Everything Under the Moon

Today is the Epiphany.
These terms in the title are both Christian derived but I began to wonder what their pagan roots were.
This is a time where contemplation on where one wants to direct their life.
The Sun has just been reborn and it is in it's infancy. There are baby steps to make, mulling over the present, making plans for the future and how that might be acomplished and, if we are lucky,...an AhHa! moment.
And then a chance to come out an announce that potential change/plan at Candlemas (our imbolc) and the Christian mass of the candles. Shinning the light of your intention upon the the new quest. This is why initiations are generally done at this time.
There is at last enough light entering into the retina of a chickens eye to spur on egg laying. Production time is upon us!

Any way I found this article (that I admit I haven't finished reading) There is mention of an old limerick or poem that speaks of the Yule log and that a portion of it must be saved for the next years fire.

“Kindle the Christmas brand, and then
Till sunne-set let it burne;
Which quencht, then lay it up agen,
Till Christmas next returne.
Part must be kept wherewith to teend
The Christmas Log next yeare;
And where ‘tis safely kept, the Fiend
Can do no mischiefe there.”

http://sacred-texts.com/time/crt/crt20.htm

Bb, Firebird

Yeh, we have turned a corner. Hoozah!

Today is the Epiphany.
These terms in the title are both Christian derived but I began to wonder what their pagan roots were.
This is a time where contemplation on where one wants to direct their life.

In eastern Europe,there is the belief(a pagan one,but adopted by the Christians) that on Epiphany,one has to cleanse himself from the past and embrace the future. There is also good to make a wish(like the New Year's wish) and concentrate/meditate on it in order to direct your life in the way that allows your wish to come true.
Also,the way you spend/feel on Epiphany is how you will spend the next year.(simmilar to the belief on January 1st).
Now,due to the big number of people that have the name of St Joan,or derived,everybody is partying

Today is Distaff day or St. Distaff though there was no St. Distaff. This day falls on the first day after the Twelfth Night. Weaving and spinning used to be very important to the peoples. After all there was clothing to be made! Modern technology does this now but it is still a craft espically in the Heathen traditions.
It nice to see ladies at the Ren Faire who do this.
Here's a bit more about Distaff Day...
http://www.tellinghistory.co.uk/resources/distaff.htm

Blessed be the weavers and merry Distaff day to all!
Bb, Firebird