There’s a lot of talk about Yule within the pagan community. And sometimes history and modern customs are totally conflated. We need to keep in mind what is historically accurate and what is modern invention. Here’s the problem: We know very little about what Viking-age people (let alone people further back in time) did duringContinue reading “The Real History of Yule”
Tag Archives: pagan
Who are the Indo-Europeans?
World Tree Heritage is primarily intended to discuss modern paganisms which have their roots in Indo-European polytheism. I wanted to make this introductory article for anyone who is unfamiliar with this term or has questions about it when they see future references to the Indo-Europeans. Important disclaimer: There have beens heaps of articles and moundsContinue reading “Who are the Indo-Europeans?”
Sunwait (Väntljusstaken): Heathens Awaiting Yule
Yule will soon be upon us! And Heathens begin celebrating Yuletide earliest among Pagans because of a growing tradition called Sunwait. This modern tradition is maybe a few decades old, and it originated in Sweden. Sunwait is a mix between Christian Advent wreaths, the runes, and Thorsheldg, a Swedish Heathen tradition. It has only takenContinue reading “Sunwait (Väntljusstaken): Heathens Awaiting Yule”
Pagan Celebrations for the Ancestors: Beyond Samhain
Most pagans know the term “Samhain.” In fact, you probably learned about it in your very first year of being a pagan. However, there are many pagans who are not Wiccan or Irish Celtic Recons, and who do not want to celebrate this specific holiday. What do we do at this time of year? ThisContinue reading “Pagan Celebrations for the Ancestors: Beyond Samhain”
What do Pagans Do?
I see people — including pagans — ask some form of this question regularly. So, if you’re a pagan…what are you supposed to DO? It’s easier if you are part of an organized religion. Most of us know someone who goes to church/temple/mosque. They know to pray at certain times of the day, to celebrateContinue reading “What do Pagans Do?”
How I Spent a Summer Honoring the Fairies
Fairies, Good Neighbors, Little Folk…the list is endless for the mysterious beings who share the world with us. Indeed, the spirits are an intricate web of beings we don’t necessarily understand well. This article is about my own experiences with spirits and some of the things I’ve learned on the way. If you’re new toContinue reading “How I Spent a Summer Honoring the Fairies”
A Non-Pagan’s Guide to Understanding Modern Paganism
So I’m a pagan. Yes, you read that right. No, it’s not devil worship. Pagan is a very loaded term. And its definition has change a lot over time. It comes from the Latin paganus, which means something like ‘villager’ or ‘rural person.’ Then the term was used by the Church to distinguish people inContinue reading “A Non-Pagan’s Guide to Understanding Modern Paganism”
World Tree Heritage 