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Holy Daze: Guru Nanak Gurpurab (November 28th, 2012) – Sikhism
Guru Nanak was the first Sikh Guru, and is considered the founder of the religion. Sikhs celebrate the anniversary of the births or martyrdoms of the ten Gurus during remembrance days known as Gurpurabs. The festival celebrating Guru Nanak’s birthday falls on the full moon in the month of Kartik. In preparation for the festivities,…
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Holy Daze: Diwali (November 13th, 2012) – Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism
Diwali, popularly known as the “Festival of Lights” is an important festival in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism. All three traditions share this sacred day, however, the significance and meaning of the day differs. I think many of you will also note some striking similarities around the spiritual metaphors between this revered Eastern holiday with one…
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Holy Daze: Samhain (October 31st, 2012) – Wiccan/Neopagan
For many, October 31st marks Halloween, a day for dressing up in scary (and not-so-scary) costumes and going door-to-door trick or treating. For others though, this day is the most sacred day of the year. Wiccans and Neopagans celebrate this day as the New Year and end of the harvest. It is a day when…
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NRMs: Jediism
I’ve wanted to write about this new religion for a while now. Mostly because it was inspired by one of the greatest movie franchises in the history of cinema, but also because I keep company with various geeks, freaks, and assorted fanboys/girls who I thought would appreciate this post. That being said, let’s chat about…
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The Puck Stops Here
If you perch here regularly then you’ll know that I don’t just squawk and chirp about religion. This is one of those times when something else has gotten my feathers in a ruffle. Let’s address the 2012 NHL Lockout (isn’t it sad that we’ve even resorted to dating the lockout?). Personally, I just find it ridiculous that millionaires…
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Holy Daze: Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4th, 2012) – Catholic Christian
St. Francis of Assisi was an Italian Catholic friar and preacher born in the 12th century. Despite being born into wealth, he dedicated his life to living in poverty and prayer. He was known to wander and minister to lepers. St. Francis was also known for his love of animals. He is often depicted surrounded…
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Holy Daze: Sukkot (September 30th, 2012 – October 7th, 2012) – Judaism
Sukkot is an annual week-long harvest festival that follows the solemn holiday of Yom Kippur. It is sometimes referred to as the Feast of Booths. Historically, it commemorates the years that the Israelites wandered the desert following the revelation at Mount Sinai. Sukkahs, or huts, are traditionally built during this holiday to represent the temporary…
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NRMs: Fellowship of Isis
Founded in 1976 at Clonegal Castle, Ireland, the Fellowship of Isis (FOI) was formed to foster closer unity between individuals and the Goddess. The founders include former clergy with the Anglican Church, Lawrence Durdin-Robertson (1920-1994); his wife and clairvoyant, Pamela (1923-????); and Lawrence’s older sister and surviving founder, Olivia Robertson (1917-). Claiming a hereditary lineage…
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Holy Daze: Meskel (September 27th, 2012) – Ethiopian Orthodox Christian
Meskel is an annual religious festival celebrated in Ethiopian Orthodox and Eritrean Orthodox Churches to commemorate Saint Helena (mother of Constantine the Great) finding the True Cross (the cross upon which Jesus was crucified). Typical celebrations include dancing, colourful processions, feasting and the lighting of a giant bonfire known as a Demera. The lighting of…