maypole

In 723, the Anglo-Saxon missionary Winfrid -- later called St. Boniface, Apostle of the Germans -- arrived in the area in his quest to convert the northern German tribes to Christianity, using as his base the Frankish fortified settlement of Büraburg on the opposite side of the Eder river. He had the oak felled in an attempt to convey superiority of the Christian god over Thor and the native Germanic religion. According to surviving texts, when Thor did not respond by hurling a lightning bolt at him, an amount of the assembl ...

See also:

Thor's Oak, Thor's Oak - History

Read more here: » Thor's Oak: Encyclopedia II - Thor's Oak - History

See also:

Yggdrasil, Yggdrasil - Etymology and alternative names, Yggdrasil - Yggdrasil in the Edda

Read more here: » Yggdrasil: Encyclopedia II - Yggdrasil - Etymology and alternative names

Three roots supported the trunk, with one passing through Asgard, one through Jotunheim and one through Helheim. Beneath the Asgard root lay the sacred Well of Urd (Urðabrunnr), and there dwelt the three Nornir, over whom even the gods had no power, and who, every day, watered the tree from the primeval fountain, so that its boughs remained green. Beneath the Jotunheim root lay the spring or well of Mimir (Mímisbrunnr); and beneath the Helheim root t ...

See also:

Yggdrasil, Yggdrasil - Etymology and alternative names, Yggdrasil - Yggdrasil in the Edda

Read more here: » Yggdrasil: Encyclopedia II - Yggdrasil - Yggdrasil in the Edda

Astrolocality is a specialized branch of astrology that in essence, takes one's natal chart and superimposes it on a map of the earth, revealing individualized places of planetary archetypal energies. The author, Maya White, is one of only 84 people world wide trained and certified by the late Jim Lewis.

Read more here: » Astrology: Astrolocality, locational astrology, Part I

Astrolocality Part II. Astrolocality is a specialized branch of astrology that in essence, takes one's natal chart and superimposes it on a map of the earth, revealing individualized places of planetary archetypal energies. The author, Maya White, is one of only 84 people world wide trained and certified by the late Jim Lewis.

Read more here: » Astrology: Astrolocality, locational astrology, Part II

April 30 - May Eve - Beltaine

'Beltane' means 'fire of Bel', Belinos being one name for the Sun God, whose coronation feast we now celebrate. As summer begins, weather becomes warmer, and the plant world blossoms, an exuberant mood prevails. It is a time of unabashed sexuality and promiscuity. Young people spend the entire night in the woods 'a-maying', and dance around the phallic Maypole the next morning. Older married couples may remove their wedding rings (and the restrictions they imply) for this one night. May morning is a magical time for 'wild' water (dew, flowing streams, and springs) which is collected and used to bathe in for beauty, or to drink for health. The Christian religion had only a poor substitute for the life-affirming Maypole - namely, the death-affirming cross. Hence, in the Christian calendar, this was celebrated as 'Roodmas'. In Germany, it was the feast of Saint Walpurga, or 'Walpurgisnacht'. An alternative date around May 5 (Old Beltaine), when the sun reaches 15 degrees Taurus, is sometimes employed by Covens. (The name 'Lady Day' is incorrectly assigned to this holiday by some modern traditions of Wicca.)

Read more here: » Wiccan Holidays: April 30 - May Eve - Beltaine (Beltane)

This Aion is the album by Dead Can Dance. Aion can also refer to an album by the Finnish band CMX. See Aion (CMX album). Aion (1990) was Dead Can Dance's fifth studio album. Aion - Track List. The Arrival and the Reunion Saltarello Mephisto The Song of the Sybil Fortune Presents Gifts Not According to the Book As the Bell Rings the Maypole Spins The End of Words ...

Including:

Aion - Track List

Read more here: » Aion: Encyclopedia - Aion

Holywood is famous for its Maypole at the crossroads in the centre of town. Its origin is uncertain, but local folklore claims that it dates from 1700 when a Dutch ship is said to have run aground on the shore nearby, and the crew erected the broken mast as a show of appreciation for the assistance offered by the townsfolk. The Maypole is still used for dancing at the annual May Day fair. Nearly as famous is the adjacent Maypole Bar, locally known as Ned's and now run by his three infamously grumpy sons and the cross-eyed grandson. Locals and visitors alike can be ejected at a moments n ...

See also:

Holywood, Holywood - History, Holywood - Places of Interest, Holywood - 2001 Census

Read more here: » Holywood: Encyclopedia II - Holywood - Places of Interest

Robin Goodfellow is a troublesome elf or hobgoblin. See Robin Goodfellow. Standing stones and chalk figures in the United Kingdom are the focus for folk tales and beliefs. Barghest Wild Hunt Green Man Sites and places associated with Arthurian legend Brownie (elf) Lob Maypole Maypole dance Well dressing Petrifying well Corn dolly Oak Apple Day Parish Ale English Country Dance Cunning f ...

See also:

English folklore, English folklore - Folklore of England, English folklore - Folklore of East Anglia, English folklore - Folklore of London and the South East, English folklore - Folklore of the Midlands, English folklore - Folklore of the North East, English folklore - Folklore of the North West, English folklore - Folklore of the South Coast, English folklore - Folklore of the South West, English folklore - Folklore of the West Country, English folklore - Folklore in song

Read more here: » English folklore: Encyclopedia II - English folklore - Folklore of England

The island of Bonaire is known for an array of dances, including the Bari and Simadan. Imported polka, carioca, rumba, merengue, danza, joropo, jazz waltz and mazurka are also popular. The Baile di Sinta is a popular fertility dance, performed around a maypole. Traditional African work songs on Bonaire evolved over time into ritual songs with complex dances, instrumentation and polyphony [4]. The Bari, performed during the festival of the same nam ...

See also:

Music of Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles, Music of Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles - Traditional music of Curaçao, Music of Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles - Traditional music on Bonaire, Music of Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles - Modern music on Curaçao, Music of Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles - Notes

Read more here: » Music of Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles: Encyclopedia II - Music of Aruba and the Netherlands Antilles - Traditional music on Bonaire

Traditional English May Day rites and celebrations include Morris dancing, crowning a May Queen, celebrating Green Man day and dancing around a Maypole. In Oxford on May Morning, many pubs are open from sunrise, and some of the college bars are open all night. Madrigals are still sung from the roof of the tower of Magdalen College, with thousands gathering on Magdalen Bridge to listen. Traditionally, revellers have jumped from the bridge into the River Cherwell below as part of the celebrations with some 100 people having done so in 2005. The river, however, was then only 3ft deep in places and more than half of those jumpin ...

See also:

May Day, May Day - Labour association, May Day - Germany, May Day - UK tradition, May Day - Elsewhere

Read more here: » May Day: Encyclopedia II - May Day - UK tradition

I was born on August 30, 1909, in Newton Centre, Massachusetts. My mother was English, a poet and a musician. My father was the dearly beloved Dean Burton of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology . . . their first dean and only dean until he retired in 1921. My memories of early childhood in Newton Corner consist of English folk songs and English folk dancing around a Maypole . . . celebrating Twelfth Night when everyone dressed up in costumes and the neighbors came in to sing and dance and "wassail" the old apple trees. On other ...

See also:

Virginia Lee Burton, Virginia Lee Burton - Books by Burton, Virginia Lee Burton - Quote, Virginia Lee Burton - Illustrated by Burton, Virginia Lee Burton - Books about Burton, Virginia Lee Burton - Content, Virginia Lee Burton - External link

Read more here: » Virginia Lee Burton: Encyclopedia II - Virginia Lee Burton - Quote

Midsummer, or Litha as it was known by the ancient Germanic peoples and to this day by many Neopagans, refers the period of time centered upon the summer solstice and the religious celebrations that accompany it. Also called "Midsommar" in Swedish, Midsummer-related holidays, traditions and celebrations, many of which are non-Christian in origin (apart from the designation "St John's Day"), are particularly important in Finland and Sweden, but found also in other parts of Northern Europe, Britain and elsewhere. Including:

Midsummer - History Midsummer - National traditions
Midsummer - Finland Midsummer - Germany Midsummer - Ireland Midsummer - Italy Midsummer - Jersey Midsummer - Latvia Midsummer - Lithuania Midsummer - Norway Midsummer - Russia Midsummer - Sweden Midsummer - United Kingdom Midsummer - USA
Midsummer - Neopaganism
Midsummer - Litha
Midsummer - External link

Read more here: » Midsummer: Encyclopedia - Midsummer

The Cerne Abbas giant is a chalk carving of a giant naked man on a hillside near the village of Cerne Abbas to the north of Dorchester in Dorset, England. The 180 feet (55 metres) high, 167 feet (51 metres) wide figure is carved into the side of a steep hill and is best viewed from the opposite side of the valley or from the air. The carving is formed by a trench 1 foot (0.3 metre) wide and about the same depth which has been cut through the grass and earth into the underlying chalk. In his right hand the giant hol ...

Read more here: » Cerne Abbas giant: Encyclopedia - Cerne Abbas giant

Midsummer, or Litha as it was known by the ancient Germanic peoples and to this day by many Neopagans, refers the period of time centered upon the summer solstice and the religious celebrations that accompany it. Also called "Midsommar" in Swedish, Midsummer-related holidays, traditions and celebrations, many of which are non-Christian in origin (apart from the designation "St John's Day"), are particularly important in Finland and Sweden, but found also in other parts of Northern Europe, Britain and elsewhere. Including:

Midsummer - History Midsummer - National traditions
Midsummer - Denmark Midsummer - Finland Midsummer - Germany Midsummer - Ireland Midsummer - Italy Midsummer - Jersey Midsummer - Latvia Midsummer - Lithuania Midsummer - Norway Midsummer - Russia Midsummer - Sweden Midsummer - United Kingdom Midsummer - USA
Midsummer - Neopaganism
Midsummer - Litha
Midsummer - External link

Read more here: » Midsummer: Encyclopedia - Midsummer

The Cerne Abbas giant is a chalk carving of a giant naked man on a hillside near the village of Cerne Abbas to the north of Dorchester in Dorset, England. The 180 feet (55 metres) high, 167 feet (51 metres) wide figure is carved into the side of a steep hill and is best viewed from the opposite side of the valley or from the air. The carving is formed by a trench 1 foot (0.3 metre) wide and about the same depth which has been cut through the grass and earth into the underlying chalk. In his right hand the giant hol ...

Read more here: » Cerne Abbas giant: Encyclopedia - Cerne Abbas giant

Beltane or Beltaine (from Irish Beáltaine or Scottish Gaelic Bealtuinn; both from Old Irish Beltene, "bright fire" from *belo-te(p)niâ), where *belo- is allied to English word "bale" (as in "bale-fire"), the Anglo-Saxon "bael", and the Lithuanian "baltas", meaning "white" or "shining" (from which the Baltic takes its name). In Gaelic, according to Stoke's Law, the terminal vowel *-o (from *Belo) was dropped, as shown by numerous other transformations from early or Proto-Celtic to Early Irish, thus ...

Read more here: » Beltane: Encyclopedia - Beltane

Beltane or Beltaine (from Irish Beáltaine or Scottish Gaelic Bealtuinn; both from Old Irish Beltene, "bright fire" from *belo-te(p)niâ) is an ancient Gaelic holiday celebrated around May 1. "Bealtaine" (pronounced IPA /ˈbʲɑlˠ.t̪ˠə.n̪ʲə/) is the name in modern Irish for the month of May. It is also the traditional first day of summer in Ireland. It is a Cross-quarter day being midpoint in the Sun's progress between the Vernal Equinox an ...

Read more here: » Beltane: Encyclopedia - Beltane

The Tree of Life, in the Book of Genesis, is a tree whose fruit gives everlasting life, i.e. immortality. After eating of the Tree of Knowledge of good and evil, the story goes, Adam and Eve are exiled from the Garden of Eden. Fearing Adam and Eve will also eat of the tree of life and become immortal, God sets angels to guard the entrance to the Garden. In the story, the serpent had tempted Eve into partaking of the Fruit of Knowledge by promising they would become as wise and powerful as God. The unstated but implied moral is ...

Including:

Tree of Life - Analysis Tree of Life - Interpretation within the Western Church

Read more here: » Tree of Life: Encyclopedia - Tree of Life

PHALLUS

It may be seen as an emblem of the present moment, whose worship is a denial of past and future. That's also why the "historical" west fears it so, but Carpe diem ("Seize the day!") was the classical rule. For Aleister Crowley, just as the Sun was the supreme deity whence all life derives, so on earth the phallus was its "vice-regent" and the supreme power as giver of life.

With the advent of monotheistic religions, the phallus became an object of taboo in an effort to disguise its "holiness." But this was not everywhere true. Until recently in Naples and other Italian cities, giant images of the phallus were carried in religious processions, along with the saints and other holy artifacts.

The God Priapus, attempted to rape the sleeping goddesses and mortal maidens after an Olympic feast. In punishment by Zeus he was banished to his bees and vines, to hide himself forever from the sight of men. Ever since, in revenge, winged phalloi have surreptitiously dominated historical erotic art. The wings portray the phalloi in their extremis as totally liberated and unconnected to any distracting mere person. The phallus is, in fact, the destroyer of ego and individualism bar none.

Of course the phallus remains an object of fascination and obsession for homosexual and savage alike. Even for the ordinary man, however, it engages him for life in an unconscious participation mystique with his brothers, from which he never really departs. It is symbolized by an endless parade of objects: the key, the wand, the baton, the scepter, the sword, the maypole, the battering ram, the Tibetan stupa, the Egyptian obelisk, the cathedral, the American skyscraper, the automobile, the airplane, the horse, the serpent, the bull, volcanoes, monoliths, trees, flowers of all kinds and even fire. In the modern American male's domain, also loom large the pistol and the rifle -- serving in countermeasure, as instruments capable of expelling the seeds of death, as the penis expels the seeds of life.

For the magician the phallus is much more than an organ of generation or a source of debauchery. It is a font of energy that can be channeled and funneled in a variety of ways. On the other hand, the power of the witch sometimes, though not as a general rule, derives from an astute understanding of how to subvert or divert this organ to her own purposes. The feminine mystique, however, is infinitely more complicated than males understand and finds its center far beyond the genital zone.

In our era of total damnation, however, since semen now carries death as well as life, the scientists who created the HIV plague have made a mockery of procreation. (See NIANTIEL.)

(See also: PHALLUS, Magick, Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary, Body Mind and Soul, )