A Note Before We Begin
- Shannon
- Dec 20, 2025
- 3 min read
Before we begin, I want to share a few words about how I approach holiday and holy day celebrations.
Traditions — especially ancient ones — are living, breathing things. They shift and evolve over time, shaped by place, culture, lineage, and the people who carry them forward. What we know of their origins is always incomplete; even the most devoted seekers can only see so far into the past. And what we find often varies from culture to culture, region to region, and even family to family.
What you’ll find here reflects my own personal traditions, formed through years of research, lived experience, and listening. They have evolved over time, as all living traditions do, and will continue to do so as I continue to learn and deepen my relationship with practices that honor the Earth as sacred and eternal, and recognize her cycles as a reflection of our own.
I also want to speak briefly to the idea of cultural appropriation, as it’s often discussed today. My personal belief is that history, belief systems, and traditions are far more fluid and interconnected than we sometimes allow. Choosing a single point on a long historical timeline and declaring rigid ownership of a tradition — whether cultural, spiritual, or ancestral — often oversimplifies a much richer, more complex story.
When my son was younger and would ask about different traditions or religions, I always gave him the “long version” — offering as many perspectives as I could. I wanted him to see that there is rarely only one way to understand the sacred. Eventually, I think he stopped asking simply because he didn’t want the long answer anymore (his words, not mine). But the intention was always the same: to encourage curiosity rather than certainty, understanding rather than judgment.
Life is fluid. As we grow, adapt, and change, so too do our beliefs, traditions, and cultures.
What I share here are my personal reflections and traditions, shaped by where I am on my own path at this moment in time. Take what resonates with you, and leave the rest. I suspect though that if you have taken the time to read this far, you feel a calling as I do to find something of the ancient and sacred still vibrating through our modern lives, and a desire to keep these traditions honored and alive.
If not us, who will?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi there! I'm Shannon Bueche, and this is my space to share what's on my mind, as concisely as my Virgo brain will allow. Not only do I 'spill the tea' on some common misconceptions, but I also like to drink it while I'm running down the rabbit holes of the hows and whys of what I do to harmonize with the greater connections of life.
Whether it's living, growing, and harvesting in tune with the cycles of the year, the struggles of being human in this age, or just the random musings of an everyday Green Witch/Earth Mother, you'll find it all here. I believe in keeping things authentic, but still practical. So, while I may overshare details from time to time, I will always offer suggestions that make sense for living right now.
So, grab a cup, sit a spell, and join me on this journey of living from the ground up.
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