A PAGAN CHRISTMAS part 2

ADVENT CALENDAR VS ADVENT WREATH

Christians and Pagans* celebrate this time of year for different reason but with similiar items that make us all unite into one humanity.

Advent = meaning 'to come'. Christians await the 'coming' of Christ's birth and Pagans await the return of the Sun from it's 'winter slumber'. 

While the Advent Calendar, counts down the days until Christmas eve, the Advent Wreath is decorative in nature. 

Parents and children traditionally mark each day of Advent with opening up a window on their calendar. The calendar can have toys, chocolates, stuffed figures to mark each day's countdown. It is a great way for kids to learn the days of the week and math as well as 'biblical' teachings that accompany each day's window. 

The wreath was not developed by an early 'Martha Stewart', but rather by sheer preservation. In the dark ages, cart wheels were brought into the home during the winter to prevent them from decaying. To 'hide' the look of the wheel, garland and tree boughs were strung in and around the wheel making it look like a 'wreath'. They were also used as impromptu chandeliers, as they were easy to hang and would spin them in ritual to bring back the 'sun' (light).

As the tradition flourished over the years, Christians adopted the use of the wreaths as decoration while maintaining the biblical reverences with the calendar. 

The joys of this holiday season can be celebrated, marked and shared by everyone no matter the religion. 

**more to come**

*Pagan = Wiccan for this purpose

Halloween

HALLOWEEN

Every October, the house gets a complete makeover to transform into a house of horror? Okay, so it's not like 'Fright Nights', but it is my happy oasis and my obsession as most people describe it. I've always been a freak for Halloween. From dressing up and trick or treating as a young child, to parties and taking a whole month to decorate my house as an adult. Each year, I pick a theme and design the house around that theme. Fake walls, cemeteries, vampires, zombies, you name it, I love it and would like to own it all. 

This year, the house is transformed into my personal homage to 'True Blood'. Calling the house 'The Howling Fang Pub" complete with menu and designer drink list. (AB+ sells at a premium per ounce). A cute notation at the bottom of the menu to mark all the 'blood' was graciously donated. Having a sick and twisted sense of humor is a definite plus for this holiday. 

Of course, my Halloween isn't complete without baking. My recipes for 'Frankenbars', 'Black Widow cookies', Were claws are crowd please'rs but usually it's my cakes that speak spooky. Last year was a cemetery complete with 'Carrie' hand gummy prop. This year, something a little simpler. A tombstone that lists names from True Blood. 

Fun and creepiness aside, Halloween is also a high holiday for me. In the Pagan world, Samhain is similar to New Year's. We spend the 30th speaking to our ancestors, connecting with the spirit world and thanking them for everything they have put before us. We atone for our shortcomings (mine is gonna take days and days), bless our homes and families and start a new year fresh and clean.