Ancestor and Nature Spirits

Many "Nature Spirits" of Europe are also "Ancestor Spirits" as there are many Nature spirits that originate as the souls of the dead. The most notable of these is the House Spirits Such as Brownies, Domovoi, Lares, Fairy Godmothers, and Tomte. Though there are also spirits of natural areas and functions that begin their existence as the spirits of the dead. Some tales of Black Dogs include them originally being human spirits who take the form of these fertility spirits on the wild hunt or to interact with the living. These often become protective spirits to areas and people, or become Wind Hounds which bring fertility through the air. In the Slavic Areas and Beyond the Rusalki are the spirits of women who died and became river spirits. Perchta, an Alpine Goddess, is said to be Queen of the Ghost Children and caretaker of lost souls. Many of these child souls chose to stay with Perchta and become one of her many Perchten rather then to reincarnate or go to the ancestors.-TLK

I often see modern whites who live in western countries fetishizing after non-white indigenous people, and their culture, like the Native Americans, Hindus, Chinese, Japanese, etc.. Modern white westerners view the non-white indigenous people with great admiration and respect. Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with respecting, or admiring the non-white indigenous cultures that I’ve listed, or any indigenous culture for that matter. I respect any indigenous people who are working to preserve their ancestral knowledge & ways, their heritage. I am trying to point out that most modern white people who live in western countries simply do not understand that they too come from indigenous cultures. I think it is important to open their eyes, and make them understand that they are part of indigenous cultures. When it comes to having indigenous heritage, ancestral ethnic roots, ancient history, modern white people are no different from modern Native Americans or any other modern people who are called indigenous

Pagans have always guarded their folk-traditions closely and have understandably been deeply suspicious of anyone seeking to record our history.
This is not just the aftermath of oppression, persecution and marginalization by religious authorities, but they are a big part of our past.

Traditional heathenism, even in its modern form, can be spiritual or non-spiritual because it is not a religion, per-se but a state of being, or a way of life. It is, in fact, who we are and as such can co-exist as a folk culture, with any spiritual dimension or lack of it.

But now we see in modern times that eyes are being opened to the dangers of abrahamism, and the rich beauty that goes hand-in-hand with ethnic faith.

People are opting out of church pews in favor of seeking out gods of their forefathers, cultural enrichment, and a spirituality born out of the wilderness.

We would do well to remember this as we approach the ending of the year. The tide is turning, and our people are going back to the old ways as the death throes of organized religion howls through the land.

Get together with friends, family and pagan acquaintances during the time of MidWinter to celebrate and invite as many of our people as you can.
The heathen community is regarded in many ways as an extension of the family, in which all contribute, support each other in their daily lives and make lasting friendships that will allow us to thrive.

Bolo Rei is a Yule dessert sold in Portugal, usually with a a dried bean and metal charm hidden in the dough before food safety laws.
Finding the charm meant good luck for the coming year and the bean, that you'd be the one buying the cake next year.