Category Archives: Epiphany

La Befana: Ancient Goddess, Santa’s Precursor, or Christmas Witch?

Posted on January 5, 2024 by David Taliesin

I was hooked the first time I heard about her: La Befana, the “Christmas Witch.” The first figure I saw of her while traveling in Italy was an elderly “nonna” (grandmother) who was dressed in peasant clothing with a kerchief … Continue reading →

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The Magi’s Blessing: Chalking the Door

Posted on January 4, 2024 by David Taliesin

I came across a wonderful tradition which I will have to research further to learn a little more about it’s origins. According to Pagan Christmas, “Even today, priests go from house to house in the Black Forest on January 6, … Continue reading →

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Time Keeps On Ticking

Posted on January 2, 2022 by David Taliesin

People mark time in different ways. Some of us carry a physical calendar with us to keep track of events and appointments. Others use a virtual one on our cell phones. Some have four seasons and all the delightful changes … Continue reading →

Posted in Advent, Beltane, Christmas, Easter, Epiphany, Imbolc, Lent, Liturgical Calendar, Lughnasadh, Mabon, Midsummer, Ostara, Samhain, Wheel of the Year, Yule | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Myrrh: From Birth to Death and Everything In-Between

Posted on January 1, 2016 by David Taliesin

On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. [Matthew 2:11, NRSV] When most people … Continue reading →

Posted in Christmas, Epiphany, Herbology, Incense | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments