Naturalistic Paganism
Category: Starstuff, Contemplating
[Starstuff, Contemplating] “New Life on the Spring Equinox (Ostara)!” by Heather (and Jon) Cleland-Host
We grasp these first signs of Spring with excitement and joy, but it does not compare to the joy of our Ancestors. The return of Spring was the end of the death in winter, the return of life. It was hope. The signs of the return of Spring and the fertility of the Earth were of great importance. It is why they persist to the modern day:
Read More[Starstuff, Contemplating] “Our Powerful Sabbats” by Jon and Heather Cleland Host
This turns each season, each month, even each week is a special gift, not to be repeated until another year has gone by!
Read More[Starstuff, Contemplating] “Celebrating hidden life – Imbolc” by Heather and Jon Cleland-Host
Imbolc is a time for reflection and anticipation. In addition to anticipating the end of winter, the emergence of plants germinating through the winter, and the birth of animals in the spring, it is doubly meaningful for those mapping the human lifetime, as it matches gestation, or the time before birth.
Read More[Starstuff, Contemplating] “Winter Solstice: Axial Tilt is the Reason for the Season” by Heather (& Jon) Cleland-Host
We have been able to watch the Solstice Sunrise every year since we met. Usually we watch it over a lake. Occasionally we have watched it over a field. One year we watched it from a hospital window because I was in preterm labor with my second child. Another year, it was too snowy to go anywhere, so we went to the nearby sledhill and at the exact moment of the Sunrise, we all launched ourselves down the hill, even Mommy, who does NOT sled. We had the whole hill to ourselves that morning and it was probably one of the most memorable Sunrises, whooshing down that hill.
Read More[Starstuff, Contemplating] “Celebrating Meaning in our Lives through Family Holidays” by Heather and Jon Cleland Host
Instead of swearing off all holidays, we committed to celebrating only holidays that were meaningful and real. The eclipse of the Sun is a moment when we small humans become conscious of where we are in our solar system relative to the Moon and the Sun. It is worthy of celebrating. It is something that re-occurs though not always on the same time of the year, nor every year. We wanted something that communicated the cycles of the Universe, of our solar system, and especially our planet Earth. Most of all, we wanted something that connected us to our Ancestors and our humanity.
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Pagan Coming Out Day – May 2nd
Naturalistic Paganism 