November | Jen Sequel

Poseidea: Festival of Poseidon

The Poseidea is a relatively obscure festival from the ancient Attic calendar, held in honour of Poseidon, god of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. It took place in the lunar month called Poseideon (roughly late December into January). Although details are limited, the festival provides an intriguing insight into how the Athenians and other Greeks recognized the power of the sea and its perils — especially in winter. Date & Calendar Context The Attic month Poseideon is identi

Nov 293 min read

The Feast of Hathor and Sekhmet

The Feast of Hathor & Sekhmet is a remarkable example of how ancient Egyptian religion could combine celebration, myth, and communal catharsis. Celebrated in honour of the goddesses Hathor (goddess of joy, music, fertility) and Sekhmet (lioness goddess of war, healing and the “Eye of Ra”), the festival marks the transformation of destructive power into benevolent protection, and invites the community into ritual renewal via celebration, intoxication, and symbolic release. Myt

Nov 284 min read

Plerosia: The Festival of Fullness and Thanksgiving in Ancient Athens

As the Attic calendar turned toward the close of autumn, the people of Athens observed Plerosia (Πληρωσία), a festival whose very name means “fullness” or “abundance.” Falling within the month of Maimakterion (roughly late November to early December), Plerosia was a time to give thanks for the bounty of the harvest and to honor the gods who sustained life through the coming winter. A Festival of Gratitude and Completion While few direct references to Plerosia survive, schol

Nov 262 min read

Book Review: Empty Boxes by Robin Acton

Empty Boxes by Robin Acton delivers a tightly paced mystery rooted in the grit and shadows of Pittsburgh’s underbelly. When crime reporter Rita Locke begins investigating the murder of a funeral director, she doesn’t expect to find empty coffins—or uncover a far-reaching conspiracy that stretches far beyond western Pennsylvania. What starts as a local crime quickly expands into an international web of danger, deception, and medical intrigue that leads her all the way to a Ca

Nov 181 min read

Beginner-Friendly Art Tutorials on YouTube

Starting a new artistic journey can feel overwhelming. However, with the right guidance, anyone can develop their skills and enjoy the creative process. I have found that beginner art tutorials online provide a structured and accessible way to learn. In this post, I will share insights into how these tutorials can help, what to look for, and practical tips to get the most out of your learning experience. Why Choose Beginner Art Tutorials On YouTube? The internet offers a vast

Nov 184 min read

Gathering and Glow: Finding Warmth in Creativity This November

As the days grow shorter and the crisp November air nudges us closer to winter, there’s a special kind of magic in slowing down, gathering, and letting ourselves bask in the glow of creativity and connection. Whether it’s around a cozy table, a flickering candle, or the glow of a computer screen as you write your next story, this is the season to celebrate the things that light up our hearts—and our homes. Gather Around Your Passions Gathering doesn’t always mean a crowded ro

Nov 173 min read

Night of Hekate: Honoring the Torchbearer at the Crossroads

Hekate is among the more fascinating deities in the Greek pantheon — a goddess of magic, boundaries, crossroads, the night, and the underworld. While her worship in classical antiquity had specific ritual forms, modern practitioners have also adopted particular dates in November for her honour. This article explores the “night(s) of Hekate,” how they are observed today, what their roots may be, and how you might choose to mark them yourself. The Ancient Practice: Deipnon, Nou

Nov 164 min read

The Art of Gratitude

Gratitude has been a trend for years—mantras, journals, daily social media reminders. But for me, it’s never quite stuck. Not because I’m ungrateful—far from it. It’s just that the idea of performing gratitude like a ritual feels…off. There’s a subtle, almost invisible pressure that comes with the “practice of gratitude.” If you’re not sharing it every day, somehow it suggests you don’t appreciate what you have. It’s an unspoken layer of guilt. And I’ve realized that guilt is

Nov 102 min read

The Season of Stillness: Finding Balance in the Quiet Between

November has always felt like a deep exhale. After the rush of Inktober sketches and the thrill (and exhaustion) of the 31 Days of Horror challenge, there’s finally… silence. The studio is calmer. The tea cup lingers a little longer in my hands. The to-do lists start to shrink—if only for a moment. This is the quiet between. Between autumn’s chaos and winter’s calm. Between finishing and beginning. And in that quiet, I always find myself asking: What now? That lull between pr

Nov 32 min read

Pompaia: The Ancient Festival of Protection and Procession

The Pompaia is an obscure yet fascinating festival from the ancient Athenian (Attic) calendar, celebrated during the month of Maimakterion (roughly mid-November to mid-December). Though few records of it survive, scholars and modern Hellenic practitioners have pieced together its likely purpose: a ritual of purification and protection held at the onset of winter’s storms. The name Pompaia derives from pompe (πομπή), meaning “procession,” suggesting a ceremonial parade of sa

Nov 14 min read