Lammas to Samhain

I totally agree!

__________________
I'm running so far behind I thought I was first!

http://hickahala.blogspot.com/

What nice sentiments from everyone! There are a lot of wise people here! I think that many of us follow an "eclectic" path; a mix of many different traditions. Old John and Wandering Oak, it is really interesting to learn about the different Heathen traditions. It sounds like a beautiful faith! GrandmotherBear, I love your desription of yourself as a "Greenie"! I wonder if I could call myself a "Hedgie"? I don't know. Sounds a bit like a little prickly animal! Yours is better! Just a little inside joke for all of the Solitaries out there!

__________________
Melissa
Reformed hoyden. Please forgive me if I relapse.

I'm sure this will seem out of place following the posts above, but, I have to honestly say (as a Christian) I am very, very glad I left paganism behind.

My interest in it coincided with a very gloomy, oppressive period in my life and I don't know which came first. Anyway ... once I discovered who Jesus Christ really is, I renounced it all (and some of it was interesting stuff, too,) and never looked back.

Of course, living on a farm, fall is always an exciting time. As much planting goes on in the fall as in the spring, so it's doubly busy ... such a relief when it's all in and all done.

Ann

__________________
"In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity."

This is a really nice thread. I agree with syringaweb.

I agree with Chickflick! I was not 'rasied' in a church--went for a few years when my children were small.. But I do not need a "group" to be attached to nature, spirits or my own beleifs and customs! I love Christmas, It's my favorite time of year--I love giving, decorating and cooking for it! Taking out every ornament and placing it on the tree one by one gives me a moment to remember the person, place or reason, I hang on to that one! It makes me feel close to those I love and want to remember. I do love the changing of the seasons--all of them and I sorta celebrate each in my own way... Not for a religion or to worship any thing just to make ME feel good...

I am so glad that we live in a place where we can/do express our own thoughts and ideas... I resect that others can and do what they feel is right for them...but don't say that how I feel is WRONG / Right just because you don agree with it! Debbie

For those of us who practice other beliefs when we are in positive states of mind, there is no other way to be. where one is is where one needs to be- from a spiritual standpoint. I am happy you found a spiritual belief you feel right in. I think all of us would agree how important for personal balance it is to "fit in," even when that means going alone and listening to God in the silence.

__________________
Tiny Forest ~ my tiny blog

*heh* This seems to be a "pagan role call" as well as a discussion.

My Heathen family (along with the other families in our Hall) celebrate Winternights. I'm not sure what the plans are for this year, but previous years it was held at our house- becasue I"m the one who loves to cook.

We also take the kids out trick-or-treating on Halloween, and run a Haunted ghost tour in the historical district.

its a busy time of year.

I'm absolutely floored.

I had assumed that this was mostly a Christian website. I've stayed away from any topic where I would have to voice a different view.

I'm a non-believer. The entire concept of religion just leaves me cold.

I have a bumper-sticker on my truck that says "Freedom of religion means ANY religion". I am a firm believer that everyone should be free to follow whatever it is they are led to believe. Without constant persecution by any religious groups of any type.

The 'Live and let live' philosophy.

Therefore...Happy Holidays of any type to whoever is celebrating them!!!

Meg

__________________
All life requires death to support itself. The key is to have an abiding respect for the deaths that support you. --- Mark T. Sullivan

Merry Meet caryatid

__________________
Tiny Forest ~ my tiny blog

Cloverfarm did say<<<"I'm sure this will seem out of place following the posts above, but, I have to honestly say (as a Christian) I am very, very glad I left paganism behind.

My interest in it coincided with a very gloomy, oppressive period in my life and I don't know which came first. Anyway ... once I discovered who Jesus Christ really is, I renounced it all (and some of it was interesting stuff, too,) and never looked back.">>>

I don't mean to slam ya Hon, but.........
I'm very happy to say"Been There; Done That!"
I was raised Catholic. I was SO-O-O-o-o-o glad to leave all the
Guilt, Fear, Gloom & Doom behind, when I left the church.

I am a Proud Happy Heathen! And I have looked back many
times. & laughed. Never wanted to go back though.
Glad to be, where I am.

I'm very happy to live in a place where we are free to choose.
I have to say, though, There is another Kountry list, where if you
question the daily christian Spam, you get slammed, and get
emails off list telling you, you are out of line on the wrong list.
This Freedom of Religion & thought, over here is much better.
I hates thought Police.

Y'all have a great Holiday & Holy Day. Heathen, Pagan, Wiccan,
Christian, be all you wanta be.
Faith, Folk, & Family!

__________________
Be Intense, always. But always take the time to
Smell the Roses, give a Hug, Really Listen, or
Jump to Defend your Friends & What you Believe in.
'Til later, Have Fun,
Old John

Well, we had a good -make that great or wonderful- Feast of Tabernacles.

We don't do the pagan stuff.

__________________
The 7th Day is still God's Sabbath
ICOG7.ORG
Layton Hollow ADGA Nubians
Taking Reservation for 2015!

I think that officially or perhaps unoffically, this is a Christian website. I haven't seen intolerance of other faiths or of those without a spiritual faith or religion though. I think there is tolerance and acceptance for the most part, except in chat :haha: But like MelissaW mentioned, it hurts sometimes when others take our blessed Days and turn them into something they have never been for us. I don't know how Pagans got credited with the Judeo Christian devil. It would be interesting reading. If anyone has a good book to recommend from a historical persepective, I would be indebted to him or her.

__________________
Tiny Forest ~ my tiny blog

Tango - because of this thread, I was poking around in google, and came up with this site:

http://www.schooloftheseasons.com/index.html

It has some good, interesting explanations of things like Halloween....
So far, it seems to be an interesting site.

AngieM2

__________________
"Live your life, and forget your age." Norman Vincent Peale

Thanks AngieM2, I'm on my way there

__________________
Tiny Forest ~ my tiny blog

Happy Samhain to all on the board! My absolute favorite turn of the wheel. I identify with it now more than ever with my age being what it is....I feel the pull towards the crone times. I'm a practicing green witch (which is what I choose to call myself). Passed it on to my sons and granddaughter. I learned from my grandmother - who was from the ozarks hills. I suspect its roots are in Celtic beliefs. Lots of traditions and superstitions in the past from the "old timers". We traditionally look to the future (scrying) with a good sized fire on the eve using wormwood and sage. It's a time of joy and reflection, realizing that some fruit must perish to set seed for the next year but being thankfull for the bounty we have received from the mother.

I've not posted very often here but have lurked since the old board. I've read countryside for years. I usually don't have a lot to say, but thought I'd pipe in on this one. We're working on property near Taum Sauk mountain. I'm preparing all my herbs and plants for the change of season.

My feelings are to live and let live. Blessings, good fortune and a fruitfull end to another harvest season to all on this board.
Mary

Green witch sounds lovely and so does your property. My witch's name is that of a crone. From the beginning my attraction to this season was strongest. Merry Meet Mary Blessed Samhain to you and your family.

__________________
Tiny Forest ~ my tiny blog

I follow a rather eclectic path of buddhist/pagan beliefs. I have to admit that I hate "Halloween". At least what it has become. People running around looking like morons in masks that would give most normal people nightmares. I was brought up Baptist so that is the only halloween I have ever known.
I do enjoy the cooler weather though!

Happy Winters Night/Sanhain/Hallows to all here. I think that its great that the pagans on this forum get together every now and then to let the others know we are here. I am still new to paganism, and am desperately trying to get info. The internet is great, but a good source of books would help immensly. With my job, I am frequently unable to get access the internet. I came to paganism about two years ago and I'm glad I did. I was raised by my grandmother who was VERY fundamentalist christian. All she ever preached was doom and gloom. She is an Indian (Cherokee and Seminole) and she even discouraged reading about her peoples culture,heritage, and beliefs. :no: Anyway, since my family is mainly of english and danish heritage, that is the pagan beliefs that I have been attracted to. It may sound crazy, but I have always been fascinated by and felt a sort of "pull" towards pre-christian Britian and Scandinavia. I still believe in Jesus, so a friend told me this is called "christian-paganism", but I don't know. If y'all don't mind, I have a couple questions. I read that english heathenism and Nordic paganism is similar with a difference in the gods names only. Is this true? Where I live, there are very few pagan groups, and those that are here belong to faiths that I don't feel any pull towards. Also, they tend to be very suspicious of a redneck who wants to go to a pagan meeting. I practice a few basic Nordic and english practices, but I would like more info and a good forum to help guide me through. Thanks, and may all of you have a joyous Samhain.

For me, the little rituals help me to express my joy and gratitude. They also give me a feeling of closeness and connection to my ancestors, both those of blood and of spirit.

If we're taking a roll call, count me in as a Celtic Reconstructionist Pagan.

Sherri

__________________
Though it be little, better to live in a house you hold as your own;
with just two goats, thin thatch for your roof,
you're better off than begging. ~ Hávamál

You know, I dont think I have met any people that have been so happy and comfortable in their faith, as pagans

Im a Christian but I have strong pagan leanings...I dont know if thats possible..heh.

Happy Samhain!

__________________
Recognize the beauty in things, in creation, even when thats difficult to do.
Be loving, show compassion. Create while we're here.
Enjoy this life, be in this life but not be of it.