Come down out to Witchcraft District Bazaar for a day of fun, sales, seasonal featured items, treats, a raffle, and to meet the Yule Father and La Befana! Saturday, December 13, from 11am-6pm. Long before Santa Claus or St. Nicholas, there was Yule Father — Jólfąðr (literally translating to “Yule Father”), an ancient Norse name for Odin in his winter guise. He traveled during the Solstice accompanied by the Yule Goat, bringing gifts, blessings, and protection through the darkest nights. Alongside him arrives La Befana, the Italian Christmas Witch. Traditionally appearing on Epiphany Eve, she brings gifts to the good, […]
winter solstice
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The final episode of the official Infernal Legion Podcast for Year LIX is streaming now on Radio Free Satan! On this #SinisterScuttlebutt episode, we discuss connecting with your State/County Department of Veterans Affairs, THAT article from The Economist every veteran is talking about, winter holidays, and the coming new year. On The Tower, Magister Campbell discusses the VA stealing money from vets medically forced out of the service. Happy New Year, from the #WickedWarriors of the Infernal Empire! Stream Infernal Legion Podcast #049. Download Infernal Legion Podcast #049.
The Winter Solstice is again upon we denizens of the Northern Hemisphere. I find Nature’s eternal cycling inspiring, and always to be respected. As our days begin to lengthen, the chill outdoors contrast with our cozy indoor spaces here at The Black House in the Haunted Hudson Valley. During this holiday season, those of a more heathen bent might enjoy displaying a Yule Tree, as evergreens were used by European pagans to symbolize life’s endurance through the trials of the frigid months. And when ornamenting this vital conifer, one could include whatever brings personal delight. Our collection of decorative objects features […]
The Winter Solstice is again upon we denizens of the Northern Hemisphere. Nature’s cycling is inspiring, always to be respected, and as our days at last begin to lengthen, the gelid outdoors contrast with our cozy indoor spaces here at The Black House in the Haunted Hudson Valley. We enjoy having a Yule Tree, as evergreens, long before being usurped by Christians, were used by pagans to symbolize eternal life—survival through the season of stasis until the earth agains warms and becomes active with life energy. Our tree is decorated with fun talismans—dinosaurs, figures from Greek mythology, star ships, cartoon characters, […]
The Winter Solstice is again upon we denizens of the Northern Hemisphere. Nature’s might is awesome, always to be respected, and as our days at last begin to lengthen, the gelid outdoors contrast with our cozy indoor spaces here at The Black House in the Haunted Hudson Valley. In April of 1974, Isao Tomita released his album SNOWFLAKES ARE DANCING, which consisted of his arrangements of music by Claude Debussy for a Moog synthesizer and a Mellotron. Tomita’s sweeping, fanciful soundscapes captured a lush beauty that few expected could come from electronically generated sounds. The title work is a splendid means […]
From our garden here at The Black House—pictured is the thriving smoke tree planted in tribute to Magister Joe Netherworld—we offer Solstice greetings to all in harmony with the Earth’s seasonal changes! In the Northern Hemisphere we embrace the longest day of the year as sultry Summer begins. Those in the Southern Hemisphere mark the longest night as Winter begins its gelid dominion. Wherever on this wondrous planet you might be, it is always a delight to celebrate the glories of nature and the abundant pleasures that life offers! Here’s to a splendid new season filled with indulgences galore! Beethoven‘s […]
The Winter Solstice is again upon we denizens of the Northern Hemisphere. Nature’s power is awesome, always to be respected, and as our days begin to lengthen, the gelid outdoors contrast with our toasty indoor spaces here at The Black House in the Haunted Hudson Valley. Ralph Vaughan Williams scored the film SCOTT OF THE ANTARCTIC in 1948, which told the tragic tale of Scott’s failed Terra Nova expedition to reach the South Pole. RVW fashioned passages from this music into his Symphony No. 7 “Sinfonia Antartica” which was completed in 1952. Its five movements offer a sweeping aural rendition of […]
The Winter Solstice is again upon we denizens of the Northern Hemisphere here on our beautiful home world. I posit that some satisfaction can be had in feeling at one with the cycling of the seasons. Tonight we can enjoy the Great Conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn. Nasa explains: “It’s been nearly 400 years since the planets passed this close to each other in the sky, and nearly 800 years since the alignment of Saturn and Jupiter occurred at night, as it will for 2020.” This is a rare spectacle to glimpse, reminding us of the immensity of time and the […]
From our garden here at The Black House, we offer Solstice greetings to all in harmony with the Earth’s seasonal changes! In the Northern Hemisphere, we embrace the longest day of the year as sultry Summer begins. Those in the Southern Hemisphere mark the longest night as Winter initiates its gelid dominion. Particularly in this stressful time of pandemic and social unrest, connecting with the fecundity of our glorious home world is a means towards replenishing one’s energy and looking towards evolving our society in ways that are vital. As Nature flourishes, we note that we are also part of […]