Category: Mother Earth

Lugnasad.

Celebrating Lugnasad

Although named for the Irish God Lugh (aka Lleu, Lugos, Lugus), Lugnasad (aka Gŵyl Awst) almost certainly ultimately derives from the Proto-Indo-European root word for his name: *leu-g- (black, dark, dim; swamp) or *leug- (bend, bow, twist) + Old Irish násad (assembly, gathering — especially one of a festive or commemorative nature; death, put to death). It most likely means the “Gathering of the Black or Bent One,” but it could also mean “Black Death” or any other such combinations thereof. However, an enormous amount of weight must be given to the first interpretation, simply because Lugnasad is still today often referred to as Black Stoop Sunday, and largely connected with an Irish deity called Crom Dubh (Black Bent One or Dark Bowed One, etc.). This figure is associated, as well, with the Irish God Crom Cruach (Bent or Bowed One of the Mound or Stack [of Grain]), to whom the people made sacrifices in exchange for milk and grain.

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Magickally Gardening.

Magickally Gardening

We are finally in that part of the year where we can go play in our gardens. For most of us, our gardens have been completely planted. Others in the farther northern regions still have some time. No matter what stage of planting we are in, it’s never too late to add some magickal energy to our gardens to help them grow.

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The Fairies' Favorite.

The Fae

Do you wish to work with the Fae more? Beltaine through Midsummer is a wonderful time to do that. Even though the Fae are active all year round, it is in mid-summer when they seem to be at their most energetic. A wonderful way to start working with them is to invite them into your home or garden.

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Viking Warrior Girl.

Becoming a Pagan Warrior

In ancient times, it was often very difficult to tell the Celtic and the Germanic tribes apart. They frequently intermingled, adopted the customs, clothing, weapons, and deities, etc., of the other, and so on. The Germanic/Norse God Wodan/Óðinn, for example, is believed by scholars to have evolved from the Gaulish God Lugos (the Irish Lugh, the Welsh Lleu). Sometimes, Germanic tribes even had Celtic Kings. Perhaps this was the result of marriages between the tribes. Regardless, all were fierce warriors.

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