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Happy Double Freya's Day! Double Freya's Day is not a traditional holiday name but I think it conveys how special today is. Every Friday is Freya's Day, but this year we also have February 14th on a Friday.

I don't usually make a huge deal about Valentine's Day. Its origins are non-heathen, and many Asatruers and other Heathens celebrate a completely made up holiday today instead, Vali's Day. It was created based on the similarity of the names Vali and Valentine. Vali of course is one of our gods, but he's not a romantic figure. His personal story is about Odin setting up all the proper conditions, tools, and people to make Ragnarok happen correctly someday. The end of the world has to be done right so the next world can be better.

 Who do you love? What do you love? What are you passionate about? In these current crazy times of unrest, sometimes getting back to simplicity and what is truly important can be the most effective way to deal. This is still the contemplative season, and if you are able to go on a quiet winter retreat–even an overnight, I would highly recommend it. Journaling, self-care, walking in nature while the silent snow falls gently all around you–the spiritual revelations that can come can be deep and poignant at this time. Above all right now, tapping into the spiritual strength of nature–and our own inner reserves–can be the most powerful thing we can do. That and being there for others close to us that might be struggling or having a difficult time processing everything.

Phyllis in February

These are just a few of the many topics that our cherished return guest, author/teacher/activist Phyllis Curott brings to the table on the latest podcast episode of, “Women Who Howl at the Moon.” I enjoy having Phyllis back every year, as I tell her at the beginning of the show. She has such powerful insight and worthy advise to weather various storms, of all kinds. Speaking of which, we had quite a doozy, in the Midwest all day yesterday, well into the evening! So although we couldn’t fully appreciate the light of Grandmother Moon here last night, we can still feel the power of the February Quickening Moon tonight, Friday, and Saturday. Phyllis shares a wonderful ritual you can perform under the full moon’s light–especially if you have some privacy and warmer temperatures. However it could also be adapted to a back bedroom, where you can see and feel the full moonlight shining in on you through a window.

As my friend and I enter the store, we're met with a near-solid bank of red.

It's January 3, 2025.

“Gee, I wonder what holiday's coming up next,” she deadpans.

Have you noticed that, sometimes, a particular theme starts to follow you around? Often it may relate to the season. At the same time, there can be synchronicities that capture the attention and deliver a really personal message.

This happens to me a lot. I also really feel the lessons of the season as I celebrate each turn of the Wheel of the Year. I know I am not alone in this.

(Blog image by Tom LaBaff)

This is my first Valentine’s as a self-married woman.

I realize that many folks feel jaded about Valentine's Day. They see only the commercialized over-production number of it, and forget all about Lupercalia and the mating season for wolves. Perhaps simply because of those latter two facts, I do appreciate the day. It wasn't literally invented by Hallmark in the 20th Century, like Sweetest Day, for Goddess' sake. It can in fact be old-fashioned and sweet – if you enjoy it on your own terms. Please don't let anyone pressure you into dragging your honey to "Fifty Shades of Vanilla," or to blow hundreds at a 10-course meal at the trendiest restaurant, simply because it's the thing to do. In fact, why not do something totally unconventional:

Why not host an old-fashioned Valentine's Day party? You could send out the cute invites to people you'd like to join you – like the ones you exchanged in elementary school. Build some anticipation and surprise about the event. Don't create a page on Facebook. Do it old-school. Don't let anyone know who else will be there ahead of time.

Yes, it is that time of year again! It is hearts and flowers and candy time! Which also means that it is time for me to revisit a favorite literary genre: romance.

I am not ashamed to admit that most of the books on my e-reader are romance. They often contain elements of other genres (I am particular fan of science fiction romance, or sfr, and fantasy romance), but the lovey dovey stuff is definitely there. Since my first two posts on the topic (here and here), I have discovered several more books which should interest my fellow bibliophiles.