Arts
The Year Turns, Part Eight
Mabon The autumnal equinox is an important turning point in the year. The hours of day and night are balanced, indicating that the light half of the year is drawing to a close, heralding the [more…]
Religion
Islam
Without compassion for even our fiercest enemies, we are but like them
I’m probably going to get myself into a lot of trouble here with the “Hang ’em and flog ’em” brigade, but being controversial and willing to think things through for myself has never hindered me [more…]
Arts
The Year Turns, Part 7
Lughnasadh For me, this was always one of the festivals which seemed to slip under the radar. Which is a shame, because it’s a nice social time, with fun and games, and good food. Falling [more…]
Arts
The Year Turns, Part 6
Litha Litha is the name given to the summer solstice. While the rest of the sabbats that make up the Wheel of the Year have reasonably secure roots in past beliefs and traditions, ‘Litha’ has [more…]
Christianity
Jesus and the End Times – Matthew Chapter 24
Eschatology is the study of End Times prophecy, particularly Christian prophecy, and it is fair to say that there is a fascination with End Times prophecy in the general culture even among those who would [more…]
Islam
“Soldiers of France”
A fortnight ago, I was asked if I might translate the open letter signed by retired French generals warning the government of the very real possibility of a civil war in France. It was felt [more…]
Arts
The Year Turns, part 5
Beltane This important festival has been reinvented umpteen times throughout the ages. I knew it from childhood as May Day. On a couple of occasions while at primary school our class was forced to dance [more…]
Arts
The Year Turns, Part 4
Ēostre My earliest memories of this time of year involve decorating eggs, going to the local park, and rolling them down a hill. Well, more of a small embankment than a hill, but the thought [more…]
20th Century
The ‘Crockford’s Clerical’ Murder
On Sunday 6 December 1987, the Reverend Doctor Canon Gareth Vaughan Bennett returned home after spending a most agreeable weekend with friends in Cambridge. On the way he had given a colleague a lift home, [more…]