The Naming of Norse Folk
The naming of kids is a difficult matter. It isn’t just one of your holiday games… ~ T.S. Eliot’s A Practical Book of Cats (sort of) I’m so excited! Our illustrious webmistress and esteemed friend had a baby this weekend! Pass the Topo Chico! Mom and son are in perfect health and everything is looking...
Walls, Corners, and Floor Space: Finding the Right Spot for My Ancestor Altar
Jax has written about ancestor worship and her ancestor altar. I talk to my ancestors often, especially this year, but I have yet to set up an altar. I’m in a nice big house now, which I have all to myself, and I have the “real estate†to dedicate space for my altar in a way...
Connecting to My Ancestors through Cooking, Building, and Making Mead
Guest blogger: Hjortronsylt Websites: Hjortronsylt, Red Oak Heathens Royal reader since: 2011 I am a princess because I play one on the internet. Also, I rock an apron and bake treats from scratch. ♕  ♕  ♕  ♕  ♕  ♕ “Is this thing on? Is anybody listening?” These are questions I often ask my ancestors when sitting with a...
Filial Piety in China Changes from Philosophy to Law
In Confucian philosophy, filial piety (xià o) is a virtue of respect for one’s parents and ancestors. [It] means to be good to one’s parents; to take care of one’s parents; to engage in good conduct … to bring a good name to one’s parents and ancestors; … to obtain the material means to support parents...
An Extraordinary Display of Love by Elephants in South Africa
When I was a girl, I fantasized about traveling to Africa. It started with Sunday matinees of old Tarzan movies. He was dreamy, no matter what actor was playing him, though I was partial to Johnny Weissmuller and Ron Ely. Africa was not just exotic, it was lush and seemed to hold promises for hopes...
