Pagan Festival Shout Out: Februalia/Disting/Imbolc

February 2 is Februalia. Februus, for whom the month of February is named, was a god associated with both death and purification. Februalia was the time in which one purifies everything spiritually, mentally and physically “spring cleaning” comes from this beginning. The holiday is also associated with Vesta, a hearth goddess because fire is associated with purification and Vesta is the guardian of the flame. In Rome the Februalia was a month-long period of sacrifice and atonement, invovling offerings to the gods, prayer, and sacrifices.



February 2nd is also the Norse holiday called Disting, also known as Ewemeolc. The name Ewemeolc means "ewe's milk" and is named because it is the time of year when ewes gave birth and their milk was available. Common traditions include the blessing of objects/tools (due to the ancient custom of "charming the plough" at this time), beginning new projects, etc. Corresponding to the Celtic Imbolc, this holiday is typically celebrated at the beginning of February.



And of course the most celebrated of the pagan holidays on February 2nd is Imbolc. Imbolc, (pronounced "IM-bulk" or "EM-bowlk"), also called Oimealg, ("IM-mol'g), by the Druids, is the festival of the lactating sheep. It is derived from the Gaelic word "oimelc" which means "ewes milk". Herd animals have either given birth to the first offspring of the year or their wombs are swollen and the milk of life is flowing into their teats and udders. It is the time of Blessing of the seeds and consecration of agricultural tools. It marks the center point of the dark half of the year. It is the festival of the Maiden, for from this day to March 21st, it is her season to prepare for growth and renewal. Brighid's snake emerges from the womb of the Earth Mother to test the weather, (the origin of Ground Hog Day), and in many places the first Crocus flowers began to spring forth from the frozen earth.

Death Has No Borders In “World Of Death” Short Film Collection

“World of Death” brings together the talent of over 200 filmmakers from 25 different countries in a compilation of short horror films that will terrorize, astonish, disturb, and excite genre fans across the globe. Everyone will be able to find something to make them sleep with the lights on. No country is safe! “World of Death” isn't just a compilation, it's a community. Consisting of over 200 filmmakers plus their casts and crew, World of Death includes independent talent of every age and level of experience… From all over the globe! In the coming weeks “World Of Death” will be released on VOD, DVD, and Blu Ray. To keep up to date with World Of Death go to the links below and see what your country has in store for you.

Among the collection of short films is Bryan Wolford’s “Psychedelia”. Check out the cool stills from “World Of Death” below. The collection is produced by Scotchworthy Productions and JP3 Media.

                                                                Psychedelia Screen Shot

                                                           Manscaping Screen Shot

                                                                Mummy Screen Shot

Teaser Trailer Released For Sci-fi/Drama“The Rover”

Check out the first teaser trailer for sci-fi drama “The Rover”. The film is set in the Australian desert in a dangerous and dysfunctional near future and is directed by David Michôd. “The Rover” stars Robert Pattinson, Guy Pearce, Scoot McNairy, Nash Edgerton, David Field and Anthony Hayes. It is due out in the summer of 2014 and takes place ten years after the collapse of society.












“The Rover” is set in war-torn future and follows a man who slogs across the Australian desert to locate his stolen car and secure the mysterious cargo inside. Eric has left everything and every semblance of human kindness behind him. He sets off to track down the gang of dangerous criminals who have stolen his last possession on earth, his car. He is forced to enlist the help of Reynolds, the naive member of the gang left behind in the bloody chaos of the gang's most recent escape.

Full Trailer Surfaces For ‘From Dusk Till Dawn’ Series

El Rey Network has released the full trailer for the series adaptation of cult vampire horror ‘From Dusk Till Dawn’. The series will premiere on March 11th on the Robert Rodriguez created network. ‘From Dusk Till Dawn’ stars Jake Busey, D.J. Cotrona, Zane Holtz, Brandon Soo Hoo, Jesse Garcia, Robert Patrick, Madison Davenport and Don Johnson.

A Texas Ranger is in hot pursuit of the infamous  Gecko brothers, a pair of psychotic bank robbers who kidnap a family after their latest robbery.  When the group takes a detour to a brothel in Mexico, they soon learn that the establishment is run by vampires.

CW To Bring Us ‘iZombie’& ‘Supernatural: Tribes’

Once again CW is showing me why I love this network. Taking on Vampires, Witches, Demons, Demon Hunters, Superheros, Mutants, Aliens, Ghosts and now Zombies. The network has picked up the pilot for Rob Thomas’ ‘iZombie’, a new series that the ‘Veronica Mars’ and ‘90210’ writer, producer is adapting from the Vertigo comic created by Chris Roberson and Michael Allred.

‘iZombie’ is described as a supernatural crime story that centers on a medical-student-turned-zombie who takes a job in the coroner's office in order to gain access to the brains she must reluctantly eat to maintain her humanity. However, with every brain she eats, she inherits the corpse's memories. With the help of her medical examiner boss and a police detective, she solves homicide cases in order to quiet the disturbing voices in her head. Thomas and Diane Ruggiero will pen the script and executive produce the Warner Bros. Television and Rob Thomas Productions entry alongside frequent collaborators Danielle Stokdyk and Dan Etheridge.


Also the network has picked up the long buzzed about spin off ‘Supernatural: Tribes’ which takes the Demon hunter, Monster clash to the windy city with rivaling monsters battling Demon hunters on the streets of Chicago. The series will be spearheaded by ‘Supernatural’ writer Andrew Dabb, who will exec produce alongside Eric Kripke,Robert Singer, showrunnerJeremy Carver and McG. Singer will direct the Warner Bros. Television entry.

Teaser And Poster For Anthology “Hi-8”

Thanks to Horror Society for turning me on to gems like “Hi-8”. The film is a horror anthology from Nightfall Pictures and Twisted Illusions. The anthology brings together the talents of Directors Tim Ritter, Brad Sykes, Marcus Koch, Ron Bonk, Chris Seaver, Todd Sheets, Donald Farmer and Tony Masiello. Check out the teaser below.

Trailer Released For “Gravedigger”

The horror/thriller “Gravedigger” has released a new trailer and poster.

Filmed in New Jersey, comes a disturbing, new twisted shock fest “Gravedigger”.  A sinister collaboration between the minds of Keith Collins (“Stuck in the Middle”,”The Meat Puppet”), Doug Bollinger (“Waltzing Anna”), Brandon Ruckdashel (“Co-ed Confidential”), the eerie ink of NY Emmy Award Winning Writer Joseph Pepitone & Billy Pepitone (“Stuck in the Middle”) and along with original music from guitar rock genius Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal ("Guns N' Roses") comes an intense horror/thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat and the brink of insanity throughout a terrifying journey of paranoia.

Having a unique cast of a who’s who from TV personalities to sports players, reality stars, rock stars & many more, “Gravedigger” recently took home two coveted awards at the 2013 Downbeach Film Festival Atlantic City Cinefest for best Thriller Feature Film, NJ & Best Actor.

“Gravedigger” tells the story of Steve Borden (Collins) who is a brilliant, young criminal defense attorney. As junior partner in a local, high end law firm, he makes his living defending the indefensible. When a case gone horribly wrong haunts him, Borden’s conscience begins to send him into a guilt-ridden spiral. Police Chief George Orkin (McKeown) is the town’s top cop. With more bodies turning up buried, District Attorney Mike Ruble (Ruckdashel) suspects Orkin’s ties to crime boss Charles Muzzatti (Stoerback) may be the answer to the case. Now, Orkin must deal with his own eroding sense of integrity to keep both sides of the law off his back. As paranoia rises and Borden, Orkin, Ruble & Muzzatti try to pin the murders on each other, could another, more sinister force be hunting them?

 Codes, morals and misguided views of justice collide when the law, the mob and the Gravedigger face off in a bloody battle that will darken the survivor’s souls forever. But will burying the guilty, bury the Gravedigger’s own guilt?