From the Hollow

Each winter, as the ancient Greek month of Gamelion unfolded, the divine household turned its attention to a marriage that shaped both heaven and earth. This was Theogamia—the sacred wedding of Hera and Zeus, queen and king of the Olympian gods. To modern ears, the idea of gods “celebrating their anniversary” might sound quaint or even ironic, given Zeus’s reputation. But Theogamia was no romantic fairytale. It was a ritual affirmation of cosmic order, social stability, and t

On the modern Gregorian calendar, February 14 is loudly associated with roses, chocolates, and commercialized romance. But long before Valentine cards existed, this date aligned—by coincidence of calendar drift—with Gamelion 26, a day connected in parts of the ancient Greek world with Aphrodite, goddess of love, desire, beauty, and generative power. Rather than grand temple festivals, this observance centered on something quieter and more intimate: libation—the ritual pouring

January ends in contrast. Deep winter roots meet bright citrus. Earth and light sit side by side. This salad leans into that balance—slow-roasted beets, sharp-sweet blood oranges, and a simple dressing that lets both shine. It’s naturally gluten-free, visually striking, and deceptively simple. A reminder that even in the heart of winter, color and freshness still belong on the table. This is a dish for the threshold between months—when the cold remains, but the promise of wha

In the heart of winter, when the land appears dormant and the year feels newly uncertain, the ancient Romans turned their attention not to harvest but to hope. Sementivae, also known as Paganalia, was a rural festival dedicated to the sowing of seeds and the unseen work happening beneath the frozen ground. It was a celebration of beginnings that could not yet be seen. Sementivae was an ancient Roman agricultural festival observed in late January, though the exact date varied

Eradicate  is a fast-paced action thriller centered on Kyle Quinn, a former elite operative turned black-ops mercenary known as a “Custodian.” Tasked with dismantling a child abduction cult hidden within Louisiana’s Cajun underworld, Quinn quickly discovers the mission is far from routine. The deeper he goes, the more personal it becomes—entangling him with a shadowy family, a skilled assassin, and ultimately, the father he fears most. The novel delivers exactly what action-t

Eminence Front  is a chilling winter horror novella that leans heavily into atmosphere, dread, and the slow suffocation of inevitability. Set on a quiet suburban street in New England, the story unfolds as a winter storm descends—bringing with it something far older and far more dangerous than snowdrifts and power outages. This was my first experience reading Rebecca Rowland, and her writing immediately stood out. The opening of the novella does an excellent job establishing

With Seasonal Winter Fruit By late January, something begins to shift. The cold is still present, but the light changes. Days stretch just a little longer. Winter fruit, citrus especially, feels almost luminous against the gray. This is the moment for recipes that lift without rushing, that brighten without breaking the stillness of the season. This gluten-free citrus olive oil cake is exactly that kind of offering. Moist, fragrant, and gently sweet, it leans on olive oil ins

Dead Fake  by Vincent Ralph introduces readers to Bleak Haven—a town with secrets, shadows, and a disturbing relationship with technology. When a mysterious website allows students at Bleak Haven High to view AI-generated “deepfake” videos of their own deaths, it initially feels like just another morbid online trend. That illusion shatters when those fabricated deaths begin to play out in real life. The story follows Ava Wilson, who refuses to participate in the craze. As the

Night Terror  is the second installment in Vincent Ralph’s Bleak Haven series, though chronologically it takes place before Dead Fake . Set in 1987, the novel dives headfirst into the town’s dark past and offers readers a deeper look at the horrors that shaped Bleak Haven long before modern technology entered the picture. The story centers on 17-year-old Noah, a survivor of the town’s most devastating tragedy to date. He works at a bookstore in the local mall—until a robbery

Inspired by Roman New Year Offerings The New Year did not always begin with noise. In ancient Rome, the turning of the year was marked with honey cakes—simple offerings meant to invite sweetness, prosperity, and favor in the months ahead. Honey was believed to soften the path forward, to encourage gentle words, good fortune, and stability. This recipe is inspired by those traditions, adapted for modern kitchens and gluten-free needs. It’s less about indulgence and more about

While much of the world moves on from New Year’s celebrations by mid-January, some traditions pause once more. The Old New Year, observed on January 14, marks the New Year according to the Julian calendar, which is still used by several Eastern Orthodox churches and communities. Unlike the January 1 st  tradition, it is a quieter celebration with less spectacle and more reflection. Why There Is an “Old” New Year Quite simply, the Old New Year exists because of a calendar shif

A portrait is never just a likeness. At its best, portraiture is a conversation—between artist and subject, subject and viewer, past and present. Long before photography promised accuracy, painters understood something deeper: a portrait could reveal inner life, social power, vulnerability, devotion, grief, or defiance. To read a portrait well is to learn its quiet language. That language speaks most clearly through three elements: gaze, light, and compassion. The Gaze: Where

Observed on January 11th and January 15th, Carmentalia was an ancient Roman festival dedicated to Carmenta, a goddess of prophecy, childbirth, transformation, and fate. Unlike many Roman holidays centered on public spectacle, Carmentalia focused on women, voices, and futures not yet written. It was a festival concerned not with what has  happened—but with what may . Who Is Carmenta? Nicostrata-Carmenta inventing the Latin alphabet (Antoine Dufour, 1504) Carmenta (also known

Unlike grand Roman festivals filled with feasting and public spectacle, Agonalia was a quieter, more enigmatic observance. Celebrated multiple times throughout the year, including January 9 th , Agonalia honored moments of transition, divine favor, and the uncertainty that accompanied new beginnings. It was a festival not of answers, but of asking. Agonalia was observed on several dates in the Roman calendar—traditionally January 9, March 17, May 21, and December 11—though it

January always asks us to slow down. The noise of the holidays fades, the days stay short, and what the body really wants is warmth—real warmth. Not just heat, but nourishment. This soup is exactly that: grounding, comforting, and deeply winter-appropriate. Root vegetables have long been associated with stability and endurance during the cold months, and this recipe leans into that tradition. It’s hearty without being heavy, simple without being boring, and perfect for a quie

Twelfth Night, observed on January 5th, marks the final evening of the Christmas season. It is the threshold between celebration and return, between revelry and routine; a night traditionally filled with misrule, ritual, and the quiet understanding that the old magic must be put to rest. If Christmas is about light returning, Twelfth Night is about closure. Twelfth Night falls twelve days after Christmas Day and historically signified the official end of Christmastide. In man

“Oh… I didn’t hear you come in. You must forgive me; I lose track of time among the shelves. These volumes are restless things, you can almost feel them breathing, waiting for someone to open them. “Here, sit.” She gestures toward a nearby chair placed in what appears to be a reading lounge. “The Hollow doesn’t take kindly to strangers wandering too long in the dark, but in the library, you’re safe enough… for now.” She lifts a book, its cover unmarked, and places her hand on

January 1st is often framed as a clean slate—a bright beginning washed of the past. But older, deeper traditions tell a different story. Hag’s Day is not about erasing what came before. It is about honoring the Crone—the wise, feral, transformative feminine energy that carries endings into renewal. Hag’s Day does not belong to a single goddess. Rather it belongs to many. The Crone: More Than an Ending In many pagan and folkloric traditions, the Crone is the final aspect of th

Long before January became a month of gym memberships, planners, and impossible resolutions, it belonged to Janus—the Roman god of doorways, thresholds, and time itself.The Kalends of January, celebrated on the first day of the month, marked more than the turning of a calendar. It was a ritual pause between what had been and what might be . To the Romans, beginnings were dangerous things. They required care, symbolism, and a bit of magic. The word Kalends  (or Kalendae ) refe

New Year’s Eve Edition – The Hollow Ring in the new year with something both celebratory and delicious. This Gluten-Free Sparkling Berry Tart is festive, light, and elegant — the perfect finale to your New Year’s Eve dinner or a show-stopping treat for your midnight celebration. A buttery gluten-free crust, creamy filling, and a sparkling topping of fresh berries create a dessert that’s both stunning and approachable. Bonus: it’s naturally gluten-free, so everyone at the par