Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in Blue Star Wicca's LiveJournal:

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Friday, October 31st, 2008
8:35 pm [malgoroth]	I have finally arrived. Wife® and I went to dinner this evening at IKEA. I looked around the nearly deserted cafeteria, thinking something did not feel right. It took me several minutes to realize what it was. I kept thinking "Ah, these poor people have nowhere to go. No friends, no family. Just a lonely, empty cafeteria." I realized then what I was feeling. Many times in my past I spent "family" holidays, such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, alone. I would go out to get some food in lonely, empty places with only a few other lost souls for company. I then thought about the friends and family I would be sharing the evening with and I felt - full. I know of no other way to describe the feeling. I am no longer alone on holidays. Granted, I have not been alone ofr many years now, but this is the first tiem I have truly felt it. As we sat eating I shared my observations about the feel of the "holidays" with Wife®. She paused for a moment, considered the cafeteria much as I had, and said, with sudden realization, "You know, you're right. That's what's been bugging me since we got here." Never before has one of our holidays felt like a "holiday" to me. Something in me changed at Family Gathering this year. I cannot put into words what that change was or even how it feel. All I can say is that it feels more right than anything has ever felt for me, save only my love for Wife®. This evenings' epiphany simply continues that change. I am being told that it is time for me to move forward, and for the first time in my life I have heard the Gods before they had to shout. BlueStar has always felt like home to me, but I finally feel like I am at home. I feel good. Current Mood: reflective Current Music: Metallica - Disposable Heroes (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Sunday, October 19th, 2008
6:59 pm [hypatia42]	This evening, Father Bliss, myself and several others are creating space and holding in our thoughts those on the Ride this year. If you are along and need sustenance or a space to rest in warmth and love, feel free to partake of what we have offered.
Saturday, October 4th, 2008
11:13 pm [thista]	write for Artemis Hey Blue Star people! I'm supposed to edit this anthology for Artemis. Technically the deadline already passed, but I'm going to extend it for another month. I really, really, REALLY want some Blue Star people to submit stuff. This is *not* supposed to be a purely recon book. It's supposed to show a myriad of interpretations of Artemis - as many as possible, in fact. I know it's short notice, but please try to send something my way if you can. Poetry, short stories, songs, essays, artwork... anything is welcome. Send submissions to artemisdevotional at gmail dot com or comment with questions. (5 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, September 29th, 2008
3:02 pm [catpaw67]	B* census Dear Blue Star Dedicants, Neophytes and Initiates, My apologies to those of you who get this multiple times. I wanted to be sure to get this to the broadest possible audience. I am pleased to announce that the 2008 Blue Star Census is beginning. Yes, I said "Census" (and I can hear many of you doing your Hannibal Lecter impressions). With input from several other initiates, I have decided to collect information so we can perhaps actually know how many of us there are practicing Blue Star at this time. The purpose of the census is to count us, yes, and also to collect information for a Blue Star directory which we will be printing later this fall. You are able to opt out of the directory entirely if you wish to just participate in the census and not be in the directory. You can also opt to include only certain information if you wish. The directory will include everyone dedicant and above who fills out the census and requests to be in it. It will be distributed to one representative of each grove and to each solitary initiate by mail (we will be contacting these people for monetary help to pay for the postage for the directory). The information will not be publicly available online anywhere. Your answers and information will be kept completely private and in secure, password-locked storage that only I will have access to. ***Ready to participate? The census is located here:*** https://www.regonline.com/63351_637939J It will be active from now until midnight on Samhain. If you know of anyone who isn't on these lists, please pass along the link to them and encourage them to participate. If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with me offlist. Yours in Their Service, Cat Castells PS--If you know of B* folks without computer access, perhaps you could take a moment to phone them up and key in their information? (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Wednesday, September 10th, 2008
9:52 am [frodo_jim]	B* email lists down for the day.... I neglected to restart the list software after doing some work on it early this morning. So the lists will be down for the day. Perhaps a deep breath might be in order anyway. (16 Comments |Comment on this)
Friday, August 15th, 2008
4:23 pm [gwisteria]	someone else to friend on lj wildrose1962 is mpls Betsy for those who want to friend her. or tell her to friend you. (Comment on this)
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008
6:50 am [cudubh]	Progress I did not make progress today. Last night Itty Bitty decided to be awake until midnight. So this morning I did not get up and do work. I went down and slept in the recliner. I did not however get up and use the computer as a pacifier. Fruit and yogurt for breakfast. Holy crap I'm tired. (Comment on this)
Tuesday, August 5th, 2008
10:52 am [cudubh]	Progress Ok, so continuing in my progress of my vows. This morning, I once again did not get up and plunk my happy ass in front of the computer. I went downstairs and instead of doing footwork and lunges I said "My calf hurts from lunges yesterday...waaaaaah" I caved and instead sat and read from my Fabris fencing book that I have on loan. It wasn't physical activity, but it is fencing information that I need to absorb and try to implement. Had an apple for breakfast, but did not bring the selzer water. I need to send the bottles through the dishwasher. For lunch...oatmeal. For supper chicken Mu-shu from WW cookbook. (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, August 4th, 2008
9:19 am [cudubh]	On track A little background: For Lammas we work in circle, that instead of doing usual Lammas sacrafice, we did something called KOPO (kick one, pick one) where we chose a habit or behavior we wanted to get rid of and a behavior we wanted to replace it with. My personal choice was to decrease my morning behavior of spending 30 to 60 minutes in front of the computer in the morning and replace it with returning to my fencing work. Plus I wanted to give up unconscious eating of crap food and eat oatmeal, fresh fruit or yogurt twice a day. So far day 1: 30 minutes of footwork and lunges in 2nd and 4th for both long and short measure. 20 sit ups. eaten 1 banana and 1 cup of coffee. I need to start bringing my seltzer water to work in the morning. Planning on oatmeal for lunch. I am posting it here to help me own my vow instead of letting it slide. (Comment on this)
Thursday, June 26th, 2008
10:34 am [welshbard]	Past Family Gatherings I'm trying to compile a complete list of the previous family gatherings. Here's what I have so far. Please comment about inaccuracies or anything else. Thanks. Year Location Host Notes 1990 MA Barley Moon 1991 MA Barley Moon 1991-1992 NC Java Star Beach 1992-1993 NC Java Star Beach 1994 MN Lake Star Koinonea 1995 OH Star Song 1996 MN Raven Star Distributed 1997 OH Star Song 1998 MO Summer Oak 1999 MN Raven Star White Earth 2000 MA Star Song 2001 CO Anie 2002 MN Vonnie Scout camp 2003 WA Sea Star Covenstead 2004 WI Raven Star 2005 -- none -- 2006 MN Sean and Wendy Whitewater 2007 -- none -- 2008 MN Tonia and Jason (9 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, June 19th, 2008
12:16 pm [badseed1980]	Neophyte So, I've been reading the journal of a B* neophyte, and this has gotten me thinking more about the neophyte process and the neophyte stage. It has also reminded me of what a strange time neophyte is: a time of major changes within the core of the self, a time when the gods shape you into the person they need as their priest or priestess. By the time my initiation came around, I felt like an arrow in a drawn bow: I simply could not stay there any longer. It was time for me to take flight and hit the target, since the gods had aimed me and pulled back the string. Oh yeah. It was time. There was nothing else I could do. Now, I know there are people out there who have remained in a neophyte stage for a very long time, and I'm sure there may even be some out there who've taken neophyte and then later decided definitely NOT to request initiation. I'm curious: what happens then? Is the person still stuck in that strange neophyte state where you're being molded and shaped, and all kinds of changes are happening to you? Do the gods still see you as a future priest or priestess? Are there still processes going on inside you on a spiritual level to prepare you for initiation, even if you've changed your mind? Is there anything coven leaders do with a neophyte in this situation to help ease this? Is it different if the person wishes to stay on with their group and circle with them in OC circles, or if they wish to leave? Is continuing to participate in OC circles for someone in this position encouraged or discouraged? I'm just curious, remembering the sometimes-dramatic ups and downs of being a neophyte. :) If anyone wants to say something privately about this, feel free to send me a message via LJ. (11 Comments |Comment on this)
Monday, June 16th, 2008
11:01 am [lapiswitch]	Any ideas? crossposted out of desperation I need help from my herbalist friends. Western Medicine has no idea what is wrong with me. I cannot afford to be out of work until my fever breaks or I get worse as the doc suggested. Here are my symptoms: High fever (w/o Tylenol 101.5 to 102.7, today is day 4) Coughing -- mostly dry with occasional mucus that I can't seem to get up Achiness Headache Right arm pit hurts and glands are swollen When he pushed on my liver, I nearly screamed from the pain Lack of appetite Lack of sleep, very restless even though I'm only getting about 4 hours of sleep a day Headache No bowel movements in 4 days Frequent urination They tested me for mono (negative but my monocites are low 2.2 instead of between 4 and 9), strep (negative), and liver function (normal). My breathing, although shallow and rapid, does not indicate pneumonia at this time. He says to come back if it changes without getting better, gets worse or new symptoms present. He says it is viral as it is attacking several different systems which means he can't do anything for me except give me robitussin with codeine so I can at least get some sleep without the coughing waking me up. My thought was to start the cat's claw tincture but I'm not sure since my liver hurts but it shows normal function... Any thoughts? At this point, any time off is without pay. I cannot afford to be without pay. (21 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008
7:23 pm [lapiswitch]	FG 2008 Lives! From Jason, Tonia & Anita: Dear BlueStar Family, Anita, Tonia and I have put our heads together and secured a site for Family Gathering 2008. While we do not have a ton of details for you right now, we can tell you this: We will be at St. Croix State Park about 80 miles north of the Twin Cities. We will be in their Modern Group Center, just like we were at White Water in 2006. Dates are Thursday night through Sunday morning, September 25th - 28th. Currently, the cost is hovering around $90 per adult, though it could be less. We will have a better idea about costs within the week. If you are planning on attending, or are even thinking about it, could you please shoot us a quick e-mail at jason.tonia.stromberg@gmail.com? We hope to have registration forms available within the week, but we'd like to get a quick preliminary head count so we can get a rough budget estimate. Stay tuned to your e-mail box for more details and forms. We'll be getting them out as quickly as possible. Thanks folks, and we hope to see you here! (Comment on this)
Saturday, February 16th, 2008
6:09 pm [daurdabla]	For Your Convenience Moons For 2008 These are written up using the method that follows the solstices and equinoxes, which I like so much better than the zodiacal one: 1st full moon after Yule Wolf Moon 2nd full moon after Yule Storm Moon Last full moon before Ostara Chaste Moon 1st full moon after Ostara Seed Moon 2nd full moon after Ostara Hare Moon Last full moon before Litha Berry Moon 1st full moon after Litha Mead Moon 2nd full moon after Litha Wort Moon Last full moon before Mabon Barley Moon 1st full moon after Mabon Blood Moon 2nd full moon after Mabon Snow Moon Last full moon before Yule Oak Moon Any extra is Blue Moon. In this system is fourth third (thanks onyxtwilight) full moon in a quarter/season, rather than second in a month. Personally, I detest the name "Dyad Moon", so I've replace that in my list with "Berry Moon" which, while not purely B* certainly fits in better with the sense of the others than the clinical term "dyad." Your mileage may vary. And so, herewith the moons, solstices, and equinoxes for this year: 1/8/2008 New Storm Moon 1/22/2008 Full Storm Moon 2/7/2008 New Chaste Moon 2/21/2008 Full Chaste Moon 3/7/2008 New Seed Moon 3/20/2008 Ostara 3/21/2008 Full Seed Moon 4/6/2008 New Hare Moon 4/20/2008 Full Hare Moon 5/5/2008 New Berry Moon 5/20/2008 Full Berry Moon 6/3/2008 New Blue Moon 6/18/2008 Full Blue Moon 6/20/2008 Litha 7/3/2008 New Mead Moon 7/18/2008 Full Mead Moon 8/1/2008 New Wort Moon 8/16/2008 Full Wort Moon 8/30/2008 New Barley Moon 9/15/2008 Full Barley Moon 9/22/2008 Mabon 9/29/2008 New Blood Moon 10/14/2008 Full Blood Moon 10/28/2008 New Snow Moon 11/13/2008 Full Snow Moon 11/27/2008 New Oak Moon 12/12/2008 Full Oak Moon 12/21/2008 Yule You're welcome. (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Sunday, January 6th, 2008
6:31 pm [tigira]	New dedicant! Please join me in welcoming fyrebloom as a dedicant in the Blue Star community. She was dedicated today in a circle officiated by myself and meadmaker.  (7 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, December 5th, 2007
2:28 pm [gwisteria]	Question to Bs men but not exclusive to them So me and a friend have taken on a project having to do with the making Gods accessible (specifically divine male energy) to a group of women that have been meeting and doing specific circles to gain insight with goddeses for eight years now......we irrevertly are called GOM (goddess of the month) anyway since we have done goddesses in a very "in your head "kinda way....i wanted the gods year to be very different so we are making CDs of six songs for ten gods and that is where you guys could help suggestions on songs for any of these gods or if you just got a feeling about a song..the six songs have this theme (STOLEN FROM A CLASS THAT B WENT TO) 1) First song is soft and melodic can be "air pudding" it supposed to inspire stretching and warming up. not words in music 2) second song can have singing, gentle movement inspiring and it would be great if it got faster towards the end of it 3) third should be louder, much more bouncy it should inspire active movement and lead into the more chaotic fourth 4) Should be loud, chaos inspiring, words not easily understandable,usually head banging, come to cresendo. 5)move back from chaos into flowing and gathering together yourself 6) Integrational song back moving back to grounding and centering song somewhat like the first. The list of gods on the table are Hades, Janus, Manannon, Pan, Dionysus, Gwydion, Odin, Mars, Adonis, and Hephaetus Any suggestions would be lovely.....thanks for your time, Gerri aka Wisteria (12 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, November 20th, 2007
11:39 am [mauryarose]	tell G. Could the next person who talks to gwisteria tell her I sent her an email I need her to read, Please? I'd call but i've kind of lost my voice recently. Thanks, D Current Mood: drained (Comment on this)
Friday, October 26th, 2007
7:33 pm [boy_pastiche]	Off Topic: For Mpls locals So, we just ordered take out from Star Dragon at 1540 E Lake St. I found a foreign, unexplainable object in my food. I almost threw up. They refused to refund our money, instead offering me a new version of the dish, which just made me nearly puke. So, I thought I would tell all of you, my friends and neighbors about how excellent the service was at this place. Have a wonderful weekend. (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Wednesday, August 22nd, 2007
1:31 pm [sligoe]	A question I am contemplating a needlework project for an altar cloth, and I'd like some feedback from tose who may be interested. I want to embroider, or possible use fabric paint, all eight Sabbats and their symbols on a round tablecloth for use as a Sabbat altar cloth. What symbols would you associate with each Sabbat---symbols that could fairly easily be translated into hand-embroidery patterns? I have some ideas, but I'd like to hear what you all think. Thanks! :) Current Mood: artistic (4 Comments |Comment on this)
10:02 am [badseed1980]	Blue Star is everywhere, apparently. I found out today at work that Blue Star is the largest air conditioning company in India. I knew we were cool! :) I have also drunk Blue Star wheat beer (from North Coast Brewing Co.), which was rather tasty. I've seen a Blue Star herbal salve as well. Has anyone else come across other stuff that happens to use the name of the trad? I always find it highly amusing. (23 Comments |Comment on this)