Articles related to "Pagan Roots"

This was one of the greatest of the Germanic Pagan festivals, later becoming associated with St. Walpurga. This is the root of some modern Christian traditions.

At Easter time, children go on egg hunts looking for eggs the Easter bunny hid. Women and girls wear corsages. Traditional foods are eaten at Easter dinner.

Hallowe'en Pumpkins, a decoration, has roots in this Fire or Solar Festival, tradition; Jack-O-Lanterns' are in Irish lore. Costumes originated in Samhain practice.

Pilgrims and Wampanoagans celebrated the first Thanksgiving. The tribe had its own feast day. Future Pagan immigrants brought their harvest festivals to America.

Symbolism includes the belief that evergreens dispel the power of evil. Christians incorporated the tradition of the tree into Christmas customs.

Costumed children "trick or treat." Jack-O-Lanterns, fall fruit and flowers decorate homes. Tales of ghosts and other supernatural "beasties" are told.

This 2005 release combines folk music, Goth, and pagan themes into a melancholy work of art.

This article contains Christmas Spoilers that may be shocking to Christians.The birth date of Jesus, history of Christmas celebrations and Santa Claus are discussed.

Haunted houses, "trick or treating," scary costumes and horror movies are some of the trappings of Halloween celebrations. Should Christians be involved?

Is Christianity based on pagan beliefs and rituals? Did the authors of the Bible, especially the New Testament, draw from pagan myths and ancient fables?

Christianity is the world's largest religion. What started Christianity? How did Christianity begin and how did it get to where it is today?

Although Christmas has become largely commercialized, the question still remains as to whether or not Christians should celebrate. Does Christmas have pagan origins?

Midsummer, called Litha by Wiccans and Alban Hefin by Druids, celebrates Earth's abundance. The altar is decorated for the Sabbat. Its feast is vegetables and fruits.

Every year, families go on autopilot as they perform Christmas traditions without knowing why. Here is the history behind some of the most beloved yuletide traditions.

The idea of the Middle Ages as a Dark Age is popular today. But it all began somewhere, with a 14th century Italian poet named Petrarch.

It's a Sabbat of fertility and renewal, a joyful celebration on May First with dancing, feasting and the traditional Maypole.

Food is prominent in holiday celebrations. Imagine special days and their feasts.... Visualize the food, smell the aroma.... Share in a unique holiday cuisine....

The Cornucopia is best known as a Thanksgiving centerpiece. Straw, ceramic and edible ones are filled with fruits, nuts and vegetables or treats made in their shapes.

Millions of Christians around the world celebrate Jesus death and resurrection during the Easter season. But did Christ institute Easter?

A day in the life of a midsummer celebration in Finland and Sweden - one of the most important holidays of the year and one with strong traditions.

This minor Sabbat greets spring's arrival. The wheels of the cycle of nature and of life turn. Nature is reborn, offering the promise of abundant future harvests.

The Easter Bunny handing out eggs has its roots in pagan mythology. The calendar, the rabbit, and the eggs are all tied to Celtic mythology.

This late November holiday evokes images of turkeys, maize or Indian corn, pumpkins, wheat stalk decorations and cornucopias. Why do they represent this holiday?

Rabbit/Hare represents different qualities to various cultures. Many cultures consider him Trickster, like Coyote, Raven and Crow. Explore his symbolism and lore.

This late November holiday evokes visions of turkeys, maize or Indian corn, pumpkins, wheat stalk decorations and cornucopias. Why do they represent this holiday?

Icelanders know how to celebrate, and nowhere is this more evident than in their variety of festivals.

Though it is one of the most sacred days on the Christian calendar, the trappings of Easter are derived from pagan practices.

As many religions have different persuasions, so does Wicca, reflecting individual paths. No one pure system of beliefs is the right one for all people to follow.

Before Christmas there was Yule, the original winter festival that started many festive traditions, from Yule logs to holly and Twelfth Night.

Themes are this Pagan holiday's traditions and witches weren't bad people. Children learn while having fun. Games encourage creativity, allowing them to use imagination.

A popular ploy of early Catholic missionaries in both barbarian Europe and the New World was the appropriation of existing rites and symbols to express Christianity.

Halloween, or Hallowe'en, has its roots in the Celtic harvest festival of Samhain, and it has an entire mythical and superstitious cast of traditions and trappings.

Hallowe'en is celebrated by giving thanks and honoring the dead. Some Celts had a three day celebration, believing Samhain was the 'tween time between summer and winter.

Pagan Fire Festival and AmerIndian traditions influenced this neglected holiday sandwiched between Hallowe'en and Christmas. Savor recipes featured in Thanksgiving feast.

What better way to celebrate the neglected holiday than to combine traditions and foods of the Solar Festivals? Decorate the house in Autumn finery; enjoy the recipes!

Both Pagans and Christians celebrate the first harvest according to individual spiritual beliefs. It is a time of joy and to give thanks for abundance.

There are practitioners of the Olde Religion who are also Christian. Both spiritual paths celebrate spring's holidays with seasonal flowers and foods.

American Thanksgiving fare has been influenced by different groups of immigrants' traditional food. Celebrate the holiday and its history with a Pennsy Dutch feast.

This Greater Sabbat, sometimes mistakenly called Roodmas, a non-Pagan holiday, features flowers, the Maypole and its own special foods. Celebrate and enjoy the recipes.

Native to the New World, wild turkeys are intelligent. One Founding Father believed that this bird, not the bald eagle, should have been America's avian symbol.

Sabbat, a fête of fertility and joy, features dancing, merriment and the feast. Delight in the season of growth and dine on recipes for traditional foods.

Christmas is the most popular holiday in the world. When did Christmas begin? How was Christmas first celebrated? Why was Christmas created?

This classic Wordsworth sonnet works to enact the poetic known as Romanticism: an impassioned plea for a return to nature.

All Hallows Eve, All Saint's Day, and All Souls Day are well-known Christian holidays of autumn, but the significance, meaning, and origin behind them may surprise you.

Valentine's Day is a holiday celebrated by many people around the world. Australians celebrate this day in a unique way.

New Year in Edinburgh a fantastic Holiday. Short Hogmanay break, hotel or self catering, is great for Parties, Ceilidhs,Fireworks, Concerts, Whisky & the Best of Scotland