Christmas Was Originally a Pagan Holiday. “The Scriptures are wholly silent as to the date of Christ’s birth. The 25th of December, the winter solstice, was not fixed as Christmas until a long time after the New Testament period. But despite serious objections, historical and otherwise, that date triumphed.’ The Julian Calendar was used during…
Category: Ancient Civilizations
Antioch – A Greek City in the Old Biblical Syria – Greek Settlements in Bible Lands
One of the Biblical accounts of the Birth of Jesus appears in the book of Luke. Most people believe that a physician named Luke wrote both the Biblical books of Luke and Acts. Most people think that Luke was of Greek heritage but that he was born in Antioch, which was a city in Ancient…
Leaders of Ancient Rome – First Century
For the past several days, I have been engaged by the television series Domina, which I believe you can view via Amazon Prime. I was prepared not to like this series, but when television is well done and seems to bear some semblance of history, I find myself wanting to know more. It is less…
November 1 – The Beginning of a New Year – Blessing of the Water
Yesterday was October 31, which–over time–has become the date of Halloween. Today is November 1, which–over time–has become [for Catholics and Christians] the date of All Saints Day. I have said this before, but again, I want to add that the Catholic Church and the Early Christians evoloved out of a Pagan Culture, and I…
Samhain – The Ancient Celtic Origin of Halloween – A Struggle to Light the Darkness
Over the years, I have read many explanations about the origin of Halloween. Until recently, no explanation stuck, but I am in the process of researching ancient civilizations, and I have begun to understand why and how the need to celebrate Halloween has been etched on our consciounesses. Before I begin this post, allow me…
Halloween – History and Mythology of an Ancient Harvest Festival
SUN-WORSHIP. THE SOURCES OF HALLOWE’EN “If we could ask one of the old-world pagans whom he revered as his greatest gods, he would be sure to name among them the sun-god; calling him Apollo if he were a Greek; if an Egyptian, Horus or Osiris; if of Norway, Sol; if of Peru, Bochica. As the…
Apple – Fruit and Dew of Heaven – Gift from the Eternal Hills
APPLE.—Whether the Apple, the Orange, the Pomegranate, the Fig, the Banana, or the Grape was the actual fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, which tempted Eve in Paradise, will possibly never be settled; but it is certain that not only is the Apple mystical above all the fruits of the earth, but it is the…
Anemone – Delicate Windflower – Passed Down from Antiquity
ANEMONE. Image Credit: Bluestone Perennials Anemone Robustissima Japanese Anemone, Windflower Vigorous and Extremely Hardy “Soft pink single, cup-shaped flowers float above attractive deep green foliage. The most adaptable of the Japanese Anemone. From late summer to fall, there is no flower quite like it in the border for providing late season color. The hardiest to zone…
Amaranth – The “Never-Fading” Emblem of Immortality – Favorite Family of Plants of the Ancients — Including Globe Amaranths and Cockscomb
AMARANTH.— Love Lies Bleeding Image Credit: Eden Brothers A unique growth habit of cascading pink plumes to attract pollinators Annual with bright red hanging blooms Easy to grow summer bloomer that’s great for cut flowers Thrives in bright, sunny growing areas Image Credit: Eden Brothers Red Garnet Antioxidant filled fuchsia leaves makes wonderfully rich microgreens…
Alyssum – A Healing Plant – Believed to Ward Off the Evil Eye
“Sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) is an annual native to the Mediterranean area which is popular with modern gardeners. “The plant is low growing, about 20 cm tall, with dense clusters of tiny flowers in white, lavender or pink and a sweet scent. “Other Names Sweet alyssum, Sweet Alison, madwort, healbite, sweet Alice, seaside lobularia, gum…