Solstice

they used in their religious festivals during the winter solstice; the fire from the Yule log provided promises of good luck along with long life. In Babylonian times, the Yule placed in the fireplace represented the dead Nimrod, and the tree that appeared the following morning (known as the Christmas tree) was Nimrod reincarnated in his son Tammuz. The tradition of exchanging gifts was also practiced by the pagans during the winter solstice. Some Christians argue that they exchange gifts…

Litha is a Pagan Sabbat that falls on or around June 21st every year. Many people know this day as the Summer Solstice. This Sabbat is associated with many things including; strength, protection, love, nature, fertility, fulfillment and health. There following crafts can be made on this day to help one celebrate the Litha Sabbat. Cinnamon bundles Bundles of cinnamon sticks can be made by hand. Many Pagans empower these bundles with protection properties. Making cinnamon bundles is an easy…

strategically and purposefully. No one is completely certain who built Stonehenge, but it was erected in Wiltshire, England approximately 4,500 years ago. It is carefully aligned so that, if one sits at the center, one has a clear view of the summer-solstice sun rising over the heel stone. It is amazing what early astronomers were able to accomplish without modern technology. It was in the 18th century that the antiquarian William Stukeley (re)discovered the axial alignment of Stonehenge…

from monsters. At camp, He learns more about himself and his family. He learns that his father was Poseidon. He also learns that Poseidon was blamed for stealing Zeus’s lightning bolt. He tells him that the bolt must be returned before summer solstice or else he will declare war with Poseidon. Poseidon needs Percy’s help to bring back the bolt. Percy went on a quest with Annabeth Chase, daughter of Athena, and Grover, his best friend. They believe that Hades, has took the bolt. They…

Stonehenge. One of Great Britain’s most well-known and ancient landmarks, this roughly circular arrangement of stones is visited by countless tourists each year. So well-known is Stonehenge in fact, that the geography and culture of the United Kingdom can no longer be discussed without at least a passing mention of the landmark. It is safe to say that Stonehenge has deeply rooted itself within Britain’s history and identity and yet, despite how ostensibly important it is, it is interesting to…

Justin Fernandez Mr. Miraya Honors U.S. History 10, 4A 26 August 2016 “America Before Columbus” Response The ancient native american city of Cahokia was unknown to me prior to reading this article. What surprised me while reading was the fact that their leader “Great Sun” was a tyrannical leader when I initially thought that most indian tribes had councils or elder in charge. The misconceptions that Europeans had about the North American Continent was the thinking that it was in a location…

Traditional Chinese Food – Dumplings In China, especially in the Northern areas of China, the making and consumption of dumplings is a prioritised activity for most families on New Year’s Eve in Spring Festival. They are also eaten on the day of the Winter Solstice in Northern China. Dumplings are made before midnight and eaten during the last hour of the old year and the first hour of the Lunar New Year. Eating dumplings in the Spring Festival brings good luck. People often wrap a one-yuan,…

to earn his spot on the quest. The demigods and Hinters encounter several more challenges along the way, each time becoming more and more difficult to defeat. Each day they strive harder and harder to try to rescue their friends before the winter solstice is lost, as well as maybe their friends’ lives. Throughout the novel several conflicts, both external and internal, arise that are important to the characters and plot of the…

History has seen its fair share of great architectural works, from the Roman Colosseum and the Great Pyramids of Ancient Egypt, to the more modernized Casa Batlló of Barcelona and the Empire State Building of New York. These pinnacles of architecture helped define their societies with their exterior beauty and their underlying meaning. But, there is one monument in particular that to this day, that has still not been fully understood in regards to its origin and meaning. This monument is one…

Carols originated in Europe as pagan songs sung by at Winter solstice celebrations. The word carol itself means song of praise or dance, or singing of joy. Carols at one time were written for all season and times, but the tradition of singing them at Christmas has remained. Christians took over these pagan celebrations and made up their own Christian songs to sing as a substitute. Yet these first carols were all written, and sung in Latin. Latin at that time was a language not known by most…