The Akitu festival falls on the first day of the Babylonian and Assyrian month of Nisan near the Spring Equinox (March or April). Akitu...

The Four Holy Beasts (四聖獸), Dragon, Phoenix, Tortoise, and Unicorn, are integral to Taiwanese culture. Each beast represents unique...

Pan is the wild rustic god of shepherds, flocks and music. Originating in Arcadia, Greece, Pan embodies the essence of wilderness. He...

Hildegard von Bingen is a German Benedictine abbess and polymath often called the Sibyl (Prophetess) of the Rhine. She transcends...

A vibrant golden spice, turmeric captivates kingdoms, heals the sick and rules the routes of the spice trade. The humble root has a long...

Venice during the Renaissance emerges as a vibrant center of art, culture and commerce, influencing the broader European scope. The...

In alchemy the Red King and White Queen are vibrant with meaning. Their union or sacred wedding, hieros gamos, reflects alchemical...

The hieros gamos, a sacred or spiritual marriage, involves the union of archetypal figures in ancient rebirth cycle mysteries and in...

The menat necklace can be worn by any gender. Fundamentally it protects against evil spirits and malevolent magic, makes women fertile...

Sweet oranges in Europe and northern regions are a special treat at Christmas, going back to St Nicolas of Myra (270 - 343) in today's...

Gibil, also called Girra in Akkadian, is the Mesopotamian Fire God. He's associated with both the positive, nurturing, benevolent aspect...

The flooding of the Nile comes at the rise of the Dog Star Sirius . Festivals abound and people create agriculture calendars around it....

Sekhmet is Goddess of War and medicine. Sites of worship include Memphis, Egypt, with husband Ptah and son Nefertum in a divine...

An ancient creator God of Egypt, Ptah is deity of creativity, artists, crafters, architects, sculptors, stone masons, metal workers and...

The Hittites are first noted in tablets of trade found at the karum of Kanesh ( Kültepe ) in Anatolia, modern day Turkey. The Hittite...

The Feast of Zagmuk begins in March and lasts twelve days. The name Zagmuk comes from the Sumerian term for 'beginning of the year'. The...

Liber is an ancient Roman wine god whose feast Liberalia is celebrated March 17. He predates Bacchus; early historians see Liber as a...

Rough horsetail ( Equisetum hyemale ) is the oldest known plant in the world, and also makes beautiful music. Dating back to 150 million...

Belsnickel comes from the Rhineland-Palatinate region of Germany. Part of the spirit of the season, Belsnickel is male but often dresses...

Tannenbaum is often equated with Christmas tree. Fir is best for the holidays. Its branches have flat soft foliage, it's easy to hang...