Friday, October 31, 2014

HALLOWEEN BLOG HOP 2014 -- SAMHAIN


SAMHAIN (pronounced sah-win, sow-in, sah-vin) is a Celtic word that means "summer end".

Blog that has Wheel of Year image
It is a the beginning of the Wheel of the Year and heralds the third and final harvest before winter.

In pagan and Wiccan religions, this is the time when the Goddess is in Her third aspect, the Crone.  She is symbolized by the waning moon.  It is said that the God dies before He is reborn at Yule, the Winter Solstice.  It is when those who have gone before are remembered.

It is believed that the veil between the worlds is thinned and that the dead could roam freely on the Earth.  One tradition during this time was called the Dumb (Silent) Supper.  As a sign of honor, a place was set at the table for the departed.  The plate was filled with food for their spirit guest.  The supper would be completely silent. It was believed that looking at the chair was bad luck.  Also, to placate any evil spirits roaming around, food was placed on the doorstep to ward them off.

Another tradition happened to be to wear a mask if one had to travel on that night.  It was to fool the spirits.

Where I found Pomona image
Even the Romans had similar traditions that were incorporated into Samhain.  Feralia -- when Romans commemorated the passing of the dead, and Pomona -- when the goddess of fruit and trees, Pomona, was honored.
Many use this time for divination.

As Catholicism spread, the church kept some of the practices from the original.  It was when All Soul's Day came about as well as the name All Hallow's Eve (Halloween) or All Saint's Day.

Interestingly Dia De Los Muertos has similar rituals as Samhain although it was an Aztec holiday.  It boasts of honoring the dead, spirit visitation, and the offering of food.

Originally it was a month long
Where my Google search found this image
celebration around August honoring the goddess Mictecacihuatl.  The Aztec were definitely not shy about the dead.  When Catholicism reached them, it was moved to the same time as Halloween.


Monday, October 27, 2014

REUTSWAY MYTHOLOGICAL CULTURES

Today Reuts has revealed the cultures for their projects.

They are:

–Egyptian

–Celtic

–Asian

–Eastern European

I'm a little sad to see that Native American, South American, and Oceanic ones are missing.  

I had some awesome creatures from a tribe in the Native American culture.  Sadly, I can't use it as a main story, but I will slip it in because I can and will.

Monday, October 20, 2014

REUTSWAY RULES POSTED

That's right.  The rules are posted on ther blog here: Reutsway Rules


Monday, October 13, 2014

REUTSWAY: THE REVEAL!

Reutsway
It's official!  We have a theme!

World mythologies!

Yeppers!  Now let's get out there and Start Your Research!

Hmm, that was sorta like cars start your engines . . . But it applies!  

Sunday, October 12, 2014

NANO TIME!


It's that time of year again!  It's the time of coffee, writing, coffee, writing, and STRESS!  That's right, folks!  It's NaNoWriMo time!  Woot!

30 days and 50k words.  Not that I have won.  I think I hit 15k last year.  So, I'm going for again this year.  

What can I say?  I like it!  I am masochistic enough to do it again for the third . . . Or is fourth time?  I don't remember.  

It is fun and rewarding.  So join in the crazy and write 'till your brain oozes out your ears and your fingers are numb!

Monday, October 6, 2014

REUTSWAY: THE RETURN!

Reuts
That's right Peeps!  Reuts is unfurling the red carpet on the second round of crazy madness for NaNo.

Not only that they have a sign up for the the cover reveal and blitz for the release of last year's project!

So if you have trouble with NaNo (Like Me!) then this will be a great opportunity for prompt writing under pressure!  Stress and coffee and coffee and coffee . . . and that brick wall staring you in the face called --DU DU DUN! -- The Deadline!!

Muhahahaha!!

Come join the fun!