|
Livejournal's · Pagan · Community
 |
|
Yea, really...And I think you'll agree after you read what happened to me today.
Here's a pic of my travel altar set up from the hospital I'm in right now:
 You can't see it, but the small chalices have salt and water in them. West is to the Right. I use air as North because that's how I was trained, and it makes sense to me: when you think of the X and Y axis, North being air and masculine lines up with south which is also masculine. I hope that makes sense. So I have my cone incense stick on the North side. I figured this woudl suffice enough to survive the flight. I got the small pentacle at some craft sore, as a christmas item actually. Got the incense stick, my quartz, my bell for fire, since bringing blades to a hospital or on a flight just isn't a good idea. ... it's in the corner of my desk in my room so I'm not worrieda bout it being touched by staff, the nurses have another table set up for their supplies.
So, anyway, why I'm here...
( Read more... )
Current Mood: |
 relieved | |
|
|
I love advent calendars but they don't really make them for pagans so I'm doing my own on-line. If you're interested it's over at ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif) paganadvent and I'll be posting daily until Yule.
Current Location: |
home |
Current Mood: |
 cheerful |
Current Music: |
Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal | |
|
|
Every year I hear the same thing: Christmas is a pagan holiday, the Christians stole it from us.
That is simply not true. Many of the traditions and ways of celebrating it are pagan in origin, but that does not mean the holiday itself is. As various cultures converted from paganism to Christianity, they brought their seasonal traditions with them. It wasn't always the case that "the evil priests tricked the pagans into making their festivities into Christian ones".
As for the conversions themselves, sometimes it was at knife-point, but more often it was because it was financially or politically expedient. A king, emperor, or chieftain would convert, and then the juicy "government contracts" went to fellow Christians. And sometimes, sometimes, people converted because the faith felt right; it felt like coming home. I hear that all the time from pagans that they felt this way when found their new faith. Why can't it work in the opposite direction?
Christmas is a Christian holiday. It is a celebration of Jesus' birthday. Very likely He was not born in December, and many suggest is was moved to December 25 to coincide with an older, pagan holiday. However, from what I've seen, no one can agree on which pagan holiday. Myself, I believe that part of the reason for the move is that you just need an excuse for a bit of warmth and a bit of a party that time of year.
Christmas is also a secular holiday. It outgrew the chapel and spilled into the Victorian parlor, the city streets, and then the shopping malls. Again, I think it is partly because you need the warmth and a party in the winter.
You might celebrate Yule, Saturnalia, Alban Arthuan, or something else entirely different. You may celebrate the secular Christmas or you may dread it. But even if you don't keep Christmas yourself, your co-worker with the crucifix likely does. If you wish them a merry Christmas, it isn't because it is important to you, but that it is important to them; the wish isn't for you, it is for them. My non-American friends will wish me a happy fourth of July. It isn't their holiday, but they know it means something to me.
There are many Christians that anger me this time of year (but there are also many pagans that embarrass me.) It is easy to find enemies; if you look you will see them even where they aren't. Instead, look for friends and allies.
Tolerance doesn't begin with someone else; it begins with you. You can't demand that someone else change their attitude if you are unwilling to change yours first. |
|
|
I have a tendency to stress myself out, which was causing me some health problems, but lately I've been doing a lot better with that specifically by just being mindful about it and consciously making myself calm down. However, I'm now finding that whenever I feel depressed or very sad some afternoon or evening, that night or the next day I start to feel as though I've got the flu, and simple mindfulness hasn't helped much with this in particular. I can't afford to get sick every other week just because something upsets me. Other than meditation(I do meditate somewhat frequently, though not every single day), or transforming into a Vulcan, any suggestions for possibly quicker ways to counteract/block my emotions from manifesting like this? |
|
|
I was shocked to find an email in my inbox last night that Diana's Grove will be selling the land after the 2010 Mystery School year ends. I'm still kind of sad and angry, and feel like I've had a metaphysical punch in the gut.Having lived at Diana's Grove for several months, and having spent a lot of time there, this news doesn't come as a complete surprise. I know what many of the challenges Cynthea and Patricia and other staffers have faced with making Diana's Grove possible. But it still hurts. And my heart hurts not just for me, but for all my friends who are part of the Diana's Grove community. --- In 2010, Diana’s Grove Mystery School will be working with the story of Persephone. It is a story of cycles, and as we all know, part of the wisdom of cycles is that all things come to an end. While it is our intention that Mystery School will continue, Diana’s Grove Center, as you and we have known it, is coming to an end. |
|
|
The Board of Directors of NW Yulefeast, in recognition of these tough economic times has decided to extend the pre-reg rate through Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 26th, 2009. Any Registration received from the 27th though the closing date of December 1st will be the higher 'regular rate'. The Board has received to date four requests for the Grandma Fussie Scholarships. Deadline for this years scholarship requests is November 15th, with the recipients notified by email by the 20th. Online registration is available on the website http://nwyulefeast.org as well as the flyer for download. Details for the Grandma Fussie Memorial Scholarship is also available on the website. NW Yulefeast is the Pacific Northwest Premiere Winter Pagan Festival, now in its 21st year. Visit our website at http://nwyulefeast.org for more information. Thanks, NW Yulefeast Board of Directors |
|
|
... what kind of folklore or Pagan topics would you want to read? For NaNoWriMo this year, I'm going to be writing a series of children's books about Paganism, adapted for that age group. I'm looking for some inspiration, so if you have suggestions as to what kinds of topics, god/desses, folklore, and so forth that you think you or your kids would want to read, please let me know. :) (Sorry, x-posted a bit... just in case you see this more than once!) |
|
|
So recently the pagan group in my region re-formed after a long period of separation. I’m excited to be around my fellow polytheists and weirdos again but… Its already happening, its already upon us, Teh Dramas monster has reared its head again after only two official meetings. Sigh… I understand that one of the seemingly defining element among pagans is bull headed, over independent I do what I want, hyper sensitivity mentalities but I really really really want this group to be a success. We live in a town that’s both a college town and a military town so there are a lot of people I think would benefit greatly from a well established, open, and active support group especially in there times of need. I’m sure there are people out there with success stories, and helpful hints so please share them! How does one keep a group of very different people, with very different paths, to create a wonderful and long lasting group? Any advise will be appreciated. |
|
|
Rending the Veil occult magazine is accepting submissions for our "Killer Samhain" issue for the next ten days. Of particular interest this issue are horror fiction, spooky art or photos, articles on anything to do with spirits, invocation, evocation, ordeal work, and anything concerning darker magicks. We always accept poetry as well as reviews for anything of interest to the alternative spiritual community -- obviously book reviews, but also movie, audio cds, live events, conventions, and so forth. I know a week or so back in San Francisco there was some sort of gay festival (my brother attended); a review for this would be great if any of you were there. It doesn't have to be occult. We've reviewed manga and anime, a local haunted house, and so on. If you are interested in submitting anything, please reply to this email and let's talk about it. If you received this email on a list, you can reach me directly at sheta at rendingtheveil dot com. This issue is going to be really special; a lot of cool things are in store. ;) We are also accepting submissions for the Yule issue and any issue for next year. Just let me know what you'd like to submit to. Previously published material is okay, if it's okay with the original publisher. Guidelines: Minimum of 500 words for reviews, 1000 words for fiction and articles. Images submitted must be high res enough for me to downsize it and maintain clarity, and should be accompanied by an artist bio and a paragraph about the image, preferably what inspired it and what tools were used to create it. Writers may also submit a bio or a blurb with a link to their site to accompany their articles. Put your name, your byline (name to publish by), and your email address WITHIN THE ARTICLE DOCUMENT. Articles should be Word .doc or .rtf format with formatting in place if any is preferred. All submissions receive at least minor editing. This is not a judgment of your skill as a writer, and should not be taken personally. Please be prepared to review edits and return within 48 hours of receipt in order to win a placement in the desired issue. I hope to hear from many of you soon. Crossposted to nonwiccanwitch and ritualmagick. |
|
|
Greetings!
This is my first post here, and I hope everyone had a great Mabon. :) This has always been one of my fav holidays, and I wanted to share the Mabon experience I had this year.
Something I look forward to on top the typical harvest and fall weather stuff is the healing that Mabon provides. There are of course different books out with all sorts of different histories, but the basic thing I take away from it is the “releasing of prisoners.” There’s a number of practical reasons this was done – one more mouth to feed over winter, or ransom money could buy winter supplies.. Somewhere through this it became a tradition to let prisoners free and go home to their own families to prepare for winter.
I really like that, as modern neo-pagans, we acknowledge this holiday by releasing our own “prisoners.” We all have stuff we need to let go, to be able to move on from and heal. So for me, this season is kindof a “spiritual housecleaning” sort of holiday.
This year, my local UU pagan tea&talk group that I’ve been frequenting (a non-offical CUUPS group) had planned for a Mabon rite at our local beachfront. We are by no means a coven; normally we meet only for discussions once a week. We run the gamut of young newbies and older experienced people. Most of us have never done a circle together, except at a recent local, small, public festival.
So right now, I’m under a lot of stress in my personal life. Family, friends, health, money, you name it. I ended up having a rough day, but was confident I could put it all behind me when grounding for ritual. I had some pain issues with my back pop up in the day also, but I’ve had previous pain experiences where I was able to draw energy from the ritual/circle to temporarily fix my pain issues (I have scoliosis, and also intestinal disease).
Unfortunately it rained, and the forecast didn’t call for it… Our ritual was called off, so we had a discussion group instead about auras, and a few other related topics. We did the exercise with a partner of focusing energy in through our left hand and out our right. My right arm was painfully numb at this point, and my right shoulder and upper back hurt so bad I was unable to hold out my hand and arm for the exercise, so I sat it out.
By the end of the evening, the pain had gotten worse. It had spread to different parts of my back; it felt like it was collapsing on my lungs each time I tried to breathe. The typical sign my back was going out. I haven’t had this happen in a number of years, as my scoliosis is pretty manageable. Basically, I know what I can do, and I know what I can’t. Anyway, a friend had to drive me home, I took some painkillers and laid down on my heating pad for the rest of the night.
I was really disappointed about my pain, as I had planned to hold my own Mabon rite at home yesterday night. Basically to release some of my own “demons,” as our planned circle for the evening did not have any magick planned in that department.
So I’m laying in bed. The pain is unbearable. And I’m upset I can’t release those things I’d planned to.
Something we had talked about in the chakra discussions was how an imbalance (or many) can cause physical problems or manifestations… I guess all that stress finally caught up with me.
Years ago, my first priestess, during a class on altar supplies, said something very meaningful that I will never forget. She started out by saying, [please keep in mind she has a very sarcastic sense of humor, I don’t want to offend here] “Don’t ever let witches tell you we’re not materialistic. We love our shit.”
>>>..Ok, how true is that? Really? But I suppose that’s a whole ‘nuther post…
But then, she said, “Sure, we love our shit, and it can help us focus. But a good witch can cast a circle on a desert island with NOTHING.”
So I’m remembering this, laying my bed. I can’t move my right arm. I can’t sit up. …So what can I do… Well my bedroom is generally my indoor ritual space anyway. So I start deep breathing… And I cast my circle from right there in my bed. I couldn’t write down my prisoners, as I had planned, to bury or burn later.
But I named them, and verbally and mentally was able to expel them...One by one.
So, it felt good, I drifted off to sleep feeling really accomplished, having done something I've never done before, and under non-ideal conditions or circumstances. It was really powerful for me, so thank you for allowing me to share it here.
… So, I guess this Mabon has taught me a few things, among them: - I actually kindof used that lesson learned years ago, except I wasn’t on a desert island…
- I really really really gotta work on my chakra meditations and get those balanced again..
- Stress really really does catch up w/ your physical health.
I’d love to hear your own thoughts and everyone's Mabon stories,
And have a happy rest of the harvest season!
Current Mood: |
 nostalgic | |
|
|
I appreciate all the help I received from the last post. Definitely helped. I'm sorry to always be asking, without giving, but I have yet another question. Does anyone know of any good websites/books on crones? Anything having to do with the crone aspect will suffice. And all my thanks, again. |
|
|
Almost every Pagan that I've met has some sort of jewelry that they wear that represents their path and their personal beliefs. Obviously, not everyone chooses to wear jewelry, but being someone who enjoys the shiny stuff, I was wondering what kinds of Pagan jewelry everyone wears, if any, and why do you wear it? ( Rest of entry under the cut due to large-ish picture ) |
|
|
Hallo LJ!
I've quite the pickle.
I will outline the situation briefly.
( Quite the pickle. )
Current Mood: |
 sad | |
|
|
X-Posted I'm towards the end of reading (okay, audio book - being read to me) Isaacson's biography of Einstein . It's a great book. Very enjoyable. I have Franklin's bio as well, but haven't read it yet. I've always been fascinated by Einstein and relativity. I remember reading about it when I was in junior high school. Sadly, I lack the math for a full understanding. Anyway, the whole thing got me thinking again to the nature of magick and why it works. Not how, but why. One of the first things I assign my Wicca 101 students is Nick Herbert's book; Quantum Reality. I know that magick is real and it works and understanding at least in a passing sense the science underlying reality, is fundamental to the understanding of Wicca, spell casting, magick, divination and so on. I feel it is in fact, essential to come to grips with the nature of reality or one will never understand magick. Herbert's book has the added advantage that it is very readable even to the layman (I certainly qualify there!), making the concepts very accessible. Of course, even though I really don't assign much more than the first two chapters, where he discusses the eight major quantum theories of reality, I have few illusions that anyone actually reads the assignment. More's the pity. It's a lot of fun to ponder and discuss, not to mention missing out on a major building block of why the Wiccan faith actually works. In any event, I was looking around in the Internet about it, because I have that kind of time right now. I found a really interesting interview with Nick Herbert about it. Especially interesting here is the discussion about the bit rate of the human brain as opposed to other things, such as TV. Even more so, how little of the human brain bandwidth is used for consciousness compared to what is actually being received. His discussion of the metaphase typewriter is also fascinating, if a little bit spooky. I recommend reading the interview, if not also the book itself. |
|
|
Does anyone know of, or can anyone point me to, resources on the Fates (Klotho/Atropos/Lachesis or Urdh/Verdandi/Skuld)? I have been searching online though not to much satisfaction. I am looking to gain more knowledge about their history, any stories including them, their feast days (if any) and how to worship/make an altar for them. P.S. Does anyone have a good book/web suggestion on Hecate? How does she like to be honored, in your experience? And Joan of Arc appears in my dreams, but through books and not directly to me. How do I respond to her, honor her? Thank you very much. |
|
|
As I've moved along on my Pagan path, I've learned in many of my books that you're "supposed" to work with the elements harmoniously, with equal time given to each. However, throughout all of my time as a Pagan, I've felt an inexplicable connection to Fire. I've always used candles in my spells and magick, and I've always been drawn to the more Fiery herbs, crystals and stones, etc. Starting a few months ago, and up until this past August, I had been thinking about it a lot, even more than usual. I started to feel a pull towards a different type of path: that of the elemental Witch, a Witch who works with one particular element.
The idea excited me, but worried me at the same time: I was excited about the prospect of working with Fire, but I was worried that I would upset the balance, because nearly all of the books I had read stressed working with the elements equally. After a few weeks, I stepped back from myself and thought about it, and I realized that I had basically been working solely with Fire from the get-go: all I would be doing by considering myself a Fire Witch would be putting a descriptive label on what it is I do. I also realized that the sky hadn't fallen in all the time I'd been practicing the way that I had been. haha When I finally accepted the path that I felt called to, it felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off my shoulders.
So, how about all of you? Do any of you feel a connection to and/or work with any one particular element? Do you consider yourself an elemental witch of any sort, and if so, how did you decide that that was the right path for you? |
|
|
Today, well 46 minutes ago was the Festival of Vulcan. I celebrated by making metal jewelry. Did anyone else do anything in Vulcan's honor? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulcan_(mythology) )
|
|
|
I am doing a Passion Moon ritual around midnight, well, for private stuff in my life. More later once it is done. Cross-posted to darkpaganism |
|
|
Did anyone here do something for Lammas? Our coven traditionally does the reading of the Hymn of Demeter, people taking parts of this and acting it out like a play. We even work ourselves into a frenzy to make ourselves cry like Demeter. I had to tend to my boyfriend's surgery and him also getting a high fever, so I did a ritual on my own. I am drawn to loas and Erzulie, so I made a doll of her. She is also associated with tears and her familiar animal is the pig. So it fit well with my Lammas ritual, even though it isn't the pantheon I usually use at Lammas, which is strictly Greek and Roman. Here is a doll I made for the season:  Cross-posted to darkpaganism |
|
|
