The pagan summer festival is a celebration that dates back to ancient times and is still observed by many today. This festival is typically held in the summer months and is a time for people to connect with nature and honor the changing seasons. During this festival, participants engage in various rituals and traditions that are meant to promote fertility, abundance, and good fortune. These rituals often involve dancing, singing, and the burning of bonfires. People may also decorate their homes and altars with flowers and offerings to the gods. One of the main ideas behind the pagan summer festival is the belief in the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of living in harmony with nature.
25-03-2019
Crazy Snack Beurs, Affligem (België)
Maandag 25 maart en 26 maart 2019
The three of us took a day trip outside Beirut to the beautiful Shouf Mountains and the picturesque village of Deir el-Qamar Monastery of the Moon , which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Because I had watched Janmarie feed her family in Cyprus, I knew the importance and love that goes into making nourishing and delicious food followed by sitting à la table en famille in Lebanese American households.
One of the main ideas behind the pagan summer festival is the belief in the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of living in harmony with nature. This is reflected in the rituals and practices that are carried out during the festival. The festival is also seen as a time for personal and spiritual growth, as participants are encouraged to reflect on their own lives and set intentions for the future.
People Who Pull the Magic Out of You
The important relationships in my life are best explained by this: Stick with people who pull the magic out of you and not the madness. These are the people who fill in my gaps with their strengths. They have characteristics I love and want to absorb when we are together. They are the ones with whom I am always comfortable.
I have written about my overseas friend, Janmarie in an earlier story, Hellenic Halloumi. We saw each other almost every day for the three years we overlapped while living in Nicosia, Cyprus. She came to my kitchen table on weekday mornings for coffee and conversation after dropping off her children at the International School.
In 1993, our family moved from Cyprus to Taiwan and the daily connection was left behind. It was before email and international phone calls were common so we lost touch with the changes in each other’s lives. In 2018, our last year living overseas, Janmarie was in Beirut, Lebanon while I was in Paris. She urged me to visit her before leaving Europe. I didn’t hesitate to say “yes”.
Friends are the family you choose. –Jess C. Scott
In an overseas lifestyle, friendships tend to be intense and become surrogate family on holidays, vacations, and for celebrations.
My mother visited us the first Christmas we lived in Taiwan. We had just arrived a few months earlier. She was surprised by the closeness and quality of friendships we had already established. She said that we were at a depth of relationship and caring about people we had known for only months that could take years to develop at home.
Having lived in Singapore and Cyprus before, we knew that filling in the details of our home away from home started with the people who came into our lives by chance…and shared geography.
Janmarie met me at the airport in Beirut. We slipped into easy conversation on the way to her apartment as if it had been 25 minutes instead of 25 years. She told me how important it was to her that I made the effort to come to her home, how much it honored her, and our friendship.
A true friend is one you can go extended periods without seeing or talking to, yet the moment you are back in touch it’s like no time has passed at all.–Ellie Wade
Janmarie’s plan was to immerse me in the beauty and culture of Lebanon. Generosity and freshly prepared food are hallmarks of Lebanese hospitality. After we arrived at her apartment, the dining room table was laid with an array of dishes made in preparation of my visit.
Because I had watched Janmarie feed her family in Cyprus, I knew the importance and love that goes into making nourishing and delicious food followed by sitting à la table en famille in Lebanese/American households. An abundant table with my friend’s vivacious spirit was the perfect beginning.
at janmarie’s tableJanmarie introduced me to Marti, an American of Lebanese heritage who grew up in Kansas and now lives upstairs. She is a scholar and an intellectual, studying the Quran with a private teacher, working her way through reading and reciting all of the holy prayers in Arabic. Marti became a new friend because of an old friend. We connected right away.
The three of us took a day trip outside Beirut to the beautiful Shouf Mountains and the picturesque village of Deir el-Qamar [Monastery of the Moon], which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Along the way we stopped for coffee and a typical pastry snack, ka’ak [Arabic for cake]. It was savory rather than sweet–a ring shaped bread “purse” filled with cheese and covered in sesame seeds. At lunchtime we dined al fresco, under trees overhanging a restaurant patio, with freshly prepared traditional dishes to share.
Coffe Care
Athinon street 9c
2020 Strovolos – Cyprus
It is a time for renewal and the beginning of a new cycle. Overall, the pagan summer festival is a time to celebrate and honor the beauty and abundance of the natural world. It is a time to come together as a community and reconnect with our ancient roots..
Reviews for "Pagan Summer Festivals for Families: Creating Meaningful Experiences"
1. John - 2/5 - The Pagan summer festival was a huge disappointment for me. It lacked organization and cohesion. The workshops and activities were poorly planned and I didn't feel like I learned anything substantial. The vendors were limited and not very interesting. Overall, the festival felt like a missed opportunity to celebrate and promote Paganism in a meaningful way.
2. Sarah - 1/5 - I had high hopes for the Pagan summer festival, but it fell far below my expectations. The atmosphere was chaotic and disorganized. The speakers lacked charisma and failed to captivate the audience. The food options were limited and overpriced. It was clear that the festival was more focused on making money than creating a positive and inclusive experience for attendees.
3. Michael - 2/5 - The Pagan summer festival was a letdown. The entertainment was lackluster and failed to engage the crowd. The performances seemed rushed and poorly executed. Additionally, the festival grounds were overcrowded, making it difficult to fully enjoy the experience. I left feeling unsatisfied and wishing I had spent my time and money elsewhere.
4. Emily - 2/5 - I was excited to attend the Pagan summer festival, but I left feeling unimpressed. The workshops and classes were disorganized, with some sessions starting late or overlapping. The presenters lacked expertise and were unable to provide insightful knowledge or guidance. Furthermore, the overall ambiance of the festival felt forced and inauthentic. I wouldn't recommend this event to anyone seeking a genuine Pagan experience.