On the 17th, I performed the Reindeer Ritual with my virtual grove, which overall went really well.  On the 20th, my family and I did our Yule Eve stuff, and gave offerings to our Winter, Solar, and Hearth deities.  We thanked and said goodbye to Krampus and gave carrots and oatmeal to the Yule Goat and Tomte. Come Solstice morning, the kids tore through their stockings to see what the Yule Goat and Tomte brought them, and then we did our gift exchanges.  After a nap, I attended the Three Cranes Grove's Heliogenna, which honored the Hellenic Sun, Helios.   Rev. Dangler fire scrying for the omen.   Which was a message about rekindling our fires so we can help others do the same within our communities. In the evening, after a feast of hearty beef stew and chicken nuggets (for the picky eaters), it was time for the family's favorite ritual--Reindeer Mother.  Usually we make sun masks and dance with our jingle wands to raise energy, and even make rein...

In Modern Minoan Paganism, there is a holy day called the Feast of Grapes and it takes place on August 31st. It is a day to celebrate the Grape Harvest and honor the sacrifice of the Minoan God, Dionysus. Every year, during August and September, Dionysus is sacrificed with the grape harvest. If you're not a Minoan Pagan, and still want to do something similar, you can use this day as inspiration for your own celebrations. There's nothing wrong with creating your own days if there's nothing that fits your path. If it holds no special meaning to you, then what's the point? Inspired by Feast of the Grapes, I have the Sacrifice of Dionysus, August 13-September 13th. In the past, I've watched/attended drum circles, drum and trance, given offerings and sexual energy, and drank wine for Dionysus. There's also a short story in a book called 'Written in Wine' that is about Dionysus and the Spider Goddess Arachne–Her spiders protect His flesh and blood from pests ...