Onam, the festival of flowers, an annual celebration of the spirit of Mahabali's reign of justice, will continue to inspire us to strive for that Golden Mean - when the entire world will be completely free of conflict and any kind of inequality. It would be peaceful. But we also have to hone our ability to deal with the inner kingdom so that there is no discrepancy in the way we perceive the external and internal world. Otherwise, like Mahabali, we might get carried away by our sense of self-importance.

(See also: Onam , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Onam: Are We Ready for Another Mahabali?  

Easter is not the remembrance of an esoteric event whose scope and significance were confined to Jesus of Nazareth. Understood in terms of its spiritual symbolism, Easter is a celebration of hope in respect to the human predicament.

The Bible insists that Jesus was both human and divine. The patterns of his experience are hence relevant to the life of every human being. According to St Paul, Jesus was 'like unto us', except that he was 'sinless'. Jesus came to this world to demonstrate what every human being who is in harmony with the will of God can attain and experience.

(See also: Easter , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Easter: The Spirit of Easter Brings New Hope  

It is thought that the large scale celebration of birthdays in Europe was due to Mithraism in the Roman Empire, and that prior to this it was not so common. Mithraism had a large influence throughout the empire, due to being taken up by many Roman soldiers, until it was supplanted by Christianity. Birthday celebrations were much rarer during the Middle Ages, but saw a resurgence with the advent of the Reformation, when they were seen as a good way to transfer customs from the saint's ...

See also:

Birthday, Birthday - Western birthday traditions, Birthday - Festive, Birthday - Testing, Birthday - Astrology, Birthday - Special birthdays, Birthday - Official/Alternative birthdays and name day, Birthday - History of celebration of birthdays in the West, Birthday - Birthday gift symbolism, Birthday - Birthstones, Birthday - Zodiac stones, Birthday - Birthday stones, Birthday - Links

Read more here: » Birthday: Encyclopedia II - Birthday - History of celebration of birthdays in the West

Jesus came into the world to unveil the essence and scope of humanity. French philosopher Pascal said, it is through Jesus of Nazareth that we learn who we truly are, and what birth and death really mean.

The genius of humanity is revealed fully in Jesus; that's why he stands at the centre of human history. However, with most people focusing more on the events surrounding his birth, the essence of Christmas itself tends to get lost.

(See also: Christmas , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Christmas: Celebrate The Spirit Of Life With Jesus - about Christmas  

All Saints' Day, All-Hallows, Hallowmas (Halloween) A festival originally on the first of May, said to have been instituted for the martyrs in European countries about the 4th or 5th centuries. In the 7th century, Pope Boniface instituted it on May 13 to replace a pagan festival of the dead. In 834 the day was moved to November 1st by Gregory III and was then celebrated for all the saints.

The Greek Church celebrates it on the first Sunday after Pentecost. Closely connected with the celebration was the keeping of the preceding evening, known as the vigil of Hallowmas or Halloween. This was especially kept in Scotland and in Brittany, France. In Scotland an important item was the lighting of a bonfire at each house.

The Celts kept two festivals, one called Beltane (Bealtine or Beiltine) in which fires were lighted on the eve of May 1st, and the other called Samtheine on the eve of November 1st, in which people jumped over two fires placed very close together. "The Druids understood the meaning of the Sun in Taurus, therefore, when, while all the fires were extinguished on the 1st of November, their sacred and inextinguishable fires alone remained to illumine the horizon, like those of the Magi and the modern Zoroastrians" (SD 2:759).

The Germanic nations had their Osterfeuer and Johannisfeuer.

(See also: All Saints' Day, All-Hallows, Hallowmas , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Occultism, Occultism Dictionary)

Festive bonhomie apart, many myths, legends and spiritual insights are woven around the customs and rituals associated with Diwali.

Celebrations commence a day before amavas on Naraka Chaturdasi , which marks the vanquishing of the demon Naraka by Lord Krishna and Satyabhama. According to the puranas , demon king Naraka had acquired immense power through penance and had imprisoned the gods. He had also held captive 16,000 celestial princesses.

(See also: Diwali , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Diwali: It's Time to Light Lamps of Wisdom - about Diwali  

Id-ul-Azha is the second most important festival of Muslims across the world. Today's celebration comes almost two months after Eid-ul-Fitr, the culmination of the holy month of Ramadan. The spirit of Eid- ul-Azha is incorporated in Hajj, the pilgrimage to Makkah. The underlying flavour is the spirit of sacrifice or qurbani, commemorating Abraham's great act of faith many centuries ago.

Eid-ul-Azha, also known as Eid-e-Qurban, is a time for Muslims to learn the value of self-denial by making a sacrifice of something living to God.

(See also: Id-ul-Azha , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Id-ul-Azha: Faith And Qurbani - Spirit of Eid  

July 31 - August Eve - Lughnassad

'Lughnassad' means 'the funeral games of Lugh', referring to Lugh, the Irish sun god. However, the funeral is not his own, but the funeral games he hosts in honor of his foster-mother Tailte. For that reason, the traditional Tailtean craft fairs and Tailtean marriages (which last for a year and a day) are celebrated at this time. As autumn begins, the Sun God enters his old age, but is not yet dead. It is also a celebration of the first harvest. The Christian religion adopted this theme and called it 'Lammas', meaning 'loaf- mass', a time when newly baked loaves of bread are placed on the altar. An alternative date around August 5 (Old Lammas), when the sun reaches 15 degrees Leo, is sometimes employed by Covens.

Read more here: » Wiccan Holidays: July 31 - August Eve - Lughnassad

January 1 marks the end of a period of remembrance of the passing year, especially on radio, television, and in newspapers, which usually starts right after Christmas Day. Publications often have year-end articles that review the changes during the past year. Common topics include politics, natural disasters, music and the arts, and the listing of significant individuals who died during the past year. Often there are also articles on planned or expected changes in the coming year, such as the descripti ...

See also:

New Year's Day, New Year's Day - Modern practices, New Year's Day - History, New Year's Day - Specific high-profile or common celebrations, New Year's Day - New Year's Day, New Year's Day - New Year's Eve, New Year's Day - Images associated with New Year's Day, New Year's Day - New Year's Babies

Read more here: » New Year's Day: Encyclopedia II - New Year's Day - Modern practices

How is the Mayan Long Count to be explained? Why did this ancient people, that were the most mathematically advanced of their day, choose to use a chronology that consisted of thirteen different periods of 144,000 days each, starting on August 11, 3114, BC and ending on December 21, AD 2012? On a more fundamental level three different types of answers have been given to this question, a materialist, a spiritual and what might be called a pseudo-spiritual, answers that are linked to different world views. In the materialist world view the astronomical, physical cycles are seen as primary to the spiritual whereas in the spiritual world view they are seen as secondary.

Read more here: » Mayan Calendar: What is driving the evolution of consciousness described by the Mayan Calendar? - I

A significant aspect of Indian Islam is the importance of shrines attached to the memory of great Sufi saints. Sufism is a mystical path (tarika) as distinct from the legalistic path of the sharia. A Sufi attains a direct vision of oneness with God, often on the edges of orthodox behavior, and can thus become a Pir (living saint) who may take on disciples ([murid]s) and set up a spiritual lineage that can last for generations. Orders of Sufis became important in India during the thirteenth century following the ministry of Moinuddin Chishti ...

See also:

Islam in India, Islam in India - Famous Indian Muslims, Islam in India - Population Statistics, Islam in India - Illegal Immigrants from Bangladesh, Islam in India - The History of Islam in India, Islam in India - Islamic Traditions in South Asia, Islam in India - Post - Independence, Islam in India - Literature

Read more here: » Islam in India: Encyclopedia II - Islam in India - Islamic Traditions in South Asia

Walpurgis Night (Valborgsmässoafton in Swedish, Vappu in Finnish, Volbriöö in Estonian, Valpurģu nakts or Valpurģi in Latvian, Walpurgisnacht in German) is a holiday celebrated on April 30 or May 1, in Finland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Germany. Walpurgis Night - Origins. The festival is named after Saint Walburga (known in Scandinavia as "Valborg"; alternative forms are "Walpurgis", "Wealdburg", or "Valderburger"), born in Wessex in 710 a niece of Saint Boni ...

Including:

• Walpurgis Night - Origins
• Walpurgis Night - Germany
• Walpurgis Night - Sweden and Finland
• Walpurgis Night - References in modern culture

Read more here: » Walpurgis Night: Encyclopedia - Walpurgis Night

Krishna asserts that action cannot be avoided, and should be performed without consideration of the "fruit of action". Progression on the ladder of karma was associated with good action: one who did good things in life moved up the ladder.

(See also: Life and Death, Life and Beyond, Death and Dying, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Life and Death: Discover The Truth, Set Yourself Free

Wicca and Witchcraft: General Practices in Wicca (Witchcraft)

The roots of the religion called Wicca, or Witchcraft, are very old, coming down to us through a variety of channels worldwide. Although any general statement about our practices will have exceptions, the following will attempt to present a basic foundation for understanding.

Some of the old practices were lost when indigenous religions encountered militant Christianity and were forced to go underground for survival. The ancient mystery religions were lost when the practice of the rites were stopped and the old verbal traditions were no longer available.

Read more here: » Wicca and Witchcraft: General Practices in Wicca

All of us need to believe that we are loved and are lovable. We begin life secure in our mother's love, swaddled in our innocence. Love was never in question, but over time, we become increasingly unsure...

In The Path to Love , Deepak Chopra says that by bringing spirituality back into our relationships, we can discover a world of depth and meaning. He says: "You were created to be completely loved and to be completely lovable for your whole life".

(See also: Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Love and Happiness: Unconditional Love Brings Joy to All

MOTHER DURGA

The Durga Puja is celebrated in various parts of India in different styles. But the one basic aim of this celebration is to propitiate Shakti, the Goddess in Her aspect as Power, to bestow upon man all wealth, auspiciousness, prosperity, knowledge (both sacred and secular), and all other potent powers. Whatever be the particular or special request that everyone may put before the Goddess is being effected consciously or unconsciously. Everyone is blessed with Her loving mercy and is protected by Her.

From " Hindu Fasts & Festivals " by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Durga: The Hindu Godess Mother Durga

The traditional festivals of the Indian diaspora all reflect the ancient concept of the Utsav Mela, which encouraged everyone to congregate, meet and mix amid festivity and pageantry. In fact, the word mela (fair) is derived from the word mil , meaning 'to meet'.

Baisakhi epitomises the mela notion of convergence for it brings together people of all castes and communities on the first day of Vaisakha, the beginning of the traditional Indian New Year. Basically a harvest festival, Baisakhi marks the ripening of the Rabi harvest, especially in the Punjab. It is called the Naba Barsha celebrations in Bengal, Rongali Bihu in Assam, Puthandu in Tamil Nadu and Pooram (Vishu) in Kerala.

(See also: Baisakhi , Indian Festivals, Spiritual Guidance, God and Religion, Peace on Earth, Peace of Mind, Love and Happiness, Life and Beyond, Body Mind and Soul)

Read more here: » Baisakhi: Baisakhi Is Both Sacred And Secular  

Makara Shankranti:

Salutations to Surya, the Sun-God, who on this great day embarks on his northward journey.

The Sanskrit term "Shankramana" means "to begin to move". The day on which the sun begins to move northwards is called Makara Shankranti. It usually falls in the middle of January.

From Hindu Fasts & Festivals by Sri Swami Sivananda.

Read more here: » Makara Shankranti: Hindu Worship - Makara Shankranti:

The Ancient Olympic Games were an athletic and religious celebration held in the Greek town of Olympia from (historically) as early as 776 BC to 393 AD. Ancient Olympic Games - Origin. The historical origins of the Ancient Olympic Games are lost in the fog of time, but several legends and myths survive. One of these involved Pelops, king of Olympia and eponymous hero of the Peloponnesus, to whom offerings were made during the games. The Christian Clement of Alexandria asserted that "[The] Olympian games are ...

Including:

• Ancient Olympic Games - Origin
• Ancient Olympic Games - History
• Ancient Olympic Games - Events
• Ancient Olympic Games - Famous athletes

Read more here: » Ancient Olympic Games: Encyclopedia - Ancient Olympic Games

Gorillaz - Cartoon Members. 2D (about 27, born in 1978) - vocals, keyboard Murdoc Niccals (39, born June 6, 1966) - bass Noodle (about 14, born in 1991) - guitar, vocals Russel Hobbs (about 31) - drums, percussion In phase one, Del, the blue phantom in the "Clint Eastwood" & "Rock the House" music videos and the Gorilla Bite "Jump The Gut" was, one could say, another band member. In 2003, he was exorcised; it took Russel a year to recover. (In real life Albarn and Hewle ...

See also:

Gorillaz, Gorillaz - History, Gorillaz - Early career 1998-2000, Gorillaz - Phase One: Celebrity Take Down November 2000 - October 2002, Gorillaz - Phase One Point Five November 2002 - November 2004, Gorillaz - Phase Two: Demon Days December 2004-now, Gorillaz - Fictional band history, Gorillaz - Band Members, Gorillaz - Cartoon Members, Gorillaz - Actual members, Gorillaz - Live performances, Gorillaz - 2001/2002 live shows, Gorillaz - 2005 radio tour, Gorillaz - Demon Days Live and 2005 EMAs, Gorillaz - Future live shows, Gorillaz - Gorilla Bites, Gorillaz - Discography, Gorillaz - Albums, Gorillaz - EPs, Gorillaz - DVDs, Gorillaz - Others, Gorillaz - Singles

Read more here: » Gorillaz: Encyclopedia II - Gorillaz - Band Members

In the stillness of the night, when not a sound breaks the hushed silence, they timorously creep into your mind. Fragile, flittering forms—often more real than reality—seek you out from the deepest abyss of your soul and open for you a vista of visions—nonsensical, terrifying, fantastic—and sometimes, just sometimes, hauntingly beautiful. You wake up with a lump in your throat that threatens to cascade down your eyes, a lingering nostalgia for something near, yet eternity away. But weren't you closer to believing, even then, that somewhere, all that you saw was real; that, beyond the tangible truth of ticking time, you had lived one moment of timeless infinity? Perhaps that's the secret. The chance to glimpse beyond. Why else should we take a dream, those phantasms of the chaotic unconscious, so seriously?

Read more here: » Meaning of Dreams: Dream Works

The Stations of the Cross (or Way of the Cross; in Latin, Via Crucis or Via Dolorosa) refers to the depiction of the final hours (or Passion) of Jesus, and the Catholic devotion commemorating the Passion. The tradition also exists liturgically in confessional Lutheranism but is only done on Good Friday. The Stations themselves are usually a series of 14 pictures or sculptures depicting the following scenes: Christ is condemned to death The cross is laid upon him His fir ...

Including:

• Stations of the Cross - External link

Read more here: » Stations of the Cross: Encyclopedia - Stations of the Cross