Happy New Year!

A special post today.. I’d wanted to share this two weeks ago. Fate had other plans for me.

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Hallowe’en, All Souls Day, Day of the Dead, Hallowtide, Lá Samhna, Old Hallowmas…

Credit: Navanna

In Celtic tradition, each day begins at sundown just as each year begins with the onset of winter. The eve of October 30th through the eve of November 1st marks the end of one year, and the beginning of another. The Celts celebrate this ending and beginning with one of their most important ancient festivals, or Sabbats ~ Samhain [SOW-en].

Samhain is Irish, meaning “summer’s end.” It represents the third and final harvest of the year. It is a time of celebrating hard work, of deep reflection, and of releasing that which no longer holds value.

In the season of Samhain, roughly October 31st through December 20th, the Horned God passes from one world to the next and awaits his rebirth through The Mother Goddess. In Crone form, The Goddess prepares for her birthing of the Horned God during the Winter Solstice. In some traditions, the god Dagda and goddess Morrígan come together, and through their intercourse, provide well-being for that particular tribe and fertility for the surrounding lands.

The night of Samhain is also the time of the wild hunt, when the veil between the worlds is thinnest and the faeries, the dead, and otherworldly spirits roam the land. This is the time when the faeries plot to steal away humans, and the dead visit their loved ones still living. Those who were murdered, wronged or awaiting justice that had not been given them in life can exact their revenge on Samhain night.

It is said that one of the reasons for such a sense of mysticism and fear on Samhain was the difficulty in predicting the weather during this time of year. Regardless how well they planned, the Celts could never be sure they had enough food and other provisions to see them through the winter. In the years that had early snows, it was believed the spirits had expressed their anger toward the mortals by ruining the surrounding flora.

Many of you know that it is from this ancient Sabbat that our Halloween came from. Other cultures had similar festivals, such as Calan Gaeaf in Wales, Ancestor Night or Feast of the Dead in Britain, Oidhche Shamna in Scotland, and Hollantide Day in Isle of Man.

Samhain night, or even during the season, was not only a time of reflection and reverence, it was also a time to ask the gods and goddesses for guidance and protection. Some of the fun rituals practiced were:

• Bobbling for Apples ~ This symbolizes the apples of eternal life found on Manannán mac Lir‘s sacred isle
• Burning Nuts in the Hearth ~ Your future husband or occupation could be determined based upon which nuts explode and which do not
• Interpretations ~ Pour molten lead into cool water – the different shapes swirling around will tell you different things about your future
• Soddag Valloo, or dumb cakes ~ Baking and eating these on Samhain night will bring prophetic dreams

Some other superstitions prevalent on Samhain night include turning your clothes inside out to prevent faerie mischief, and wearing a stone found near water with a natural hole in it to ward off evil spirits. For those that experienced various mishaps, remember this for next year.

Fun fact ~ Babies born on Samhain night are thought to possess prophetic powers

So talk to me. Were you born on Samhain night? Do you have stories of Samhain traditions, folklore or rituals? What did you do on Halloween? Did anything interesting happen that night?

Pantheon of Goddesses: Mórrígan

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world…

Today’s post kicks off my new series on Celtic goddesses. Mórrígan, or Morrígu, is my personal favorite so of course I’ll begin with her.

You may recall my last post featuring this powerful deity. I’ve taken the bit of information there and expanded. Enjoy!

Some of the information I’ve gathered came from The Goddess Guide by Priestess Brandi Auset ~ a must read for anyone interested in Goddesses of all flavors!

The Morrígan, Mórrígan, Morrígu, Morrígna, Morríghan or Mórríoghain

The Mórrígan, or Great Queen, is the Irish warrior goddess of prophecy, battle, strife and fertility. Also called the Witch Queen of Death, she is known for being one of the most beautiful and sexual of all Goddesses, as well as being quite deadly. She has no problem using her sexuality to get what she wants, and can be ruthless in her pursuits. She can determine the outcome of wars, as well as predict when warriors will meet their end.

There is some debate over whether Mórrígan is part of a triple deity or the sum of three separate deities (Morrígna). Many believe that she, along with her sisters Macha and Anu make up the Great Goddess, or The Goddess, the Great Mother of all the land. Still others say Mórrígan is a triple goddess made by the aspects Badb, Macha, and Nemain.

Mórrígan is a shapeshifter; she can take the forms of raven, eel, cow, or wolf. The raven, or Carrion Crow, is a harbinger of death. It can frequently be seen flying above a battlefield, circling and casting spells to determine the victor. She will use the other animal forms in whatever way best benefits her agenda.

Mórrígan can also take different human forms. She can appear as a Crone, bringing news of death and destruction, or warnings of such. Less well-known is her form as a young maiden. Here, she will cast praise and love upon her chosen hero. Turns out she has a softer side…

She is the great sorceress of the Celts, her magical powers of prediction and enchantment are beyond compare. Mórrígan rules passionate love and sex, predominately affairs that tend to have negative consequences.

So maybe that side isn’t so soft.

 Mórrígan rules over the following attributes:

Addictions, Arts & Crafts, Authority, Blood, Brewing (Magical), Cemeteries, Courage, Crossroads, Darkness, Death, Deceit, Decisions, Destruction, Diplomacy, Disaster, Divination, Dreams, Enchantments, Endings, Exorcism, Fate, Fear, Fertility, Foresight, Grief & Sadness, Hindsight, Illusions, Initiation, Intuitive Abilities, Jealousy, Judgment, Justice, Love (Healing a Broken Heart), Magick (Dark), Magick (Light), Magick (Lunar), Magickal Arts, Memory, Men, Menopause, Mischief, Moon, Mysteries, Negative Habits (to Overcome), Night, Oaths, Oceans (Rivers & Bodies of Water), Pleasure, Poetry, Power, Prophecy, Protection, Regeneration, Retribution, Revenge, Seduction, Sensuality, Sexuality & Sexual Activities, Shapeshifting, Sorceress, Spirits & Ghosts, Strength, Vengeance, Victory, Violence, War & Battles, Warrior Goddesses, Wisdom, Witchcraft, Women & Femininity

Mórrígan’s colors are Red, Blue, Purple, Black, and Silver ~ All of my favorite colors

Mórrígan rules over the elements of Fire and Water.

Mórrígan is associated with the following sabbats or festivals: Midsummer & Samhain

See…don’t you just dig her?

So talk to me. What do you think of Mórrígan? If anyone knows of any symbols associated with her, please let me know…I’m researching art for my blank canvas.

If you have a specific Goddess you would like to see featured here ~ even if she isn’t Celtic ~ let me know!

And for Thursday, it’s Author Spotlight: James Hutchings. Don’t miss it!

Celts were…Barbarians??

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world.

Below is part one of a four-part series on The Ancient Celts, hosted by Terry Jones. In this first installment, Terry talks about how the Romans vilified the Celts, and scorned them, saying they were nothing more than unwashed, illiterate savages.

Yet…they humiliated the Romans during the Siege of 389 b.c.e...

Not to mention they created a solar/lunar calculator. Not bad for a bunch of illiterate heathens, eh?

The video cuts off during the explanation of the Coligny Calendar, but I’ve included a handy little link here so you can read more about. Stay tuned, next week we’ll explore part 2 and see the rest of the explanation of the Coligny Calendar

So talk to me. What did you think of this first installation of The Ancient Celts? Did you know that the Celts created the Colony Calendar? “History is written by the victor” is never more true than when talking about ancient Romans versus ancient Celts…did you know just how much Caesar influenced the rest of the world in belittling of the proud, progressive culture of the Celts?

A Story of Scáthach

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world.

The Celts were masterful storytellers, and their tales continue to inspire us today.

A particular tale caught my fancy recently. Entitled, The Shadowy One, it features Scáthach, a female warrior who runs a training academy, Dún Scáith (Fortress of Shadows), on the Isle of Skye in Scotland.

In this account, Scáthach trains a man named Setanta, who eventually becomes the renowned Celtic champion, Cú Chulainn. There are many tales of his to be told, and indeed he plays a vital role in this one, but for now let’s stick with Scáthach.

courtesy of shimmerlings.com

Scáthach is daughter of the goddess of war, The Mórrígan ~ you remember her, right?

Scáthach is described as “a tall woman, of pleasing figure and long fiery red hair.” She must’ve inherited her mother’s fierce and deadly skills as she is said to be one of the greatest warriors in all the world. The tales have gone so far as to claim no one, be they man or woman, has ever bested her in combat.

So in this story, The Shadowy One, Scáthach meets and trains Setanta, or Cú Chulainn, and a series of events leads to a great battle between Scáthach and her warriors, and Aoife, Scáthach’s twin sister, and her warriors.

After a day long battle with each side besting the other in turn, Aoife challenges Scáthach directly. Setanta intervenes, claiming his right as Scáthach’s champion, and Scáthach graciously gives her consent.

Setanta meets Aoife on the battlefield and they fight fiercely. The battle lasts for some time as they were almost equally matched. Then Aoife proves her skill by disarming Setanta. As she prepares for the killing blow, Setanta tricks her with distraction. He flings her to the ground and is proclaimed the victor.

Impressed with Setanta’s mastery and fortitude, Aoife invites him to join her at her fortress, to which he agrees.

Scáthach, a seer, watches him leave with sadness in her heart, for she can see his destiny clearly: Setanta becomes Aoife’s lover and she bears his son Connla, whom Setanta is forced to kill. His guilt and heartbreak drive Setanta to become the great defender of Ulaidh, his home, and it is then, Cú Chulainn, the magnificent warrior, is fully realized.

Behind every Cú Chulainn victory, however, lies the skill and prowess of his tutor, Scáthach. Indeed, whenever this hero’s name is spoken, so to is the name of the great warrior who taught him.

courtesy of sodahead.com

While, to me, The Shadowy One seems more an introductory tale for Setanta, I can’t help the fascination Scáthach brings. Everyone loves a strong woman, and Scáthach was one of the strongest.

She is not all brawn, however. Scáthach showed great wisdom, and maturity, in allowing Setanta to prove his mettle in his battle against her sister. And again in permitting him to leave Dún Scáith. Rather than simply add him to her warrior ranks, she allowed him to fulfill his destiny and become one of the most famous of all Celtic heroes.

This story sparks my imagination and I’ve spent days dreaming of different love stories and battle scenes featuring the brave and fearless warrior-ess.

So talk to me. What legends or myths inspire you? Do you enjoy watching epic battles on the big screen? What is your favorite epic scene or movie? Do you like books about warriors and fierce, epic battles? Which ones?

Fertility Goddesses

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world.

I’m back, and I’m healthy! No more bronchitis, the head cold is pretty much gone. The stitches from oral surgery have dissolved…what, too much? Ok, fine.

Let’s do this…

Fertility Goddesses

Wikipedia offers a lovely list of fertility deities…far too many to compare here in this little blog, but feel free to peruse at your leisure.

For the purposes of this blog, we’ll compare Macha, from Celtic mythology, Anahit, from Armenian mythology, and Freyja, from Norse mythology. Ooooh, this is gonna be good!

Macha

courtesy of forum.baby-gaga.com

Daughter of Áed Rúad and Ernmas the ban tuathid, or female druid, Macha is said to portray the Fertile Woman aspect of the Celtic goddess, Danu. She hales from Ulster, one of the four provinces of Northern Ireland.

Known as a Triple Goddess herself, Macha has aspects to her other than fertility. She is also goddess of agriculture, war, and death. In fact, you may recall she is sister to The Morrígan.

It is interesting to note, Macha is listed as a fertility goddess, but is mostly known for her powers in war, death, and battle. Her fertility aspect may have come from the traditions of Celtic warriors in Northern Ireland collecting the severed heads of their foes, calling them “Macha’s Acorn Crop”…grisly.

Anahit

courtesy of armenian-history.com

She is the goddess of fertility, water, wisdom, and healing. Anahit is quite beloved and cherished by her people, and is considered their mother-goddess. In this respect she is similar to the Celtic goddess, Danu or Anann.

Known as the “Great Lady Anahit,” ancient Armenians believed the world existed at her will alone. She has many temples in her honor, and an entire mountain in Armenia is her throne.

Like Macha, Anahit is also known as a goddess of war.

Freyja

courtesy of momsawitch.blogspot.com

The patron and protectress of the human race, Freyja, or The Fair One, is goddess of fertility, love, beauty, war and death. I believe I see a trend here…

Daughter to the sea-god, Njord (some sources say his sister is Freyja’s mother!), Freyja is part of the Vanir ~ a group of gods of fertility and wisdom able to see the future.

It is said that Freyja and Odin split the courageous dead from the battlefield, Odin taking his half to Valhalla and Freyja taking her half to Fólkvangr. Some speculate that Freyja’s oft absent husband, Odur, of whom little is known, is in fact the battle god, Odin.

And did I mention Freyja has a chariot pulled by cats?

So talk to me. What do you think of these lovely ladies? I find it interesting that these fertility goddesses have such strong connections with war. Do you see the mother quality in each of these goddesses? Can you relate them to the mother in you? Do you know of other interesting fertility goddesses? Do you have stories of one of these portrayed here?

Do You Know Your Celtic History?

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world.

Today, we’re going to take a look back at the history of the Celts. This may be a refresher for some, or something new for others.

Ok, really, I’m sick. I’m surrounded by germ infested children, and my house has turned into a contagion zone – they’re going to have to put up the white tents soon…

That said, we’re taking a bit of a break on our Gods & Goddesses comparisons, but fear not! A brand-spanking new post will be up next Tuesday…even if it kills me

And now, here you are, a brief history of the Celts…

Who Were The Celts?

A better question would be “Who IS a Celt?” because the Celts are alive and well today my friends, just as they were thousands of years ago.

Some say a Celt is a mystic or witch who dances around stone circles in the moonlight. Some say a Celt is a nature loving person who is kind to animals and people. Some say a Celt is someone who lives in either Scotland or Ireland. Still others say that a Celt is one who speaks the Celtic language, produces Celtic art, or proclaims himself or herself a Celt.

My opinion? Sure, any of those could be correct, but there is much, much more to a Celt than that. Celts are not an ethnic group, and there are many varied religious beliefs associated with them.

The fact is, Celts embrace a certain way of life, a certain way of being.

I believe, however, in order to understand the modern Celt, you must first know their history. Don’t worry, I’ll keep this brief.

First, let’s talk about the “text book” stuff.

The ancient Celts were the first European people north of the Alps to emerge into recorded history. They distinguished themselves from their fellow Europeans by virtue of the languages which they spoke, now known as the Celtic languages (i.e. p-Celtic, q-Celtic, Gaelic, etc.).

Now, the exact geographic location from whence the Celts came is unknown, but you better believe everyone has a theory.

There are historians who say they branched off from other tribes in the lands between the Baltic and Black Seas. Some scholars argue that they originated in the areas now known as Switzerland and South-West Germany.

Regardless of exactly where they began, it is well-known the Celts migrated north, expanding their settlements in various lands throughout Europe. Due to the rise of the Roman Empire, and then the expansions of both the Slavs and the Germanic Peoples, the Celts eventually settled in the lands of Ireland, the Isle of Man, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall and Brittany. These six are now known as the Celtic Nations.

However, I would like to point out that there are Celts living in almost every country on the planet, from Argentina to Australia, and from Russia to Canada and the U.S.

Now, let’s chat about the fun stuff.

The Celts were and are a very resilient people, known for their fiery passion, strength, courage, imagination, creativity and easy eloquence.

The mystic and otherworldly aspects of the Celts are certainly real, but only a part of who they are as a people. Not every Celt is a witch, and not every witch is a Celt!

*Fun Fact: Many of the traditional Christian beliefs have roots in ancient Celtic culture.

The Celtic people believe in the power of Nature; they see the land as the embodiment of the Great Mother – nurturing, loving, and elemental. They lived then, and now, in tune with the rhythms of nature and their yearly cycle of festivals reflect this. They are a harmonious and peace-loving people, unless threatened…then, watch out! Their passion, courage, and unwavering devotion to their cause are the hallmarks of a Celt.

So talk to me. Do the characteristics of the Celtic People ring true in you? Do you notice any similarities between yourself and the Celts? I am passionate about these people and love learning about them! What knowledge do you have about the history of the Celts?

Warrior Gods

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world.

Last week kicked off my series on comparisons of the Celtic Gods & Goddesses to those of other traditions. We began with The Mórrígan, and it was a lot of fun. You can check it out here.

We’re going to mix it up today. Rather than start with the Celtic warrior god, we’re going to get to know Ares, the Greek warrior god, a little better. While researching Athena, I got to know her brother and found him fascinating. You may have noticed I gave you a hint of him in my last post.

Ares

 Ares is one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of Zeus and Hera. Unlike his sister, Athena, Ares can be brutal, violent, and destructive. He is a Greek god of war and battle. His particular level of violence seems similar to that of The Mórrígan or Sekhmet.

Ares is fascinating because in one aspect he is regarded with contempt. Due to his affair with Aphrodite, and her husband, Hephaestus’s, clever way of dealing with the incident, Ares is pitied, and often in mythology he faces humiliation and disgrace.

Yet, in another aspect he is compared to the Roman warrior god, Mars. Often they are regarded as one and the same. Mars is said to be just as savage as Ares, yet he is shown with more dignity and grace than his Greek counterpart. Why is this so, if they are the same god?

In further contradiction to the afore-mentioned disdainful view, in some lands, namely Sparta and Macedonia, Ares is revered. He is described as victorious, with superior military skills and physical strength. Indeed, his physical strength, military genius, and resilience are said to be unmatched.

Ares had temples erected in his image, rituals and hymns performed in his honor, and companions with names like “Fear,” and “Dread.”

One bad love affair ruined everything it would seem. A lesson can be learned from this…

Camulus

Camulus, or Camulos, is the British and Gaulish Celtic warrior god. Like Ares, he has been equated to the Roman warrior god, Mars – only, Camulus is considered to be even more dangerous, if that is possible. Interestingly enough, his godly traits are the antithesis to the meaning of his name, Heaven.

Not a lot is known about this illusive god. His symbol is the wild boar, and he is known to wield an invincible sword.

Some say that the Roman town of Camulodunum, now Colchester, England, was named in his honor. Others say it was Camelot that was named after him. Who is to say which is right?

You may think that not knowing much about this particular god makes him less interesting, however I would argue it is this mystery that makes him fascinating. There is so much potential here, so much is open to interpretation and imagination. Just think what stories could be told about him, what journeys he may have, what battles he may wage. Perhaps he is destined for a great love…imagine the type of goddess that would capture this warrior god’s heart. Very interesting..

So talk to me. What do you think of Ares? Is he a pitiful, immature boy – or a magnificent warrior whose reputation has been smeared by jealous adversaries? What do you know about the Roman warrior god, Mars? Have you ever heard of Camulus? What do you know of him?

Please share – I love learning more about these traditions!

Warrior Goddesses

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world.

Recently, someone asked if The Mórrígan, from Celtic mythology, was in any way similar to Pandora, from Greek mythology. I answered that The Mórrígan was a Celtic warrior goddess, and according to Greek mythology, Pandora was the First Woman; created by each one of the Gods. I went on to say that while these deities are not similar, there are many similarities between other Gods and Goddesses in our different cultures.

This got me thinking…wouldn’t it be fun to compare and contrast Celtic deities to those from different mythologies?

Let’s do it

I thought it only fitting we begin with The Mórrígan herself.

The Mórrígan, or Great Queen, is the Irish warrior goddess of battle, strife and fertility. She is known for being one of the most beautiful and sexual of all Goddesses, as well as being quite deadly. She has no problem using her sexuality to get what she wants, and can be ruthless in her pursuits. She can determine the outcome of wars, as well as predict when heroes will meet their end.

There is some debate over whether The Mórrígan is part of a triple deity or the sum of three separate deities. Many believe that she, along with her sisters Macha and Anu make up the Great Goddess, or The Goddess, the Great Mother of all the land. Still others say The Mórrígan is a triple goddess made by the aspects Badb, Macha, and Nemain.

The Mórrígan is a shapeshifter; she can take the forms of raven, eel, cow, or wolf. The raven, or Carrion Crow, is a harbinger of death. It can frequently be seen flying above the battlefield, circling and casting spells to determine the victor. She will use the other animal forms in whatever way best benefits her agenda. The Mórrígan can also take different human forms. She can appear as a Crone, bringing news of death and destruction, or warnings of such. She can appear as a young maiden to cast praise and love upon her chosen hero. This young maiden aspect of The Mórrígan is less well-known. Turns out she does indeed have a softer side.

Be warned however, cross The Mórrígan at your own peril…

Sekhmet, or Powerful One, is the Egyptian warrior goddess of vengeance, war and retribution. She is also known as a goddess of healing. It is said she is fiercely beautiful with the light of the sun shining through her. She leads the pharaohs in battle, and will protect them by shooting arrows of fire at their enemies. Like The Mórrígan, Sekhmet is quite deadly; only death and destruction will sooth her warrior’s heart and her breath is the hot desert wind that rips through the sand dunes.

A solar deity, Sekhmet is also sometimes referred to as the daughter of the sun-god Ra. She is frequently spoken of in connection with the goddesses Hathor and Bast. She bears the solar disk and the Uraeus, which associates her with Wadjet and royalty. This links her to the goddess of justice and order, Ma’at. In this aspect, Sekhmet is a divine arbiter in the Judgment Hall of Osiris, which also associates her with the Eye of Ra, and Tefnut.

Unlike The Mórrígan, Sekhmet is not known to shape shift. Often she is depicted as a lioness, the fiercest of all hunters, wearing a red gown the color of freshly spilled blood. In some depictions, Sekhmet’s dress has a rosette pattern over each nipple which is an ancient leonine motif and can be traced to the observation of the shoulder knot hairs on lions. Occasionally she is shown in her statuettes or engravings as being naked or with minimal clothing. Tame lions were kept in temples dedicated to Sekhmet at Leontopolis.

Over the centuries, Sekhmet’s power has gained her several titles, including Lady of Flame, Before Whom Evil Trembles, Mistress of Dread, and Lady of Slaughter. In order to placate Sekhmet’s wrath, her priestesses performed a special ritual before a different statue of her at different times of the year.

This warrior goddess isn’t all bad, however. Remember, she is also a goddess of healing. While she can bring pestilence and illness upon any whom she chooses, she can also bring cures for these ailments. At one time, her name became synonymous with “physician,” and her priestesses are considered to be at the same level as physicians.

Like The Mórrígan, however, I would treat Sekhmet with all due respect and deference.

When one thinks of the term, “goddess” one usually thinks of the wise and powerful Greek Goddess, Athena.

Athena is a warrior goddess, but according to Greek mythology, she is also goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, strength, strategy, female arts, crafts, justice and skill. A very well-rounded goddess. While she is a goddess of warfare, Athena isn’t quite as bloodthirsty as The Mórrígan or Sekhmet, though she is no less fearsome or ruthless when provoked.

Like The Mórrígan, there is some debate over Athena’s origins. Some say she is the daughter of Zeus, born from his forehead fully grown and dressed for battle with a war cry upon her lips. Others say that Triton, the son and herald of Poseidon, is her father (or foster-father!). Still others say that Pallas is Athena’s true father. Who can be sure?

Quite unlike The Mórrígan, Athena is a virgin goddess, and in fact she enforces the rules of sexual modesty. Athena has never taken a lover or a consort, and the Parthenon, her most famous temple, takes its name from her title, Athena Parthenos, or “Virgin Athena.”

Athena is known to guide heroes on their quests and in their battles, to protect her cities, and to weave magnificent and shining tapestries. She is often depicted with an owl, which is a symbol of knowledge and wisdom. In her warrior aspect, the goddess is more of a disciplined strategist rather than a violent slaughterer.

No, she leaves those particular qualities to her brother, Ares…

So talk to me! What do you think of these magnificent ladies? There is much, much more to them than I have shared here, as I’m sure you can imagine. Do you know of other myths or legends surrounding them? Have you learned of different aspects to their natures? What other warrior goddesses do you know? Please share, I love learning more about mythologies of all traditions!

Move Over Modern Family, it’s My Turn!

Welcome to Rudan Thursdays where we talk about…things! Anything from books and movies, to blog posts and authors, to food and drink. And boy, do I have something to tell you!

I won the Liebster Blog Award!

I would like to give a big THANK YOU to Natalie Hartford for bestowing such an honor upon me. If you haven’t checked her out yet, do it now. She blogs three to four times a week on everything from things to motivate and inspire you, to urban lingo, to driving-impaired awareness, to stripper poles on trucks! And each post is well worth the read.

In keeping with the traditions associated with receiving the Liebster Blog Award, I must now convey the following:

Winners of a Liebster must:

1. Post the award on your blog and show thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them via the award graphic ~ Check!
2. Reveal your top five picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog or send them a shout out on Twitter. ~ Check!
3. Bask in the love from the most supportive people on the Internet – other writers (and bloggers) ~ and, Check!

My good friend, Barbara McDowell, says the Liebster Award originated in Germany, and the word “Liebster” means “dear, sweet, darling, beloved.” The point of the award is to help bring attention to blogs with fewer than 200 followers.

Now for THE most important part of the post! Here are the five awesome peeps I’ve awarded – I should note: I have no idea how many followers they have, but they’re too deserving not to be recognized:

Jenny Hansen ~ I was charmed the moment I saw Jenny’s blog page: “Cowbell, You Need More Of It.” Isn’t it true though? Jenny is very talented and very entertaining. She posts on everything from parenting, to craft, to wine. Did you know she keeps no less than 100 bottles of wine at home? My hero…er, heroine!

Carrie Spencer ~ It was love at first meeting with Carrie. Who doesn’t dig a smartass? Not only is Carrie witty and funny, she’s also one of THE smartest, techiest peeps I know. She blogs about all kinds of cool stuff like arts & crafts, fun drinks, and cats. She’s also friends with a super cool woodchuck named, Woodie. He knows WordPress, so if you need some help, let Carrie know. One last thing, you HAVE to check out is Romance University. Carrie blogs over there, and she and the other ladies give really great info on craft and romance.

Diana Murdock ~ This is one amazing woman. She never ceases to inspire and motivate me. And make me cry. Diana is very real, very human. She’ll open your eyes, and have you searching your soul without you even realizing it. In a world full of shallow self-servers, what a refreshing change to hang out with someone like Diana. Check her out!

Kerry Meacham ~ Kerry is a relaxed, chill dude. You can hang out at his place, have a nice cold glass of iced tea, put your feet up and chat. He always offers great info from out there in the blogosphere and some of the best videos youtube has to offer. Check him out and give him a ~clink~ from me.

Amber West ~ A new fave of mine, Amber delivers her two cents with, not only wit and humor, but really great pictures and quotes! I tweeted a quote I saw on a recent post, and its become my mantra: “Don’t Try To Win Over The Haters, You Are Not A Jerk Whisperer.” I’m always excited to meet peeps who are comfortable in their own skin, speak their minds responsibly, and take the time to find really great pics :) And while you’re getting to know her, read her post on classic tales – so great!

Thanks again to Natalie, and congrats to Jenny, Carrie, Diana, Kerry & Amber!

~*~ Kate ~*~

The God

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world.

According to the Celts, because The Goddess is the land, it is her responsibility to ensure its continued fertility and prosperity. Therefore, she must have a most able consort.

The God, or the Green Man, is consort to The Goddess. Like her, he is a single archetype plus a trinity of aspects. Both The Goddess and The God are very complex. The God, also known as The Horned God, not to be confused with the Devil or any form of such, has three divine elements: Divine Child, the Son/Lover, and the Sacrificed Savior/Lord of Death.

As the Divine Child, the God represents new beginnings and the start of new cycles in all things – mental, physical, elemental, and spiritual. His traditional color is dark green.

The Son/Lover aspect symbolizes maturity and responsibility, the selfless desire to consider others feelings above one’s own. He balances sexual desire and need with companionship and tenderness. His traditional color is red.

Sacrificed Savior/Lord of Death aspect is a bit trickier to explain. The Sacrificed Savior represents renewal and reincarnation. He gives of his life so that spiritual knowledge and enlightenment can come into the world. He is always resurrected and reminds us that everything is recycled.

The Lord of Death is also known as the Lord of the Wild Hunt. He sees that karmic debts are paid and that destinies are fulfilled. He finds the souls that are ready for transition and compassionately guides them to the afterlife, all the while comforting them, erasing pain and suffering. His traditional color is black.

So talk to me. What do you think about The God? I am especially intrigued by the descriptions of the last aspect: Sacrificed Savior/Lord of Death; lots of story potential there! Have you heard or read any stories or legends about The Horned God?