On Holiday Stories and Dithering

Hi, I’m Judith Ashley, author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, stories that show you what life could be like if you had a place like The Circle where you are unconditionally accepted, supported and loved. And where, with this support, you make choices to overcome the darkest nights and choose love and light.

Do you ever dither?

I will admit I’ve become more of a ditherer than ever these past few years. I will also admit that I don’t like to dither. I understand procrastination better than I understand dithering although they do have some similarities.

What does dithering have to do with the Blog Queens’ November writing prompt?

I can only answer for myself for several reasons the main one being I’ve no idea if Sarah McDermed, co-Blog Queen, is dithering…I am.

How do you know that? I’ve blathered on for 85 words without really saying anything. My normal process is to sit down at the computer, remind myself of the monthly prompt and start typing. For this month, I’ve been dithering since August!

What’s so hard about the topic “Holiday Stories”?

First: I’ve not read any. I’ve been rereading my keeper shelves’ books and while there are a couple that have a holiday somewhere, it hasn’t been The Focus and I’ve probably already talked about them in previous years.

Second: The holiday story I was working on last year Winter Solstice: Charlie and Amethyst is still waiting for a bit more editing, tweaking before it’s published. 2022 has not been a good year for my writing life. Please hold positive thoughts it will be featured in 2023!

Third: The phrase holiday story or holiday stories when talked about in October and November brings to mind the fall and winter holidays (Halloween through New Year’s focusing on Thanksgiving and Christmas). That’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s just not where my mind and writing goes.

So where do my mind and writing go? The eight High Holy Days of the pagan calendar:

Samhain
Yule aka Winter Solstice
Imbolc aka Candlemas
Ostara aka Spring Equinox
Beltane
Lithia aka Summer Solstice
Lammas
Mabon aka Fall Equinox

It’s been 30 years since I began adding these days of celebrating the cycle of the earth into my more traditional upbringing. I don’t remember exactly when I began dropping some of those traditional holidays. However, within the last decade they are pretty much gone. For example, no more turkeys for Thanksgiving because I don’t celebrate Thanksgiving on the 4^th Thursday of November. I make an effort to give thanks be in gratitude each and every day. And I do not enjoy large family gatherings. Actually any large gathering is stressful because of my hearing and some vestibular issues.

What changed?

In some ways, nothing. When I look back on my life, I see a strong spiritual path from my childhood wending its way through to now. What is different is how I manifest it. These days I use Gaia, Mother Nature and Earth-based practices to express my spiritual self.

On this path, one of the greatest gifts came when the women in my Sacred Women’s Circle series began showing up in dreams and visions, their voices clear and insistent about what they wanted me to say not only about their life journeys but how they manifested their dreams into reality?

I’d already been involved in women’s circles for almost decade when I started writing so I had a foundation. I’d attended close to a dozen Women of the 14^th Moon gatherings. I was celebrating the pagan holidays so the foundation to tell their stories was there.

The stories

When you read my books, you’ll see that these women have created their own earth-based or pagan spiritual practices. And as they find their happy-ever-after, they choose to marry on one of the High Holy Days…although not Samhain. This High Holy Day marks the beginning of the pagan calendar for many.

For myself, I choose to start my new year on Winter Solstice. I love the dark of night, the colder temperatures, the firelight by which to read or contemplate who I am and how I fit into the world around me. And there is always much to contemplate as both the world and I are evolving, changing, adjusting.

This year I’ve much to review as 2022 has been a bigger challenge for me than most of my eighty plus years. I hope that as I sit in front of the fire, drumming on my horsehide or maybe my elk drum, I’ll hear new voices and see new visions and 2023 will be a year for sharing those stories with you.

I also write non-fiction. Learn more about Staying Sane in a Crazy World.  If you take the time, you end up with a Personal Staying Sane Plan tailored to help you through the challenging times.

You can find all of my books at your favorite e-book vendor. Be sure to ask your local library if you’d prefer to read my books through that resource. If you want a print copy? Ask your local independent bookstore to order it for you. If you are in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area, my books are carried at Jan’s in Beaverton and Arte Soleil in SE Portland.

Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshley.net

Follow Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB! 

© 2022 Judith Ashley

Much ado about November 1

Today is the day when ...

The Celtic winter goddess Cailleach (kal-yach, koll-yak) (hag, witch, wise crone), arrives at Samhain, from the evening of October 31 thru the evening of November 1, and reigns over winter until spring arrives at Imbolc.

The start of National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo, or more simply NaNo. The entire month is devoted to writing the first draft of a novel, or at least 50,000 words. 

All Saints' Day in the Christian calendar on which all saints are celebrated, particularly those without their own special feast day. 

In Mexico, today is The Day of the Dead (Dio De Los Muertos), celebrated over two days. On November 1, the spirits of deceased children come down from heaven to reunite with their families for one day, and November 2 is reserved for honouring deceased adults.

Today is National Author’s Day, first celebrated in 1928. The best way to celebrate, in my opinion, is to buy a book!

On this day in 1896, the first bare-breasted females (Zulu tribe) appeared in the National Geographic magazine. Coincidentally, on another November 1, this time in 1914, The Bra was patented.

the Globe Theatre

The first performance of William Shakespeare’s Othello was at Whitehall Palace in London in 1604.

Now excuse me while I eat leftover Hallowe’en candy.

P.S. While researching the remarkable highlights and lowlights about this day, I discovered that apples float because over 25% of their volume is air. And now that we’re talking about apples, and because apples are in abundance this time of year (in my neck of the woods), here’s the link to the most delicious apple cake EVER.

Apple cake recipe from Smitten Kitchen

P.P.S. I used two 9x5 loaf pans – worked great.

P.P.P.S.  My holiday novella is available for pre-order! Only $1.99 for a limited time. Launch day is November 8.

A blizzard … Krista Rhodes has seen a few in her lifetime. 

Snowed in for days … once, when she was a kid. 

Trapped in a house with Dr. Dreamboat … never saw that one coming. Not only cute, he’s also funny and kind and strong and how can she resist? 

Eric Monroe has it all mapped out – drive cross-country to a new job with a brief stop to celebrate a buddy’s engagement. A giant detour with a beautiful, witty, no-nonsense woman makes the journey more fun than he ever thought possible. And bonus – he’s moving to her town.

Except she’s got something she has to do. Maybe. And he can’t ask her to change her plans. Can he?  

Pre-order now!

Luanna Stewart has been creating adventures for her imaginary friends since childhood. She spends her days writing contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, and historical romance. When not torturing her characters, she’s in her kitchen baking something delicious. She lives in Nova Scotia with her patient husband and five hens. 

Website ~ Bookbub ~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads ~Amazon Author Page

Where Did All the Meaning Go? How Halloween Lost Its Roots by Heather Michet

Once upon a time not that long ago, the end of October brought celebrations of gratitude, reverence and honoring: the harvest was in, plants and planets that sustained life were thanked, and people readied themselves for the coming darkness and quiet of winter while acknowledging the dead and their part in the natural order of things.

 Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Now this time of year in the US means more plastic junk, too much sugar, ghoulish décor and wacky outfits.

How Did We Get Here?

What began as a ceremonial, earth-based, spiritual time with bonfires, harvest foods, and communing with the dead, has become a ghoulish, commercialized observance.

Here’s what happened (in a very simplified form):

• Ancient Celts celebrated the end of summer, the harvest, and the threshold between light (summer) and dark (winter) with their Samhain fire festival.  Happening over 3 days - October 31st–Nov 2nd – spirits of the dead were believed to be more visible and approachable during this liminal time.

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• Catholic popes attempted to “Christianize” Samhain.  This was done in an attempt to spread their religion and wipe out pagan traditions. Nov. 1^st became All Saints Day, aka All Hallows Day, making October 31^st All Hallows Eve.  Nov. 2^nd became All Souls Day. Note that the word pagan comes from the Latin ‘paganus’ which means villager or rustic, ie. a country dweller.  The Church moved the meaning to heathen.

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• Romans had their own fall festival which included honoring Pomona, the goddess of fruit and trees. There’s where our bobbing for apples at Halloween parties came from!

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• Irish immigrants in mid-19th century left the potato famine to come to the US, bringing many of the familiar Halloween traditions that we see today, including Jack-o-lanterns.  The early carvings, however, were out of beets, turnips and potatoes.

From Bonfires to Billions

Trick or Treating was popularized in the States in the 1950’s, beginning the rise to the celebration’s big revenue producer that it is today: More than 179 million people celebrate Halloween in the US, spending $10.6 BILLION.  Yes, billion with a B.

Photo by Lucas Ludwig on Unsplash

What Happened to Remembering the Dead?

By disrespecting our dead and death itself with our Halloween traditions, we have fueled our fear of death.  With the dead portrayed as gruesome, gory monsters and zombies, who wouldn't be scared of talking about death and dying?

In her wonderful book Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times, Katherine May states it perfectly: 

“Our contemporary celebrations forget the dead altogether…We are, after all, a society that has done all it can to erase death…the idea that we might be intimate with death is now some kind of a gothic joke.  Today’s Halloween simply reflects what we secretly think – that death is a surrender to decay that makes us monsters.”

Who Wouldn’t Be Afraid of Death?

I feel that in disrespecting our dead - and death itself - with our Halloween traditions, has fueled our fear of death.  With the dead portrayed as gruesome, gory monsters and zombies, who wouldn’t be scared of talking about death and dying?

Photo © Heather Michet

Mexico Saves the Day

Thankfully, one culture’s practice of celebrating and honoring the dead is thriving: Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos.  It is colorful, respectful, bright and meaning-filled, taking place on November 1st and 2nd.

I love this holiday!

Photo © Heather Michet

The best way to learn more about this festival is to attend a celebration in your community.  

If that’s not an option, watch the film Coco, one of my absolute favorite movies.  The story portrays the practices and meaning of this holiday beautifully. 

You can also read about the rituals I include at this time of year here.

You Can Be a Meaning Maker

Talk with your children, grandchildren and other adults about the true meaning behind Halloween.

It will make a difference in their lives and in our world.

Heather Michet is an impassioned healing artist, educator and Ceremonial Songstress who weaves lyrical, a cappella vocals throughout a wide array of ceremonies in a myriad of settings.  From weddings in the woods, graveside memorials, and ashes scatterings at the shore, her Celtic style voice embraces the heart and stirs the spirit of all who gather honoring life events.  You can connect with Heather and her work in any (or all!) of these ways:

• Learn about her wellness tools (including Fresh Air Fare) and services rooted in nature at Iris Healing Arts

• Listen to her music on YouTube 

• Read about her Ceremonial Songstress work at Purple Crow Sings

• Facebook – Heather Facebook – Purple Crow Sings   Facebook – Iris Healing Arts

• Instagram - @heathermichet

BLESSED SAMHAIN

 

Why do we carve pumpkins and other #Halloween traditions by Kristin Wallace

So, it's October now, which means Halloween is a couple weeks away. Pumpkin Spice is everywhere. Hocus Pocus is on TV every day. Plus, there are other fall customs…carving a pumpkin, hayrides, hot apple cider, caramel apples. Choosing a costume. My mom made several of mine growing up, including a witch and a princess. There’s trick o’ treating and Halloween parties. 

Those are all big traditions of Halloween, at least in the US. But do you know the true history behind the holiday? Where did it come from and why was it celebrated? 

In the Beginning

The origin of Halloween dates back over 2,000 years with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain in Ireland and parts of England. The Celts celebrated their new year on November 1, which marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. Samhain was celebrated on October 31. On that night it was believed that the ghosts of the dead were actually able to walk the earth. To commemorate the event, the Celts dressed up in costumes and built huge bonfires to burn crops and make animal sacrifices. When Samhain was over, they re-lit their hearth fires from the sacred bonfire in order to protect their families during the winter. 

The Holiday Evolves

In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 All Saints’ Day, or All Hallow's Eve, a time to honor all saints and martyrs. The holiday incorporated many of the Samhain traditions, including bonfires, parades and dressing up in costumes. Eventually, All Hallow's Eve became known as Halloween. 

In the US, the more popular traditions (such as dressing up & trick o' treating) didn’t take shape until the second half the nineteenth century, mostly due to the large influx of Irish immigrants who began arriving in the 1840s. It wasn’t until the 1950s that Halloween evolved into a secular holiday aimed at children.

Check out this webpage for more in-depth history.

http://www.history.com/topics/halloween/history-of-halloween

Halloween Holiday Trivia:

Jack o’ Lanterns originated in Ireland where people placed candles in hollowed-out turnips to keep away spirits on Samhain. 

It takes an average of 252 licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop.

According to the National Confectioner’s Association, more than 35 million pounds of candy corn are produced every year. 

Tootsie Rolls were the first wrapped penny candy in America.

Halloween candy sales average about 2 billion dollars annually in the United States.

Chocolate candy bars top the list as the most popular candy for trick-or-treaters with Snickers #1.

Halloween is the 2nd most commercially successful holiday, with Christmas being the first.

Bobbing for apples is thought to have originated from the roman harvest festival that honors Pamona, the goddess of fruit trees.

Black cats were once believed to be witch's familiars who protected their powers.

What are your favorite Halloween traditions? 

Kristin Wallace is the USA Today Best Selling Author of inspirational and sweet contemporary romance filled with “Love, Laughter and a Leap of Faith”. Her latest book, SECOND CHANCE HERO, is available now. 

AMAZON  /  APPLE BOOKS  /  B&N   /   KOBO 

What do you really know about #Halloween by Kristin Wallace

So we’re well in to October now, which means full on Halloween prep and pumpkin spice everything. There are many popular Halloween traditions, from carving pumpkins to dressing up in costumes, but do you know the origins and history behind the holiday? 

I decided to look it up...

Origins of Halloween

The origin of Halloween dates back over 2,000 years ago and has its roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in) in Ireland and other parts of the United Kingdom. The Celts celebrated their New Year on November 1^st, which marked the end of summer (and the harvest) and the beginning of winter. October 31^stbecame a night of celebration. On that night it was believed that the spirits of the dead were able to walk the earth. To commemorate the event, the Celts dressed up in costumes and built huge bonfires to burn crops and make sacrifices. When Samhain was over, they re-lit their hearth fires from the sacred bon fire in order to protect their families during the winter. 

The Holiday Evolves

In 8^thCentury, Pope Gregory III designated November 1^st All Saints’ Day or All Hallows Eve, a time to honor all saints and martyrs. The holiday incorporated many of the Samhain traditions, including bonfires, parades and dressing up in costumes. Eventually, All Hallows Eve became known as Halloween. 

The more popular traditions in the US (such as dressing up & trick or treating) didn’t begin to take shape until the second half the 19^thcentury, mostly due to the large influx of Irish immigrants who began arriving in the 1840s. It wasn’t until the 1950s that Halloween evolved into a secular holiday aimed mainly at children.

Check out HistoryChannel.com for more in-depth history of Halloween.

Here is some more Halloween Trivia:

-Jack o’ Lanterns originated in Ireland where people placed candles in hollowed-out turnips to keep the spirits and ghosts away on the Samhain holiday. 

-The word witch comes from "wica", an Old Saxon word that means "wise one". The early witches were known for their skills with medicinal herbs.

-It takes an average of 252 licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop.

-According to the National Confectioner’s Association, more than 35 million pounds of candy corn will be produced this year. 

-Tootsie Rolls were the first wrapped penny candy in America.

-Halloween candy sales in the US average about $2 billion dollars annually.

-Bobbing for apples is thought to have originated from the Roman harvest festival that honors Pamona, the goddess of fruit trees.

-Black cats were once believed to be witch's familiars who protected their powers.

Kristin Wallace is the USA Today Best Selling Author of inspirational and contemporary romance, and women’s fiction filled with “Love, Laughter and a Leap of Faith”. She is the author of three best selling series, Palm Cove Tales, Shellwater Key Tales and Covington Falls Chronicles. Her latest release is SECOND CHANCE CHRISTMAS, 1 of 9 holiday novellas in Sweet Christmas Kisses 5. Available now for only 99cents. 

BUY LINKS

Amazon  /   iTunes  /  Kobo  /   B&N 

Spiritual-themed Romance Novels

By Judith Ashley

While I’ve done some reading this year, unfortunately I’ve not read a holiday themed romance novel. And this time of year when people see “holiday themed” romance novel, they often think the holiday will be Christmas.

All of my books in The Sacred Women's Circle series include one or more of the Sabbats, holidays that celebrate the turn of The Wheel of Life:

10/31 - Samhain

12/21 - Yule/Winter Solstice* this date does move because it is the longest night

02/01 - Imbolc

03/21 - Ostara/Spring Equinox* date also moves because days/nights are even

05/01 - Beltane

06/21 - Litha/Summer Solstice* date also moves because it is longest day

08/01 - Lammas/Lughnasa

09/21 - Mabon/Fall Equinox* like Ostara the days/nights are even

Did you know that the Christian Easter’s date is determined by when Ostara falls? Easter is the first Sunday after the first full moon after Ostara which is why it is celebrated in late March or sometime in April depending on the moon’s cycle.

For many people who follow earth-centered spirituality, The Wheel starts at Samhain. For Lily Hughes, the heroine in the first book in The Sacred Women’s Circle series, The Wheel starts with Yule or Winter Solstice. She marries her hero on the Summer Solstice or Litha.

Elizabeth Elliott, the heroine in the second book in the series, marries on Yule.

Diana Pettybone makes a momentous decision about her marriage and her relationships with her women’s circle. Marking her journey using The Tarot along with the Sabbat’s she finds her happily-ever-after on Lammas.

Ashley Kenner’s fight to survive a bout with recurring breast cancer is supported by her animal totem, the dragonfly. Struggling with the effects of chemotherapy, she finds solace in celebrating Samhain and Yule and marries on the Spring Equinox.

Hunter Compton thinks she’s lost everything when her daughter Logan runs away. Instead she finds love again. She and Grant find their way from the past to the present and marry on Mabon or the Fall Equinox.

The first five books are available through major distributors, my website and Windtree Press. The next two books will be in 2016.

Gabriella Montcrief struggles to overcome an abusive childhood believing no one would want her if they knew. With the support of her sacred women’s circle, she does find her way out of the darkness and is able to marry her hero on Imbolc, the Sabbat of light.

Sophia Stewart has always loved life, loved her garden, loved her work and loved her friends. When she lost her husband in a senseless traffic accident, she knew she’d never love again. Since I write romance novels, you know she does find her own HEA. Fittingly, Sophia marries on Beltane.

As you can see, although my stories are not traditional holiday-themed romances, each does include one or more of the Sabbats. My version or understanding of the Ceremonies surrounding these sacred days are included in each book. In addition you get a peek at how these women celebrate them. And if you read the series starting with Lily, you’ll have information to create your own sacred women’s circle.

Questions? Just ask.

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual traditions that nurture the soul.

You can find Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s website.

Judith has an author page at Windtree Press.

Judith posts every Monday here.

Follow Judith on FB

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