Category: Daily Posts

A Thought for Today

I have found the happier I am the less pain I have. While it is not always easy to be happy or find a reason to laugh, I make it a point to find at least one reason every day to have a good belly laugh. These are usually provided by one of our fur kids or Big Dawg.

I think it was last Saturday we had about 2 inches of snow on the ground, and it was still flurrying I went outside and made a snow angel. The last two years when we had snow it was too dang cold to go out to do anything more than shovel or take our fur kids out to use the bathroom so as much as I wanted too no snow angels got made. I put a challenge on my personal Facebook page for other “grown-ups” top let their inner child out, make a snow angel or snowman/woman and post the picture as a comment. Guess what? I didn’t get one person to take up the challenge. Here in the northern hemisphere winter officially is still 21 days away but it doesn’t mean we won’t get snow unless you live someplace that it stays to warm all year long to get any. So, I challenge each of you to make a snow man/woman/angel or whatever send a picture of it to ladybeltane@witchesofthecraft.com and I will do a special post of all our pictures and continue updating until there’s no more snow on the ground to make something. Pictures from actual children will be accept to. Even better a grown-up and child’s creation will get top spots in the post.

So, who’s with me to let our inner children have some fun in the snow whether it is with our children or grandchildren or not?

Full Moon November 2023: The Beaver Moon’s Spectacular Spiritual Meaning

Full Moon November 2023: The Beaver Moon’s Spectacular Spiritual Meaning

The Full Moon of November 2023 brings the Beaver Moon with it. These diligent animals have begun their annual ritual of preparing for Winter. Their spiritual meaning reminds us it’s time to say goodbye to Autumn and welcome the coming of Winter. It’s okay to let go of the past and move forward toward new dreams.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, great knowledge and strength can be found in the beaver’s art of patience and tenacious creation. For Pagans, witches, and spiritual practitioners, November is sometimes regarded as the beginning of a new year because it follows the final harvest season of Samhain.

Every full moon has its own name based on the month or the season in which it appears. Creating a name for each full Moon allowed people to reflect on each season and how it affects them AND the natural world. There can be some variation on the Full Moon names due to the origins from whence they came.

Most Full Moon names are English translations of Native American names; others are rooted in Celtic, European (Anglo-Saxon and Germanic), and more recent Neo-Pagan origins. I created a guide to each Full Moon, complete with their meanings and how you can celebrate

Please note that I make every effort to ensure this information is correct and accurate through my own experiences and referencing sources throughout OR at the bottom of this article.

Table of Contents

Native American Heritage Day 2023: Activities, History, FAQs, Dates, and Facts

Native American Heritage Day 2023: Activities, History, FAQs, Dates, and Facts

NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY DATES

YEAR DATE DAY
2023 November 24 Friday
2024 November 29 Friday
2025 November 28 Friday

Native American Heritage Day 2023: November 24 is observed as National Native American Heritage Day, the day following Thanksgiving. This day is dedicated to the celebration of the diverse cultures, contributions, achievements, and heritage of Native American. Native Americans are the originators of American history, and the bald eagle depicted on the U.S. shield is an Iroquois emblem. While commemorating this day, one may admire exhibitions of their distinctive recipes and cultural attire while also voicing opposition to the heinous injustices they have endured.

The History of National Heritage Day

In 1912 and 1915, Dr. Arthur C. Parker of the Seneca tribe initially staged a demonstration in opposition to National Native American Heritage Day. Initially, he advocated for the recognition of “American Indian Day” by the Boy Scouts of America. President George H. W. Bush signed the legislation in 1990 with the intention of designating the day after Thanksgiving as American Indian Heritage Day. Congressman Joe Baca had proposed it.

November 28 was designated by law as Native American Heritage Day, in remembrance of their innumerable contributions to the United States. 184 tribes recognized by the federal government and the National Indian Gaming Association (NIGA) both contributed.

Through activities and ceremonies, Native American Heritage Day encourages individuals of all backgrounds in the United States to develop an appropriate appreciation for indigenous cultures. Additionally, educational institutions are recommended to augment their pupils’ consciousness regarding Native Americans through the implementation of classroom exercises that center on their historical background, significant contributions, and notable accomplishments.

The Native American Heritage Day Act of 2009 underwent technical changes after receiving initial approval from the United States House of Representatives, and all senators in the United States Senate subsequently approved those changes. By a unanimous vote, the House of Representatives re-approved the legislation, incorporating the amendments proposed by the Senate. President Barack Obama subsequently ratified the legislation into law on October 30, 2009.

Native Americans utilize Native American Heritage Day and Month as a significant opportunity to inform the public about their communities. They take the lead in discussions surrounding culture on this particular day, where they exhibit traditional footwear (“rocking the moccasin”) to honor their heritage and provide insight into the various tribal communities.

FAQs for National American Heritage Day

Which term is more suitable for use, Native American or American Indian?

Both expressions are suitable.

Do indigenous Americans remit taxes?

Indeed, they do. Individual Americans and their tribes both pay taxes.

How do communities function?

Tribes possess inherent entitlements to govern according to their own systems of governance. Numerous tribal governments have embraced constitutions as part of their organizational frameworks, whereas others continue to adhere to traditional methods of governance. It is common to refer to the chief, governor, president, or tribal chairperson as the governor of a tribe.

Observing Native American Heritage Day: A Guide

Recognize the realities

Observe documentaries or read books that accurately depict the history and culture of Native Americans. Visit an area-specific Native American museum or heritage center.

Participate in social activities

Engage in online forums or social media discussions to commemorate Native American Heritage Day. The #NativeFamily community on TikTok is renowned.

Prepare meals like an authentic Native American.

Specify a dish from Native America to prepare. Consider serving Three Sisters Soup, Pemmican, or a basic Buffalo Stew. Explore the rich recipes of Native American cuisine, which is famous.

Five Native American facts

The mean age of the population is 31.

Native Americans regard thirty-one as the age of middle age.

A minority of Native Americans possess advanced degrees.

8% of Native Americans aged 25 and older hold a professional or graduate degree.

They hold more than 24,000 companies.

Alaska Natives and American Indians own approximately 24,503 enterprises in the United States.

Hundreds of Indian communities exist.

There are 574 Indian tribes that the federal government recognizes as of 2020.

It is the sequoia tree that bears its name.

The massive redwood honors Cherokee leader Sequoyah, who helped create the Cherokee alphabet.

 

A Thought for Today

For those who celebrated Thanksgiving Day yesterday I hope it was spent the way you fully enjoyed it! Today is just as important if not more so as it is a day to celebrate Native American Heritage Day! If not for the indigenous people of the USA there would not be a Thanksgiving Day. Even with the United States government forcibly moving these tribes and nations off the land the traveled and farmed for centuries before the first Europeans arrived on our eastern shores the land would be totally wild and untamed. We can learn a lot about living in harmony with Mother Earth and its natural inhabitants by looking to their way of life centuries ago for guidance. I am proud to be from the Choctaw tribe that broke off from the “Trail of Tears” in Louisiana. Many tribes and nations were effect negatively by being forced to march during a bitter winter to reservations where the US government thought they should live after stealing their land. Yes, I feel strongly about what did and is happening to all US indigenous people. It is with a heavy heart for those that died and were killed along the very long and dangerous journey that I celebrate this very important day! Please joining in lighting a candle and giving thanks for their continuing struggle to regain lands that were stolen or supposedly bought from all tribes and nations in our land!

A Thought for Today

Have a spectacular Saturday!

A Thought for Today

I am doing better but still nowhere near 100%. All the birthday horoscopes are caught up and posted on their respective dates. I got most of today’s regular posts done now I am going to lay back down. Turns out I had a really bad cold that weakened my already weak immune system which led to me getting COVID easier and making it worse. Thank you for your get well wishes, support, and understanding of my no posting until today this week.

Blessings of good health for you and yours!