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Category Archives: Religion
Rub-a-dub-dub
Outside, it’s a balmy 13°F in the midst of a lake-effect squall, but inside the temperature is comfortably and soothingly higher than body temperature. Aaahh…the bathtub – an indispensible household fixture for anyone enduring winter above the 40° latitudinal mark. … Continue reading
Bed-Head
At the age of four, I awoke from a bizarre dream. A human skull bounced into my room – much like a basketball – and got me out of bed with an invitation to join it and its friends in … Continue reading
Posted in Archaeology, Religion, Warfare
Tagged archaeology, celebrations, cult of the head, festivals, head-hunting, Ireland, Samhain
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What’s That Smell?
May Day has come and gone in west Michigan and the only flowers in bloom here are daffodils, hyacinths, and a few eager dandelions. The tulips are just starting to think about it. Why is this observation important? Because you … Continue reading
Posted in Agriculture, Religion
Tagged Bealtaine, celebrations, druids, hawthorn, Ireland, sex
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Got Milk?
Through the wet and the cold, buds are swelling on bush and tree. The willows are sending out new shoots and the days are lengthening. It’s the beginning of the end of winter in Ireland and food stores of grain … Continue reading
Posted in Agriculture, Religion
Tagged celebrations, Celtic Church, druids, festivals, Imbolc, Ireland
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An Ancient Beam of Light
Waiting for the sun on a winter’s day And a beam of light shines across the floor. Mysterious ring, a magical ring – But forgotten is the race that no one knows. So ends the song Newgrange by Clannad from … Continue reading
Posted in Archaeology, Astronomy, Religion
Tagged archaeology, Clannad, funerary customs, Newgrange, Otherworld, passage graves, solar calendars, Stone Age
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The Cult of the Dead
At this time of year when the door to the Otherworld is flung open, I felt it would be appropriate to examine Gaelic customs regarding the dead, along with the more ancient Celtic customs from which they stemmed. The reverence … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Religion
Tagged feasting, festivals, funerary customs, Ireland, kings, Otherworld, Samhain
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BOOK REVIEW The Road Wet, The Wind Close
As the weather grows cooler in northern climes and the days more blustery, thoughts turn to curling up with a good book. And here’s a good one…the second in my travelogue series. Roy, James Charles. (1993). The Road Wet, the … Continue reading
Posted in Archaeology, Book Reviews, History, Religion, Travel
Tagged archaeology, Celtic Church, Ireland, monasteries, travel
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Lugnasad
They’re here! The u-pick blueberry farms are now open for business up and down the highway. The tomatoes and blackberries are ripening – quite good this year – and the lavender has all been gathered from my kitchen garden. I … Continue reading
Posted in Religion
Tagged celebrations, festivals, harvest, Ireland, Lugh, Lughnasadh, Lugnasad, Lunasa
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