The American celebration of Halloween is spreading all over the Western world, it seems. At least in the Netherlands, where I live, it has reached mainstream culture. Last month, stores sold creepy decoration and many a Halloween party could be visited in your favourite spooky outfit. Halloween as American import I’ve noticed there are two … Continue reading Re-Enchantment during Halloween
folklore
Zwarte Piet/Black Pete, a short history+update on the cultural debate
As many undoubtedly know, the celebration of Sinterklaas has been the centre of a heated cultural debate in the Netherlands in the past years. It was not so much about Sinterklaas himself, but mostly about his help, Zwarte Piet - or Black Pete in English. According to some (and later many) Piet was sorely in … Continue reading Zwarte Piet/Black Pete, a short history+update on the cultural debate
Dutch review of “De Heilige Nachten” by Mirjam van Donselaar
This book review is in Dutch, because the book has (so far) only been published in Dutch: Er was ooit een tijd dat je met een lantaarn op zoek moest om een boek over hekserij of heidendom te vinden. Ik kan me herinneren hoe ik als jonge heks eind jaren ’90 meemaakte hoe dat veranderde. … Continue reading Dutch review of “De Heilige Nachten” by Mirjam van Donselaar
Ostara and the historical accuracy of deities
Lately I was reminded of this meme from a few years ago: It was apparently sent out by a community of skeptics - mostly to use as a means to discredit the christian celebration of Easter. Pagans fell over themselves to tell how wrong the meme is. And indeed, it's baffling that skeptics (of all … Continue reading Ostara and the historical accuracy of deities
Holda’s visit
Finally, winter has shown its pale face here in the Netherlands. Last week, temperatures dropped below zero (seems almost a miracle these days). The earth , plants and trees were covered in a glittering blue layer of frost, which became all the more enchanting when the rising sun shone its pink-golden light over the world. … Continue reading Holda’s visit
‘Bruegel’s Witches’ exhibition in Utrecht
It's the witching season, and Museum Catharijneconvent in Utrecht has dedicated a temporary exhibition to just this theme. Catharijneconvent focuses on the preservation of Dutch christian art and history, so witchcraft may seem a strange subject. But it's really not, if you realize that a lot of information about witchcraft in the Middle Ages and … Continue reading ‘Bruegel’s Witches’ exhibition in Utrecht
The magic of landscapes
When starting this website, I wanted to focus as much as possible on Dutch heathenism, witchcraft and folklore. I soon stumbled upon a problem: 'the Netherlands' as we now know them are only 200 years old. The borders we have now were unheard of in ancient times. What's more, many people who lived in this … Continue reading The magic of landscapes
thimsternisse 