I took off from the George and Pilgrim Hotel about ten in the morning. I was really kind of excited to be getting out of there. It’s moody … [Read more...] about A Visit to Gog and Magog in the Glastonbury Zodiac, and A Spell For The Protection From Anger
Pagans, Heathens and Witchcraft
The old gods are still among us
IN THE STONE CIRCLES OF BRITAIN, to the holidays we celebrate without a second thought, the gods of antiquity still loom large in our psyche. For those whose path takes them from the straight and narrow, the world is a magical place.
From the olden days and up through all the years
From Arcadia to the stone fields of Inisheer
Some say the Gods are just a myth
But guess who I’ve been dancing with
The great god Pan is alive
Searching for the sacred at Glastonbury’s Chalice Well, the pilgrim and the grail quest meet in a place of legend
Bubbling up from the base of Glastonbury Tor are two springs which arguably give Glastonbury much of its renown. The sacred, the myths and legends of … [Read more...] about Searching for the sacred at Glastonbury’s Chalice Well, the pilgrim and the grail quest meet in a place of legend
A Baptism at the White Spring of Glastonbury
IT HAD ALREADY BEEN A LONG DAY. A long walk through the Glastonbury countryside had taken me to the ancient oaks known as Gog and Magog. I was in … [Read more...] about A Baptism at the White Spring of Glastonbury
Deconstructing Glastonbury and the Author Finds Himself In A Pagan Ritual on The Tor
I WALKED THE FEW STEPS back to my room at Berachah Guest House from the White Spring. Glastonbury had worn me down, though after god knows how many … [Read more...] about Deconstructing Glastonbury and the Author Finds Himself In A Pagan Ritual on The Tor
The Secret Life of Photographers and Trees
I live in southern Illinois. The middle of nowhere. There's not much in the way of dramatic subject matter to shoot around here. Once spot looks … [Read more...] about The Secret Life of Photographers and Trees
The difference between Halloween and Samhain is in the stars and on the calendar
I know I covered this once before, but sometimes you need more details. A commenter asked if Halloween/Samhain isn’t October 31, as I had … [Read more...] about The difference between Halloween and Samhain is in the stars and on the calendar
Prithee WGN’s Salem, forgive me, for I confess I was wrong
In which the author issues a rare apology When I heard that WGN was making a series based on the Salem witch hysteria, I was skeptical. Then I saw … [Read more...] about Prithee WGN’s Salem, forgive me, for I confess I was wrong
Pagan Holidays: Walpurgis Night and how a British lady went from Catholic saint, to Germanic goddess, to witch and gave us a second Halloween
“Walpurgis Night was when, according to the belief of millions of people, the devil was abroad—when the graves were opened and the dead came forth and … [Read more...] about Pagan Holidays: Walpurgis Night and how a British lady went from Catholic saint, to Germanic goddess, to witch and gave us a second Halloween
The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen
The Great God Pan, a novella by Welsh born Arthur Machen (3 March 1863 – 15 December 1947), was cited by Stephen King as maybe the best horror story … [Read more...] about The Great God Pan by Arthur Machen
A Traditional Halloween: If it’s Samhain you’re looking for, ditch October 31
Pagans and Christians don't agree on a lot. Pagans complain that Christianity is all show and no substance. One point of contention often leveled at … [Read more...] about A Traditional Halloween: If it’s Samhain you’re looking for, ditch October 31
Harvest Moon: The Magic of the Home, Hearth and Hard Work
The hearth stone of an abandoned cottage near Glenties, county Donegal, Ireland The tradition of Donegal fiddle is populated with giants, those who … [Read more...] about Harvest Moon: The Magic of the Home, Hearth and Hard Work
Exploring ancient Greece in Nashville, TN: The Parthenon
Nashville, Tennessee has been called the Athens of the South since the mid 19th century. In a part of the country which at the time, wasn't renowned … [Read more...] about Exploring ancient Greece in Nashville, TN: The Parthenon
On Magic and Witchcraft: A letter to a ten-year-old
It's a tough time for you, being a Harry Potter fan and all. You want to believe that the world you read about in the books and watch in the films … [Read more...] about On Magic and Witchcraft: A letter to a ten-year-old
The reason for the season? How Christianity dyed its pagan roots.
I remember Christmas as a time of magic. There was something supernatural going on that you could never put your finger on. Flying reindeer, animals … [Read more...] about The reason for the season? How Christianity dyed its pagan roots.
The Fairy and the Fiddle
Fairy ring outside Tullyhorkey, Donegal Fairy rings are circular, earthen dwelling structures of the early Christian age commonly associated with the … [Read more...] about The Fairy and the Fiddle
Tales of Old Stony Brook II: Of William Sidney Mount, spirits and Spiritualism
The Hawkins Mount House. In Richard Matheson's classic novel from the 1970s, Hell House, a team of investigators are sent to spend a week in a … [Read more...] about Tales of Old Stony Brook II: Of William Sidney Mount, spirits and Spiritualism
