Grandmother Spider's SpiritWeb

As usual, they're mostly Pagan:

While each culture’s New Year celebration has its own flavor, there are certain common themes. The period leading up to New Year's Day is a time for setting things straight: a thorough housecleaning, paying off debts, returning borrowed objects, reflecting on one's shortcomings, mending quarrels, giving alms. In many cultures, people jump into the sea or a local body of water—literally washing the slate clean.

In some towns in Italy, I've been told, you have to watch out for falling objects, as people shove their old sofas, chairs and even refrigerators out of their windows on New Year's Eve.

Luckily for my neighbors, I'm not Italian.

Blessed Samhain to all.

Today, a group with whom I am very loosely called a member met. I felt somewhat reluctant to meet with them because of some hard feelings I have for one of the members over what I call a neglect of our friendship.

The Llewellyn Journal RSS news feed for articles by famous and new writers on Holidays.

Howdy folks! I have been Wiccan for the last 8 years and regretfully confess I haven't practiced the belief for approx. 3 of them. Now I come to the table in need of assistence and (gulp) help. My fiance' has a brother who for as long as he can remember has been "haunted" by visions and dreams influenced by a being that (from my understanding) calls itself "Archaos" (Ark-a-o-is).

Greetings and bright blessings! I am enjoying an unusual Samhain season this year in a creepy ole' T B hospital and, needless to say, I'm speedily making plans for my return home. I've learned a lot about the place - things I guess I wish I'd never known - but they are all an important part of the whole. When I am through with this, the spookiest aspect of my life's experience, I'll most certainly be ready to breathe a sigh of relief! Has anyone else out there had an ongoing case of the willies that just would not stop? Someone please help me before I lose my lunch! Surely this can't go on forever. Any suggestions? You my contact me at the following e-mail address: Rosemary7176@yahoo.com.

Greetings and bright blessings! I am enjoying an unusual Samhain season this year in a creepy ole' T B hospital and, needless to say, I'm speedily making plans for my return home. I've learned a lot about the place - things I guess I wish I'd never known - but they are all an important part of the whole.

Another all-night fire circle out at the Temple of Sekhmet. This one was called Bonedance & focused on the ancestors & those who had passed on, as is appropriate for the season.

I spent Sat. the 31st at an all-night ritual at the Temple of Sekhmet. The ritual area was surrounded by a cord tied 'round with prayer flags. A huge wooden image of Lugh stood in the fire pit. To the East was the altar and to the West was the short path into the temple itself.

I would like to give those who are interested in communicating their views of the Summer Solstice a place to post. Do you prefer to think it a middle or a beginning of a season? How do you celebrate?