by Ray Lardie The cooling temperatures, the changing leaves: the end of October brings Samhain to mind for many people, but this ancient holiday was not celebrated in many parts of Europe. In Russia, a different holiday falls at this time of year: the Feast of Paraskeva. Who is St. Paraskeva? Who is Mokosh’? The Feast of Paraskeva occurs on October 28th and honors Saint Paraskeva, a martyr saint whose name means Friday. The Saint Paraskeva is venerated in Russia, however, took on many aspects of the Slavic earth goddess Mokosh’, also known as Mat’ Syra Zemlya, Damp Mother Earth. Thus in Rus ..read more

by Marissa Myers With summer days getting shorter, signs of fall are becoming more apparent. Though the weather outside might be a different story, the earth around us shows signs that autumn is near, including grains being harvested, trees dropping their fruit, and the sun setting earlier at night.  All of this earthly excitement acts as a doorway, ushering in the pagan holiday of Lammas.  What is Lammas?  Lammas, sometimes referred to as Lughnasadh, is a time to celebrate the upcoming fall harvest. Depending on your spiritual practice, Lammas can also be (and traditionally ..read more

by Marissa Ranahan The arrival of March comes with the promise of spring. As we mark the beginning of the new season, many of us celebrate Ostara’s rejuvenating energy.  What is the History of Ostara? ​Little is known about the origins of Ostara. According to some historians, Ostara is an ancient Saxon and Celtic holiday celebrating Eostra, the fertility goddess. Many pagans believe Ostara symbolizes the day where Mother Earth and the Sun God were married. To honor this belief, pagans will make offerings to the sun and earth as a symbol of their sacred union.  How Can I Cel ..read more

by Marissa Myers As hard as it is to believe, springtime is almost here. Even if it feels far away, the festival of Imbolc is just what we need to welcome in spring’s vibrant energy.  What Is the History of Imbolc?  In between the middle of the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox lies the Celtic festival of Imbolc. Dating back to pre-Christian times, Imbolc celebrations revolved around the Goddess Brigid. Ancient Celtic mythology explains that she was born with a flame in her head and immediately drank the milk of a mystical cow upon birth, which is where her common symbols of a ..read more

by Marissa Myers The days are getting shorter, the weather is getting colder, and the magic of Yule is in the air. It’s the time of year that calls us to examine our intuition, showing us what needs to be brought out of the darkness and into the light.  What is the History of Yule?  Marking the first official day of winter, Yule (or Winter Solstice) is celebrated by pagans around the world, and is the shortest day of the year. In the 16th century, most Yule celebrations included merriment and festivities within the community. These celebrations included feasting, drinking, and dan ..read more

by Marissa Myers The leaves have fallen, the air is crisp, and the mist has filled the early mornings. It’s the time of the year when the earth slowly “dies” and transitions into its winter slumber. For those celebrating Samhain, it’s a time to connect with the dead and honor those who have passed. The veil is thin, and the other side is calling for us to awaken the connection.  What is the History of Samhain?  Samhain is a pagan festival originating from Celtic spirituality. Known as a halfway point between the fall equinox and the winter solstice, it’s celebrated from October 31s ..read more

We are thrilled to bring back our “Meet the Herbalist” series where we feature our Herbstalk community members. This month it’s an honor to highlight Joye Williams of Joyfully Natural who has been a beloved vendor and teacher over the past several years at Herbstalk events. Enjoy our interview together and check out her website at www.joyefullynatural.com or connect with her on Instagram @joyefullynatural. You can also catch her class, “A Community Discussion on Natural Products” at the upcoming Virtual Herbstalk on Aug. 29th. ​ Thank you for sharing with us, Joye! Can you tell us a lit ..read more

by Marissa Ranahan With summer days getting shorter, signs of fall are becoming more apparent. Though the weather outside might be a different story, the earth around us shows signs that autumn is near, including grains being harvested, trees dropping their fruit, and the sun setting earlier at night.  All of this earthly excitement acts as a doorway, ushering in the pagan holiday of Lammas.  What is Lammas?  Lammas, sometimes referred to as Lughnasadh, is a time to celebrate the upcoming fall harvest. Depending on your spiritual practice, Lammas can also be (and traditional ..read more

by Marissa Ranahan Beltane is one of the most uplifting holidays on the Wheel of the Year. It celebrates Mother Earth’s sacred fertility, abundance, and rebirth. According to Celtic tradition, Beltane represents the eternal unity of the Goddess (Divine Feminine) and God (Divine Masculine), both of which have been separated for the winter season. Upon reaching maturity after winter's end, they come together as one and “birth” new passions and heightened sensuality. Beltane is also a time for planting flowers which emphasizes the theme of fertility. The flowers peeking their heads from the grou ..read more

Photo by Aaron Burden by the Chaos Factor ​There are many times in the year when one might plan to get a fresh start, set new intentions, or call in new energy. The new year is traditionally one of those times, but from the perspective of nature, that doesn’t really make much sense. When one (Western/Gregorian) year ends and the next begins, at least in New England, it’s still the dead of winter. In fact, the new year is celebrated only a week and a half after the winter solstice, which is the longest night of the year. At this time, most flora and fauna are hibernating in the cold. Ever ..read more