5 Ways To Celebrate Winter Solstice

December 2, 2019December 2, 2019 by Karrie Russell

1. Decorate your home with winter plants.

Evergreens- life, reincarnated, and restoration.

Holly- The Holly King Himself, protection, and good luck.

Mistle Toe- reconcile, prosperity and fertility.

Birch- Rebirth, a bump of power, creativity, and protection.

Yew- Vitality, transformation.

Ivy- A beautiful reminder that life continues on.

Oak- Endurance, leadership, victory.

2. Create a yule song or chant with your family

Grab a pen, paper, a timer and sit down at the table with your family/friends. Set the timer for 30 seconds. The person who starts (the oldest or youngest) begins with either one word or a sentence. Every member gets a chance to change one word from the previous person or write another line within 30 seconds. Once everyone gets their turn with the notebook someone reads out loud. Optional but fun Record and save the paper for the next yule to read!

3. Spread Yule Joy by volunteering at your local shelters or nursing homes.

Every year thousands go hungry, alone, cold during the winter months. If you work and don’t have time to volunteer make a Winter Solstice package! Collect a bag or an old cookie tin and fill it with items. Some items you might put in:

Toothbrushes

Something Sweet

Gloves

Snack Bars

Socks

Cotton Balls & Q-Tips

Candles

Pens

Washcloths

Hats

Toilet Paper

Razors

Fishing Hooks And Line

Hair Ties/Rubber Bands

Sewing Needles And Thread

Gift Cards

Rope/Cording

Print Out Of Local Resources

Change Bag From The Car Or Bottom Of Your Purse

Envelops and Stamps

Silverware/Dinnerware

Pads

Chapsticks

Safety Pins

Soap

Pocket Notebooks

Toothpaste

Zip-Lock Bags (Good Quality)

Woman Knee Highs

Matches Or Lighters

Donate or pass out old clothes BACKPACKS that have holes or no longer in use.

4. Create a family vision board for the new year

Planning for the year ahead is a wonderful family activity for all ages. Be creative and start the year off with a vision! Check out this parent site for those with children! https://www.parentmap.com/article/family-vision-board-craft-diy

5. Feed the Animals and forest

Animals and the forest need to be fed too. Take those leftovers before they get worse in your fridge or that bag of feed to the forest. Layout an offering stone or spot for the items. Ideas (Safe to put on the ground for earth and animals): leafy vegetables, old seeds or plants that didn’t live through the year. This is a wonderful activity for children all ages and teaches how to give back to mother earth.

Lammas or Lughnassadh

July 17, 2019July 31, 2019 by Karrie Russell

Lammas or Lughnassadh When: August 1st Color correspondence: Browns, Reds, Yellows, Golds Incense: Frankincense, Sandalwood Gems: Amber, Citrine, Brown agate, Foods: Wheat products, bread, corn, any harvests. Blackberries, summer flowers The time of the year has come when we see our first harvest and give thanks for the abundance we have been given. … Read more Lammas or Lughnassadh

A Summer Snack For The Family

July 21, 2019 by Karrie Russell

SUMMERTIME BLACK BEAN SALSA 2 cups of cooked Corn (one can) or 2 stalks 1 large mango peeled and diced 1 -15 ounces can black beans, rinsed and drained well 2 nice size tomatoes diced ½ onion diced ¼ cup of cilantro 2 tablespoons of lime or lemon juice A good shake of black pepper … Read more A Summer Snack For The Family

Pagan Picks: Top Notch Articles to Read

July 12, 2019January 4, 2019 by Friday Gladheart

Pagan Picks: Links for great reading this week.

Sorting through thousands of websites to find a gem is time-consuming. When we discover such gems we share them here in Pagan Picks. Happy browsing! They are not Asatru: Wow, this one is insightful. It starts out a bit choppy so give yourself three full paragraphs to get the feel for the article. Once you … Read more Pagan Picks: Top Notch Articles to Read

Grifters, Cons & Cults: Who Can You Trust?

January 4, 2019December 3, 2018 by Friday Gladheart

Recently I met a charming and persuasive person. He was very reassuring and constantly reinforced how we share the same beliefs. Pagan solidarity was his calling card, and because Pagans generally try to help others, he reached out to me for help. But he didn’t want help, he wanted a free ride and to escape … Read more Grifters, Cons & Cults: Who Can You Trust?

Dandelion Stories: Gregory Pane

January 4, 2019January 6, 2017 by Friday Gladheart

Editors Note: Dandelion Stories is a series Arkansas Pagans will be sharing throughout the year, told by many different voices. These are stories of hope, of resilience, and of struggle. We hope that you find them as inspiring as we have. *** The beginning isn’t always the best place to start. While … Read more Dandelion Stories: Gregory Pane

5 Reasons the Term “Pagan Elder” Needs to Retire

January 4, 2019March 9, 2016 by Friday Gladheart

Susannah and the Elders by Massimo Stanzione

It happens all the time. You get involved with a local Pagan community and everyone seems really nice. You’re meeting for rituals, sharing incense blends, and even thinking of starting a formal group. Then out of nowhere, some person pops up who declares themselves an “Elder” and proceeds to offer (unsolicited) advice on what you’re … Read more 5 Reasons the Term “Pagan Elder” Needs to Retire

Ask a Christian: Marriage Between a Pagan and a Christian

January 4, 2019August 19, 2015 by Friday Gladheart

Greetings everyone! Welcome to the first installment of Ask a Christian – an ongoing article series where I will answer any questions you may have on bridging the gap between Paganism and Christianity. Whether it’s about personal relationships, how to handle dealing with someone stubborn or close-minded or just general curiosity I’ll do my … Read more Ask a Christian: Marriage Between a Pagan and a Christian

Letter from the Editor: Coming On Board

January 4, 2019August 19, 2015 by Friday Gladheart

“To Hermes, Fumigation from Frankincense. Hermes, draw near, and to my prayer incline, messenger of Zeus, and Maia’s son divine; prefect of contests, ruler of mankind, with heart almighty, and a prudent mind. Celestial messenger of various skill, whose powerful arts could watchful Argos kill. With winged feet ’tis thine through air to course, O … Read more Letter from the Editor: Coming On Board

My Pagan Friend; a Christian Perspective on Paganism

July 25, 2015 by Friday Gladheart

(Conway, Arkansas) I was asked by my closest and dearest friend, Ashley Hunter, to write a piece on our friendship. Simple enough; I’ve known her since we were in high school, we were college roommates, and she has been a pivotal part of my life since then. Put simply: she’s family to me. From the … Read more My Pagan Friend; a Christian Perspective on Paganism