Holidays Archives - Page 2 of 4

The History of Oktoberfest (And Why It’s Not in October)

October 1st, 2022

Oktoberfest is famous worldwide as a festival packed full of lederhosen, cheer, and yes, lots and lots of beer. But what exactly is this festival, how is it celebrated, and why isn't it held in October?

ULC Minister Training & Education 8 Comments

How Different Faiths and Cultures Celebrate the Autumn Equinox

September 20th, 2022

Humanity has constructed many monuments to observe the sun's annual transit through the sky. The Autumn Equinox is a time to observe this change, though different faiths and cultures celebrate in their own ways.

ULC Minister Training & Education 16 Comments

Exploring Harvest Festivals From Around the World

September 7th, 2022

When we think of a harvest festival in the United States, you most likely think of Thanksgiving. But there are many harvest festivals around the world, from the yam festival in Africa to the Chuseok festival in Korea.

Uncategorized 2 Comments

Giving Thanks to the Yam: Facts About the Asogli Te Za

September 1st, 2022

The Festival of Yams, or the Asogli Te Za, is celebrated in Ghana. It's a time of revelry for a crop that's provided sustenance in times of hardship in this west African nation.

Uncategorized 1 Comment

Understanding the Moon Festival

September 1st, 2022

The Moon Festival, which is celebrated in many Asian countries, is an iconic and incredibly popular autumn festival. Sweet or savory mooncakes are baked and gifted in celebration of family and friends.

Uncategorized 2 Comments

The Real History of Easter: a Pagan Holiday

April 8th, 2022

How did colorful eggs and chocolate bunnies come to be associated with the Easter holiday? Many Easter traditions are actually borrowed from a pagan festival called Ostara, which celebrated the Goddess Eostre.

Pagan & Wiccan 68 Comments

How Shakespeare and Chaucer Helped Create Valentine's Day

February 8th, 2022

How did Valentine's Day go from a violent pagan fertility festival involving whips and sacrifices to the lovey-dovey holiday we know today? We can thank William Shakespeare and Geoffrey Chaucer for that.

Pagan & Wiccan 52 Comments

Six Traditional Chinese New Year Customs You Might Not Know About

January 28th, 2022

February 1st marks the beginning of the Year of the Tiger on the Chinese Zodiac. Celebrated as the Chinese New Year, this Spring Festival is one of the most celebrated and revered holidays around the world.

Uncategorized 19 Comments

As Holidays Wind Down, Three Kings Day Approaches in Spain

December 31st, 2021

While the holiday season is winding down for those of us in the United States, it's still in full swing until early January in Spain and Latin America, as they'll celebrate Three Kings Day on January 5th.

Christian 28 Comments

The Secret History of May Day

April 30th, 2021

Most people think of May Day as a festival about welcoming spring where people gather flowers and children dance around a pole. But did you know that celebrations on May 1st have a much deeper history?

Pagan & Wiccan 5 Comments

The Universal Life Church Ministries proudly welcomes all who feel called to get ordained, regardless of creed. We enable all faiths; Christian, Jewish, Mormon, Muslim, Pagan, Wiccan, Atheist – and more – to join our growing non-denominational congregation. Underlying everything we do is a simple core belief: that we are all children of the same universe.

Ready to share your thoughts? Click here to log in to your account. Not yet ordained? You can sign up in just minutes by filling out a free ordination application.