Throughout history, there has been no single culture that has stayed “pure” nor will there ever be such a culture, and it is willful ignorance to believe so. So it is counter productive to try to prevent cultural mixing. ... To ignore the various cultures around us is to ignore our humanity. And to the greatest extent – it causes wars. Read more
All things Paths Through The Forests' has written on Nature Based Holidays, Rituals and History - organized by time of year it is related to. Read more
I found the directions for the elements in typical Pagan ceremonies confusing - Why was earth positioned north toward the pole? Air toward the East and Water West? South for Fire I could understand - as we view the sun along the south horizon through the day, but that doesn't make any sense if you were to live in the southern hemisphere - reflecting how they were developed in the northern hemisphere and didn't have the southern hemisphere in mind when made. The directions for a circle was also something that didn't jive with me - being based on a perspective of the sun circling the earth, when I knew full well that it was the earth's spin that caused our view of the sun. Read more
Rua Lupa shares what the seasons are like around the world this time of year and what celebrations are happening because of them. Read more
When I first became pagan twenty years ago, it was common for “paganism” as an umbrella term to be summarized as “earth-based religions”. As the internet facilitated further discourse on what paganism is and isn’t, pagans began differentiating between paths that were based in nature, and those based in the reconstruction of pre-Christian religions, or rooted firmly in the veneration of deities, or other things that “weren’t nature”. Over time I saw more and more of a backlash against the... Read more
The animal world is full of creatures who, as a way of gaining a reproductive advantage, spend precious resources growing extensions and decorations to attract a mate. The incredibly long tail feathers of male peacocks and long-tailed widowbirds can hinder their ability to fly away, but may impressive enough to attract a mate for those males strong enough to survive in spite of the extra weight. Some extra bits are more practical; the male elephant seal’s enormous nose helps him... Read more
What makes this time of year what it is and the celebrations that spring forth therefrom the world over. Read more
Each year I encounter something that most Pagans know, but the general public is oddly oblivious to. People who casually complain about the dark and don't know about the shortest day of the year, or even when it is. I know this because that is when I mention that soon enough the days will be getting longer they blankly stare at me and say, “Really? When?” It becomes very hard not to do a face palm each time I encounter this, and its frequent. So I feel compelled to talk about the Real reason for the season. Read more
Lupa Greenwolf returns from her hiatus with a consideration on right, wrong, and wolves. Read more
Can you find the critter on the Autumn Ground? Read more
Paths Through The Forests
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