However, as we are going to have a walking, communicating little human on our hands before we know it, we have been talking about how to handle holidays. Like all self-aware, over-thinking people, we (rather, I) started to consider why we celebrate the holidays we do, and whether or not it is disingenuous to observe religious holidays that we don't believe in.
Hint: it is.
At least, we think that we should be uncomfortable continuing the cycle of ubiquitous Christian holidays. This evening we talked about alternatives. Betazoid Dad thought maybe we should just really embrace the patriotic holidays: have a Flag Day feast, observe the heck out of Presidents' Day (Fun fact! I just looked up "Presidents' Day" to find out what the official placement of the apostrophe is. The answer is way more complicated than I expected!). We rejected that idea.
Being interested in religious traditions, as I am, and having delved into Neopaganism in the past, I think that the solution is to celebrate something akin to the "wheel of the year." If you are unfamiliar with this concept, it's pretty straightforward. Essentially, it is eight festivals celebrating the Earth's progress and changes throughout the year, celebrating the various deities associated with different times, as appropriate to the observer. This is, of course, an incredibly simplistic summary. Other people can explain it far, far better than I can.
So, how is this going to apply to our family? Honestly, I am not really sure yet. We will be working hard to create our own practices as Picard grows up. Any suggestions of stories that apply to the various seasons? I have a grand vision of setting up a maypole in our front yard in coming years, though that may be a little ambitious for now. Definitely a picnic is in the works.
Hint: it is.
At least, we think that we should be uncomfortable continuing the cycle of ubiquitous Christian holidays. This evening we talked about alternatives. Betazoid Dad thought maybe we should just really embrace the patriotic holidays: have a Flag Day feast, observe the heck out of Presidents' Day (Fun fact! I just looked up "Presidents' Day" to find out what the official placement of the apostrophe is. The answer is way more complicated than I expected!). We rejected that idea.
Being interested in religious traditions, as I am, and having delved into Neopaganism in the past, I think that the solution is to celebrate something akin to the "wheel of the year." If you are unfamiliar with this concept, it's pretty straightforward. Essentially, it is eight festivals celebrating the Earth's progress and changes throughout the year, celebrating the various deities associated with different times, as appropriate to the observer. This is, of course, an incredibly simplistic summary. Other people can explain it far, far better than I can.
So, how is this going to apply to our family? Honestly, I am not really sure yet. We will be working hard to create our own practices as Picard grows up. Any suggestions of stories that apply to the various seasons? I have a grand vision of setting up a maypole in our front yard in coming years, though that may be a little ambitious for now. Definitely a picnic is in the works.
Does this make us hipsters?
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