking a more organized and insightful exploration of modern pagan practices, I would recommend looking elsewhere.