Path Walkers

r festivals in the Mediterranean are fun and exciting to attend. The Festo de Sao Joao in Portugal is a grand celebration, while the ancient Ayia Elleni rituals in Greece are intriguing and interesting to watch. Attending a festival can give your luxury Mediterranean holiday an interesting twist. Festo de Sao Joao Midsummer festivals in the Mediterranean are momentous occasions. One of the most entertaining is the Festo de Sao Joao in Porto, Portugal. If you incorporate this festival into your Mediterranean holiday, you are sure to experience the Portugese culture and enjoy yourself. Celebrated in midsummer to remember Sao Joao (Saint John), the patron saint of Porto, this entertaining festival...

Getting married, or tying the knot, can be exciting not only for the bride and groom but for their family and friends who are looking forward to several weeks or months of preparation. But what if tying the knot literally meant just that? Would it still be as exciting? Unknown the many people, the act of getting married has been called tying the knot because some people really do tie the knot when they get married. Tying the knot or handfasting is a wedding ritual where the bride and groom clasp their hands together before it is tied up by a ribbon or a cord. The tying of the knot can be done by the guests or the wedding officiant. How would you like to have a trial marriage by handfasting? This was...

The joy. The anticipation. The delight. As a child, Halloween was one of my favorite things. Better even than Christmas which was always bitter sweet for me because we were not well to do and my little sister always wanted everything that I got as well as her own presents. My parents always urged me to just let her play. But Halloween, now there was something! I had my own paper bag that had my name printed on it. Anything in that bag was mine and mine alone. No pilfering, playing with or "borrowing" allowed. But more than that, I got to be anything I wanted to be (well, within monetary limits). Usually, it was something fun like Sleeping Beauty or Annie Oakley. I wasn't much into the scary stuff...

This has been around a lot longer than many of us would think, but how did pole dancing originate and where did come from? The form of pole dance we know today and its origins can be traced back to exotic performance dance arts. The first recorded striptease dates back to a myth from ancient Sumerian times involving Inanna, the Goddess of Love, and her descent into the underworld to find her lover Damouz. At each of the seven gates, she removed an article of clothing or a piece of jewellery. As long as Inanna remained in hell, the earth was barren. When she returned, the earth again became abundant and fruitful. Some believe this myth evolved in the 'Dance of the Seven Veils' of Salome from the...

Widely regarded as an all-America holiday, Thanksgiving Day is commonly believed to commemorate the Pilgrims' survival of a hard winter and successful harvest early after their arrival in America. But is there more to this holiday tradition? And should you celebrate it? Harvest festivals date back thousands of years, and were traditionally a time to give expressions of gratitude and sacrifices to various gods in appreciation of a bountiful growing season. Fall Equinox, which generally falls around September 21 or 22 in America, is a popular time for harvest festivals and has been associated with celebrations in cultures around the world including Druids, Mayans, Native Americans and others, and...

People from all over the world celebrate Christmas in so many different ways and you will be quite surprised at the stories behind many of these Christmas traditions. Did you even know that Christmas Day, the 25th of December, was previously a holiday which can be transferred from one date to another? It was not only in the 4th century AD when Pope Julius I made it official and set December 25th as Christmas Day. This day matched the pagan ritual for the winter solstice also known as the feast for the Return of the Sun. It was meant to reinstate a Christmas celebration in place of the pagan ritual. As for how the rest of the world celebrates Christmas, here they are. France - Christmas in France is...

Unless you are a Celtic pagan (and they are out there so I don't mean to slight them) and a number of others, your New Year comes at the beginning of January. I have collected the phrase "Happy New Year" in several different languages so that you can either impress (or annoy) your friends, or actually use the phrase to someone who doesn't speak English. Although the Hebrew New Year is actually Rosh Hashanah (usually sometime in September), you can say "shana tova" at both New Years. For your Spanish speaking friends you can use "Feliz Ano ~Nuevo" with great gusto. What about if you know someone who speaks Irish? You can use "Bliain nua fe mhaise dhuit" but don't ask me how to pronounce it. The...

#ffffff;" /> Padstow is a small fishing town nestled around a bustling harbour on the North Cornwall coast, just a few miles from Newquay. After a period of decline during the 1960’s, Padstow has emerged as one of the most popular locations on the North Cornwall coast, offering a wide range of attractions, accommodation and stunning coastal and country scenery that make a visit to this part of the south west one to be remembered. But if you’re still unsure, take a quick look at our Padstow Holiday Guide for a little taste of this remarkable village. Padstow is situated on the west side of the Camel estuary and is designated as an area of outstanding natural beauty. The town itself has an...

Christmas season celebrations in Australia Violet Teague (1872-1951), Adoration of Shepherds, 1931, oil on canvas. Photograph by Colin Holden. Image courtesy of Anglican Church of Australia Archive. Christmas is celebrated in many parts of the world on 25 December. Protestant and Roman Catholic churches hold Christmas Day services on 25 December. The Eastern churches - the Ethiopian Orthodox church, Russian Orthodox church and the Armenian church - celebrate Christmas on 6 or 7 January. There have been rituals, parties and celebrations at this time of year for thousands of years. The birth of Jesus Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus is 'the son...

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge as long as the by-lines and resource box are included. A courtesy copy of the publication would be appreciated sent to the email address listed below the article. Thank You. __________________________________________________________ Article Excerpt from The Emmaus Journal © C.L. Mareydt d23 _______________________________________________________________ The Emmaus Journal - "Somebody Please Stop The Merry Go Round - I Have To Get Off!" 'Stop, somebody please stop the merry-go-round, I have to get off.' Do those words bring back any childhood memories? I can remember that exact phrase coming out of my mouth as a...

Do you have vine tattoos? If you do and you're like most people, chances are you don't now much about the history and symbolism behind them. This is a pity because vine tattoos are actually replete with meaning. Back in the day, vines were not worn casually. They carried special meaning for the wearer. Some wore them to assert their cultural heritage. Others wore them to express their beliefs in a lifestyle or a religious mantra. Religious Symbol Early Christians looked upon the ivy and the grapevine as pagan symbols. Accordingly, a grapevine crown was seen as the symbol of gluttony. Fortunately, modern Christian perception of vines have long since undergone a dramatic change. Today, the vine is...

History of Cremation – The history of cremation or the practice of burning rather than burial of the deceased refers to the disposal of a human body by burning in a crematorium furnace or crematory fire. Bodies of the deceased can also be burned in a crematorium pit or trench, or, on occasion, in the house in which they lived. Cremation practices are historically very ancient and widespread, and are the second most common way to dispose of the dead, after burial. Disposal of the cremated remains often shows the most variation; the most common practice both historically and contemporaneously is to house the ashes in a pottery vessel or decorative urn. The container can then be buried or put on...

When it comes to christmas tree decorating the latest fad is the upside-down christmas tree. Is there any good reason besides the fact that it is a really hot xmas trend that you should actually buy one of these? First of all it may help a bit to look a bit at the history of the upside down xmas tree. That might help you decide if this type of christmas tree is for you. The upside-down christmas tree comes from the pagan tradition of spreading evergreen boughs across the floors, windows and hearth in order to keep evil spirits from invading the home. This tradition was celebrated by cultures as diverse as the Celts, the Romans and the Vikings long before the time of Christ. You have to remember that...

The written word is a powerful medium. Around the time when the alphabet was first created, Goddesses were worshipped in most parts of the world. The word "witchcraft" did not exist and the words "pagan", "heathen" did not exist either. Cultures lived by following natural cycles of life by taking care not to destroy more than they had to. Words written, mostly from a male perspective started the downfall of the feminine themed ways of life including witchcraft. There is evidence of temples and places of worship where Goddesses were revered and rituals performed for the good of mankind. Fertility rituals, seasonal rituals and other ceremonies were conducted usually officiated by women as they are the...

In a time when technology has reshaped our brains to think like computers, one thing is certain: the spectrum of unexplainable phenomena and circumstances remains unsolved. It is this gap between scientific fact and mystery what can empower humans to either achieve all their dreams or lead a life of struggle and pain. UFOs, ghosts, religion, pagan rituals, urban legends, lucky charms and rituals, curses, witchcraft, astrology, mysticism, magic, and celestial human powers, to name only a few, form a group of behaviors and beliefs called superstitions. According to some sources, superstition means rejecting change or progress, and it is commonly associated with preserving traditions in rural areas far...

Though tiki culture peaked during the 1950s and 1960s, today tiki collectibles remain popular with a wide group of enthusiasts. In fact, according to many, there is currently a resurgence of tiki culture. Those who weren't old enough to remember the original decor are gravitating towards this unique and exotic style. As some have noted, the appeal of tiki is nearly universal. Today, vintage mugs are coveted collectors' items, and they are quickly scooped up from any thrift store or antique shop. As the majority of tiki bars and restaurants closed throughout the 80's, and 90s, such stores were flooded with tiki mugs and other wares, where they sat untouched. Though they once collected dust as relics...

It's upon us! The Spring Equinox! A magical interface between Earth and the Cosmos. But what does it mean? Well, let's start off with some basic astronomy. Although it's true that the Earth goes round the Sun, it appears that the opposite is happening. The Sun appears to be going through the twelve signs of the Zodiac, and twice a year it crosses the equator. These crossings are the Spring and Autumnal Equinoxes. Around March 20 or 21 the Sun crosses the equator from south to north. It's the beginning of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere - for example in Europe and North America. By contrast it's the beginning of Autumn in the Southern Hemisphere, in countries such as Argentine, Australia and New...

In Thurgungia region of Germany in the early 700s, St. Boniface felled a particularly massive tree called the "thunder oak" and a chapel was built from its wood. Though the region was supposed to be largely Christian, it was politically unstable. Roaming bands of murderous and thieving hooligans were not uncommon, making travel unsafe. At that time, the area was largely illiterate and many who were superstitious, were amazed St. Boniface was not struck by lightning for cutting down the tree. Some accounts assert a fir sapling grew out of the trees stump the following spring. Other accounts hold the sapling grew where the mighty tree's shadow would have been. The writings of St. Boniface tell us, he...

Have you ever heard the phrase people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones? Maybe your more familiar with what Jesus said he that is without sin cast the first stone (John 8:7). Before you begin to attack or find fault in others examine yourself first. Imagine a family of people that keep their house dirty but they tell all of their neighbors to keep their house clean. That family is living in delusion because they have not taken care of business themselves yet they point fingers at others. In many ways the church has grown to become the hand that points an index finger only to discover three fingers pointing back at us. There is so much controversy amongst believers about how non believers speak...

Most of us grew up singing Christmas carols, learning the lyrics to classics such as Jingle Bells or Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, at a very young age. But believe it or not, carols have been sung for thousands of years and didn't start for the sake of Christmas. They were sang pagans who were celebrating Winter Solstice. Carols were accompanies by celebrations and people dancing around stone circles. This is why the word carol is actually has Greek roots, originally pronounced choraulein, meaning "an ancient circle dance performed to flute music." Because the carols became a custom and tradition, early Christians decided to take over the celebrations rather than ban them, changing out the songs...

Verse 3:75 of the Quran talks about the trustworthiness and treachery of the followers of the Scripture, some are honest and the others are dishonest. Verse 3:76 honors those who keep their promise and says that Allah loves those who guard against evil. Verse 3:75 in different translations QARIB: Among the people of the book there are some, who, if you trust him with a "qintar" (98,841.6 lbs.), will return it to you, and there are others, who, if you trust him with a "dinar" will not hand it back unless you stand over him, for they say: 'as for the common people, they have no recourse to us. 'They say lies against Allah while they know. SHAKIR: And among the followers of the book there are some such...

The art of body tattooing has been a known art brought about by our ancient civilizations; and through the years, such art has been well-loved by millions of people. In fact, countless Pagans and several other civilizations made use of such Celtic Cross tattoo designs as a mark for the transition experienced by boys who are geared to turning into adults or men of the society. Here are other several things you should know about Celtic Cross tattoo designs in order to have a deeper understanding of such works of art. In most of the cultures, tattooing has become an emblematic work of art linked to rituals and ceremonies to signify the arousing of astral bodies through the use of pain.In fact, there...

When they need a financial breakthrough, most people have no trouble asking God for help. As Christians, we are taught to "make our requests known" through prayer. We understand that there is power in prayer. We understand that there is power in prayer. And when you have an urgent financial need, you don't have time to wait. You need all the power you can get and you need it fast! Right? Unfortunately, too often, we fail to see that power work in a timely manner-if at all. But how can that be? Scripture assures us that God hears our prayers and is faithful to answer, right? So what's the problem? Why don't we get what we're asking God for-when we need it? To achieve your financial breakthrough you...

Whether you're Irish or simply love Irish traditions and holidays, St. Patrick's Day brings Irish cheer to many people around the world. St. Patrick's Day is a celebration of all things Irish, commemorated on March 17 when many families gather and serve cabbage, corned beef, and delightful mint chocolate pies. Some cities even celebrate by changing entire bodies of water to the color green to remember the beloved St. Patrick. The holiday also sparks a tradition of shopping for and wearing Irish t-shirts and apparel, usually the color green. People celebrate by wearing cute Irish accessories and fun clothing to create humor on the holiday. Brief History of St. Patrick's Day The holiday remembers St...

Parents choose saint names for their babies. It is believe that the saint names control the destiny of the baby such as meaningful life, career, and relationships. By faith, the saint acts as a patron or guide throughout life of an individual. The saint names are given to babies in baptism on Catholic Church. The baptism which is a religious ceremony purifies the babies and signifies Christian membership. Using the holy water, the religious minister purifies the baby. In many countries, they celebrate the saint day as the birthday of the baby. Sometimes, the parents choose name the baby with the saint on the actual birthday. And, the family celebrates the saint day and birthday at the same time. The...

The first battle of Islam is called the Battle of Badr. It took place in the month of Ramadan in 2 AH, with the Holy Prophet (saw) and the Believers on one side and the Pagans of Makkah on the other. On the Muslim side the "army" consisted of 313 ill-equipped, tired and hungry Believers. The accounts mention that there were only 2 horses and 70 camels. As for weaponry, some had swords but no bows and arrows, others had spears but no swords and as for the protective armour, it was almost non-existent. If they came well-equipped with anything then it was the light of imaan. The Mushrikeen of Makkah on the other hand consisted of an army 1000+ strong, armed to the teeth, well fed and well supplied with...

Ptolemaios Soter, (ruler of Egypt 323-283 BCE) started the building of the library of Alexandria. It was destined to be the greatest library ever for several hundred years. He also built the temple of the Muses from which the word 'museum' derives. His intention was to gather the world's most important scrolls under the same roof, and translate them to Greek. The Library deserves some thoughts by any one who appreciates any kind of written records, but also because it has been the greatest lost of knowledge, ever. It was under the protection of all the Kings and Queens of the Ptolemaic dynasty, and was continually expanding. The library is believed to have stored 400,000 to 700,000 parchment scrolls...

Easter is the time of year when all Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ after he was crucified on the cross. It is probably the most celebrated occasion in the Christian calendar. It is even more important than Christmas itself. Easter itself is the culmination of forty days in which time Christians pray, fast and reflect. That time is called Lent. The forty days are said to represent the forty days that Jesus was out in the wilderness alone and where he overcame many temptations of the devil. The week before Easter itself is the Holy Week. Thursday is known as Maundy Thursday and is the day Jesus had the last supper with his disciples then Good Friday is the day Jesus was...