Aria Sparrowsong's TAROT AND STARS

YOU HAVE REACHED THE LAST BLOG! PREVIOUS BLOG | MASTER LIST | BACK TO THE FIRST BLOG Gift giving, the birth of the Sun King, rebirth and bringing back the Light have always been Krampus the main topics at this time of year no matter what faith you follow. The Return of the Sun represented by the birth of the Sun King was all about survival and looking forward to growing and hunting food and benefiting from warmer weather. Christmas as we know it has it's beginnings in the ancient Pagan Rituals and Ceremonies of Yule and Winter Solstice. All traditions have to do with Gifts and Gifting--the three Wise Men come to mind. We need gifts--they are precious, give us a sense of accomplishment and reward, connect us to what we believe in (from a great benefactor), even if these gifts are not tangible. Rewarding ourselves is a huge self-esteem boost and receiving gifts from family, friends and loved ones can make us feel appreciated. The gifts can be lavish and lu...

I am last on this list...so you can go to the: PREVIOUS BLOG or the MASTER LIST or BACK TO THE BEGINNING ! PLEASE SHARE THIS TAROTBLOGHOP WITH FRIENDS Samhain, All Hallow's Eve, Halloween, Day of the Dead and the Celtic New Year are different names for the same Feast Day/Sabbat/Holiday. The celebrations are virtually the same: the "thinning of the veil," the honouring of the ancestors and the preparations made for the "Dark Time" or the cold part of the year--the season of winter. Currently, we celebrate this holiday on October 31st with the calendar we use now. Centuries ago, there were no calendars and most people did not read or write. Therefore, the calendar these people used was made up of the cosmic changes in the sky. The actual Halloween is when the Sun enters 15 degrees of of Scorpio, an Astrological point in time also called the "Cross Quarter Day." Samhain Fires I n ages past, this holiday was a brilliant fire festival...

Happy Lammas / Lughnassad! PREVIOUS BLOG | MASTER LIST | NEXT BLOG The  study of names  is called onomastics, a field which touches on linguistics, history, anthropology, psychology, sociology, philology, genealogy, ethnicity and much more. When people refer to the "meaning of a name," they are most likely referring to the  etymology , which is the original literal meaning. A name is important as it is one's identity. It is the essence of a person. A link to one's culture, family, ancestors and the part of the world they come from. Many times, it is the first thing we get to know about a person who has entered into our sphere of influence. Names are central in defining identity. What is the very first thing we ask our clients? "What's your name?" And if we are really good at what we do we don't forget their name and during the consultation we will use their name by addressing them or asking them questions a few times. This h...

Lammas / Lughnassad is the only Sabbat that does not have a major Christian holy day or celebration attached to it. It is still a sacred time--as summer winds to a close it is the beginning of preparations for the Dark Time of the year. The Celtic Sun God, Lugh rules this special time as does John Barleycorn, who puts all of his energy in the crops and lays down to die beckoning the coming Fall season. It is thought that in times past, many fairs and festivals were happening during this part of the Wheel of the Year and of course, the First Harvest was the highlight of the Summer. The harvesting of the barley, wheat and corn kept egalitarian people busy and in the fields. Celebrating the fruits of their labor with copious amounts of beer and bread (and the shaping of the bread into the Lady and the Lord) was customary. Wheels of wood or straw wreaths, decorated with flowers and ribbons were set alight and rolled down a hill to symbolize the turning of the Wheel of the Year. There ...