Yule, or Yuletide, has ancient roots as a midwinter festival celebrating the Winter Solstice. Originating in Germanic and Norse traditions, it marked the rebirth of the sun. It is thought to have lasted anywhere from 1-12 days, basically from the eve of the Winter Solstice to the start of the next calendar year. Yule customs may involve lighting candles, decorating with evergreens, burning a traditional Yule log, and performing rituals to symbolize renewal and the turning of the wheel of the year. Some Pagans also engage in feasting, gift-giving, and community gatherings during this time. As Christianity spread throughout Europe,…
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Michelle Lewis, The Blessings Butterfly As the New Year approaches, many people find themselves reflecting on the past and contemplating their aspirations for the future. One popular and powerful practice that has gained momentum in recent years is selecting a “Word of the Year.” Rather than setting traditional resolutions, choosing a guiding word can provide focus, clarity, and a sense of purpose throughout the coming months. This is something that I’ve been practicing for ages, and it’s served me far better than rigid resolutions ever did! Here’s my beginner-friendly guide on how to select a meaningful Word of the Year…
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Michelle Lewis, The Blessings Butterfly Let’s go ahead and get this out of the way up front: I am a Witch. I often work with various gods, goddesses, ancient deities, ascended masters, and a whole lot of spirit-beings. It’s an amazing spiritual connection that has always been part of my life, though I had to keep it hidden from most people. Especially from religious people… even when I was openly religious. My own sacred journey has become one of following my heart as someone who is deeply spiritual… but no longer is bound by religious constructs. After having spent many…
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Written by Angela L. Todd, Guest Author An old Wiccan saying says, “What is remembered, lives.” And I preface that with what is saved, is remembered. If you’re here, you’re likely drawn to the fringes of culture, not mainstream ideas and lifestyles. These all have important places in world history. “Different” paths such as Wiccans, Pagans, astrologers, alternative spiritualities, and other fringe dwellers aren’t often included in our collective histories. Historical documents and original materials saved in historical societies and archives are the raw materials for those histories. But who is doing the saving? Historically, those who have been inspired…
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Michelle Lewis – The Blessings Butterfly If you are just getting started on your witches path, you’ve probably begun hearing about the Wheel of the Year. You might even be familiar with some of the names of the different sabbats such as Samhain or Yule that make up the points on the Wheel. This article is designed as an introduction, and gives you some quick insights to help you along the way. It’s not by any means an in depth look, but a helpful beginner’s guide. The Wheel of the Year is a calendar that describes the cyclical nature of…
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Written by Angela L. Todd, Guest Contributor I love goddess imagery. I’m getting to be a big girl and I have started to really tap into the power of that imagery and correlate it to my new size. I say I’m big and strong and I won’t blow away in the wind! I’m seeing goddesses showing up everywhere, and recently I’ve also been feeling a new important link between goddess culture and my work as a family historian. I am so grateful to Michelle Lewis for inspiring me to explore this spiritual aspect of my work. I specialize in histories…
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Michelle Lewis, The Blessings Butterfly October Full Hunter Moon The first full moon of the Fall is known as the Hunter Moon. It is also sometimes called the Blood Moon, not because of a lunar eclipse but because this moon rises before the sun has fully set… casting a reddish hue on Lady Luna as she rises into the evening sky. You may have felt another surge of energy happening around you, if not within you, due to the collective energetic pushes around the world. The uprisings, the revolutions, the intense power-struggles are A LOT so if you’re feeling affected,…
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Michelle Lewis, The Blessings Butterfly Hello Fall! Up here in the Northern Hemisphere we officially welcome in the Fall season with this week’s Autumnal Equinox, on Thursday 9/22. How’s the weather where you are? It’s still hot & sunny in SoCal, though I can finally feel that little hint of crispness in the morning air now. Equinox translates from the Latin aequus nox to “equal night” and it is one of the two times each calendar year when there is an equal amount of day & night for both hemispheres… once in the Spring, and once in the Fall. This…
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By Rose Dougherty, Guest Author Throughout our lives we are visited by spirits around us. Some who want to help while others who do not. We want to focus on connecting with guides that protect us. How can we tell the difference between the two? One of the most important is to protect ourselves and understand discernment. There are trickster spirits who pretend to be things they are not. You must learn to tell the difference. Energetic Cleansing It is good to cleanse yourself and the space before you get started. Some people like to use smoke or liquid sprays…
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Connecting with Spirit doesn’t have to be complicated or convoluted. It can absolutely be as simple and pleasant as having a conversation with someone you are fond of. Prayer becomes talking to your wisest, most caring friend. Meditation becomes listening to the songs of the trees and the stars. Worship becomes honoring the earth and the water and the sky. Enlightenment becomes falling in Love with the Truth of your own Highest Self, and recognizing the Highest Self within those around you. Remember Love, though you may be talking with a Divine Being, you are also a Divine Being. The…
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