Category: History & Folklore
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History of Valentine’s Day: Deities, Devotion, and Wild Origins
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Valentine’s Day has roots in ancient love deities like Aphrodite, Eros, Freyja, Hathor, and Parvati, symbolizing various aspects of love and devotion. Its evolution from rituals and festivals like Lupercalia to modern celebrations reflects a blend of history and myth. Reclaiming the day emphasizes love’s spiritual significance beyond commercialization.
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Guide to the 12 Days of Yule
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Yule is a sacred period rooted in Norse and Germanic traditions, marked by the return of light and honoring of ancestors. The 12 Days of Yule emphasize rest, community, and reflection, celebrating significant themes such as hospitality, creativity, and connection while inviting intentional stillness during winter’s quiet months.
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Foraging & Folklore: Fall Treasures
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November ushers in a season of gathering and gratitude as nature offers acorns, chestnuts, and hearty roots. These symbolize endurance and protection, inviting us to forage and appreciate simple gifts. Rituals like root stews and prosperity bundles honor abundance, emphasizing the significance of nourishment and magical connections beneath the surface.
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October Lore & the Spirits of Samhain
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October lore and legends are rich and powerful during the time of Samhain. As the time when the veil between the worlds is at its thinnest, both Samhain and the fall season are steeped in stories of spirits, deities, and ancient customs. Let’s explore some of those traditions in preparation…
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Samhain: Traditions, Rituals & Recipes
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Discover the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, a time to honor the dead, celebrate life, and welcome the winter season.
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Spirits and Ancestors: Honoring the Dead
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As the veil between the worlds thins, many of us take this time to remember and communicate with the spirits. Honoring our ancestors is a way to seek guidance and show gratitude for the paths they paved for us. During Samhain, this practice takes on special significance as the boundaries…
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How To Craft Fall Folk Charms
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Fall is my favorite season for folk magic because the materials are literally everywhere. Corn husks from dinner, apple peels from pie-making, the last sprigs of herbs drying on the counter—nothing goes to waste, and everything holds a little bit of power. This isn’t fancy altar stuff. It’s salt-of-the-earth magic.…
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Fall Herbs for Protection, Nourishment & Dreamwork
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Fall has this way of nudging me back to my roots. The garden’s going quiet, the leaves are starting to let go, and suddenly I’m standing in the kitchen with herbs spread out on the counter, wondering what to dry, what to blend, and what little potions I might want…
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Knot Magic: Tied with Intention
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Knots are everywhere. They’re woven into our daily lives, our language, and our magic. From shoelaces to sailor’s rope, from wedding hand-fastings to protective charms, knots have long served as both practical tools and powerful symbols. So what’s the origin and the lore behind the magic of knots? How do…
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Bells: Using Sound and Silence in Spiritual Practice
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There’s something both grounding and ethereal about the sound of a bell. It cuts through noise, clears space, and somehow seems to echo beyond the veil. For centuries, bells have been used not only to call communities together but to connect the physical and spiritual realms. Bells offer a beautiful…