Greyhorn Pagans

  Irish immigrants brought the current tradition of carving pumpkins into Jack O’Lanterns to America. But, the original Jack O’Lantern was not a pumpkin. Pumpkins did not exist in Ireland in ancient times. Ancient Celtic cultures in Ireland carved turnips on All Hallow’s Eve, and placed an ember in them, to ward off evil spirits.   The Jack O’Lantern legend goes back hundreds of years in Irish history. The original legend (or story) is from ancient Celtic folklore in Ireland. Many of the stories, center around Stingy Jack. Here’s the most popular story: Stingy Jack was a miserable old drunk who took pleasure in playing tricks on just about everyone: family, friends, his mother and even the Devil himself. One day, he was at his favorite pub with the Devil. The Devil offered to buy Jack a drink in exchange for his soul. The devil transformed himself into a coin to pay for the drinks. But, Jack stole the coin and put it in his pocket where he kept a cross. The cross kept the Dev...

  At the end of summer the Holly King defeats the Oak King as ruler of the dark months of the year.   Druids considered holly sacred and used it around the winter solstice , and it’s symbolic importance is hidden in plain sight. The Holly King wore a Holly wreath as a crown and wore red. Remind you of anyone? Father Christmas . This is another fine example of how our lore will be covered up if we allow it to happen. Oak trees that are sacred to the Celts lose their leaves in Winter while the holly trees are green year round. But at the Winter Solstice the Oak King starts his new reign of dominance and the cycle starts anew. To celebrate the Holly King’s midwinter dominance, we decorate our homes with holly and ivy, in anticipation of the upcoming Yule season.

  The Dagda   Or  "The Good God" is a prominent god of the Celts especially in Ireland. While he is extremely wise the Dagda did not look like a wizard or a druid, but was described as more brutish, appearing closer to a modern strongman, his clothes rarely fit right and at times he was described as having a cock so long it dragged on the ground(!). It is unknown if this is symbolic of abundance which The Dagda was said to bring or if it was Christian mockery. The Dagda possessed several magical items including a club that could kill 9 men with a single swing and give life to the slain with a single touch of the other end, as well as a cauldron that was always full of food, which due to his incredible appetite was incredibly useful. The Dagda was one of the many kings of the gods but he is easily the most well known, his most famous consort is the Morrigan who he makes love to on Samhain bringing life into the land. A remarkably down to earth god despite his immens...