Olivia Bernkastel
Shinto and LGBT+ culture: Connected from the ancient to modern era
Throughout the years and even now, I have often been asked the view Shinto holds in regard to LGBT+ people and culture. As someone who is...
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Olivia Bernkastel
Dec 21, 201812 min read
Shinto and Sexuality: A gift of life
With the recent ban on adult content on Tumblr, it has given way to a lot of discussion about adult content online and what is or isn’t...
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Olivia Bernkastel
Dec 21, 20182 min read
Autumn Grand Ceremony & 120 Years Anniversary!
This November 3rd, 2018, we held our Autumn Grand Ceremony (Shuuki Reitaisai) and the 120th year anniversary of our shrine’s founding in...
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Olivia Bernkastel
Dec 21, 20185 min read
Autumn in Japan: A season of the moon, ancestors, and gods
It is now Autumn in Japan, one of the most important seasons of the year. There are four big events, starting with Shubun no Hi (Autumn...
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Olivia Bernkastel
Dec 21, 20183 min read
Reflections of August
A tumultuous month, but one of growth. As September begins, the fire inside that was being whipped in the wind, will now begin to glow...
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Olivia Bernkastel
Dec 21, 20185 min read
This past month of July — Nagoshi no Oharae, Tanabata, flooding, heatwave, and lantern matsuri
I am surprised that the month is almost already over, and what a month it has been. I had been meaning to write since the year end...
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Olivia Bernkastel
Dec 21, 20188 min read
Ceremony day at Konkokyo Hongo Shrine
This article will be a little different than my usual informational style, it is a more of an experience day to share! I hope you will...
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Olivia Bernkastel
Dec 21, 20186 min read
Shinto in Yokosuka: The deities as neighbors, dwelling in the concrete jungle
In 2015, I first landed in Japan and stayed in Sanda, Hyogo prefecture for a few days before heading to live in Konko, Okayama...
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Olivia Bernkastel
Dec 21, 20188 min read
This past year, working full time as a priestess
I moved to Japan in May 2017. And since then, it has been a lot of time of trying to settle into my new home, my new environment. Even...
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Olivia Bernkastel
Dec 21, 20188 min read
Total Solar Eclipse: A regale of the Yayoi people, Amatsukami and Ama no Iwato
As the Total Solar Eclipse was a great event taking place across North America, I thought it would be the perfect time to write about the...
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Olivia Bernkastel
Dec 21, 20182 min read
Tamagushi: What is it, and how to offer it
Here is a short and simple article explaining tamagushi. There is more theories to their origins, and etmology theories to the word,...
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Olivia Bernkastel
Dec 21, 20186 min read
Sacred Items Series: Kagura suzu
In Japanese spiritual practices, such as Shinto, Jinja Shinto, Konkokyo, Onmyoudou, and more — there are various sacred and ritual items...
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Olivia Bernkastel
Dec 21, 20187 min read
Hinamatsuri 雛祭り: Doll’s Festival on Girls Day
Hinamatsuri is today, March 3rd! Or, depending on your timezone, has already passed. While some may be enjoying the view of their dolls,...
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Olivia Bernkastel
Dec 21, 20186 min read
What Are Konkokyo and Shinto?
Hello, and welcome to the first post for "Living With Kami!" You might be wondering – what is Kami? Konkokyo? Shinto? These terms are all...
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