Oct 6, 2022Baba Yaga: Deity of Death or Regenerator of Life?In Bulgaria, March is a time for supernatural creatures to return to the human world from their winter residence in Dragon Village (Zmeykovo). Baba Yaga is one of the most well-known of these figures in Slavic folklore. “Baba” is a word that means “old woman” or “grandmother,” while “Yaga” comes…Baba Yaga5 min readBaba Yaga5 min read
Feb 12, 2021Dragons, Wine, and LoveDid you know that people once believed (and may still believe) that comets streaking across the sky were dragons? It could be a dragon hurrying to visit his beloved. He flies down through the fireplace chimney before he changes into human form to meet her. Since February is the month…Dragons4 min readDragons4 min read
Apr 2, 2020Laid-off from your job? 5 Important steps to take right now and rebound!We’re all living in a world we never imagined. If you’re laid-off, it’s difficult to make a living. I’ve been in this situation a few times. Once it happened on my birthday. It was the cherry on my chocolate cake. Once separated from your employer, you feel pain, anger and…Job Search5 min readJob Search5 min read
Apr 2, 2020Anatomy of an Appealing ResumeBe yourself. Everyone else is taken! — Oscar Wilde The goal is to build a resume that will grab the interest of prospective employers in 10 seconds. Why 10 seconds? These days a typical resume or LinkedIn profile is scanned for about 10 seconds (and typically on a mobile device)…Job Search5 min readJob Search5 min read
Sep 15, 2019A Spirit Here, a Spirit There, a Spirit Everywhere!Up until the nineteenth century, it was common belief throughout rural areas of Eastern Europe that spirits lived everywhere in the world of the peasants. Every home and every place outside of the home had its guardian spirit: springs, old trees, fields, vineyards, boundary lines, and so forth. Household spirits…Spirits3 min readSpirits3 min read
Jul 23, 2019Five FREE Tools for New AuthorsWhen I started writing with a friend of mine a few years ago, the only authoring tool I had was Microsoft Word. The following are various tools I’ve come across since those early days. Many, if not all, have been recommended by other authors. They cover design and many other…Self Publishing5 min readSelf Publishing5 min read
Feb 1, 2019Love Generates LoveThe above quote comes from Peter Deunov (Петър Дънов), a Bulgarian philosopher and spiritual leader, who’s better known by his spiritual name, Beinsa Douno (Беинса Дуно). He was born July 11, 1864, and died December 27, 1944. His words and teachings are still quoted today, and he is so beloved…Love3 min readLove3 min read
Nov 3, 2017Samodivi — Witches of Darkness or Thracian Goddesses?Veelas, Wilis, Yuda, Samovili, Vili. These are a few names of nymphs of Slavic folklore, each group a little different from the Bulgarian Samodivi. Are they real or merely myths that have survived throughout the centuries? Who are these creatures? Where did they come from? And why do people fear…Culture6 min readCulture6 min read
Nov 3, 2017Mermaids, Silver Butterflies, and Miracles“My soul is full of longing for the secret of the sea, and the heart of the great ocean sends a thrilling pulse through me.” –Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Mankind’s fascination with the sea has sparked imagination since the first person beheld its mighty waters. Curiosity led people to invent the…Mermaid4 min readMermaid4 min read
Nov 3, 2017Bulgarian Magical Healers: Don’t Call Me a Witch!Is healing outside of modern medicine miraculous or perhaps even magical? Do you know where Bulgaria is? It’s nestled along the western side of the Black Sea, just north of Greece. The country is perhaps best known to the Western world for the city of Varna, the place where Dracula…Culture7 min readCulture7 min read
